Book 1 - Page 47 (1/2)
I texted him just before I left, letting him know I was on my way. Considering the time constraints, we couldn't waste a minute. Gideon must have felt the same way, because I found Scott waiting for me at reception when I reached the Cross Industries waiting area. He walked me back after the receptionist buzzed me in.
”How's your day been?” I asked him.
He smiled. ”Great so far. Yours?”
I smiled back. ”I've had worse.”
Gideon was on the phone when I entered his office. His tone was clipped and impatient as he told the person on the other end of the line that they should be able to manage the job without him having to oversee it personally.
He held up one finger to me to tell me he'd be another minute. I responded by blowing a big bubble with the gum I was chewing and popping it loudly.
His brows shot up, and he hit the b.u.t.tons to close the doors and frost the gla.s.s wall.
Grinning, I sauntered over to his desk and hopped onto it, curling my fingers around the lip and swinging my legs. He popped the next bubble I blew with a quick jab of his finger. I pouted prettily.
”Deal with it,” he said with quiet authority to whoever was on the phone. ”It'll be next week before I can get out there and waiting will set us back further. Stop talking. I have something time-sensitive on my desk and you're keeping me away from it. I guarantee that's not improving my disposition. Fix what needs fixing and report back to me tomorrow.”
He returned the phone to its cradle with suppressed violence. ”Eva - ”
I held up one hand to cut him off and wrapped my gum in a Post-it I took from a dispenser on his desk. ”Before you reprimand me, Mr. Cross, I want to say that when we reached an impa.s.se in our merger discussions at the hotel yesterday I shouldn't have walked out. It didn't help to resolve the situation. And I know I didn't react very well to the PR issue with the photo. But still...Even though I've been a naughty secretary, I think I should be given another chance to excel.”
His gaze narrowed as he studied me, a.s.sessing and reevaluating the situation on the fly. ”Did I ask for your opinion on the appropriate action to take, Miss Tramell?”
I shook my head and looked up at him from beneath my lashes. I could see the lingering frustration from his phone call falling away from him, replaced by his growing interest and arousal.
Hopping down from the desk, I sidled closer and smoothed his immaculate tie with both hands. ”Can't we work something out? I do possess a wide variety of useful skills.”
He caught me by the hips. ”Which is one of the many reasons you're the only woman I've ever considered for the position.”
Warmth flowed through me at his words. Boldly cupping his c**k in my hand, I fondled him through his slacks. ”Maybe I should reapply myself to my duties? I could demonstrate some of the ways I'm uniquely qualified to a.s.sist you.”
Gideon hardened with delectable swiftness. ”Such initiative, Miss Tramell. But my next meeting is less than ten minutes away. Also, I'm not accustomed to exploring job enrichment opportunities in my office.”