Twelve Days - The Beginning Read Online Free PDF Page B

he continued, “my new ‘power’ gives me the freedom to work wherever I choose in the company. Since I have always enjoyed the cut and thrust of the sales environment, I have decided to work out in the field, taking charge of the sales force at conferences and venues and picking up leads from ‘off site’, hence the title. My buy-in to the company has given me the largest single shareholding stake, which means that I am in a position of unquestionable seniority. Consequently for you, Miss Grayson, that means that I am now your boss.”
    Elise took a moment to digest this information, trying to make sense of what was happening. With all the difficulties in her personal life, Cole and Andrews & Andrews had been the two things that she could count on to remain the same and now it seemed that this rug was being pulled out from underneath her. She could not continue to work the conferences and venues with this man - he was insufferable, arrogant, conceited and far too good looking for his own good. She knew his type; wealthy and beautiful, a player, love ‘em and leave ‘em. Olivia, it would seem, was already testament to that. She refused to consider why it should bother her so much; she just knew that no good could come of continuing this ‘game’. He held all the power and, whilst that rankled, she knew better than to take issue with it and decided that her only plan was to bow out gracefully. Well, as gracefully as Elise Geraldine Grayson ever bowed out of anything.
    “Mr Granger,” - Two could play at this constant use of last names - “Whilst I don’t pretend to understand the intricacies of this situation and I am at a complete loss as to why someone with your ‘power’ would feel the need to get steaming drunk and prey on a young and innocent employee last night, I know that my...working.. for you will not play out well for either of us and I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that I will be speaking to Cole...um, Mr Andrews, to arrange to withdraw from the off-site sales team with immediate effect. There will be no need for us to maintain any type of relationship and therefore the fact that we don’t have a ‘meeting’ is entirely irrelevant!” There – that should make him realise that she wasn’t to be messed with. She would miss the conferences and off site work, no two ways about it, but she would not compromise her standards to work with someone who appeared to have so little regard for anyone else.
    “Mmmm..” he responded, the glimmer of a smile hovering around his eyes, “You make your point well and whilst I must admit that your argument has its merits, my problem is this: Technically I am not only your boss, but I am also Cole Andrew’s boss which means I get to override any decisions he may deem suitable.” His eyes, now almost black, held her gaze steadily and she tried to hold her ground, refusing to be the one to break contact or show any weakness. “A decision involving you leaving the team is not one that I consider to be suitable and therefore I find myself already overriding any such scenario. You have been top seller for the past two months” he paused, allowing her to take on board the implication of his statement “Besides which, Miss Grayson, I find that I want you very much and I am not a man accustomed to being denied.” He delivered the last sentence completely deadpan although the heat beginning to reflect in his eyes belied the fact that he was unaffected.
    There was an intensity to this man that both aroused and frightened Elise. He had no right to stake any claim over her, she was married, and she was totally sick and tired of people thinking that this made no difference whatsoever. However she couldn’t deny the feelings rushing through her body at the thought of being at the complete mercy of this stunning man.
    Realising that she was in danger of losing ground, Elise physically backed up a little and strove to keep an evenness to her tone that