Page 42 of Seductive Scoundrel

Again.

Chapter Twelve

Mia

GI Jane’swords ring in my head as I enter the monstrous building that houses Montague Enterprises. “This is probably the most important audit you’ve ever done, Ford – don’t mess it up, or there’ll be hell to pay!”

Oh, how I love my commander. Nothing like adding stress to stress.

“I have a nine o’clock meeting with Dexter Pruitt,” I tell the receptionist.

She pulls her thick-rimmed glasses down her nose, then looks up at me. “Name?”

The whine in her voice and the way she looks reminds me of the crotchety secretary in Monsters Inc. I can’t help but smile. “Mia Ford.”

Another appraising look before she picks up the phone. “Mia Ford is here for Mr. Pruitt.” Silence. Nose wrinkling. Now a look that makes me want to shrivel up and die. “Right,” she huffs before hanging up. “Take the east bank elevators to the 15thfloor, and then head to conference room three. Mr. Pruitt will join you shortly.”

“Thanks.”

Dexter Pruitt is a legend in the business world. Intelligent. Strategic. Hardworking. And takes shit from no one, although rumor has it, he’s softened since getting married and having kids. Here’s hoping.

I step out of the elevator, spotting a boardroom on my left. Through the glass walls, mountains of files stacked along both sides of the long, wooden table are visible.

Wonderful.

This audit is huge for TBA, and if I blow it, I can kiss a letter of recommendation – and my chance to jump ship – away. The easiest way for me to get out of NYC is to transfer offices. At this point, I don’t care where, although something west might be nice. If nothing else, the west coast will be a change and a fresh start.

I move into the boardroom and take a seat at the head of the table because it’s the only space without files in front of it. I could use some junior resources to support me on this project, but because of the recession, we don’t have any.

To stop myself from worrying about the almost overwhelming job ahead, I pull out my phone, hoping to see a message from Dean. The charity event we’re going to on Saturday both excites me and fills me with dread.

When I was dating Kyle, I accompanied him to several fundraising and campaign events, but was always expected to stay in the background – more of a “be seen, not heard” kind of deal. I’m assuming Dean will operate the same way. Although, just spending time with that man and getting to look at him in the flesh makes the torture of being someone’s invisible plus one worth it.

I clearly need help.

No message. But that’s okay because I’m not one of those women who feel compelled to wait for the man to make a move. My fingers glide over the letters as butterflies flutter in my stomach because even something as simple as sending Dean a text makes me giddy. It’s crazy – or maybe I’m crazy.

Either way, I intend to enjoy this insanely fun feeling while it lasts.

Mia: Good morning, Mr. Big. Wally thanks you for the walk yesterday. He thinks you’re pretty nice – for a human.

“You must be Mia Ford,” a deep voice states, making me jump.

I look up, meeting Dexter Pruitt’s intense blue eyes. I’ve seen his picture on the cover of Business Weekly and Forbes more than once. Pictures don’t do him justice, though. He’s better in person, just like Dean.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Pruitt,” I say, extending my hand as I stand.

His hand engulfs mine. “Call me Dex. Since you’re going to know things about me that even my wife doesn’t, it’s only right we’re on a first-name basis.”

Laughter floats from my mouth because the guy’s charming too. What a deadly combination. “Thanks for meeting with me today, Dex. Looks like I’ve got my work cut out,” I add, gesturing at the piles on the table.

He runs a hand across his face. “I think you’ll find everything is in order. Between us, I’d like to get this audit over with as soon as possible because the deal Montague has riding on the successful outcome is important. If there’s anything you need, anything at all, just let me know.”

Dex pulls out a business card, and then adds a number on the back before handing it to me. “This is my personal cell. I’m also going to put Nelly, one of our top admin assistants, at your disposal.”

“GI – I mean my supervisor – Jane Weatherall, told me how important this audit is to you. I can assure you that the project has my undivided attention.”

A grin forms on his lips, and the smile is so familiar that I swear I’ve met the man before. I guess getting to know someone through headlines does that to a person. “You call your boss GI Jane?”

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