Page 92 of Savage Bosses

Emir stood up and slapped Jamel on the back.

“My man! Now, why didn't I think of that!”

CHAPTER 4

Vexation

I

t was 6:00 a.m., and Tessa did not have to be in the office until 8:30.

Today would be her first full day at KJR, and she wanted to be at work by 8:00 a.m. She would not give her arrogant temporary boss any reason to reprimand her. She was determined to be beyond reproach.

She set her alarm to 6:30 to ensure she’d be on time. So why was her phone going off like a siren call so early in the morning?

She groaned when she finally rolled over, grabbed her phone off the nightstand, and saw the KJR main number she saved to her contacts yesterday.

Why would work call her so early in the morning?

She picked up the call and almost fell off the bed when she heard Emir Kaplan’s voice.

“Good morning, Ms. Dubois, I’m calling to give you my coffee order. I realized you must be at the coffee shop now and panicked over what to order. I absent-mindedly left that out of my email last night. Are you ready to take my order down? you will need a pen.”

Coffee Shop…Email…A pen!

What the hell was he talking about.? Quickly, she grabbed her iPad and opened her new KJR email account. She didn’t bother to check it last night because she was assigned the account at 4:55 p.m. She had no team and just one annoying boss who seemed to want nothing to do with her. She didn’t expect an email!

“Hello!” His voice demanded. “Miss Dubois, I must tell you that I won’t tolerate being ignored. Are you there?”

Selene cleared her throat and answered. “Yes, I’m here. I’m afraid I didn’t see your email. I didn’t expect one.”

“Ah, I see. Well, you should have. We don’t waste time at KJR, Miss Dubois. You will work the same hours I do, as you will see in your email when you read it. 6:30-5:00 pm. I expect you to always be available to me.”

What in the entire hell?

“Mr. Kaplan,” Selene pushed his name out through a fake smile she hoped he could hear. I am a trained architect, not your personal assistant. I do not get coffee.”

Emir tutted and sucked air between his teeth. “See, that is where you are mistaken, Miss Dubois; you are whatever I need you to be for your probationary period of ninety days. You work for me, and I like to test all my new principals’ level of commitment to simple

tasks before I put my trust in their independent work. Are you ready to take my order, or will you take a new job?”

Selene gasped in surprise and disbelief. His underlying threat was clear. She had no idea that her dream job as an architect would be dictated by a cocky asshole with ridiculous demands. But she couldn't turn her back now, this was the opportunity of a lifetime. Even if she wanted to quit, she couldn’t. She’d already sold her home in NOLA, closed all her consulting contracts, and reset her entire life.

She could not let this man run her off; she could take anything for ninety days. Summoning all her courage, Selene answered his demand with a voice that did not waver.

“’ I’m ready to take your order, but it’s Ms. Dubois, not Miss, try not to let your chauvinist flag fly so high.”

Emir hummed. “Noted. Now, let’s start over. My drink order is a Venti Mocha, made with oat milk and an extra shot of Blonde Roast Espresso. I want no whip,but add the Vanilla Sweet Cream Foam and a Caramel drizzle, light ice. Got that?”

Selene failed to suppress a giggle as she typed his order into her iPad.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Dubois, did something I say amuse you?”

Refusing to be punked, she sat up straight on her bed and answered him assertively. “Yes. You order Starbucks like a girl. Unfortunately, I am still at home because I was unaware of my amended work schedule. But I can have this to you in an hour.

Then it was his turn to chuckle. ”I’m surprised I had taken you for an early riser. You’ve certainly woken before me in the past.”

Selene could feel his anger simmering through the laugh. However, she wouldn’t apologize for her disappearing act a year ago. They were two consenting adults who knew the score. If she wanted to fuck and leave, that was her prerogative.

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