Page 9 of Flawless Foundations

She stares out the side window, and I study her profile for a moment before turning to look out my own. So, Marshal Tame is who she's been seeing. I knew from Emmy that she was seeing some older man who liked to wine and dine her. But Emmy was almost positive that it wasn't serious. I sure hope it's not. Marshal is a shark, and not really someone you can trust, but when you need difficult acquisitions, he's your man. Case in point, to try to relieve some damage done by ending my engagement, I'm trying to acquire some competitors' product lines that are underperforming that I know we would knock out of the park. These deals happen all the time, but I'm looking at breaking King Cosmetics into some new avenues.

While I mull over what's she's doing with the likes of Marshal, I remember he said she was looking for a new job.

"So, the bartending. It's not working out anymore?" I turn my head toward her, and I'm disappointed when she doesn't look at me, but still gazes out the window.

Softly, she speaks, "Yeah, it's time for a new job."

"Why now?" I push, hoping to get her engaged in conversation. There used to be a time when we could have a conversation, but I honestly don't remember when. Now if she talks to me, it’s because she has to or it's a snarky comment in reply to my own jab.

"I have many reasons, but the most current is my manager. He's an ass, and I'm tired of dealing with him."

"So, what is it you want to do?" I face her more directly and hope it's enough to get her eyes.

She sighs, then finally looks at me. "I'd love to do something with my degrees, I just don't know what. I'm kind of lost."

I nod. "I get that," I offer.

She scrunches her face. "No, you don't. You've never questioned your career choices in your life." She shakes her head.

I lift my hands in surrender, "You're right, I personally haven't, but I know plenty of people who have and so I understand it's a thing."

She cocks her head before nodding.

"Do you know what field? The sky's the limit with finance, but chemistry is more confined."

"Skincare and makeup, it doesn't matter." She doesn't bat an eye at my smirk. She will ask me for a job, I just know it, it’s par for the course. I wait for it. She stares at me. I cock my head slightly, urging her to ask. Her eyebrows squish together then she turns back toward her window and resumes gazing out of the window.

Huh.

She really isn't going to ask me for a job? That's... odd. Right? I would ask me for a job. I'm the heir to the King Cosmetics dynasty. While I contemplate this turn of events, she speaks.

"Honestly, if I could do anything, I would blog. I would make Glitz & Gloss a full-time gig," she says it softly, almost as if she's talking to herself.

"I didn't know you had a blog." Why didn't I know she had a blog?

She snorts. "There is a lot about me that you don't know, King. But yeah, I own and operate a beauty blog. It's about three years old."

I ignore the jab about not knowing her. I know her pretty damn well, thank you very much. Hell, I've known her since we were preteens. But I'm impressed and make a mental note to check out her site when I get home.

"Well, that's cool, Bex." She looks over at me, assessing me, but she'll find no sarcasm here. "If you'd like, I'd be happy to talk to HR tomorrow to see what openings we have right now."

While the car is dim, I can still read the surprise on her face. She wasn't expecting the offer. Which confuses me. Why wouldn't I offer to help her?

"Thank you," is all she says but continues to look at me.

"Not a problem, Bex." I grin.

We hold each other's gaze, and I can't stop myself from glancing down at her mouth. Instinctively, she bites her bottom lip.

Fuck me.

Now I'm having thoughts about her mouth and what I'd like to do with it when she lets out a breath and breaks through the lust-filled haze. She adjusts in her seat while she pulls her purse to her lap, digging around inside. She produces her phone and falls into a cell phone abyss.

Well, shit, what was that all about?

Now all my thoughts are wrapped up in Becca, and I don't know what has changed. She's still the same feisty woman she's always been. She's sexy as hell, but I've always known that. She grates on my nerves, but I do a number to hers, that hasn't changed.

By the time we reach 425 Madison, the tension is still swirling between us. She doesn't wait for me to open her door, she's clearly in a hurry to get away from me. I'm not so ready. Hot on her heels, I nod to Thomas as he opens the doors to the building. I follow as she click-clacks through the elegant lobby. I chuckle when she jabs at several of the elevators’ up buttons. I take a moment to appreciate her choice of attire tonight. Black heels, tight skirt, her hair pulled up, showing off the slender angles of her neck. That's when it hits me.

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