Cocky: A Stepbrother Romance Read Online Free PDF

laptop.
     
    My mom leaned over on the couch. “Drake,” she stated.
     
    I already knew where she was headed. I looked up from the computer screen. “No way, Mom.”
     
    The last place in the world I wanted to work at was Drake's business. Begging my stepbrother for a job would be a huge blow to my ego. It's the equivalent to bending the knee to an enemy king.
     
    “Come on Sophia, you can either waste months and months to just land a crappy job or you can ask your stepbrother for one.” She didn't even think I could get a job.
     
    “I'm not taking anything from him,” I said, slamming my laptop shut and storming upstairs. I'll show them when I get a great job.
     
     
     
     

Chapter Two

 
     
    It was only a few weeks later when I realized my mom was completely right. I spent so much time applying and searching and I had nothing to show for it. No interview. Not even a callback.
     
    I only had one choice left and I already hated myself for it. I had to do it or else I'd be stuck living with my parents for the rest of my life. It would only be temporary, I told myself. Only until I can get a job somewhere else.
     
    I drove to the city, deciding that a face-to-face with Drake would be a lot better than a phone call. I wanted him to see that I wasn't broken down yet, show him that I'm still strong and can fend for myself.
     
    I got out of the car, lifted my head, put my hand up to block the sun, and took in the view of the tall skyscraper. Atlas in big letters dominated the top of the building. It was more impressive in person than in the pictures in magazines. I had never visited Drake at his work before and he never asked me.
     
    I entered the tower and approached the blond receptionist sitting at a large stone desk.
     
    “What can I do for you?” she asked, chewing bubblegum and not making eye contact with me. I watched for a moment as she twirled her hair and typed away on the computer.
     
    “I'm here to see Drake Taylor,” I said softly.
     
    “Do you have an appointment?”
     
    “No but he'll want to see me.”
     
    “What's your name?” the girl asked.
     
    “Sophia,” I replied softly.
     
    The receptionist slowly looked up from her computer and made eye contact with me. She realized who she was talking with now. “Let me ask him right away.”
     
    I turned away from her as she began dialing the number. The lobby took up the entire floor and other than a few fake plants, the receptionist was the only thing down here. Classic Drake. They couldn't fit anything else in the lobby because his ego was so big.
     
    The receptionist hung up the phone. “Miss, Drake will see you now.” She pointed over to the elevator that had just opened. “Hit the button for level thirty-two.”
     
    I nodded and entered the elevator. I pushed the button and waited patiently as we climbed and climbed. The doors opened to a 360-degree view of the entire downtown skyline. I stepped off the elevator and marveled at the scenery. A large oak desk stood in one corner of the room and was surrounded with a library of old books.
     
    Drake sat at the desk, sipping a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper. “Well this is quite a surprise, Sophia,” he said, folding the newspaper away.
     
    “Yeah I know,” I replied.
     
    “I didn't think you would ever step foot in this building.” Drake motioned for me to sit down in front of the desk.
     
    I sat down in a comfy chair and became instantly relaxed. My body sunk into the cushions and it felt like I was floating. “I needed to talk to you about something.”
     
    Drake put his elbows on the desk and leaned forward. “I have a meeting in ten minutes so cut to the chase.”
     
    He almost always showed no emotion. It was like talking to a robot. I clenched my fists and breathed deeply. “I need a job.”
     
    Drake leaned back in his seat and grinned. “Oh really. And I'm just going to give you one?”
     
    “Come on, Drake. I've never asked you for anything