Page 295 of Savage Bosses

"Thank you," Tahani says. "I take pride in my work. But it's not without its challenges."

Hearing her sigh, I sense an opportunity to connect on a deeper level. "How so?" I ask.

"The long hours, the pressure to keep up with my existing clients and to deliver Zeenith soon. Sometimes, I feel like this job is all I have time for." She pauses, seeming surprised by her own honesty.

"I understand completely," I reply, not recognizing my own voice. "My work is my life, too. It can get lonely."

Our eyes lock again, a flicker of vulnerability passing between us. At this moment, we're not boss and employee but two people starved for a real connection.

I am thankful that a knock at the door startles us out of our trance.

Regina pokes her head in. "Sorry, sir, your next meeting is starting. I have them on line two."

I stand abruptly. "We'll have to pick this up later," I tell Tahani, my voice strained.

She nods, avoiding my gaze. Tahani stands up slowly, smoothing her skirt. "Sure, just let me know when you want to meet again.”

I nod, even as every fiber of my being wants to feel her body pressed against mine and her lips on my skin. I force those thoughts away. "Of course. We’ll continue our conversation later today if you're open to it."

She meets my gaze, desire flickering in those dark eyes. "You’re the boss, so just say when.”

My slacks get tighter after that statement. After she's gone, I sink into my chair and sigh. I came here to build a business to its fullest potential, to turn a profit, not fall for an employee. But without even trying, Tahani has ignited something in me I've never felt before. Something natural. Something real.

Pursuing this can destroy us both. We’re boss and employee. It can’t go any further than that. I let out a deep sigh with one last bit of resolve. Despite how I feel, I have to figure out how to keep our relationship strictly professional.

CHAPTER 4

Tahani

LONG NIGHTS AND PRESSURE

A

t nine a.m. the next morning, the engineering team assembles in the boardroom for a team meeting. Mr. Gates gives us a rundown of the success of his other corporate takeovers, his expectations, and our priorities. His personal assistant, Regina, a slender brunette operates the projector and moves along with his presentation without missing a beat.

“I’ve crunched the numbers and know that Iconic can go from ten million a year to being on track to make fifty a year with the changes we make in the next sixty days. But that means we’ll all have to work long hours to make it happen.”

His eyes roam the room and land on mine before Regina changes the slide. “As you can see from these numbers, my latest acquisition started with a net profit margin of nineteen million. In the first quarter after acquiring, the net profit was at fifty million, with new major brands signing up daily to work with Epic,” he states. "And just so you know, when these profit margins happen for Iconic, they will positively affect your paycheck.”

“Impressive,” Mason interrupts in classic Mason fashion. He never wastes a moment to compliment a higher-up.

Mr. Gates looks away from the presentation and nods at Mason. “It is, and I’ve already had this discussion with Grace. We feel you all must be on board because you are Iconic. Without you, we don’t have new products to offer.”

He presents the financial goals he would like the company to meet. After the fifth presentation slide, accompanied by a lengthy breakdown, I glance around the room. Grace, Braedon, Contessa, and the other engineers listen intently.

I glance at the numbers on the slide and back to my notebook. Financials have never amazed me. If I was into bookkeeping, I would have gone into accounting. Give me codes, and you have me glued to the conversation. I can discuss programming and engineering all day long.

As Mr. Gates goes on about financial goals, I keep a keen ear open to see if he mentions programming duties. Meanwhile, I jot different variations of code down on my notepad. I get carried away trying to solve the problem with the Hightower iOS app code Ava asked me to peer review yesterday. The answer comes to me just as I hear my name being called.

“Tahani, are you paying attention?” Mr. Gates asks.

“I—uh. Yes. I am.” I drop my pen on the pad, sit straight in my chair, and stare at the presentation, which now lists our assignments.

Mr. Gates says, “Your client list is heavy, but Grace and Jaqueline have assured me you can handle it.”

I cough to clear my throat and nod. “That’s correct. I can handle it.”

My top clients are Wilford Industries and the Atlanta husband and wife software engineering duo, Montie and Lissa Brown. As the owners of True Colors Technology and Naytek Corp, the Browns outsource major projects to us. They provide a wide range of clients needing software from around the world. I have collaborated with them for years. I can create for them with my eyes closed.

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