Page 2 of Zane
“No.” Susan spins her pen between her fingers and gives me a steely glare. “She’s one of my best writers. I can’t let her go.”
I perch myself on the edge of her desk. “I’m only here for two weeks, sis. I need someone to help me out. To arrange my meetings. Someone to bounce ideas off. Besides, she’s just fainted in the middle of your office. I think it’s best she takes the day off anyway. How about I take her out for some breakfast, and then we can let her decide?”
“You're not going to let this go, are you?”
“No.”
Ever since setting eyes on Charlotte, I’ve been thinking of a way to be alone with her. I didn’t expect it to be this easy, but, after my long years in business, I’ve learned never to look a gift horse in the mouth.
The thought of sitting across from her in a booth at the local diner makes my cock thicken. The idea of our legs being so close. Of seeing her perfect cleavage just inches in front of me.
“Besides,” I say, adding a little compromise to the deal I’m making with my sister, “this way I’m out of your hair. I know you are too nice to say it, but you really don’t want me hanging around all the time.”
“I’m not too nice,” she laughs. “And you’re right. If I can get you out of my hair, then maybe I’ll give up Charlotte. But it has to be her decision, okay? You can’t go offering her some crazy, huge bonus, or pulling some outlandish stunt just so you get your way. I know how competitive you are.”
“Agreed.” I reach my hand across the table and we shake on it. Although, truth be told, I’d do anything to have Charlotte with me, and not just for the next two weeks, either.
I straighten my tie in the reflection of the large, glass window, and run my fingers through my hair. Then we march out into the main office area and head over to Charlotte's workspace.
I can feel all the eyes in the office on me, but the only eyes I care about are focused intently on her computer screen. She’s scrunching up her nose in concentration, and now I’m the one who feels like they’re about to faint. She’s so gorgeous, she takes my breath away.
“Charlotte,” I say, standing over her, and not even bothering to hide the pleasure I take in running my eyes over her wonderful curvy, body. “You’re coming with me.”
“What?”
Susan steps in front of me, nudging me away with her hip and giving me a disapproving look. “Here’s the thing, Charlotte… I think it’s probably best you take the day off. But, Zane here, he needs someone to work with him while he’s in town. You don’t have to take the job. It’s completely up to you. If you want to stay here at the magazine and work like normal, then that’s fine. But, if you want to spend two weeks with my brother, helping him with his new venture, then that’s fine, also. Either way, he’s going to be a total pain in the butt.”
“Is this about me fainting?” She keeps her eyes trained on Susan like she’s purposefully trying to ignore me. I can feel my blood start to boil. It’s crazy to be jealous of her looking at my sister, but all the same, that’s exactly how I feel. I want all her attention to be focused on me, and nobody else.
I clench my fist and hold it behind my back. “It’s because Susan tells me you're the best employee she has, and I only want the best. It’s because twenty minutes ago you were lying on the floor, unconscious. It’s because we think you deserve to have a day off. To be treated to a nice meal. It’s because I need someone I can trust… someone competent, to help me with a business I’m starting, and I think you’re just the person for the job.”
Her eyes finally look in my direction, causing my throbbing cock to jerk in my pants. Her long lashes flutter as she looks up into my eyes. Her fingers fiddle with a necklace that hangs between her breasts and I stare at her hand and at the marvelous, round mountains it’s in front of it.
She looks back at my sister. “Well, I guess it’s been decided.”
“Yes,” I growl. “It has.”
3
Charlotte
The waitress lays my plate of pancakes on the table in front of me. I take a sip of my strawberry milkshake and do my best not to look across the table at Zane.
I’ve barely said a word since leaving the office. I’m so frigging angry, I feel like I could scream. Who the hell is this guy? Coming into my life thinking he can take me away from my work?
I was an assistant for years, and it’s only recently I’ve made the step up to full-time writer. It took hours of working late at night, researching and writing articles in an attempt o impress Susan. To prove I am not only worthy but talented enough to be a permanent writer at her company.
But now, in the space of a morning, I’ve been relegated back to scheduling calls and arranging meetings, and getting coffee.
Well, I know exactly where Zane can shove his job. Susan said it was up to me whether I decide to work for him or not, and if that really is the case, then I’ll be back at my desk on Monday, and this embarrassing little episode will be safe and sound in the rearview mirror. Just where it belongs.
The only problem is, being near Zane is causing my body to have some serious physical reactions. The kind of which I am not at all used to. It’s like he’s emitting some kind of energy, and the antenna for that energy is the little pearly nub between my legs. My panties are so wet I’m thinking about running to the drug store to buy an adult diaper. Any longer around this man, and I’ll probably be so dehydrated I’ll need carrying out on a stretcher.
“Are you not hungry?”
I look up at his face without thinking and my eyes lock onto his deep, sensual gaze.
Damn! I was supposed to be not looking at him!
