Page 5 of Dirty Filthy Billionaire: Part 1

“Great,” I say, suddenly getting an idea. And it’s a doozy. “Before I hire you I’d like to see you out in the field, see how you handle getting a story. Does that sound fair?”

“Sure,” she says.

“Wonderful,” I say. “Then I’ll see you tonight.”

“I’m sorry—what?”

“Tonight. We’re going to investigate a story. I can’t hire you based on these college stories,” I say, waving to my computer that has PDFs of her silly but well-written pieces. “I’ll pick you up at nine. And Mia? Wear something sexy.”

“Where are we going?”

“That I can’t tell you.”

“But why do I have to dress…sexy?” she says, as if the word is confusing to her.

“Because,” I tell her. “Sex sells. And I intend to make Blush the best-selling magazine on newsstands. I assume this address on your resume is current?”

“Yes,” she says. She’s got her chin defiantly up, but I can tell she’s nervous.

I stand up, and then she does as well, tugging on that damn skirt. I can finally take the whole of her in, seeing her at her full height with a full view of her curves, that skirt hugging down her hips and thighs. It’s not bad, the clothes, but I know she can do better—especially for where we’re going tonight.

I offer my hand to shake and say, “Mia, it was a pleasure meeting you.”

“You too, Mr. Bridges.”

I take her hand in mine, small and delicate, and give it a shake. I want to hold it a moment longer than is necessary but refrain.

“And I’ll see you at nine sharp, okay?”

I watch her every step as she leaves my office, the way her hips sway and her calf muscles flex in her (cheap) heels.

When I took over the company this morning, I didn’t think things would go as well as this. As much fun as I’m having at the office, now I just can’t wait for the day to end so that I can see Mia again.

I tell myself I’m just having fun, pushing this Mia girl to see whether she can fulfill some of the potential I sense in her. Maybe she could be a top-flight writer if she loosens up a bit…

But then another part of me knows that there’s more going on than I want to admit to myself.

Something about Mia draws me in, makes me want to focus on her to the exclusion of everything else. And the last thing I need right now is a distraction, not when I just made the biggest deal of my career.

I can’t afford to lose the plot.

And yet somehow, I think maybe Mia isn’t the only one about to have her life turned upside down.

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