Page 5 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

“Genevieve Rose, right?” he asked again.

“Yes.” My voice sounded raspy, shaky.

“Please take a seat,” he said, motioning with his hand.His hands look strong,I thought for no good reason.

He pulled the seat out for me, and I felt like my legs were going to fail me before I managed to sit down.

“Thank you,” I said in a mumble, looking up into those sexy eyes. I better stop looking; otherwise, he’ll think I am mental. There has to be one thing that is unattractive on this man… just one… because I might start drooling.

“Did you bring your resume?” Mr. Baldwin asked.

“Yes… yes,” I replied, handing it to him quickly to hide my shaking fingers and before my shaking hands dropped it.

He stared at me intently and then looked at my resume.

“So tell me,” he said, his voice vibrating through me, a distinct ache between my legs. “Why would someone with your extensive experience in finance, and with an MBA from Harvard, show up in my office applying for an admin position?

“I… I,” my voice was shaky. “The economy sucks right now. I worked for a small marketing company. They were hit by a downturn in the economy. And, it is not the best time to be looking for a job.” My tone was husky as if I was working on seducing him. I couldn’t believe I had lost control over my own body in just a minute spent with him. His gaze went over my flushed face and then over my body before returning to my eyes.

I was not doing this well at all. I was nervous beyond anything. For Pete’s sake, I birthed three children. I'm an accomplished mature woman.Okay, okay… I was an accomplished mature woman before this damn economy started working against me.

“Genevieve?”

“Excuse me?” I looked at him in confusion. I missed part of his conversation.

“I said, are you open to tasks outside of an administrative nature?”

“Yes… yes, of course,” I mumbled wondering what he had in mind. Maybe he’ll use some of my finance background. I went to put my hand on my hot face but caught myself midair and just dropped my hand. Now would not be the right time to start fanning myself.

“Do you have limitations with working hours?” he asked next.Shit, I thought. I might have a heart attack before this is over.

“No… no limitations. But I would like to know if I have to work past eight at night, at least a few hours in advance.” My voice was breathy. Where was my cool demeanor?

He leaned forward and braced his elbows on his desk. “Do you have any hobbies? What do you usually do?”

I stared at him dumbfounded, unprepared for his question.

“Hmmm… well… I don’t have much free time,” I tentatively answered his unexpected question. I wondered why such a question.

When I am nervous, the weirdest things come to my mind. I hated that about myself. And with so much on the line, I really had to impress him to get a job.

“Ugh… so I hate cooking,” I blurted out.Mental facepalm!So much for impressing him. After a bit of silence, I continued. “But then that wouldn't be a hobby, ha?”

“No, it wouldn’t classify as a hobby,” he answered nonchalantly. I tended to be good at reading vibes from people… usually. But with Kristoff Baldwin, I had no idea where I stood.

“I love to hike; we try to go at least once a month,” I added. “My kids and me.”

He remained silent and I cursed in my head. Why did people ask dumb questions like that? It is a job interview, not a matchmaking interview. Hence, the question should be about the job skills, not damn hobbies!

“I mess around in my garden in the spring and summer,” I continued on making an idiot out of myself.Wrong choice of words, Gemma!

“Interesting,” he responded, and I could have sworn I detected humor in his voice. “Do you mess around in your garden alone?”

Definitely wrong choice of words!It was on tip of my tongue to say I wouldn’t mind him messing around in my garden. Yes, I was definitely losing my mind. It must have been my desperation causing all these weird side effects.

“Yes, mostly alone,” I was nervous, and my voice sounded anxious. I just couldn’t help the nervous vibration in my words. “I prefer to do my hobbies alone.”

“So you are a loner?” His voice was nonchalant but he was tense, and I had a hard time distinguishing which to trust. I could not read this man at all!

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