Page 3 of Discovery of Love

“How long are you going to be?” I asked.

She hesitated before replying, “I should have it finished by tomorrow.”

I felt my rage bubble up once more, “You really like testing me today, huh? Fine, in the meantime, grab me a coffee. I’ve got that meeting in ten minutes and could do with some caffeine after the headache you’ve just given me. Just remember that you’re replaceable.”

Selena nodded and silently left the room. As she was leaving, I couldn’t help but admire the curve of her ass beneath the dress.

I just had to be careful.

TWO

~ Selena ~

I was still agitated the next morning.

Despite my best efforts, my boss always seemed to have a problem with me. Even after the four years of my life dedicated to him as his personal assistant, he still treated me like shit, and I was reaching my limit. To make up for my dentist appointment the day before, I had gone in early to work to finish copying all the paperwork—ready for when he made his appearance.

Edward Huntington was easy on the eyes, to say the least. He was just shy of a decade older than me yet was fitter than most guys I knew. I still couldn’t understand how he had time to work out between his hectic work schedule. Even with his expensive Italian designer suits on, I could make out the shapes of his muscles. He had a stern face, only on occasion blessing the world with one of his smiles. Eddie had stubble lining his jaw, which would look untidy on most men, but he had shaped it in such a way that it added to his overall professional look. His hair was effortlessly pushed back in a brown wave, while underneath his eyebrows hung his icy blue eyes. The same eyes that seemed to reprimand me every time I entered the same room as him.

At least, I thought that’s what they were saying.

When he entered the office that morning, I could tell he was in a foul mood. I don’t know what had happened to get him to that stage so early on, but I knew it would be a tough day. I wondered whether I was going to be able to get through it.

“Coffee,” he demanded as he walked by, not even bothering to greet me.

I kept my mouth shut and went about fetching his drink. He only ever had it black – never any cream or sugar. I found it rather ironic. He preferred his coffee black and bitter like his soul; it would seem. If he had a sense of humor, I’m sure he would agree. But he didn’t. And he was in a bad mood. Grabbing the paperwork from my desk, I knocked on the door twice before entering. He immediately looked up from his laptop.

Even the interior of his office reflected his personality. After his father had passed the business on to him, he had completely redone the place. I only knew because I had seen photos from before Eddie was CEO. Now the walls were a dark charcoal gray, with dark brown leather chairs and minimalist decoration. It painted a perfect picture of the occupant – mysterious and dark. He rarely gave anything away about his personal life, and I doubted he ever would at this point. Even after the four years of knowing him, it had been all work and no play. Huntington Designs were doing better than ever under his leadership, but I wondered how long he could keep going before he burned out.

“Good morning, Eddie,” I said, placing everything down on his desk, “The coffee you asked for and the Entertainers Direct paperwork. I’ve scanned and saved everything in the shared server for your review. Is there anything else you need from me at this present moment?”

Eddie continued to stare at me silently. I couldn’t tell what was going through his head, but a feeling of dread settled over me. I took a step back, clasping my hands in front of me as I waited for his response.

Finally, he broke the silence, “What I would like is for you to be competent at your job. I shouldn’t have to wait several days for you to scan in paperwork.”

“There were over ten thousand pages,” I protested, “That’s at least six hours of solid work I had to fit in around the rest of my duties. I tried to get it completed as quickly as possible.”

This didn’t seem to appease Eddie. He looked at me disdainfully from behind his desk.

“Do you really think you’re so good at your job that you can’t be replaced? I could have someone in here within the next hour to do exactly what you’re doing but more efficiently. You need to get your act together.”

That was it. I had finally reached my limit. My face was burning with anger as I walked up to his desk and firmly planted my hands on it, leaning in close.

“What you would get in the next hour is a hack that couldn’t manage half the things I do or put up with your shit for more than a few minutes. You should count your lucky stars that I’ve had a thick-skin up until now, or else you would’ve been managing this office by yourself.”

By the time I realized what I had said, it was too late. Eddie was now sitting up and leaning forward. His face was a mask of cool as he stared me down.

Well, there’s no going back now.

THREE

~ Edward ~

She looked more radiant than ever.

Her face was flushed as she leaned over my desk. From my angle, I could make out the curve of her spine as she dipped down, her ass proudly standing up behind her. If I wasn’t so infuriated, I knew that I would have taken a couple of seconds more to admire it.

“What did you just say?” I growled at her.

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