“What the fuck?” I snap.
She startles with a shriek and then her eyes land on me. She grasps her chest at her heart and blows out relieved breaths.
I’m in my underwear. Just my underwear.
She looks away, pulling her lips tight.
And just seeing her in her bare feet, with those same clothes on but I’m pretty sure she ditched the bra, and all those smells hitting my nose, I’m livid and talking my cock down, so I don’t wind up with a semi that she’d definitely notice.
“I have to get up in a few hours and you’re out here cooking?”
“Sorry,” she says. “I…”
“Night one and you’re already pissing me off? This won’t work.”
I have to tear my eyes off her tits. She’s definitely not wearing a bra.
“I’m sorry I woke you. I just…”
“Have some fucking consideration,” I clip, “I’m going back to bed. Shit like this happens again, you’re gone.”
I storm back to bed.
***
It’s the next day and it’s noon when my phone buzzes. I’m neck-deep in spreadsheet hell trying to figure out some Enron-esque shit Bassell’s tried to pull with the books. It’s my assistant Candy calling. I hit the speaker key.
“Yeah, Candy?”
“Hi Austin!” she sings. “Jada Miller is here for you. She’s not in the book, but says it’s important. Do I show her in, or should I ask her to make an appointment?”
What? What the fuck is Jada doing here at my office?
This chick is gonna have to go sooner than later.
“Come,” I growl and fix my eyes on the door as I toss my pen down hard on the desk.
There’s a quick knock and the door flies open. Candy smiles wide at me. She’s blonde, stacked, sexy. And she’s trying to get my attention. I’ve been a prick to most everyone, but somehow I haven’t been able to take it out on her. I can’t help but lose the scowl.
Jada comes in behind her and Jada’s dressed in business clothes. This throws me. She’s wearing a cream-colored power suit with a feminine blouse. She’s even wearing heels. Her hair is down and she’s wearing makeup and jewelry. It’s tasteful, nothing like the night I met her.
“I’m heading to lunch soon, Austin. Do you need me to pick anything up for you?” Candy bats her eyelashes at me.
I’m about to reply that yes, I’m starved, but Jada holds up a blue and purple cooler bag.
“Not necessary. I’m here to save the day.”
Candy’s expression drops and she looks Jada over with distaste.
“I’m Austin’s other assistant. I guess we’re like twins. But I take care of his personal stuff,” she says to Candy with a smile.
Candy’s face has gone sour. And Candy doesn’t look so sexy suddenly.
I clamp my mouth shut, realizing I’m gaping.
“If you don’t need anything else, I’ll go to lunch, Austin.”
“Go ahead.”
“I forwarded calls to Liv.”
“Thanks, Candy.”
She closes the door after shooting Jada a dirty look.
Jada heads to my desk and holds the cooler bag out, gesturing for me to grab it.
I stare at it and my expression must make her think it’s with disdain because she says, “You can take it, you know. You’re looking at it like you don’t wanna touch it because I have the cooties.”
“Do you?” I ask, straight-faced.
Jada rolls her eyes and huffs. “I was cootie-vaccinated as a child, I’ll have you know. I got it while doing a handstand for three whole minutes and nearly passed out, but my cousin Darlene informed me those efforts meant it was good for life.”
I almost laugh. Almost.
“Anyway,” she continues, “I warmed it up before I hopped in the taxi so it should still be hot if you’re hungry now.”
I fold my arms over my chest and stare at her. “Why are you interrupting my workday, Jada?”
“You forgot it.”
“I did?” I didn’t check the fridge for a lunch. I didn’t think we were starting that until tomorrow.
“Yeah. This is what I was cooking for at that ungodly hour.”
A pang of guilt hits.
She leans in a little. I find myself leaning back.
“You know, you could’ve asked me what I was doing.” She looks annoyed. She looks like she wants to shoot lasers from her eyes at me. “You told me to stay out of your way, but you also wanted bagged lunches, so I got up in the middle of the night to cook food for your lunch so I wouldn’t be in your way and then you hollered at me and threatened to fire me.”
“I get it. And I wasn’t expecting lunch today since we’re just starting today. Obviously a misunderstanding,” I say.
“Yeah. Funny how misunderstandings happen sometimes. They happen to… us all.”
She stares.
I stare.
“Anyway,” she looks away. “Your lunch is hot if you’re hungry. I put all the stuff in the thermos and wrapped the tortillas in foil and hopefully they’re still warm. Cold stuff is on one side, hot on the other. The thermos will help if you don’t want to nuke everything. I didn’t know if you liked guac or not, so I put some in.”