“I can do that.”It would’ve been nice for Alex to tell me this.
Miles leaned forward and laced his fingers over the folder in front of him.“I’m assuming you researched us before coming here?”
“I wasn’t given time.My boss called me around six-thirty this morning and told me to be here by nine.”I glanced at Asher and back to Miles.“I was told the project was network streamlining and integration of domestic and international operations.”What had Alex gotten me into?I thought back to the name: Fantasies, Inc.I’d assumed they were a gaming company.
Miles sat back in his chair and glanced at Asher.By his expression, I was pretty sure some silent message had passed between them.
Asher turned his chair toward me, one arm on the table, the other on the chair arm, his posture exuding an air of casual arrogance.“If you don’t want to sign, you can leave.And thank you for taking the time to meet with us.”
Excuse me?
I stiffened, and my eyes widened.What was his problem?“May I see the NDA and contract, please?”Good.My tone was as cold as the brick in my stomach.I held my hand out, relieved to see it wasn’t shaking.
Miles handed it to me, and I began reading.Pretty standard NDA and contract.I wouldn’t discuss in any detail what I was doing with anyone outside the company.I wouldn’t disclose the inner workings of Fantasies, Inc.I would be an independent contractor with Fantasies, Inc., and they would be paying me directly, not through my employer.
Which immediately raised the question: What was Tri-O-Tech getting out of this?The job was expected to last a month but could be extended if needed.Oh, here was the kicker.I would be working with the head of IT, which meant Asher, almost exclusively.
I blew out a breath and signed the NDA, then initialed each page of the contract, signed it, and pushed both documents across the desk to Miles.
“Thank you.”He slid them into the file folder and emptied the contents of the envelope that had been under the folder onto the table.“I want to make you aware that your pay is the same, and Tri-O-Tech is being paid a stipend for you being on loan to us.”
I nodded and stared at the items on the desk.A key card with my most recent picture from Tri-O-Tech—but how did they get it—what looked like a credit card, and a lanyard.
“This is your key card.It will open the parking gates for you.The parking garage next door is for employees.It will also work in the elevators and if you need to come into the building or get out of the building outside of business hours.”
Oh yes, they were very security conscious, not unusual with companies, but this was a new level.What the heck did Fantasies, Inc.do?
“This card allows you to get food in the café or the coffee shop.It’s a perk of working here.Both are on the ground floor, and there’s an employee lounge on the second floor.”
“I’ll take you on the grand tour when we get done here,” Asher commented.
I took the cards from Miles.“I’m assuming you got this picture from my boss?”
“Yes, he sent it to me shortly after we called him.”He pushed the lanyard across the desk.“This is for the cards.Most employees find it easier than trying to search for them.”
Miles gathered the paperwork and dropped it on his desk.
“I’m glad you’re staying,” Asher whispered.
“Why?”What was it about him that got to me so easily?Even the night of the party, I’d been drawn to him.
“Because I can’t wait to work with you.”
His expression was a mixture of interest and excitement.Okay, maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Chapter Two
Asher
Why the hell was I flirting with Emma?I couldn’t seem to help myself, and there was no company rule about dating another employee.Hell, look at Marcus and Cassie.But this was new for me.We would be working together, and she reported to me, but we both reported to the president, John Boyd.
Her dark hair was gathered and pinned up, and I wondered what would happen if I plucked those uncomfortable looking clips from her hair and let it fall down her back.I’d probably get slapped and lose any chance of any kind of relationship with her, not to mention Miles and John would probably have my family jewels in a vise if Emma walked away.
Whoa.Mind out of the gutter, at least for now.I just met the woman, and today was the first time I’d spoken more than four words to her.Well, that’s not exactly true.I met her at some party a few months ago.
Did she remember?She ran into me, literally.With that deer in the headlights look on her face, I had asked her if she was okay, but I got pulled away before I got anything more than a nod.I felt the same invisible pull to her then as I did now.It was more than her looks.Yes, she was a beautiful woman, but she was also very quiet—some would say shy.Is that what drew me to her?It did surprise me she hadn’t researched Fantasies, Inc.I wondered what type of company she thought we were.She was going to have a rude awakening when we worked on the project together.
Together.My gut clenched.Like any developer, I hated having anyone else mess with my work.I wasn’t super happy at first with having someone else here, but I was coming around to it.I wanted to know why I couldn’t get her app to work with mine.It should have been an easy job.But after a few weeks of trying to get the new software and my bridge app to handshake with no results, I had to admit defeat.
