Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Still nothing. His expression hadn’t changed.
“I baked cookies,” I added, setting the container on his immaculate desk. “Just a small thank-you. Hopefully we can start things off on the right foot.” I gestured toward the container with what I hoped was a charming smile. “Chocolate chip. My own recipe. I don’t mean to brag, but they’re pretty amazing.”
I waited, smile still fixed in place, watching for any reaction.
His gaze dropped to the cookies and I had to hold back a flinch as the corners of his mouth turned down for just a moment. Definitely not impressed.
Maybe the cookies were a mistake.
Without commenting on the baked goods or anything I’d said, Simon stood.
I’d been right about his size. He was tall, well over six feet, with the kind of build that suggested he spent serious time in a gym. His shoulders seemed even broader now that he was upright, and I felt suddenly, acutely aware of how much space he took up. How much air he seemed to displace just by existing.
My chest fluttered again, and a reckless, traitorous warmth spread through my belly.
This man could pin me against a wall without breaking a sweat.
And there were those unprofessional thoughts again. What was wrong with me? It had been a while since I’d been with anyone, but I didn’t usually fantasize about men I’d just met. Especially men who were about to become my boss.
“Nice to meet you, Raina,” Simon said in a professional tone, extending his hand.
I slipped my hand in his and that initial contact sent a jolt through me—not static electricity, but pure, undiluted awareness that started where his palm pressed against mine, traveled up my arm, and lodged somewhere behind my ribs. His hand was warm, his grip firm without being aggressive, and I had the sudden, vivid thought of what those hands might feel like elsewhere.
I bit my lip and pulled away, maybe a little too quickly.
I kept my features neutral, refusing to let him see the effect that simple handshake had on my nervous system. For his part, Simon gave no indication that he’d felt anything at all. His expression remained impassive, almost bored.
He also hadn’t smiled. Not once since I walked through the door.
“Why don’t you have a seat?” He gestured to one of the chairs facing his desk. “We can go over your duties and my expectations.”
“Oh—should I grab a notebook first?”
He waved a dismissive hand. “No need. I’ve already sent you an email with everything outlined in detail.”
I lowered myself into the chair, folding my hands in my lap as he began to speak. His voice was firm, clipped, heavy with an undercurrent of dissatisfaction—as if he was already anticipating my failure before I’d had a chance to prove myself.
“You’ll manage my calendar and filter email communications. You’ll conduct research on potential investments and help maintain our database of portfolio companies. You’ll assist in screening incoming pitch decks and ensure we’re fully prepared for all meetings.” He paused, barely long enough to breathe before continuing. “You’ll also arrange any necessary travel, though I don’t go on the road as often as Liam, who is my brother and my business partner, so that won’t be a significant part of your responsibilities.”
I nodded along, absorbing not just his words but everything about Simon—the tension in his shoulders, the tightness around his jaw, the way he seemed so controlled, like he was holding back something he didn’t want me to see.
This man wasn’t happy. I just couldn’t tell if that was his baseline state or if my presence specifically was the problem. How hard had Kurt pushed to get Simon to agree to this?
He continued outlining expectations—record keeping, expense management, networking support. Most of it was familiar territory from my years at the advertising firm, but every job had its own learning curve, its own particular rhythms and demands.
And something told me Simon Powers wasn’t going to be patient while I found my footing. I needed to master this job fast. Faster than I’d ever learned anything before.
Which meant I needed to forget about this inconvenient attraction. The flutter in my chest when he looked at me. The heat that had sparked when our hands touched. None of that mattered. It couldn’t matter.
This job was my chance to get my life back on track, and I refused to let anything—especially not a pair of gorgeous green eyes and a set of distracting forearms—blow it for me.
CHAPTER FIVE
Simon
“Everything with the product launch is on track,” Liam said as I signed the receipt for our lunch.
With Liam stationed at GalvaTech most days, we’d fallen into a rhythm of meeting for lunch a couple of times a week to catch each other up on business matters. GalvaTech was developing a portable electric vehicle charger, and we’d invested heavily to provide the capital they needed to bring it to market. Liam had been on-site for months now, advising the management team and working closely with every department to ensure a smooth launch.