“That’s correct.”
“And the electricians have already been here and everything is up to date and wired correctly for what you need when it’s time to put all the systems in place, correct?”
“Yes. I've been running 2000s technology on 90s infrastructure and I’ve been dying to do a complete overhaul, updated systems, offices, conference rooms with high tech communications systems, but haven’t been able till now.” I grin, for a moment feeling a burst of pride in my chest. I’ve expanded Morgan Securities; the business is thriving forward and yet my father refuses to see what I have done for our family name. “I have three hundred new employees coming in the upcoming months, so I need this whole place to function as a whole. Be comfortable as well. I don’t want anyone to feel caged in. The last designer was more worried about paint color than busting out walls and expanding.”
“Got it.” She nods and lets out a deep breath.
“What’s wrong?”
“Can I be honest?”
“Of course.”
“This is a big job for me. I did Mrs. Holden’s one floor business and some past office spaces for the last company I worked with, but this is huge. Are you sure about me? You wouldn't want someone with more experience in commercial? Or who works with a firm or at least has a name for their design company.” She laughs nervously.
I do wonder why Jaxson picked her. She did a great job at their house, but little Red here barely has her feet wet enough for this undertaking.
“I should probably say yes, shouldn't I?”
She shrugs. “Probably.”
I hide my grin behind my hand at her blunt honesty. “You don’t think you can do it?”
She bites her lip. “I do. I guess I’m just nervous.
“Why don’t we see what you can do. Jaxson and River seem to think you know what you’re doing. Give me some of your ideas and we will go from there.”
"Alright. Let's start by talking about your newly inherited fifth floor and turning that into one of your open office areas you wanted.” She clicks on her computer and opens another screen. “There's less walls to knock down.”
“Show me.”
"You're staring at her,” Sam says, gripping my shoulder. She's someone that has become my confidant over the last couple years. Also, like Jaxson, she's someone who can quickly see and cut through all my bullshit.
"What?" I remark, while keeping the vision of Holly in the corner of my eye. She’s been chewing on the edge of her pencil for the last few minutes, as she quizzically looks at something on the computer.
“Seriously? You’re doing it now?”
“Doing what?” I turn to Sam and cross my arms.
"Eyeing the new interior designer. You've walked by the conference room like ten times and stopped. You're coming off like a creeper."
"Why do you insist on spying on me?"
"Spying? My office is right there.” She points behind her, and she’s right; it does have a clear view of the conference room. "You told me you wouldn't make the same mistake you made with the last designer."
"I'm not. It's just, I already have. I think. Actually, I don't know."
“Huh?"
I point to her office and walk in, so we can talk more privately. Sam follows. "She swears we have already hooked up before. It was years ago, but I was so messed up then I don't remember anything or anyone. So, I keep looking at her hoping something will pop in my memory. Also, there's just something about her," I say the last part more to myself, but by the way Sam is staring at me, she catches it all.
"Fuck," she groans, rubbing her forehead. “This is going to crash and burn fast.”
"Listen. It'll be fine." I wave her off.
“You say that now, but you do remember Mr. Parsons is now all up in your ass trying to create a lawsuit against you for sexual harassment and for firing Angela.”
“I’m very much aware. Thank you, but it’s not like that.”
Something already tells me I can’t pull my usual games with Red here. For the first time, I want it to be different.
"I'll be on the lookout for new designers for when this burns to the ground."
"Stop the dramatics. She didn't run after she found out who I was; I think we'll be okay. Plus her ideas are amazing and she hasn’t even been here for a day."
“You’ve got it bad.”
“I’ve got nothing,” I growl.
“Seriously.” Sam narrows her eyes at me. “I say this because I’ve never seen you act like this before with any of the women you try to troll.”
“I don’t troll.”
“What do you call it then?”
“I’m not acting like anything.” I wave her off and move out the door, running right into the petite body of my Red. The papers in her hand scatter to the floor.
"Mr. Morgan, I’m sorry."
We both bend down to pick up the fallen papers. I scoop up the pile and hand them to her. "You can call me Liam, Holly."
“Oh, please,” I hear Sam mutter under her breath, and I swing my head to give her a death stare. In reply, she rolls her eyes and I can mentally hear her screaming, seriously.
I know I know. I never let any of my employees call me by my first name.
"Oh, okay. Um, I just had a question about the past designer’s approval."
"I told you that you could veto all that."
"I know, but it seems she has already called ahead to some painters who are coming tomorrow and they won’t let me cancel."
"Let's talk back in the conference room." I place my hand on the small of her back and lead her back to the conference room.
“Oh, don’t worry, we can talk later, Liam,” Sam calls out sarcastically.
“Now what's going on with the painter?" I ask once I close the door behind us.
"I tried to tell them there was no way we're painting this whole place eggshell, but they wouldn't listen."
Fucking eggshell.
"Like who in their right mind agrees to paint a whole building eggshell when they can just do white. There's too much crème color in egg and is meant more for residential…” Her mouth shuts. "Oh, unless that's what you wanted. It did have your approval signature on it."
Oh Red, what am I going to do with you?
"It's not mine. Listen, I'll handle it, and again, as I said, use your vision. I mean unless it's going to result in hot pink and neon yellow walls."
She snaps her fingers. "Darn. You took the ideas right out of me." She pouts. "Though I was thinking of a cool Avengers theme in your office.
"Oh, you already got jokes."
"Too much too soon?" She giggles. The sound goes straight to my dick.
"No.” I brush my hand down her arm and she shivers under my touch. “Not at all."
"In all seriousness, I know it seems boring but I was thinking white. It will brighten up this place a lot from the gray monotone it has and also the eighties pink that lingers around.”
"Would you believe that's exactly what I wanted?"