I grit my teeth at him, his words taking on a whole new meaning for me. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
He smiles now, a secretive curving of the lips as he murmurs, “You will.”
7
Caleb
“An article?” I steeple my fingers together and lean forward, watching Kendall as she stands across from me. “I don’t have the time.”
She’s looking lovely in that maroon blouse and black shirt, her hair tied in a high ponytail.
I want to run my fingers through the strands.
She stares at me, her hazel eyes steady. “This will be the fifth time this month I’ll be turning them away. It’s just an interview and the Heiman’s Charity Ball coming up, they’re very insistent. The Board of Directors also wants me to tell you to agree to this.”
“Since when does the Board go to you for these requests?” I ask, irritably, unlocking my fingers from under my chin and tapping on the wooden desk.
“Since they think throwing me in the lion’s den is much more preferable than getting their heads bitten off by you,” Kendall says calmly, her expression not even flickering.
Considering that I saw her shouting at Duke last night over the game, this composure almost makes me want to grin. “Do you see me as a lion?” I ask my assistant of three months.
“No.”
“What do you see me as?” I ask, curiously.
She gives me a sharp smile and carefully flicks of imaginary lint from her skirt, her tone ever so polite. “I’d rather not say for fear of losing my job.”
Kendall has become more confident since working here, having shed the persona she had come in with, that of a meek person. However, there is something always lurking behind her eyes. Since Lana’s return from her honeymoon, my HR Head has given Kendall a wide berth, ever since she and I exchanged words.
She doesn’t know Kendall and I have no desire to have my cover blown.
Not yet.
Kendall hasn’t had another panic attack since the day she signed the contract and that’s one thing I don’t have to worry about. She’s settled in quite nicely in her new apartment and her odd love-hate relationship with Duke is something I don’t hesitate to use.
She enjoys watching football and she and my Chauffer/friend like to watch the games together. However, since Duke usually prefers my big screen, Kendall sometimes ends up in my penthouse when a big game is on.
It’s always interesting to watch the two squabble like children over it.
Duke’s presence also brings Tracy and Max accompanies his mother.
Since the season is ongoing, my place is quite noisy on the weekends.
Oddly enough, I quite like it.
But while Kendall has acquiesced to treat me like a neighbor at home, she is nothing short of professional in the workplace.
“Either way, I don’t want to do an interview. I’m busy,” I say, reaching out to pick up a file.
“You have a two-hour slot tomorrow which is free.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “I’m not doing the interview.”
“The board says you have to. Take it up with them.” Kendall doesn’t look bothered.
“Also, I need to confirm your plus one to the Heiman’s Ball.” She looks at me patiently.
For the past two months, ever since she moved into my building, I have tried to flirt with her, get under her skin, make sure she’s aware of my interest in her, but Kendall has shut me down at every turn. It’s not like she isn’t interested. I’ve seen the look in her eyes when she’s watching me sometimes, thinking I’m unaware, the heat in them. But she crushes her response to me under the heel of her shoe, determined to not let anything get in the way of this job.