“Miss Miller?”
The man’s voice broke her reverie and she looked up into the dark eyes of a barrel-chested man. “Yes?”
“Please take the elevator on the right up to the 41st floor. Nate’s waiting for you.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Emily stood up, wishing her voice didn’t sound so shrill and nervous, and walked over to the elevator quickly. She didn’t want to keep Mr. Steele waiting. Nate. That’s what everyone called him – he must like to have a casual work environment.
The elevator took a few seconds to go up, but it felt like an eternity to Emily. During this time, she reflected on how suave and sophisticated all the women here seemed. They wore designer clothing, and were perfectly groomed and coiffed. Their perfect suits made her own outfit – purchased on sale – seem cheap, shiny and unflattering. She’d done her best with her makeup this morning, but she felt like she wasn’t really up to the standard here.
She stepped out of the elevator and walked into the small lobby. There were three doors – the one on her left had a nameplate that said, “Robert Jones, CTO,” the one on her right said, “Maurice Bernhardt, COO,” and the one straight ahead said, “Nate Steele, CEO”.
Emily gulped. Suddenly, this was all very real. It was make or break time for her, and she looked at the pretty blonde secretary who sat at the desk in the lobby.
“I’m Emily Miller,” she choked out, feeling like an intruder. “I was asked to come up and see Mr. Steele?”
“Ye-es?” the blonde drawled, looked bored. She had perfect skin – or was it perfect makeup? – and long, perfectly blow-dried hair. Her eyes were a steely blue, her cheekbones were high and her nose was perfectly-shaped.
Emily felt ugly and awkward standing near her, and asked nervously, “Should I go in?”
The receptionist’s eyes were cold and unfriendly, and she looked Emily up and down, taking in her off-the-rack suit and minimal makeup. Suddenly, she laughed shortly and said, “Sure. But I doubt you’ll live up to Nate’s standards.”
Emily blushed furiously and walked determinedly up to the door. She knocked politely, and a male voice called out, “Come in.”
Chapter Two
The blonde receptionist’s taunt had thrown Emily off her game. She felt acutely aware of her Midwestern roots, of her lack of elegance and poise, and the plainness of her outfit. Why had she ever thought she’d fit in, in such a place? She felt as though that brief sentence had stripped her of her dignity, and she took a deep breath, trying to calm down and focus on the interview ahead of her.
Emily opened the door and stepped into the room.
She was immediately overwhelmed by the size and elegance of the corner office. On one side were floor-to-ceiling windows that afforded a beautiful view, and on another wall was an original Matisse. But what really took her breath away was the handsome man sitting behind the table, his eyes even more intense than she’d imagined. His gaze penetrated her soul, and a jolt of lightening ran down Emily’s spine and into her toes. She had the strange sensation that he knew she’d had an erotic dream about him, and that she wanted more than just a boss-employee relationship.
Nathaniel Steele raised one amused eyebrow. “Don’t just stand there, come in.”
Of course. She felt like such a fool. There was no way he could read her mind, or know about her erotic dreams.
“Thank you,” she said, and walked quickly towards the table.
Before she knew it, she was sitting down opposite him, and then she was kicking herself silently. Why had she thanked him? And why had she sat down before he’d offered her a seat? The man continued to look at her, an amused look on his face.
They stared at each other in silence for what felt like an eternity. Nate looked amused, and Emily felt awkward and uncomfortable.
Finally, Nate said, “Well, let’s get this interview over with. Might as well, since I’ve promised HR.”
Emily gulped. Why did he sound so reluctant to interview her? She must have made a bad impression straight off the bat, and she wished she could turn back time and make a more dignified entrance.
Stop it, she told herself. You still have a chance. Ace this interview, and the job is yours. You can charm the socks off this man, you can do it.
Nate was looking at her silently, and Emily decided to give it her best shot. She smiled at him, trying to look sophisticated and charming, and said, “I’m very happy to be talking to you today, Mr. Steele.”
Nate laughed, and Emily relaxed for a split second, until he said, “We haven’t begun the interview yet. How do you know it’ll be a happy one?”