1
HARPER
Month one of my new job?Killed it.A broad smile pulled my cheeks, and I fought down a ridiculous giggle when it bubbled up. Who knew that marketing for one of New York’s hottest fortune 500 companies would be so badass?
Well, I mean, I’d known from the minute I saw the job opening at Elevate that it was the kind of job I’d kill for.
Thankfully, it hadn’t come down to that.
“Harper?”
My heart shot into my throat at the sultry sound of Dante’s voice. I did my best to compose myself, but the CEO of Elevate made it damned difficult.
Even after seeing him almost every day for the past month, his dark hair, olive skin, and piercing blue eyes stole my breath. Add in the broad shoulders beneath a navy suit tailored to fit his delicious physique and I was a goner.
Like melt-into-the-floor-in-a-puddle gone. He never raised his voice but managed to command a room, and the entire business, with his quiet authority.
I stood and made my way across the thick gray carpet. My business slacks made soft swishing sounds that put heat in my cheeks as my thighs rubbed together.
Dante was waiting for me outside of his office, motioning for me to go ahead of him as he closed the door. “Please, have a seat.”’
So polite. So controlled. I did as he ordered, because even with the “please” Dante never made anything a request.
Dante rounded the wide black desk but remained standing, turning what I’d thought was going to be an informal conversation into a powerplay. “You’ve been with us for a month now. Tell me. How do you like the job?”
“It’s incredible.” I saw no reason to feign enthusiasm when it came so naturally. I sat forward, lacing my hands together on my knees. “I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to work here. I know you only hired me because of Dad.” My throat seized.
A tiny muscle popped in Dante’s jaw.
I willed my tears back. I wouldn’t have had a prayer of landing this job without Dad.
As a recent college graduate, I lacked the experience—even if I technically had the qualifications—to have been hired. Dad had been friends with Dante in college.
That relationship and Dad’s recent passing made Dante and the others feel sorry enough for me to give me a chance.
The door opened and Alexander and Julian strolled in.
Damn it. My pulse couldn’t take the additional gorgeousness of all three men together. Julian flashed me a smile that bordered on sinful flirtation. “Hello, Harper. A little birdie told me it’s your one-month workiversary. How you holding up?”
“Good.” My voice squeaked, and I nearly collapsed when Julian’s smile widened. His brown eyes danced with absolute chaos and glee as he took a step toward me.
Dark blond hair fell over his forehead in a styled wave, and I suddenly understood why the movies made a big deal when the woman brushed hair back from a man’s face.
Alexander stood behind Julian, his intense gray eyes narrowed and completely focused.
Silver hair sparkled amid the dark black strands, giving him an older and distinguished air that reminded me he might as well have a bulletproof wall around him. No one got close to Alexander. Ever.
Julian stepped aside, and Alexander strode behind the desk to stand beside Dante. He slid a look around the room before that heavy gaze landed on me. “I took the liberty of going over your reports. You’ve done good work, Harper.”
The praise slid beneath my skin and heated my core. A smile threatened, but I didn’t dare let it show them how much I cared. “I feel I should apologize again for calling you out of the blue and asking for this job. I’m not normally so forward.” I tried my best to sound as formal and authoritative as possible, hoping to impress them or at least not sound like a complete idiot.
“We were thrilled to hear from you, though devastated to learn of Peter’s passing.” Dante took the lead when Alexander eased his hands into his pockets and remained mute. “You’ve proventhat you can handle the job and we merely wanted to check that you were settling in.”
“Oh, definitely.” I stood before I had a chance to second-guess why I needed to and held out a hand toward them in a fluttering wave. “You’ve all been so welcoming. All the staff are great. I’m excited to see what the next quarter brings.”
“So are we.” Julian’s eyes crinkled when he brought out that devastating smile.
A slow silence built, and the tension in my middle spiraled into something hot and tight.
