Page 2 of Her Temporary Boss (Slade, Inc.)

The receptionist merely continued to stare at her for several more uncomfortable seconds. Just when Morgan felt like she might turn and run straight back to the elevator, the young woman finally spoke.

“Yes, well. You aren’t what I expected but, I guess…” She let her words trail off and hang in the air.

Morgan wondered if that was intended as an insult. She straightened her back and raised her chin slightly.What? This twenty-something girl can already tell what kind of secretary I am?Morgan let out a deep, huffed breath. True, Morgan herself was only twenty-eight, but she still thought the other woman seemed a bit rude and condescending.

“If you’ll just wait a minute, I’ll let Mr. Slade know you’re here.” The brunette took her attention off Morgan and reached for the phone on her desk.

Morgan turned away from the reception desk and rolled her eyes.That’s not the best first impression for my new job, but at least it’ll only last two weeks.She took a few steps over to where a large, fabulously decorated, gold mirror hung on the wall. She decided she should double-check her appearance before she met her temporary boss, especially given the receptionist’s strange stares.

Standing in front of the magnificent mirror, it took her a few seconds to concentrate on herself instead of the beautiful golden trim. Finally, Morgan looked at herself. She didn’t see anything out of place or odd about her appearance.

Her long black hair lay flat, not frizzy. She turned her head from side to side and saw how shiny her hair looked under the office lights. Then she checked her makeup. It was minimal and looked fine for a business atmosphere, she thought. Her light brown eyes seemed bright and wide awake, although she noticed that they were a bit puffy from her crying the night before.

Morgan shrugged at her reflection before double-checking her outfit. She wore a button-up, cream-colored blouse tucked neatly into a navy pencil skirt. She lightly ran her hands over the front of her skirt and focused on her shoes. Her tan pumps looked good, no scuffs.

She let out a sigh and turned away from the mirror.Yep, normal, boring secretary.

“Ma’am,” the receptionist called to her. “Mr. Slade will see you now.”

Chapter Two

Morgan made her way down a long hallway dotted with doors, presumably leading to offices. The receptionist had instructed her to go to the last door on the right. As she walked past a few offices with their doors open, she peeked in. They each had young men working at computers inside.

A girl could get in trouble here. Not boring ol’ me but a more outgoing girl certainly.A bit of sadness worked itself into her chest as she passed an office with a very handsome young man typing. He looked up just in time to see her gawking. Her face flushed instantly and Morgan picked up her pace past the open door. What was wrong with her? Was she just extremely lonely or really in need of male attention? She shook her head and continued on.

With more butterflies in her stomach than she would have hoped, she reached the last door on the right. Morgan took a deep calming breath and then lifted a hand to the door. She knocked lightly and then waited. Nothing. After a few seconds, she tried again, knocking a bit harder this time. Still, nothing.Is this the right door?

She attempted to look in the large windows of the office, but the blinds were closed. Morgan could see that there were at least lights on inside. Now she had to debate with herself about what to do next. Should she simply stand here and wait? Should she continue to knock? Should she just open the door or maybe go back to the receptionist?

Morgan rolled her eyes again and sighed. She was starting to get annoyed. After waiting a minute or so, she huffed out an aggravated breath and knocked one more time. This knock was loud and hard. She clenched her jaw muscles as more annoyance filled her. Suddenly, the door flung open.

“Yes!”

Morgan was surprised and startled. She took a wobbly step back and her ankle twisted some in her high heels. She took another step to try to stop herself from falling to the floor. Luckily, she succeeded.

As she took a deep breath, trying to rid herself of her butterflies and fear, she stared up at the man holding the office door open. He looked to be in his mid-thirties. He was tall with perfect blond hair. His green eyes flashed at her with something just a bit harsher than irritation.

“Ah, s-sorry,” Morgan stammered while nervously running her hands down the front of her skirt. “I knocked a few times but—”

He cut her off immediately. “Yes, I heard your banging. I happened to have been busy. You were to wait until I answered.”

Morgan swallowed loudly as more nervousness flared in her stomach. “I’m sorry. I—”

He cut her off a second time by holding his hand up.

His eyes flashed again, but this time Morgan read something else in them. The irritation was still there, but it was changing into something else. She couldn’t tell what, though. She blinked up at him several times, trying to get herself straight.Had he done that on purpose? Waiting to see what I’d do if he ignored me?

Morgan held her hand out and tried to seem more confident. “Hello, sir. My name is Morgan White. I’m here from the Trevor Agency.”

He looked down at her hand for just a second before he lifted his own. As soon as he took her hand, the butterflies in her stomach went wild. A nervous tingle ran through her whole body. She tried to take a deep breath, but it caught in her throat.

Mr. Slade was obviously aware of how tense and nervous she was. He squeezed her hand a bit harder than one would expect in a business setting. He didn’t smile, but his eyes seemed to become softer. He continued to hold her hand as his stare became a bit more intense.

Morgan’s nerves were being tested. She was unsure what he was thinking or if she should speak. She decided not to. A shiver ran up her back and she tried to stifle it but couldn’t. As she trembled some, his eyes widened a bit further. Again, he certainly felt her tremble and it looked as if a smile wanted to break out on his face, but it didn’t.

“I’m Mr. Slade. Please, come into my office.”

Chapter Three

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