Tempting the Crown(231)
Cole chuckled. “You are confident.”
“One more thing.” She caught their attention. “No sex.”
“We already went over this,” they groaned.
“It’s part of my negotiation. No sneaking in my room at night. Nothing. I’ll stay until I’m ready to present the design and then you have to let me go. Do we have a deal?”
The candlelight flickered on the table. Abby held her breath.
Cole held his hand forward first. “We have a deal.”
Deacon was obviously frustrated. “Fine. We have a deal.”
She smiled and for the first time took a full bite of steak. It wouldn’t be long before she was out of here.
8
Cole
He walked into Abby’s office without bothering to knock. Damn, she looked fucking edible in high heels and the tight pencil skirt that hugged her ass. He had to remind his cock to stay in check.
He cleared his throat, forcing her to look up from her desk.
“I supposed you’re here to tell me what the artwork entails for your new project?” Her eyebrows rose.
Cole folded his arms across his chest. He couldn’t blame her for being hostile all the time. The situation was out of control, but he knew there was no going back. Once he had supported Deacon, he was in a hundred percent.
“First I want to make sure you were given a proper orientation to the company from human resources.”
Abby nodded. “I was. It seems a little ridiculous though.”
“It’s not. I’ll tell you what happened. A couple years ago our payroll department was hacked.”
Abby’s eyes widened. “Wh-what?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “So, we take all employee information very seriously. Don’t worry. That’s not going to happen again. We’ve added firewalls. Whoever the hacker was, was pretty clever.”
“Really?” She tilted her head. “But you never caught them?”
“No. Never. Anyway, if you’ve gone through HR, I think we should talk about what’s next for you. Wouldn’t you like to know what you’re designing?” he asked.
She looked around. “This office is over-the-top. You could have at least put me in a cubicle so everyone else didn’t think I was sleeping with the bosses.”
“Is that what they think?” He smirked.
“Wouldn’t you if the new girl waltzed in and on her first day got the corner office with her own assistant?”
Cole shrugged. He didn’t give a damn what the employees thought about why Abby was here.
“I just need to know you have everything you need to complete the project.” He looked at the design table he had ordered this morning. He was pleased it had been delivered so promptly. She also had a new laptop, phone, and the latest design programs.
“I can’t think of anything else. I just need you to tell me the project. Is it a video game? One of your new apps?” She looked agitated.
“Is there something wrong with the products HiTech Global creates?” he questioned.
“No. I just can’t believe I’m going to help you make millions of dollars after all this, but that’s the price of my deal, so just go ahead and tell me. What’s the newest and greatest thing that will make you and Deacon ultra-rich.”
“Abby, it has nothing to do with making us rich.”
She huffed. “Likely.”
He sat in the soft white leather chair in front of her desk. “Would you like for me to explain it to you?”
“I’m listening.”
“You are competing for the winning design of the Soar Foundation.”
“A foundation?” Her beautiful lips parted with surprise.
He felt his chest tighten. Even the smallest movements she made, drove him wild.
“Yes. It’s our children’s foundation. The pinnacle of what we are trying to achieve at HiTech Global. Yes, we are fortunate to have padded bank accounts. Deac and I know how lucky we are. We don’t take it for granted. Over the years we’ve tried to figure out how we could give back. What the right way was to show our gratitude. This idea has been in the works for years. That’s why it’s so important that we get it right. The branding of the Soar Foundation has to show the world that if they give to our foundation, whether it’s through time or money, that they are part of a cause greater than them. They are part of a family.”
“I don’t believe it.” Abby blinked. The green in her eyes glistening. “This is for a charity?”
He chuckled. “We’re not green-headed monsters. We have hearts, despite all your pre-conceived ideas.”
“My pre-conceived ideas are based on the reality of my situation.”