“How many has she had?”
“At least five that I know of, so far.”
What the fuck? “Five, George?”
He shrugged. “I get what you’re saying about the new enforcement, but maybe she didn’t read the fine print of her contract.”
“The non-compete clause isn’t in the fine print,” I said. “It’s on the second page in bold black ink, along with a lot of other basic terms. I’m sure she read it.”
“Her interview is at three o’clock, Preston.” He looked at his watch. “It wouldn’t kill you to tell her that she doesn’t need to go across town for it.”
“She never told me she had an interview, so actually it would kill me.”
He rolled his eyes and stood up. “Thank you for reminding me how petty you can be.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“I’ll be back in an hour with the Von Strum files,” he said. “It’ll take us all night to go over them, so I’m going to get some lunch.”
He left the room, and I immediately sent Tara an email.
* * *
Subject: New Meeting Today
Miss Lauren,
I will be going over the Von Strum files with George at three o’clock today. This is the most important deal I’m about to pursue, and you’re required to help.
Preston Parker
CEO & Owner of Parker International
* * *
Her response didn’t come back immediately like normal.
I refreshed my inbox seconds later. No answer.
I waited a full five minutes and scrolled down to her name in my phone.
Before I could hit call, she walked into my office wearing an olive colored dress that perfectly hugged her curves, with a pair of nude colored heels that made me envision her wrapping her legs around my waist.
She’s definitely not wearing panties today …
“I’m finished with everything on today’s short list,” she said, placing a folder on my desk. “I’ve added some things I think you should say during our first meeting with the Von Strum family. Two of those words are thank you. I’m also preparing to set up your upcoming travel notices to your closest friends and family, but I can’t seem to find a list.”
“That’s because I don’t have any family members to update.”
“No one?”
“No one.”
“Okay, then …” She looked as if she wanted to say something more, but she held back. “I also finished reading over the proposed amenities list for the new Harrison Hotel and gave you my thoughts. Is there anything else you need me to do before I take a late lunch?”
“I sent you an email.”
“I didn’t open it.”
“Now would be a good time to do so, Miss Lauren.”
“I think later would be better, Mr. Parker,” she said, mocking me. “Is there anything else, except that, that you need me to do?”
“I would like some more coffee.”
“I’ve already sent someone out for that.”
“I would like my schedule updated to reflect all of next week’s meetings with Sonoma. I want it color coded.”
“I did that this morning. Anything else you’d like?”
I would like you to cancel that goddamn interview.
“No.” I tapped my fingers against the desk, thinking of all the ways I was going to handle this shit over the next few weeks. “Have a great late lunch.”
She smiled and headed to the door. “I will.”
Eight
Tara
A few days later
“Miss? Miss, your coffee is ready.” The Sweet Seasons barista made me look up from my phone.
“Thank you.” I grabbed it and took a sip. Then I shook my head and gave it back. “This is one hundred and twenty degrees at best. I need it to be one hundred and fifty-five. Oh, and I can barely taste the caramel in that, can you add a bit more?”
“I’ll remake it right away,” she said. “Are you still buying the coffee for everyone who is currently in the store like you’ve done all month?”
“Absolutely.” I handed her Preston’s credit card. I waited until she remade his cup, and then I ordered a fresh cup of my own before getting back into my town car.
I was shocked to have an empty errand list this morning, and I was arriving to work an entire hour early so I could nap at my desk. I wasn’t sure why I ever thought that this job would get any easier to handle, why I thought I would ever get used to this man’s demands, but I was clearly wrong.
Last night, Preston called me at midnight to nitpick my report for over an hour, and although I was pissed at his intrusion on my personal time, I’d shamelessly held my vibrator against my clit the entire time he spoke. Even though I was currently using him as a muse for sex every night (since he’d ruined my social life), that was the only positive thing I could say about him. Well, that, and the meaner he was, the more jobs I applied to during my breaks.
Why haven’t I gotten a single job offer from any of my final interviews yet? It’s not adding up …
“We’re here, Miss Lauren,” the driver said, opening the back door for me. “Do you need me to do anything for you?”
“Can you take this coffee up to Mr. Parker’s office, please?” I handed it to him. “Set it on the glass warming tray we bought him yesterday. Make sure it’s set at his favorite temperature.”
“Of course.” He laughed.
I made it upstairs to my floor and stopped dead in my tracks.
“Michael?” I spotted my boyfriend sitting behind Cynthia’s desk. “Michael, is that you?”
“Long time, no see, huh?”
“Not exactly. I called you the other night.”
“At three in the morning, Tara.” He shook his head. “Have you not noticed our new relationship pattern over the past few months, or are you okay with how it’s going?”
“I have noticed.”
“Oh, really?” He crossed his arms. “So, why don’t you find it strange that I have to come to your job extra early, just to catch a glimpse of you?”
I wasn’t sure what to say. “I’m sorry.”
He didn’t respond to that. He just looked me up and down—admiring my fitted black and grey dress, then he looked around the lobby.
“I stopped by your new apartment before coming here. It’s one hell of an upgrade from where you were before, you know?” He smiled. “What’s the monthly rent on that place? Five thousand?”
“Nine thousand, but I’m only paying four. I get a huge discount because of my boss.”
“Yeah, well, speaking of your boss, can we—”
My cell phone sounded, and as if I was on alert, I answered the call before he could finish his sentence.
“This is Tara Lauren of Parker International speaking,” I said.
“Miss Lauren, this is Daniella. We have Mr. Parker’s suits ready for a nine o’clock pickup as you requested. As you know, I’m only coming in that early for this reason, so will your representative be on time?”