Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“You paint.”
“Nosy, much?” she asked, her voice all at once teasing and nervous.
“I was curious.” I adjusted the ice bag on her foot. “You’re talented, Myers. Why are you working as an assistant?”
“Starving artists need to pay rent. Painting is my dream. Working as an assistant so I can eat and help pay for my father’s care is my reality. I just dabble.”
I recalled her résumé. “You studied art.”
“Lots of people study art, but few get to make a living off it.”
I had a feeling there was a story there, but it wasn’t my place to ask. I was surprised I was even curious to know. I usually didn’t bother with people or their stories. I rose to my feet.
“Stay off the foot as much as you can.”
“I will.” She swallowed. “Thank you, Bane. I mean, Mr. Bane.”
“Bane is fine,” I heard myself saying. “A lot of people call me that.”
“Okay.”
“Do you need anything?”
“Isn’t that my line?”
For some reason, I reached out and trailed a finger down her soft cheek. “Not today, Magnolia Myers.”
She smiled. “Okay. Not today. But no, I am good.”
“All right. If you do—well, you have my number.”
She nodded. “All right.”
I headed to the door, pausing when she called my name.
“Bane.”
I turned to see her smiling. “Good job,” she said.
I chuckled and shrugged. “It was fine.”
Then I left.
I arrived early Monday, anxious to get to work. I had a busy schedule ahead of me, plus the awards dinner coming up soon. I was surprised to find the outer door already open, and I strode in, stopping in shock.
Myers had been busy. Furniture was moved, pictures hung up. Pictures of my work. I had to admit, they looked good. In fact, the entire outer office looked good. Neat and orderly, the same as her little apartment. Inviting as well. She had done an excellent job.
She appeared behind me, carrying a cup of coffee that she handed me.
“How did you know?” I asked, taking the cup and trying to ignore the sensation that hit me as our fingers brushed.
“I sensed a disturbance in the force.”
Biting back my chuckle, I shook my head, taking a sip of coffee. “You’ve been busy. I don’t recall you asking permission to change the office or hang those pictures.”
“Wait until you see the improvements in yours.”
I glared at her, heading to my office, breathing a sigh of relief when I saw nothing different. I turned to scowl at her, seeing the smile of delight on her face.
“I see your fall hasn’t changed your odd sense of humor.”
“Nope. Stopped a lecture, though.”
I sighed and hung up my coat, setting my coffee on the warmer. Myers came in, carrying her notebook. I noticed her walk was still a little off, and before I could stop myself, I asked, “How’s the foot?”
“Much better. Flats today, though,” she replied, lifting her foot. I tried not to stare as the fluffy skirt she wore fell back, exposing her calf. She smoothed down the layers with a smile. “I went girly today.”
A chuckle escaped my throat. “Myers, you’re girly every day.”
With her skirt, she wore another pretty blouse. Deep blue, with short sleeves edged in lace. The skirt was patterned with flowers in white and black. She looked… I sighed inwardly as I admitted it to myself. Adorable. She looked adorable—and alluring. Girly, pretty, yet fine for the office. I was supposed to hate adorable, yet I was finding it hard to do so when it came to Myers.
She laughed. “I suppose I am.” Then she got busy, discussing my calendar, upcoming meetings. I handed her a stack of papers I needed her to finish, file, and send to clients. “I need as few interruptions the next while as possible.”
She scanned her tablet. “You have two meetings I could shift to next week. That only leaves two, and one is admin, the other the staff meeting.”
“I’ll sit out the staff one. Lawson and Anderson can handle it. I rarely say much.”
“Why is that?”
I was startled by her question. “They are much better handling, ah, people. I prefer to let them lead. I’m here to work, not be an active admin. I’m part of the decision-making behind the scenes, but I step back otherwise.”
“Hmm.”
I sat back, picking up my coffee. “What does hmm mean?”
“I think you’d be a good leader. You’re confident, smart, and fast-thinking.”
I tilted my head, studying her. Her hair was up today, a few wisps around her face, showing off her full cheeks. I could see the freckle band easily, and I was glad she didn’t try to cover them up.
“I don’t like most people, Myers. I can’t stand bullshit and playing games. Trust me, after a couple of HR issues, I was happy to let my partners be the front men.”
Her lips twitched. “I see.”
I scowled at her. “Back to business.” I pushed my coffee cup toward her. “Another cup.”