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It was just a folder, but it was also a peace offering and she accepted it, her taut shoulders relaxing.
The truth was far from professional. I was here because I wasn't quite ready to close the book on Leila Montgomery.
As if I'd made a wish and some genie snapped his fingers, the door swung open, banging against the doorstop. That act was enough to make Leila turn red as a tomato, but when she saw me, her eyes popped from the sockets.
The barely audible sigh from Maria told me she was less than impressed, but I found it charming. There was just something endearingly authentic about Leila.
Before I started swooning like an idiot, I forced away the desire to smile and turned my face to stone. When Leila bit her lip, I knew my eyes would give away my instant need to ravage her so I set my gaze on the folder, remembering our reason for being here in the first place.
"Quite an entrance, Miss Montgomery."
"Sorry." I knew she meant it, and she rushed to recover. "I just want to say that I-"
"And quite an impressive resume." It was the truth. She was Ivy League educated with a 4.0 GPA, and was involved in numerous clubs and charities. I think a part of me hoped I'd see something fallible, some chip in this perfect fantasy I'd created around this mystery woman, but the more I read the more I realized that she was even more interesting that I'd first thought. Control was clearly very important to her too which just magnified my desire to make her mine. Since that was a recipe for trouble, I doubled down. "Student council, honor society, president of several clubs." I sighed, flipping the folder shut. She was laughably overqualified for the position she was interviewing for. "I'd say the only thing missing is Girl Scout troop leader or savior of abandoned kittens."
"Excuse me?" she said, looking ready to step in the ring.
"Your university accolades are commendable, but this isn't a job for Most Likely to Work Herself Into an Early Grave," I said coldly. I needed that subarctic temperature to cool off the fire that burned in my belly as she looked at me defiantly. She wasn't doing anything more than standing her ground and it was the sexiest thing I'd ever seen. "You are aware that the position you're applying for is the research aide?"
"Yes."
"A position you are extraordinarily overqualified for?"
"Yes." She stepped forward. "But I believe that-"
"Perhaps you believe that this could be a starter job." I committed to the terse role I was playing, making quotation marks with my fingers when I said 'starter'. "Something to whet your appetite until something juicier comes along."
One word and the jig was almost up. Juicier. I knew there was a part of her that flowed like honey, and from the way her lips quivered, that word was affecting her too.
I doubled down. Focus. You're the CEO. You can't be undone, even by her. "I'm flattered that you chose Whitmore and Creighton to pop your cherry, but I have no interest in training you, then biding our time until you inevitably leave us for a position better suited for your extensive resume."
And with that, I knew I'd gone too far. I could see it in her face, and I wasn't proud of myself. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt her.
Prepared to leave before I did anymore damage, I leaned toward Maria, wanting to whisper that I was sorry for interrupting her process, but Leila's clear, authoritative voice cut through my words.
"Clearly you hold this position in high esteem, Mr. Whitmore."
I almost blurted that I was going to leave Maria to handle the rest of the interview, but she didn't wait for me to get the words out.
"Why else would the boss sit in on the interview of a lowly research aide?"
Touché. And if that comeback wasn't saucy enough, she sauntered to the seat in front of the conference table with a look on her face like she was the one giving the interview.
"I know I'm overqualified Mr. Whitmore, but I'm a perfect fit for this company. You're the best at what you do, and as far back as I can remember, I was the best. I am the best." She commanded my attention, and didn't let go. "I'm applying for the research aide position because it was the only opening you had. I'm passionate about publicity and if I have to scrub toilets to work at the most progressive, tenacious PR firm in the world, so be it. Because I can't stop, I won't stop until I get exactly what I want."
My God. I wasn't sure whether I should kiss her, cheer her on for a hell of an answer, or kick Maria out so I could bend her over the conference room table.
She blazed on. "I'll work nights, weekends-"
"That's not necessary." I cleared my throat with a rumble, knowing that I was about to stomp on Maria's toes, but there was no way Leila Montgomery was walking out of this room without a job offer. "The aide position is Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm."
She was stunned, glancing over at Maria. Without even looking in Maria's direction, I knew she was equally stunned too. And probably a little pissed.
"I've got the job?" Leila croaked.
I needed to get out of the conference room immediately. I needed to put some distance between myself and Leila before I did anything impulsive. I snapped to my feet and mentally plotted my path, making a silent note to not look at Leila again. It would give away everything. "Maria, expedite her paperwork. I want Miss Montgomery in tomorrow morning."
Leila foiled my plan to leave without incident, stepping in my path and holding out her hand with the cutest smile lighting up her face.
