shivered and pulled
her coat a little closer before flicking a light switch on. Then she sat down
in the very chair she was interviewed in not a month ago, and waited.
She heard him before she saw him,
so he had a little time to compose herself, but not much. Before long, Larson
was busting through the wooden doors, a huge grin on his face.
“Ah, good, good. Lola said you
were here already.”
“Sir?” Denny asked, feeling
off-kilter already. Larson had that effect on her and everyone else in his
immediate vicinity.
He turned around and pushed the
doors shut now. They slid like silent monoliths, hovering above the carpet
before clicking shut, leaving the two of them alone in the room.
“So, it's been a few days now,” he
said, striding around her to stand behind his vast desk. “How do you like
things here so far?”
“Sir, about tha-” Denny said,
trying to get her thoughts out. But she was quickly interrupted.
“I know I've been a little hard on
you. More than a little hard. But I had a feeling you would be up to the
challenge.” He leaned forward now, his palms flat against the desk as his eyes
glinted in an almost predatory fashion. Denny felt her skin burn. He hadn't
shaved in a day or two and stubble dotted his broad jaw. He looked so
powerful, so handsome...
She shook her head. Now wasn't the
time for that. “Yes, sir, about that,” she said weakly, trying again. “I'm
not sure that I am up to the challenge.”
“Nonsense.” He stood up again and
made his way around the desk, standing close to Denny. Very close. “You've
been exemplary. I couldn't have picked a better assistant.”
He was so close to her, she could practically feel the heat of his body rolling
onto her skin. She swallowed and shifted her stance, unsure of what to do or
say next. This was always how it was with him.
“To be honest,” she said faintly,
“I haven't been getting that impression from you. And to be frank, but I
haven't felt very welcome here.”
He laughed. “Of course you haven't.
Every damned girl in this building applied for this job and it kills them to see you with it. Even Lola out there tried. She must hate your guts
right about now.”
“I – oh – I see,” Denny said. It
hadn't even occurred to her that this position would be so coveted.
“It's why I'm so mean to you in
public,” he said lightly, backing off now, rounding his desk yet again. He
pulled his phone out of his pocket, tapping at it as he continued the
conversation. “Hopefully seeing how terrible the job is will make them not
regret getting it quite so much. Regardless, they'll warm to you in time, I'm
certain. Now.” He jabbed his index finger on the screen of the smart phone. “Your
list of chores for today. And I have a favor. A personal favor.”
“Oh?” Denny said even as her phone
buzzed with his text. She felt even more off-kilter than before.
“I need you to stop by my apartment
tonight. I have something personal I'd like you to take care of. Very personal.” Just then, his voice seemed to drop an octave as his eyes
smoldered.
Denny felt very weak at the knees
for a few long moments, but then she collected herself and stood taller.
“What's the favor?” she asked, feeling a little bolder.
“You'll see. Here's the address.
Meet me there at seven.” With that said, he brushed by her as he made for the
door. Sharp tingles of excitement raced up her body where he connected with
her, but she shoved that feeling down. This was work. This was work.
But if it was work, why did it feel
like he was making pass after pass at her this morning? Denny wasn't stupid.
She saw the signs. It couldn't be right though. Larson had every beautiful
woman in the building, in the city, hanging off his arms and on his every
word. Why would he choose her and disregard all those other model level
beauties?
“Yes, sir,” she said