I tried to imagine the words in Mallory’s voice, but I couldn’t manage to do it. At least not yet. I’d need to talk to her more first. With that thought in mind, I jammed the button with my thumb one more time.
“Janice?”
“Yes?”
“I’ll be in meetings for the rest of the day, but don’t let Miss Jones leave before I get a chance to talk to her. I’ll pay her overtime if she has to wait long.”
There was a long pause before her voice confirmed, “Will do.”
“Thank you.”
It wasn’t until halfway through my next meeting that I realized she’d likely be waiting for me long after the work day was done, leaving us completely alone in the office.
My cock throbbed at the mere thought.
3
Mallory
I was pretty sure my first day would go down in the books as the most awkward first day ever.
Between finding out that I’d be working with Jeremy, the awkward way I’d met my new boss, and the whole coffee mishap I had with an older gentleman named Dale who worked in accounting—I was a ball of nervous energy when the day came to a close.
So when Janice told me I needed to stay to have a word with the boss, I was damn sure I was being fired. Another record for the books. Quickest job lost in history.
It took every ounce of my concentration not to chew on my nails while I waited. I stole glances at the clock every now and then, watching as an hour and a half went by without so much as a sign of Mr. Wolfe.
Just as I was considering fetching my phone to let my mother know I was fine, the sound of a door opening hit my ears. I strained to listen and heard Mr. Wolfe’s smoky voice light with laughter as he wished another man a good evening. A pair of footsteps moved away while the other set came toward me.
The moment he came into view, the lingering irritation I felt at being asked to stay so late evaporated. He looked exhausted.
Even in his worn-down state, he was the most attractive man I’d ever laid eyes on. In fact, the five o’clock shadow that was covering his strong jaw somehow made him even more handsome.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Jones. Come with me.”
I rose from the chair and followed him down the corridor, noting how different it looked when it wasn’t packed with other employees. He held open the door to his office and gestured for me to go inside. I took the seat across his desk and folded my hands between my knees, biting my lip while I waited for him to sit.
As soon as he hit the chair, I opened my mouth and exclaimed, “I’m so sorry!”
Both eyebrows raised high in what was either alarm or surprise—I honestly couldn’t tell which. But my panic at the thought of losing my job wouldn’t allow me to shut up, so I continued.
“I’m so, so sorry. I apologized to Dale so many times. I’ll—I’ll pay for his pants, I swear! Take it out of my paycheck or I can buy him new ones or-or... I don’t know. What’s the best dry cleaner around here? Please don’t fire me!”
I took a breath after I finished, watching with horror as his brow furrowed with confusion. I blinked multiple times as he slowly shook his head.
“Am I... I’m not being fired?”
His lips twitched as his head continued its slow, side to side motion.
“No one told you about Dale, did they?”
Now, he was outright smiling. He shook his head again and made a gesture that was an obvious request for more information.
“He asked more for coffee and I... I tripped when I brought it to him.”
Mr. Wolfe chuckled. “And I’m guessing based upon your pants comment that it went to his lap?”
“It wasn’t my fault! There are boxes all over his office and I tripped on one. I swear it was an accident.”
“I have no doubt. Serves him right. Maybe now he’ll have the presence of mind to keep his office a little cleaner.”
Something softened in his gaze and it simultaneously put me at ease and made the back of my neck tingle. I shifted in my seat, uncertain of why I was here if it wasn’t to be fired. After a seemingly endless stretch of silence, I cleared my throat.
“Mr. Wolfe?”
“Hmm?”
“Why am I here?” I asked, hating how small my voice sounded. “I mean—I don’t mind, I just—”
“No, no. It’s a valid question. Sorry for zoning out on you. I’m just tired.” He leaned back and toyed with a pen lying idly on his desk, his eyes glued to it as he asked, “With the exception of the pants incident, how did your first day go?”
“It was fine. It’s a little overwhelming, but I—”
“Why did you come to New York? You’re from Arizona, are you not?”