I moved in closer to him as I assembled the second-to-last row. “Actually, I’m not wondering that, because if Lund started outsourcing projects such as this one, I’d likely be out of a job I happen to really like.” I blushed. Add “gushing like an idiot about his family’s company” to my list of reactions around the superfine CFO.
“It always makes me happy to hear employees like working at LI.”
LI—company lingo for Lund Industries—sounded weird coming from Lund himself.
He gestured to the stack of finished reports. “The reason LI doesn’t outsource these types of projects is due to the sensitive nature of the financial information. We trust our own people more than outsiders.”
“And if the information is leaked, you have a paper trail to follow.”
“Exactly.”
I looked up at him. We were less than a foot apart. His eyes were a blue deep enough to drown in. It took me a moment to regain my train of thought, but what came out wasn’t what I’d intended to ask. “Did you request me to be assigned to this project?”
His gaze briefly dipped to my mouth before he refocused on my eyes. “And if I say yes?”
“I would say thank you for the opportunity to prove my loyalty.”
“That’s why Jenna requested you. You’ve already proved it.”
I frowned. “When?”
“Last week. She thought it was hilarious that you wouldn’t give me the erroneous report for Marcus because it would’ve broken company protocol.”
My cheeks burned. “You told her about that?”
He grinned. “Yes. It’s not often I’m told no.”
“I imagine it is a rarity for a man like you, especially coming from someone like me, who’s beneath you.” I could’ve kicked myself for my stupid phrasing. “I mean under you.” Dammit. That wasn’t any better.
“I don’t purposely surround myself with yes-men and -women, but it certainly turns out that way. So your honesty and honest reactions are refreshing.”
Yep. He knew the right thing to say too. “Is it hard knowing who to trust?”
He shrugged. “Does it make me sound like a controlling dick if I admit I test people from time to time?”
It seemed he wanted to talk, so I supposed I could oblige him. Oh, who the hell was I kidding? We were having an actual conversation for once where I wasn’t making an idiot out of myself. “For example?”
“I mentioned a few months ago that it’d be beneficial to add aquatics to our employee fitness center.”
“Like adding a swimming pool?”
“Yes. I touted the health benefits of swimming versus high-impact exercise.”
“I hope they told you that you were crazy.”
He cocked his head. “Why?”
“Why?” I snorted. “Because, first of all, the fitness center isn’t on the ground floor. I imagine the price of putting in a pool—even a lap pool—would be cost prohibitive because of the added structural support systems needed to hold that much water. Plus, there would be maintenance issues, as well as chemical storage issues. Not to mention insurance issues. And I can’t believe a fitness pool would get that much use in a business environment. I mean, can you imagine seeing your supervisor in a skimpy polka-dot bikini or a Speedo? Employees would avoid it for that reason alone. Or what if Bob from Accounting whistled at Susie from PR? Would that qualify as sexual harassment if it happened over the lunch hour?”
A startled look crossed his face.
Crap. I’d become a babbling idiot again.
Then he smiled at me as if I’d passed some kind of test. “Those were my thoughts exactly.”
Whew. “So what did the members of your team say when you brought it up?”
“At first, no one said a word. Then, let’s say . . . Bob”—he smirked—“agreed it was a damn fine idea and he’d take the lead on getting the project under way.”
I groaned. “Did you dress him down in front of everyone for being an ass-kisser?”
His eyes narrowed. “My reputation is that bad?”
“Mr. Lund. Surely you’re aware of the terror you invoke merely by walking into a department,” I said dryly.
“Didn’t appear to hold true for you, Lennox.” That sexy smile danced on his lips and I found it impossible to look away from his mouth.
“Wrong. You can’t tell I’m quaking in my stilettos?”
He blinked as if he didn’t believe me.
I held out my hand, showing him how badly it shook. “See?”
He took my hand and squeezed it. “You must be a helluva poker player, because I never would’ve guessed. You’re always so . . . I can’t place my finger on it, which is probably why I keep finding reasons to talk to you and try to figure it out.”