“You know, you’re rather sexy when you’re angry, Ms. Rowland,” he replied. He was not even thrown off about my rant again. I guess he had no reason to be. If it didn’t bother him face to face it was not going to bother him on the telephone. Wait. Hold on. Did he just say I’m sexy?
“There was a brief period in our interview, Miss Rowland, when I thought you were like all the other women around me. Always smiling and having a hidden agenda. You know, cool, vacant and too beautiful. It turns out that I misjudged you and I couldn’t be more pleased about it. In fact, it fits my needs perfectly. I can’t have someone looking out for my best interests if they are not tough enough to stand up to me after all. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“I agree,” I said hesitantly. I was stunned and not sure how to respond. I chose my words carefully. “So, what is it that I can do for you, Mr. Kent? I’m sure you didn’t call just to tell me that I am sexy when I’m angry.”
I heard a soft laugh come from the phone, but no response to my snide question. Instead, Mr. Kent asked, “Can you come in tomorrow so we can get started on everything?”
“Yes.” He’s actually hiring me! I cannot believe this.
“Good. Be here bright and early tomorrow, and Ms. Rowland, don’t be late.”
“I won’t be. Same place?”
“Yes.”
I hung up the telephone and jumped into the air, letting the few bubbles that remained on my skin go flying off onto the carpeting. I couldn’t believe it. I hadn’t blown it and I wouldn’t have to tell my dad the distressing news. This was fantastic.
I ran to my closet, assessing what I should wear the next day. I wanted it to say something, but not too much. Why was I over thinking this? Because it’s a big deal.
My phone rang again and this time it was Sophia. I didn’t bother to tell her about the mishaps, but was more than happy to share that I’d gotten the account. She added, “He’s a hottie, isn’t he?” What could I say? There was no denying that. He was smoking and on fire hot.
Before Sophia and my call ended she added, “I bet it ends up turning into something more. Marshall always finds a way to get what he wants. You know who else is like that?”
“Who?” I asked, truly not understanding what she was talking about.
“You,” she said. “Well, I’ll let you get going. I can tell you have a lot on your mind.”
“Love ya’…and thanks,” I said.
“Love ya’ too,” Sophia responded.
I went back to my closet and looked at all my clothes, which all seemed suddenly wrong although they’d been fine just that morning.
Chapter 5
I arrived at the studio by 7:30 a.m. sharp, ready to start my day and prayed it would be better than the previous day. The same slow guard was at the security gate and I wondered why Marshall, who was so regimented, allowed for someone so slow to work there. I bet he moved faster for Marshall. I would have said something, but complaining about his lackadaisical attitude didn’t seem like the type of gesture that would do me any good. Plus, if Marshall was so sporadic with everyone the guy might get fired. I didn’t want him fired, just to get the lead out of his butt when he was walking up to the cars.
For the second day in a row, I walked into the main house and called out hello, waiting for someone to respond. Once again it was silent. Just as I was getting ready to call out again, a beautiful red head walked by me, buttoning her blouse as she passed by. She was grinning madly, but didn’t look disheveled. Did Marshall just have sex with her? Wow, he started early and seemingly had a different woman for every day of the week.
I decided to stay put and sit down in a chair in the living room area. I didn’t want any surprises this morning because I definitely had to focus and show that I was worth the firm’s price of $300.00 per hour.
I looked around at everything, waiting patiently for Marshall to show himself. He must have been a ninja in some life because I didn’t even hear him coming. “Hello, Ms. Rowland.” I looked up and saw him walking toward me from the kitchen. He was only wearing a towel that was a bit wet and wrapped around his waist. I couldn’t help but admire each rippling sexy abdominal muscle on his chest that made up more than a six pack. He was like an eight pack special.
That towel hung low just below his hip and looked like it could fall off any second. He was casually sipping his coffee and acting as nonchalantly as could be. I noticed him looking at me, as if he had x-ray goggles and knew exactly what I was wearing below my clothes. His eyes hovered at my cleavage, just above where my last button was fastened. I was used to men ogling my body because it was curvy and “built for fucking” as Brandon had put it several times. However, the way Marshall looked at me was making me unravel and desiring to have him take me in the living room I sat in at that very moment.
“It’s nice to see you so bright and early…very punctual.”
“As you requested, sir.”
Marshall smirked at me, making me wonder what I could have possibly said to make him do that. “What’s so funny?”
“I like the way you call me sir. From your mouth it sounds rather enticing.”
I had to change the subject and start establishing some boundaries for this attorney/client relationship or it was never going to work. “Where do you want me to work, Mr. Kent?” Just go tear off that towel. You know you want to. You want to tear it off, get down on your knees, and suck him to pleasure.
“Why is your face so flushed, Ms. Rowland. Are you feeling alright? I could open the windows to get you some fresh air.”
“That’s very kind, but I’m good, Mr. Kent.”
“Coffee or tea? You’re welcome to take anything from the fridge you like.”
“No thank you. I’m fine for now.”
“I just want to make sure you’re comfortable around here. After all, you’re going to be spending a lot of time here, including some nights and weekends. You’ll find this place adequately equipped with everything since I do live here when I’m in LA and prefer not to travel to an office if I can do everything from my home.”
“How convenient,” I replied, making him smile.
“Yes, very,” he said. Then he pointed to the glass top table in the living room and told me that was where I’d be working from. “My assistant, Karen, has everything you need on there already and if you need anything else she is speed dial 1 on the phone.”