Page 39 of Mine to Love

“Three different personalities, that’s for sure. Mr. Lands has the most experience, and according to Melinda, didn’t need the training as much as the other two. He’s done this work before.”

“But he’s never been to New England.”

“True. He claims to want to relocate, which is why this opening interested him so much.”

“Until he experiences a Maine winter.”

“It’s a gamble but he’d be of the most support with the new company.”

I don’t want to think about that. I want Reese. In my company. In my bed. I run my hand through my hair and rest my elbows on my barren kitchen counter.

“And Miss Jones? What’s your take on her?” I need Reese to be the only viable candidate. Granted, in the end, it’s ultimately my decision who I hire.

“Good. Smart. Dedicated. Serious. Maybe too serious, no offense.”

“Meaning?” Only Doug can get away with calling me on my lack of personality.

“First impression? You’re too much alike.”

I clear my throat. “And Ree–Miss Elliot?”

“I like her,” he quickly says.

“I gathered from your evening stroll and romantic dinner.”

Doug barks out a laugh. “If romantic is talking about Lamaze class and the size of my sister’s belly, then sure.”

“What is it about Miss Elliot you like?”

“She’s real. Not a stuffed shirt. Again, no offense, Mr. Pierce.”

Ignoring his taunt, I continue probing. “Can she do the job?”

“I think so. When I checked on her throughout the day, she didn’t really ask many questions or run anything by me like the other two did, and we didn’t really talk about it during dinner.”

The buzzer by my door rings, indicating dinner is here. “Find time in my schedule tomorrow to meet with the candidates.”

“Sure thing. Together or individually?”

While being alone with Reese is more than tempting, I need to keep it one hundred percent professional. “Together.” I end the call and buzz the delivery driver up to my apartment.

I stand at my kitchen counter and eat my dinner out of the to-go boxes wishing I was sitting across from Reese having dinner like a couple.

***

I HADN’T THOUGHT ABOUT seeing her like this, in business professional clothes. The woman is sexy in jeans and a T-shirt, and in her nice but casual bank clothes, but in a fitted dark gray skirt, red top, and high heels... I swallow my tongue to be sure it isn’t hanging out.

The skirt falls to her knees and her top is fitted, accentuating her curves without showing any cleavage. I’ve seen her breasts before. Touched them. Kissed them. Licked them.

Blinking away my lust-filled thoughts, I greet the three candidates with a handshake. I hold onto Reese’s slender yet strong hand longer than the others, and my gaze pierces her dark eyes while it skips over the others.

The hint of a blush on her cheeks tells me she isn’t completely oblivious to my presence, and the attraction is mutual.

“Have a seat,” I say to the three, taking the chair at the head of the conference table. “Melinda and Doug filled me in on how yesterday went. I won’t keep you from your portfolios and presentations but wanted to answer any questions that may have come up during your research.”

Chad speaks first. “The case seems mostly cut and dried. No questions here.”

I pick up my coffee and take a slow sip. The case is anything but cut and dried. There are at least four different ways of handling the case, and I don’t care for Chad’s pompous attitude. He must have figured he had the advantage over the women when it came to experience, and his over-confidence doesn’t fair well for him.

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