Page 21 of Heart of Stone

“I figured as much. But I have to ask, how did you get my résumé?” I asked with honest curiosity, finding myself relaxing a bit.

I can do this.

“It was only a matter of making the correct inquiries, Miss Cole. I was intrigued after our meeting at Wally’s and wanted to find out more about you. I asked a few simple questions, and I learned that you were a marketing major. An informal background inquiry filled in the blanks. Since I happen to have a position available in marketing, I arranged an interview with you.”

“You ordered a background check on me?” I asked, instinctively feeling violated.

Didn’t he need to obtain my consent for that?

I wasn’t sure what to think about the infringement of privacy.

“It was nothing that technical, I assure you. Everyone I consider for employment receives a basic check before an interview is even scheduled. It makes things easier.”

“Easier in what way?” I asked.

“Easier for all parties involved. You’d be amazed at what social media can reveal about a person,” he replied nonchalantly, a smile forming ever so subtly on his lips. We sat there in a silence that seemed to stretch on for hours, yet I knew it was only a few seconds, a minute at most. I’m sure he sensed my unease, but he continued to watch me with one eyebrow tilted up, his eyes alight with humor, before finally speaking again. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“That I’m amusing you somehow,” I admitted frankly.

“There’s nothing amusing at all, Miss Cole,” he said, the corners of his mouth switching. I knew he was fighting a smile and it was irritating.

What the hell was so damn comical?

“Really? Then why does it seem like you’re trying not to laugh?” I retorted, a little bit too harshly.

“Your behavior tells me that you didn’t knowIwould be conducting your interview today. Is my assumption correct?” he asked, humor still evident in his features.

I’m such an idiot! I should have prepared for this!

“Um…sort of. Yes.”

My statement earned a small chuckle from him and it was maddening. I couldn’t help but jump on the defense.

“Do you always laugh at your prospective employees?” I challenged.

“I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing more at the quandary that I find myself in. I’ve never met a woman quite like you. I find your innocence refreshing. Most women I meet are very calculating and extremely predictable. You’re different somehow.” He paused for a moment, his brow furrowing. “It’s a nuisance, actually.”

His arrogance astounded me and I found his generalization of women insulting.

“I’m sorry that I don’t fit into a preselected mold, Mr. Stone. Would you rather I played into your defined notion that all women are the same?” I asked him, my voice loaded with contempt.

“You’re asking an awful lot of questions, Miss Cole.”

He had stopped smiling now and his eyes turned icy.

Oh, shit. He’s right.

The entire situation was beginning to spiral out of control. I was asking too many questions that I had no right to ask. I was probably fired before I was even offered a position, and it was one that I gravely needed.

My kneejerk reaction was to lash out. But I was too outspoken for my own good and it could cost me this job. Temper aside, I knew that I was being a hypocrite. After all, I was the one who thought that allmenwere the same. So I silenced my tongue, feeling ashamed at my boldness, and looked down at my hands.

He is Alexander Stone, mega-rich millionaire, and I’m being rude.

“Can we proceed with your interview now?”

“Yes,” I answered meekly.

“Yes,Mr. Stone,” he added with an air of quiet authority.

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