Hunter shifted and looked back toward his computer. “Short-term gain, mostly. They estimate an increase in stocks, we’ll have a larger market share, more reach—there are a great many reasons to do it, but an equal number of reasons not to. If we can get the takeover, on the other hand, we’ll have more potential down the road. Most don’t believe me, but I know I’m right. They’re keeping me on a very short leash.”
He faced me again and edged closer to his desk. “My father has a certain type of charm—he can manipulate people like no one else I’ve ever known. It’s him I am competing against for this. He’ll play the small business card—he’ll say he built his company from scratch and knows the value of company loyalty. He’ll talk about it like it’s his child. He’ll even say he wished his only son would’ve gone into business with him so he would have someone to pass his legacy on to. It’s all crap, of course. But Donnelley will buy it, because my father will sell it. What I need is someone who really speaks Donnelley’s language. Someone who is starting that uphill climb and trying to figure it out. Someone that loves her jeans and hoodies, just like Donnelley does…”
I raised my hand in the air and then dramatically pointed at myself. “I assume you mean moi?”
“Yes, you, Olivia,” Hunter said. “You are my secret weapon. You’re my charm. I need you to get me in. If he falls in love with you, and sees your loyalty to me, then hopefully he’ll warm up to me.”
“I don’t know about falls in love with.” I crinkled my nose.
Hunter’s eyes sparkled. The edges of his lips tweaked, as close to a smile as he usually came. “We’ll settle for deep respect, then.” A stern expression crossed his face—his business mask. “We leave Wednesday, early. Plan for four days, maybe five. Pack some dresses—not too showy—and a large selection of casual clothes.”
“Wednesday?” I gasped. I thought over the things I would have to do before leaving. Like laundry, and coffee with Kimberly, and… My mind went blank
Oh, that’s right. I had no life.
“Okey-dokey, Wednesday it is.” I bobbed my head.
“Use the rest of today to help Brenda get everything organized, learn what you can about Donnelley, and get prepared. You can take tomorrow off to get your personal things ready.”
“Oh.” I stood, glancing at the folder sitting open on his desk. “Okay.”
“We’ll talk money when we get back. If you land this, you’ll have quite a bartering chip on your hands.”
“I don’t think bosses are supposed to tell subordinates how to get more money. It’s not really in your budget’s best interest…”
“I don’t think subordinates are supposed to alert bosses when the bosses make a snafu regarding employee bartering…”
“Hmm. Right you are. Forget I said anything.” I hopped up and turned to leave.
“And Olivia…”
I glanced back at Hunter expectantly.
“Check in before you leave.”
Like a shock wave, a thrill arrested me. “Okay,” I said in a breathy voice.
He turned back to his computer as I walked away stiffly. Once at my desk, I took a moment to gather myself. I couldn’t wait to see what he was like when he could be completely in charge. When he didn’t have to hold back for fear I’d pack up and leave.
With a shaking hand I reached for my mouse. Images of his naked body ran through my head, muscular and delicious. I closed my eyes as I remembered the feeling of him moving inside of me. It had been nearly three weeks. Much too long. I was going through withdrawals.
“Olivia—”
“Ah!” I jumped.
Brenda stared at me from her desk with her lips half turned up in a grin. “What’s up with you?”
“You surprised me!” I clutched at my chest as my heart clattered against my ribs.
“I surprised you? I’ve been sitting here the whole time.”
“Sorry.” I looked harder at my computer. “I was thinking.”
“What were you daydreaming about?”
“Your silence.”
“Must’ve been juicy, whatever it was. Your face is giving you away…” Her grin turned evil. “It’s a man, isn’t it?”
I leaned toward my computer, staring hard at my email. There was no way I was admitting that I was slipping into dangerous waters with the boss. She’d just tell me all the reasons why it was a terrible idea. Like he was emotionally comatose and I’d get my heart ripped out. Or maybe that he had an arranged marriage set up, and even if he liked me, he was about to marry someone else. Just little things like that.