Before I could say anything to defend myself, Ms. King interjected on my behalf. She seemed to be more done with his shit than I was. I’d wager a bet and say I wasn’t the first person he’d done that to today. I bet her tour had been quite insightful. He’s such a hard worker. I barely managed to not roll my eyes at my own wayward thoughts.
“If you’re trying to make him look bad, that won’t work with me, Mr. Caplin. Just like none of your other shit has worked today. You seem to be under the assumption that your opinion matters to me and that you’re needed to show me around a company that is now under my control. Why don’t you run along and start cleaning that wasted space of an office out before I have you thrown from the building on your ass?”
I stood there gaping. Like mouth slack, jaw unhinged, wide-eyed, gaping. It wasn’t a good look on me. That I was sure of. I snapped my mouth shut real quick and bit the inside of my lips together to help me hide the smile that wanted to break loose. I thought she may be my new favorite person after that. Taylor opened his mouth, then closed his mouth and opened it again, like a fish gasping for breath. When she arched a delicate brow at him he turned tail and bolted from the factory floor. It was the best thing I’d seen in months. He’d be pissed about that shutdown. We’d both have to watch him or he’d become an issue for one of us. No telling who, yet. Both, if we’re unlucky.
She turned her head back to me and I suddenly saw how truly otherworldly she looked. Her hair was a light silvery blue color that shined like the stars from my home. Her eyes were the most mesmerizing pools of liquid color that I’d ever peered into. The tie-dyed effect of gold and deep forest green, with a slim red ring around the outside of her irises that blazed like fire, sucked me right in. I had never seen anything like them before.
“I apologize for his shitty behavior. He’s going to be removed from the property immediately. Between you and me, he gives me the creeps.” She laughed lightly, like she couldn’t believe she’d just said that aloud. “Would you mind showing me around for the rest of my tour? I’m afraid this place is quite a labyrinth.” Her smile returned to the genuine gesture she’d given me earlier. It was such a glorious sight that it took me a moment to get my tongue to work again.
I nodded my head to her as I cleared my throat to get some sort of words to come out. “John, would you please call in a replacement for Susan? I’m going to show Ms. King around.” I twisted my head slightly to see him and he nodded his own reply. I knew he’d have the task covered, so I didn’t waste another second of time. I stripped off my gloves and lab coat and escorted Sloane King off the factory floor. We headed up the stairs, where I dropped my coat and gloves off at my office as we passed by. I walked beside her down the hallway to the next destination on her agenda.
Ms. King was brimming with questions. Some I could answer and the rest I was able to, at least, point her in the direction of the right people to ask. She listened attentively, almost like she was taking notes with no pen or paper. It felt as though she was just memorizing every detailed answer I gave her. I didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. I did not need someone else to get in the way of my investigation.
I also didn’t know if spending this much time with her was good or bad. That strange pulling sensation never went away. I had to fight with myself to not walk too close to her. I wanted to grab her hand, snatch her to me, and wrap my arms around her. I really wanted to fuck her against the wall, right here in the middle of the corridor, in nothing but her blood red heels. Fuck.
Fuck.
FUCK!
What was wrong with me?
Sloane
Friday Afternoon
Today was exhausting. As I thanked Mr. Winter for walking me through the rest of the tour — and highlighting the areas that Caplin asshat decided to skip — I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. A real smile. It felt ridiculous to be so happy. I hadn’t felt this feeling in a long time, and I was honestly trying not to freak out.
You just met the male. I told myself that over and over again, but it didn’t seem to matter. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. The strange pull that I noticed when I first locked eyes with him hadn’t stopped either. I almost wanted to ask Franklin to turn the car around so I could go back in there and jump his bones. Bone? Just one bone... Godsdamnit. I needed to figure my shit out. Really, though... When was the last time I enjoyed a conversation? I couldn’t even remember.
Vaughn spoke animatedly about all the things going on in the company, and it put my restless mind at ease. That company was purchased for one reason, but it might not be such a drag to keep around. We’d have to do some work, but I didn’t think it would be anything major. I’d have to do some research on other pharmaceutical companies. Then I would find a few people from within to promote into the higher positions that were vacated today.
I had to make myself memorize basically every word he was saying because I couldn’t stop my spiraling, gutter-bound thoughts. While we were in one of the research labs, I kept thinking about what it would feel like to have him bend me over the gleaming metal countertop and slam into me with all his fae strength. Lifting me onto my toes with every thrust. My tits bouncing so hard they popped right out of the top of my dress, leaving both of us exposed to anyone who might walk in.
I had to clear my throat before I could speak to him while we were in that room. The thoughts kept coming, just like I was in them. I had to ask him to continue with the rest of my tour. I needed to get out of that room. Anyway...
He thanked me for my time as I eased into the back seat of the Audi SUV Franklin was driving today. He closed the door with a small wave and a sexy tilt to his god-like lips. He was basically walking sin for a part demon like myself. I had to mentally fight with my inner self to get my thoughts off him. This is godsdamn ridiculous. Why was I acting like a love struck teenager?
Nope. Can’t be. Not going there. I’d shove those awful, emotional thoughts away for later. Maybe never. I didn’t know. I’d pencil it in my schedule. A solid three and a half minutes titled “Figure your shit out, Sloane” and then a solid twenty minutes to revisit those filthy thoughts. FUCK!
Begone, dirty thoughts! Stay focused, Sloane.
Alone with my business thoughts once more, I was finally able to think clearly again. I worked through all the things that I could do to boost profits without making any budget cuts or firing anyone else. I had already fired everyone that was getting paid to do nothing. Six people were let go from the company today. I emptied out four offices, too. Two Caplins and two Bowers, and I fired one very slutty secretary and a horribly under-qualified head of security. I’d promote as many people from within the company as I could and hire a new secretary next week. I needed to put out a job listing, but first, I needed to know what I’d need from a secretary.
It was going to be fun. Just fucking kidding. None of it was fun. Hiring people sucked. Firing people sucked more. I was good at my job, but my job was not always good to me.
Sighing, I quickly called my dad, Charles, and left him a short voicemail asking him to call me back once he’d reviewed my notes. They were all in his email, but I didn’t know when he’d actually have the time to read it all.