“I couldn’t agree more.” Stepping closer, he continued, “Give me one good reason not to throw you back on this desk and have my wicked way with you?”
There was a knock on the door making her laugh. “Your coffee or as I call it, one good reason.”
She removed herself from between Jon and her desk and as she made her way behind it to sit down she called for Rosie to enter.
Rosie put the coffee on the desk and returned Jon’s smile as he asked, “Does someone have a secret admirer?” He gestured towards the flowers.
“That would be Miss Pryor,” said Rosie as she left.
“Yes, but I think he may be more of a nuisance than an admirer,” Steph said seriously.
“You have no idea just how much of a nuisance I could be,” he said dryly.
“I’ll take my chances.” She offered him a small smile, then realising she really would take her chances on him becoming the best kind of nuisance, her smile broadened into a grin.
“Why don’t I pick you up tonight and we’ll spend the weekend together and complete our negotiations?”
“The whole weekend?” She wondered where Mrs Brooker fitted into his life or at least his weekend.
“Yes, but I am sure we can break up the monotony of negotiations somehow.” He grinned, dissolving any reservations she may have had.
“Okay. Now drink your coffee and sod off out of my office so I can shout at my staff some more.”
When Steph arrivedat Brooker Incorporated she headed straight to the lift where Steve Cannon appeared behind her.
“Steph, I was just on my way back up to email you; two o’clock in the conference room on the twenty third floor, okay?”
“Yes, fine. Do you want to meet about fifteen minutes earlier to give me the overview of your team meeting?”
“Yeah, great. Thanks for this because if there’s a mutiny it will be my arse in a sling,” he said seriously.
“No problem, and there is no need for a mutiny. I thought I’d been quite clear in the parameters of the contract, but maybe not clear enough. I will bring some copies of my easy-to-follow flow chart, just in case,” she laughed.
“Bring whatever you need. Thanks again, Steph. Is there anything I can help with for the meeting?” he asked as they left the lift.
“No, just for people to be on time,” she said, making him frown. “I had some late comers to my team meeting this morning and was less than thrilled with them.”
“Oh right. Everyone is normally pretty good with punctuality because Brooker is a bitch for time keeping and everyone knows it, plus, we’re in his conference room so they will all be on their best behaviour in case he puts in an appearance,” said Steve as they stopped at his office door.
“Is he likely to join us?” Steph tried to disguise her excitement at the prospect.
“Possibly, he does like to pop in and go on a little wander around the building to see who’s doing what.”
From what Steph knew of Jon, that didn’t surprise her. “I shall remember that. Call for me when you’re ready.” She smiled as she made her way to her own desk to prepare for the meeting.
It was almosttwo o’clock and everyone had arrived and were sitting around the conference table when Steve opened things. “Right, let’s get started then. Miss Pryor has kindly agreed to give us some more detailed information on our new contract with her law firm to ensure that everyone is happy and confident with their own role within the set up after our team meeting. So over to you, Steph.”
“Thanks.” She smiled and with a deep breath began. “I will go over the main points of the contract again and then I will give you all a copy of the flow chart to help you to identify when to cascade things to Baker, Ross and Riley and finally I will be happy to answer any questions you may have,” she explained before going on to do that and as she passed out the flow chart, one woman at the table stared at her full of hostility. Steph wasn’t here to make friends, but she also didn’t need enemies so attempted to smile which only resulted in the other woman’s stare becoming a glare. “Right, any questions?”
“Yes, what exactly is your role because I am rather confused as to why an accountant is here to advise us on where our legal limitations end?” asked the woman.
Steph stared at her thinking it was a fair question and yet it seemed loaded. “What’s your name?”
“Jayne Roe,” she replied curtly.
“My role here, Miss Roe, is neither as an accountant nor a legal expert, but purely as a link between Brookers and my company. I did act as senior accountant on the deal that Mr Brooker accepted and as such I do have an understanding of just what services are included in the contract–”
“Sorry to interrupt,” came Jon’s voice from behind them announcing his arrival, “Please carry on, Miss Pryor, Mr Cannon has brought me up to speed on legal’s concerns.”
