Page 15 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

“What questions?”

“During your second interview, you said you had some questions about the position.”

I sighed. “First of all, those questions are pointless now. And second of all, not sure if you noticed, but I am very underdressed for this place.” His look was fixated, and hot, on me.

“I think you look beautiful.” His tone made me blush. Damn man! “Ask me your questions.”

“Fine, if you really want to know… I never read the second contract. I got sidetracked with my kids' drama. I was going to ask a question, hoping you’d give me a clue as to what the second contract was about, so I wouldn’t have to say I didn’t read the second attachment. I was thinking more along the lines of job description. But then you demonstrated.”

I figured I had nothing to lose at this point. This rendezvous with Kristoff couldn’t be over soon enough. The waiter was back with our drinks, water for me, and a glass of scotch, if I had to guess, for him. An expensive one.

I took a sip of my water, hoping this torture would be done soon. Kristoff waited till the waiter left.

“I guess that explains your shock then,” his voice was calm, like we were discussing the weather.

“Shock?” I asked incredulously. “Are you for real?”

“I am for real, Gemma. And I am serious. I am prepared to update your starting salary to one hundred and eighty-five thousand a year. You will be fully vested, and you will also be getting some stock options and bonuses throughout the year with a Christmas monetary gift at the end of the year.”

My mouth fell open. “You pay that much to an admin?”

“Gemma, we both know this is a little bit more than an admin.” I blushed, agitated that this man is able to get me so flustered.

“Thank you for the reminder,” I answered in a shaky voice. There is no denying that my body wanted him for some stupid reason. “What you are offering is fancy prostitution.”

The waiter was back for our order. And thank God because I needed to calm down. Kristoff looked and I picked up the menu, not ready to order. “You go ahead; I’ll hurry up.”

While Kristoff was ordering his lunch, I looked at the salad section.

“And for you, ma’am?” the waiter asked me. I frowned. That made me feel so old.

“I’ll have garden salad, no onions and dressing on the side please.” I closed the menu and handed it to the waiter.

“Would you like to try a sandwich with it?” he asked.

I raised my eyebrow. “No, thank you. I don’t have much of an appetite right now.”

“Only salad then.” And he disappeared again.

I looked back to Kristoff, and he was frowning. “What?” I asked.

“You are thin,” he answered. “You should try some meat with your meal.”

“I will,” I said. “For dinner… I kind of lost my appetite when this guy thought it was ok to buy me.”

If my jabs at him were working, he hid it well.

“Gemma, don’t think of this contract as a cold arrangement,” Kristoff went right back to his main topic. I had a feeling the man was relentless when he wanted to close the deal. “I will make sure you are sated and satisfied each time. You are currently not involved with anyone, and neither am I. You are smart, driven. And this will get you exposed to all the right connections.”

I blushed again thinking back to our encounter during the last interview.

“I read through the contract after… well, after the last interview,” my voice was a bit too soft and sounded seductive to my ears. Not what I was going for here at all! I cleared my throat hoping he didn’t take it that way.

“I’m glad,” he commented. His voice was deep and sexy, taunting my resolve. “Everything in it is negotiable, except the birth control clause. I want this to be pleasurable for both of us.”

“I don’t need birth control,” I whispered in a daze. “I had one too many miscarriages. My OB/GYN indicated I won’t be able to have any more children.” Realizing what I just said, I shook my head. “What am I saying! I’m not doing anything with you, damn it.”

How could I have let that slip?I thought to myself irritated.

---