Page 6 of The Billionaire's Heart

“Oh, yes. Everything is fine. I was just wondering if you had anything I could do right now. The phones are slow, and I’ve already distributed the mail. I’m just sitting here with nothing to do, and I don’t do well with nothing to do. Got anything I can help with? I’m a really quick study.”

“Oh, um… let me see.” I hear her shuffling papers at her desk. “Yes, actually, I have something you could help me out with. The monthly Hibiscus Island Country Club Newsletter. Why don’t you come to my desk, and I’ll show you what needs to be done?” I can hear the gratefulness in her voice.

“I’m on my way.” I hang up the phone and make my way to her desk, which sits just outside Mr. Gallo’s office. The door is thankfully closed. After seeing that episode yesterday, I have no interest in furthering the awkwardness. Something to add to my notebook; ‘Don’t bring significant others to work with you’.

“Hi there. How can I help?” I smile as I approach her.

“Thanks for the offer. That’s very kind of you.” She sounds surprised that I asked. Wonder why that is.

“Of course. You know what they say about idle hands.” I laugh.

“Mrs. Wilcox, can you bring me the legal documents that you need me to review for the Bahamas deal?” I hear a voice come through the little intercom on her desk.

“Yes, Mr. Gallo.” She says and grabs a stack of legal sized envelopes and hands them to me as her desk phone rings. “Here, take these to Mr. Gallo while I answer my phone.” I take the files and look at the closed door. “Mr. Gallo’s office.” She says into the phone as she waves me to his door.

Suddenly, my heart starts pounding, and there’s a fluttery feeling in my stomach. Why am I nervous? Probably because everyone in this office seems to be afraid of him. Yesterday I barely got a look at him so unless he’s ten feet tall, has a hump onhis back, and a claw for a hand, I’m not really afraid of anybody. Foster care will do that to a girl.

I take a deep breath and pull the door handle, but the door doesn’t open. Great, it’s locked.

I jiggle it again, but I can’t get it opened. I turn to Mrs. Wilcox for help, and she makes the pushing motion. Pushing the door works.Fabulous first impression in front of the boss, Mia.Can’t open a door. That should instill great confidence in your capabilities.

The door closes automatically behind me, and I turn to find the most magnificent man I have ever seen. Seeing him takes my breath away. I can’t tell if he’s ten feet tall or not, but he definitely doesn’t have a hump on his back or a claw for a hand.

He does have a square, powerful jaw, blue eyes the color of the ocean outside, dark hair and not an ounce of body fat on him. He must have work, sleep, and work out on repeat.

“Hello?” He says to me in a smooth voice and my insides melt like chocolate and something’s going on down under.

“Um… hi.” I stand there just staring at him, holding the files to my chest as if they’re a lifeline to safety. Safety from what, I don’t know, but right now they are my shield. A shield I feel like I need in his presence.

He looks at the files and then back to my eyes and he smiles. “Are those for me?” He stands, and he’s tall; not ten feet tall, but taller than my five-foot four height.

I look down at the files in my hand, and my senses come back to me. “Oh, yes, I’m sorry. Yes, these are for you. From Mrs. Wilcox.” I walk across the massive office to his large desk and hold the files to him. He walks around his desk and stands in front of me, and my knees are weak.

He takes the files and places them down on his desk and looks back up to me. “Ian Gallo.” He puts his hand out.

I look down at his hand and my brain decides to fire a neuron or two and I’m able to put my hand in his. And now my brain has short-circuited because of the electricity flying up my arm and into my chest. “Mia McIntosh, like the apple.”

He has a strange look on his face, like I’m confusing him. Probably because of the door debacle. “Nice to meet you, Mia. Welcome to Hibiscus Island.”

We’re still shaking hands and it’s freaking me out, so I pull my hand away and instantly the electricity stops. What the hell was that? “Thank you, Mr. Gallo.”

“Mr. Gallo, Garrett is on line one for you, returning your call.” Mrs. Wilcox’s voice comes over the intercom on his desk.

He pushes the button and answers, “Thank you, Mrs. Wilcox.” His eyes never leave mine. “It was nice to meet you, Mia.”

I get the hint that I’m being dismissed and I’m okay with that because the tension in this room is suffocating. No wonder everyone is afraid of him; he gives off an aura of power. And holy hell, is he hot.

Turning to leave, I hear him answer the phone, “Hey man. Hooplas tomorrow night?”

I grab the door and push it, but it doesn’t give way. Trying again, I realize I need to pull it. What the hell is my problem with doors lately?

Chapter 4

Ian

Iwatch Mia attempt to open my office door a few times before realizing she needed to pull it open and not push. It’s adorable. She’s beautiful. She’s short, tiny actually, with long blonde hair and the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen. When I shook her hand, I felt fire race up my arm and I didn’t want to let it go.

“Yeah, man. Hooplas tomorrow night sounds good. Any special occasion?” Garrett says over the phone.

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