“Well, we would expect a commitment to us alone for the first year, but then we can renegotiate if you wish. That can be included in your contract if you need that reassurance in writing,” said Jon flatly.
“Okay, thank you,” said Steph. Then added, “It won’t be necessary for you to add it to the contract, I trust you implicitly, too.” She stared directly at Jon until Grant coughed loudly to signal his discomfort at the situation.
Jon smiled and extended his hand that was holding a pen. She accepted it and signed her copy of the contract and then a second copy that Grant retained.
“Welcome to the family, Miss Pryor.” Jon was already on his feet and extending a hand which she accepted to his obvious amusement.
“Indeed,” said Grant. “But I have another meeting in half an hour so I will be off, but Miss Pryor I will need to get your new I.D. arranged with your new title on and I will send an email to all staff, but I think Mr Brooker would like to show you your new office,” he said as he reached the door.
“Thanks, Grant,” called Jon as the door closed behind the other man.
“So, when did you cook this up?” asked Steph as Jon stood in front of her and began to undo the buttons on her red blouse that she wore under a black trouser suit and black heeled ankle boots.
“I resent that accusation, Miss Pryor, but I will forgive you, for a price.” He smiled.
“Ah, that I can do because I am being paid very handsomely now.” She grinned back.
“Oh, darling, pounds sterling is not the currency I had in mind,” he said seriously as he pushed her jacket halfway down her arms effectively trapping her.
“You do know that I have to meet with Dave in less than an hour to hand back his workload, don’t you?”
“So? You’re his boss now.” He continued moving the sides of her blouse to reveal her heaving breasts encased in a white lace bra.
“Unless you plan on making this a quickie, we will have to reschedule because I should lead by example,” she said seriously, absorbing the fact that she was indeed Dave’s boss.
“A quickie?” He smiled. “Is that what you want?”
“Not really, but I could settle for one if that’s what’s on offer,” she admitted.
Quickly, Jon pulled her jacket back up and said, “No, not a quickie and no settling for anything, not today. Let me show you to your new office,” he said refastening the buttons of her blouse.
Just along thecorridor from his own office Jon stopped outside a door that was emblazoned with a brass plaque announcing the occupant:
Stephanie Pryor
Head of Financial Services
She smiled up at him.“You were that certain that I’d agree to this?”
As Jon opened the door and ushered her through it he laughed. “I had no intention of letting you leave until you had agreed.”
“And Grant?” she asked curiously.
“He knew that the job was yours and yours alone so the offer was always going to be a good one,” he replied as Steph looked around.
She surveyed the office that contained a large plant and dark blue leather seats beneath the window that sat opposite the doorway she stood in. A dark wooden desk with a phone was situated on the wall to her side with matching shelves and filing cabinets nearby. The walls were all neutral off whites with a splash of colour courtesy of several abstract prints and two dark wood doors to cupboards or a cloakroom she assumed. Steph decided that it was a similar size to Andrea’s office and although not to her taste, she would make it her own soon enough.
“Well?” asked Jon.
“It’s nice, although I may change the artwork and I am rubbish with plants so that green bush thing had better look out.”
Her response made him laugh. “Darling, this is your assistant’s office. Your assistant’s name isn’t on the door yet. Your office is through there,” he told her as he gestured towards one of the wooden doors to the side of the desk.
“Really? I get an office, an assistant and a reception area?” she asked excitedly.
“Of course you do. You can have anything you want, Steph,” he said softly and once more she wondered whether he was talking professionally or personally but resisted the temptation to tell him that all she wanted was him.
“Thank you.”
