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“Of course, I can,” I said, and knew I was still lying through my teeth.
Walking back to Crawford Corp, I knew I had one more lie to tell that day, and it was to Clive. My hands trembled, so I stuffed them into my coat pockets.
“I need to take my two weeks’ vacation, starting tomorrow,” I said. I thought my voice had cracked, but Clive hadn’t noticed.
“Tomorrow? But that’s Thursday. Just start on Monday.”
Ugh, what do I say now? Think, Frances.
“No. My grandmother’s ill and I need to stay home and take care of her.” Nonna would kill me if she heard me use her health in vain. I’m sorry, Nonna. “Besides, I haven’t taken a holiday in two years. I really need this now.”
Clive sucked his teeth. He knew that was true. I hadn’t taken a vacation last year or the year before, opting to take a lump cash reimbursement for the time off instead. Please say yes, please!
“Fine,” he said. “But next time, give me some notice, why don’t you.”
My lungs emptied and I nearly dropped to the ground in relief. “I will. I promise.”
I wasn’t worried about bumping into Clive. He rarely left the mailroom and the others barely knew I existed. I was worried about working for Colton. I’d heard everyone’s complaints about him and now I'd just agreed to be his assistant. Me. The person who wants to be invisible can’t hide from him now.
What the heck did I get myself into?
***
I woke up early, knowing I’d need the extra time to choose my work clothes. It was early December and the weather had already turned cold. Staring longingly at my tights, I trudged past them to my mother’s closet.
I pulled out a black shift dress, but my eyes wandered to the curve-hugging tan dress I’d worn years ago. I loved how it fit, but I didn’t want any extra attention on Ava Grady. So, I grabbed the simple black one instead.
I arrived at the office at seven-thirty. I knew which desk in the long row of cubicles belonged to Colton’s PA and settled in. Turning on the laptop, I cleared out the previous PA’s old emails and created a signature for my outgoing messages. I opened Colton’s calendar and saw that he had several meetings booked for the day, but left only a thirty-minute window for lunch.
I should order him something.
I was just about to grab a coffee when Colton strode down the hallway. He wore a dark blue suit today with a white shirt and navy tie. His brown shoes matched his belt and he looked like he was ready for his close-up. I bit my lip while my eyes took in every stitch of that fine Italian suit.
His lush green eyes met mine and one side of his lips pulled up. Miraculously, my panties were intact.
“Good morning, Mr. Crawford,” I said, standing from my desk.
He stepped into his office and waved me to follow him. I grabbed my notepad and pencil and took a seat in front of his desk. The back of my legs hit the soft black leather, and I couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like to straddle him in this chair. Focus Frances!
Colton tilted his head and his lips turned into a full smirk.
Sweet Lordy, did my face just give away my inappropriate thoughts? I hoped not, but a familiar heat crept up my neck and scorched my face.
“Please, call me Colton.” He took off his suit jacket and unbuttoned the first button underneath his tie. My eyes lingered on his neck.
I cleared my throat twice and pushed back my hair. I should have tied it up instead of leaving the curls loose past my shoulders. I crossed my legs and raised my notebook onto my knee. “Yes, Colton. Where would you like to start?”
4
Colton
I’d like to start by running my hand from your bare ankle to your knee, to your sweet… I shook my head, dismissing the thought.
I’d never lost focus at work, not until Ms. Ava Grady showed up. It had been barely five minutes since she’d walked into my office, and I already wanted to rip that notebook from her hands and put my mouth on every inch of her body.
That’s not happening, Colton.
Not only because I bet Ryan I could stay away from women for two months, but because she’s my personal assistant and I never, ever, mixed business with pleasure.
