Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“I don’t see how wanting to fuck me is a problem,” she replies. “The feeling is entirely mutual. But however good it was, I’ll take a job over your dick.”
I can’t help but burst out laughing. They say the British are reserved. Not this Brit.
“I’m not hiring you.”
“I’m not giving up,” she says. “What if I go through the proper channels? You can put me through the recruitment process. That seems fair. If I get through, I get through. If I don’t, I don’t.”
She doesn’t know that there isn’t a recruitment process. I do all the hiring and firing, and I go by a candidate’s skill set and my gut. Most recruits are brought to me by a current member of staff.
“No,” I say simply, and turn back to my computer. She sighs, and I try to ignore the way the sound slips through my veins like morphine, making my limbs weak and my mind putty.
“I’m not giving up,” she says.
I don’t respond.
“But I’m pissed off,” she says. “You won’t recruit me. And I can’t sleep with you again because I know it would limit my chances even further.”
She’s right. It’s a lose-lose for her.
And for me. I can’t sleep with her, even if I’m very clear that she’s not going to work for Fort Inc. It would feel like taking advantage. And I can’t sleep with her even if for some reason I could employ her, because that would be taking advantage too.
There aren’t many people who would describe me as unlucky, but that’s how I feel right now.
The sound of the suite door clicking catches our attention at the same time and our gazes lock, as if we’re about to get caught doing something we shouldn’t.
We’re not doing anything to feel guilty about, though. Unfortunately.
EIGHT
Efa
In between scrolling for my next Netflix addiction, I’m trying to find out more about Ben Fort. And Fort Inc. I’m also brainstorming ideas for apps and daydreaming about a job with Bennett Fordham as my boss. I’m also overlooking Manhattan while doing all of the above. There are worse ways to spend an evening.
What I like about tech is getting under the skin. Some people like the marketing or the packaging. I like the coding and technology beneath the surface, which is another reason why I think Fort Inc. and I are so well suited. They have never taken products to the public. They know it’s not where their strength lies, and they’re not going to be arrogant enough to think they can do it all. They do the hard stuff—invent the technology, work out the bugs, then they sell it to Apple or Google or whoever can bring it to market. The companies everyone has heard of do the marketing and branding and make everything look pretty, while Bennett gets on and does the important work.
Having met the man behind Fort, it makes complete sense. He doesn’t mess around. He has no need to prove himself. He knows what he’s good at and sticks to it.
If his sharp jaw and tight, hard body weren’t enough, I have to have an intellectual crush on the guy too.
A knock at the door makes me jump. The building has a doorman. No one has ever knocked on that door.
I scramble to my feet and head to the door, wondering if I should open it.
“Efa?” a familiar voice booms out. “I know you’re in there. Open the door.”
I roll my eyes and wrangle with the locks and catches and pull open the door to find Bennett on my doorstep, looking like he just murdered someone—or wants to murder me.
“How did you get past the doorman?”
“You really need to do something about security in this place.”
“Did you bribe him?” I hold the door open for him, even though I don’t have an explanation for what he’s doing here. He brushes past me. I try to cover up the deep breath I take of his earthy scent. I never did discover what it is that makes him smell that way.
“No, I didn’t bribe him,” he replies, and I follow him into the living space. “I just told him I was coming to visit you, Efa Cadogan. Then he didn’t know Efa, so I gave him that ridiculous nickname.”
“Eddie isn’t a ridiculous nickname,” I say. “It’s what everyone in my entire universe calls me.”
He fixes me with a stare. “Not me.”
My skin starts to vibrate. What is it with this man? I think he could make me come just looking at me.
“Well, you’re difficult,” I say. “Want a drink? And then you can tell me what you’re here for.”
“Sure, I’ll have a beer.”
I’m shaking my head before he’s finished his sentence. “I have some questionable red wine and water. That’s it.”
He winces at the options, which doesn’t surprise me. I’m used to wine snobs.