“People will talk no matter what. Hell, there have been all kinds of rumors that I fooled around with my last half-dozen assistants. None of that is true.”
Savannah looks alarmed. “Half-dozen? How often do you hire a new one?”
“Every few months. Each time I do, they start up a betting pool in Accounting. It should be no surprise that I demand dedication to the job, and that comes with a lot of hours. It’s not for everyone. But I’ve never crossed the line from professional to sexual with any of them, and most everyone else in the organization was happy to see them go because none of them could keep up. I know you’ll be different. You’ll make a name for yourself. And it will have nothing to do with any relationship you have with me.”
“You sound awfully sure of that.”
“Because I’m sure of you.” I brush a kiss across her lips because I can’t stop myself. “I’ll call my VP of HR tomorrow and get you an offer…but we have hours until then. I wouldn’t want to waste them.”
Her smile is somehow joyous and coy at the same time, reaching her eyes to fill them with happiness. “The Asian markets are still open, and we could always study the Dow futures.”
“True.” I nod as if I’m actually considering her suggestion. “Or I could just spend the next couple of hours with my tongue on your pussy, wringing one orgasm after another from you.”
“I like your idea way better.”
“I thought you might. But don’t count on making it back to your bed tonight.”
“Oh? I don’t mind.”
“I hope not, because now that I’m thinking about it, I don’t see you making it to your own bed anytime in the near future.”
She cocks her head. “We might have to negotiate that. I agreed to cede tonight to you, but if you’re asking for longer—”
“I am, and you know it.”
“Then it will cost you, Mr. Force.”
“Will it?” I drop another kiss on her mouth, then another on the softest part of her neck, just beneath her ear. “What did you have in mind?”
“It just might cost you your heart.”
“You’re in luck, Ms. Blythe. I think it’s already yours.”
August 1
Force Financial Offices, Boston
Savannah
“Chad, what are you doing?” I call after my boss and my boyfriend as he tugs me toward the executive conference room. Behind him, Marcus Hunt and Josh Hennessey laugh as they block my escape route down the hall.
The three of them are definitely up to something.
When we arrive, all the senior management is crowded inside the room. As soon as I step into the throng, they start clapping.
I send Chad a suspicious stare. What’s going on here? He gives me a dazzling smile. It matches the grins everyone else is wearing, even Mrs. Turner, the taciturn receptionist.
I turn to Dan, the doorman who lent me that fateful twenty bucks months ago—and has turned into the best trainee I could have asked for. “Are you in on this?”
“Me?” he asks way too innocently.
“Did Renee put all of you up to some early birthday thing?” That’s all I can think of, but it hardly makes sense. My birthday is still three weeks away.
“No, and if she had, she would want to be here.”
True. He’s gotten to know Renee almost as well as I do. No shock, really. He’s been asking her out nonstop for months. She’s been wary after her last relationship ended so badly in April, but I think Dan is wearing her down. And good for them.
“So what’s going on?” I insist.
He shrugs. Hunt and Hennessey do the same. Then I settle my stare on the man who never fails to make my heart skip a beat, especially when he heaps the pleasure on me that has me biting my lip so I don’t scream down the walls—just like I did in his office two hours ago.
“Come and see.” Chad pulls me to the middle of the room. “Attention, everyone. I’d like to make an announcement.”
My heart stops. What the hell is he doing? Hopefully, he’s not confirming the rumors that we’re having a relationship to everyone in the organization.
“Mr. Force?”
Chad ignores me. “As many of you know, longtime employee Barney Townsend recently retired from his position as director of Emerging Overseas Markets. I’ve searched high and low for the best possible replacement, then I realized the one who’s been doing the job admirably for the past two months is the most qualified to fill Barney’s shoes. So I’m pleased to announce that, effective next Monday, I’m promoting Savannah Blythe into that position.”
I gape up at Chad as everyone around us claps. His big, beaming smile shines down on me. His expression tells me he’s proud of all I’ve accomplished, and he wants everyone to know. My heart swells with so much pride—and love. He’s given me space to make a name for myself in his organization, and now, when Chad is tied up in meetings, employees come to me without a second thought.
It’s been an amazing couple of months, and I’ve learned so much. His show of trust in me and my abilities warms me everywhere, as well as makes my eyes sting and my throat tighten.
“Seriously?” I croak.
“Seriously.”
I’m bypassing the analyst and manager positions and being promoted straight into the director’s seat?
A huge smile crawls across my face. “Oh my god. Thank you. I’m thrilled and honored, sir.”
He nods as Hennessey shoves a hand in my direction. “You’ve more than earned it, Blythe. But I’m put out with Chad because he wouldn’t promote you to my department. I need a go-getter like you.”
“Back off,” Hunt growls. “I asked her to transfer to my team after her first week here. Chad, the stingy bastard, kept hoarding her.”
I laugh. In truth, they’ve both been wonderful mentors and friends. They’re the closest things Chad has to brothers, and I’ve been so blessed to have them in my life—after I scolded them both for trying to pull that fast one on me just before I hired on.
“I wasn’t giving her to either of you.” Chad scowls. “She doesn’t need the training wheels of working on a well-oiled team. She’s ready to lead her own. Congratulations, Savannah.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Mrs. Turner, who I would have sworn disapproved of me the day we met, produces a round cake with Tiffany-blue fondant, a cluster of frosting roses at the top, and lovely script font that reads Congratulations, Savannah across the middle.
“Oh my goodness. It’s beautiful! Thank you so much.”
“You’ve been a joy to work with, dear.” The older woman pats my hand, then proceeds to serve cake to the smiling management team.
Chad’s hand lingers on the back of my chair. I can tell he wants to touch me but doesn’t want to undermine my professional credibility. But if we were alone…
Over the last six months, the man has proven inexhaustible and insatiable. All he ever does is make money or make me feel pleasure. I’m so lucky. And I’m so in love with him it’s ridiculous.
I can’t imagine my life without him.