Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“Have you had dinner yet?” he asks, his hand sliding down my side and landing on the curve of my hip.
The intimate gesture feels so good that all rational thought flies out the window.
When I shake my head, unable to form words, he nods once and says, “Go get comfortable. Dinner will be ready soon.”
I should tell him that I’m good and then hide out in my bedroom, away from his mesmerizing emerald eyes, hypnotizing scent, and orgasmic freaking sauce, where it’s safe, but instead, I find myself agreeing.
After I’ve rinsed the day off and changed into a pair of comfy leggings and a tank top, I make my way back downstairs, where I find Julian pouring me a glass of red wine to go with the delicious-looking spaghetti and meatballs on my plate. There’s also a salad and …
“Are these homemade?” I ask, pointing to the fluffy garlic knots.
“Yep,” he says, pouring himself three fingers of scotch, which I immediately recognize as Kingston’s from the crown on the label—the company’s signature logo my dad designed many years ago. “Today was stressful, and I find cooking is a good way to relax.”
“Why was it stressful?” I ask, taking a sip of my wine.
“Spent most of the day putting out fires,” he says, taking a bite of a garlic knot and then washing it down with his scotch. “How was your day?” he asks.
“Productive,” I admit, noting how domestic this feels. “I got my office set up and spent the afternoon working on my pitch.”
He nods. “Oh, since we’re playing house, Ryder and his fiancée are doing a destination wedding in Hawaii.” He rolls his eyes, and I’m not sure if it’s because he’s against the wedding or Hawaii. “Everyone, including your dad and Selene, will be there, so I need you to plan to go.” He thinks thoughtfully for a moment, then adds, “I’ll have Josie sync our calendars. That way, we can keep track of our commitments.”
“Ryder’s the CFO, right?” I ask, remembering him from my research.
“Yeah, and my best friend,” he says, taking a bite of his food.
Of course he is. Apparently, I’ve stepped into a damn gentleman’s club. Sure, women work there as well. Most of them are in other departments or are assistants. A few are managers or supervisors, but the majority of the upper-level team is made up of men.
“What’s that look for?” he questions.
“What look?”
“As soon as I told you Ryder’s my best friend, you got a sour look on your face.”
Damn it, I forgot how observant this man is.
“I just noticed that a lot of upper-level management are men. I didn’t realize how sexist my dad was.”
Maybe that’s why he doesn’t feel I’m a good fit for the position, which means I don’t stand a chance against Julian and everything I’m doing is pointless.
The thought has my hackles rising and motivates me that much more. If I do everything better than Julian, go beyond the expectations, Dad will have no choice but to pick me or risk looking sexist.
Julian scoffs. “Your dad is not sexist. Besides, I’m the one who handles the majority of the hiring.”
“So, you’re sexist,” I poke, making Julian glare my way. “Oh, c’mon. Every three-letter position is filled by a man,” I point out.
“That’s not true,” he argues.
“Oh, really? Let’s see here. CEO: man,” I start, ticking it off, using my pointer finger. “COO: man.” My middle finger goes up. “CFO: man, CMO: man, and CTO: also a man.” With all five fingers in the air, I give him a condescending wave and a matching smile. “When I get the CEO position, I don’t know how all you men are going to handle taking orders from a woman in charge.”
“You know, Red,” he says, annoyance and anger dripping with every word, “if you bow out now, I can assure you that you’ll have the spot as the COO, and then there’ll be a woman with three letters.”
“Ha!” I bark out a laugh. “That sounds to me like you’re scared. As you should be,” I say, taking a sip of my wine and locking eyes with him. “And unlike your false promises, when I become CEO, I’ll consider keeping you in your position.”
I stand despite wanting so badly to eat my delicious food. “I’ve lost my appetite.”
I walk by him, stopping when I’m right next to him.
“One thing about working with men is that you have no idea how crazy a woman can be when she wants something,” I say, leaning down and using the table to hold myself up so I don’t touch him. “The thing about spiders is that they’re quiet, so you never see them coming. And before you realize they’re there, they’ve already attacked and left you for dead. Be careful, Julian. Like you said, I’m venomous. Let this be your warning. I’m coming after you, and I’m not going to hold back.”