“Good morning, Mr. Hawk. Your meeting schedule for the day is on your desk. I’ve placed a star next to the meetings with the highest priority. Mr. Robertson would like to meet with you for a few minutes when he gets in at nine. You should have half an hour free to fit him in before your nine-thirty conference call with Seattle’s GM.”
She’s all business. Her voice is competent, but soft-spoken. She’s ticking things off on her notepad while she talks. What a change of pace, pleasant and helpful. I could get used to this. It’s refreshing after Matilda’s disapproving sneers and snippy remarks.
“Josh Allen from the New York Ravens called earlier this morning and requested a return call by noon. I told him you would do your best to squeeze him in this morning.” She hands me a printout. I don’t even have a chance to look at it before she continues.
“Here’s a menu from the deli across the street. Ms. Robertson asked me to order something for your lunchtime meeting today, so email me with your preferred choice. Can I grab you a coffee from the cart? I’m about to head down there to get one for myself. Mr. Robertson left me a card to use for office essentials. He was very clear that coffee is an essential item.”
She looks up at me with those eager, bright blue eyes, expecting my coffee order. I stand there, mouth agape like a fish out of water. It takes a minute, but I finally manage to articulate my coffee order before shuffling to my office in stunned silence. I message Jacob immediately.
Damon:The new intern is outstanding. Way to go, boss man. Can we keep her? I could get used to this. Also, thanks for the coffee.
To my surprise, he answers immediately.
Jacob:Yes, she is! I knew she would be. I’m working on keeping her. Believe me, there’s nothing I’d like more. I’m not buying you coffee everyday, you cheap bastard, so don’t get used to it.
Damon:Who me? Cheap? Fine, I’ll buy tomorrow. It’s the least I can do for your stellar hiring ability. What’s her name? I didn’t want to ask.
Jacob:Melanie Harbough, but she likes to be called Mel.
Damon:Why does that name sound familiar?
Jacob:For the exact reason that you think it does. His niece, but she doesn’t want anyone to know they’re related, so don’t use that name. Just call her Mel and be done with it. I promised her she wasn’t getting this job because of her connections. That was important to her. I’ll handle anything dealing with Mellie.
Damon:I’m a vault, man. Not a word. She doesn’t need any connections if this is her usual work ethic. She’s got Matilda beat by a mile. Also… Mellie?
Jacob: …
Damon:…
So, our new hire is the niece of the Denver Eagles’ owner. I wonder why she doesn’t want to work somewhere more football-oriented. Although I’ve heard Richard Harbough is also a hockey fan. Interesting. And how about that ‘Mellie?’ I’ll be keeping my eye on those two. I know guy talk, and that was a possessive statement from Jacob. He’s warning me off. Ismirk. He’s got nothing to worry about from me. Let’s be real, I can’t keep my mind, or my hands, off his aunt.
Thank God, Joslyn didn’t cancel our lunchtime meeting. I fully expected her to keep ignoring me today, and I was working on a plan to get her to talk to me, but I’m glad I no longer need to do that. I’m not the kind of guy who stands around waiting for things to happen. Once I make up my mind, I go after what I want. And I want Joslyn.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Joslyn
I’m running late for my first meeting this morning. Some neighborhood kids were out last night after curfew, and I woke up to a complete disaster. Upended trash cans littered my driveway, and trash was strewn all over my lawn. Thank goodness I always park my car in the garage. I have no desire to clean eggs and toilet paper off my pristine Camaro. That would be sacrilege.
I live in a gated community, so it has to be kids from the neighborhood. I feel bad for getting them in trouble, but I also don’t want to be cleaning up trash again. So, I stop by the guard’s office to file a report and send him pictures from my phone, despite my misgivings. I smell like the inside of a trash can, but there wasn’t time to change my outfit and still get to work in time for my meeting.
The trash thing threw off my morning rhythm. I’m grumpy and smelly but determined to speak with Damon today. I need to be an adult and stop avoiding it. I called our new intern, Mel, on my way into the arena to confirm our lunch meeting. I was both shocked and thrilled when she offered to order and pick up lunch for us. I don’t know where Jacob found her, but he can hire anyone he wants if this is the result.
Walking into the office this morning, I have even more reason to love Mel. She presents me with not only my favorite coffee order but also a copy of my schedule for the day and a lunch menu. I hug her. I can’t help myself. I also appreciate that she didn’t cringe from the unmistakable smell of garbage wafting off me. Please let there be a change of clothes in my office closet. I usually have one or two. I like to be prepared.
It’s such a change from Matilda the Hun’s usual censure, and I’m smiling all the way to my office. Thanks to Mel, I sign into my meeting right on time. I hope Jacob is paying her well because if not, he’s going to hear from me.
It’s noon before I realize it, leaving me no time to overthink my lunch date. I look up, and there he is, standing in the doorway, beautiful blue eyes bright as he greets me. He looks stunning as I take him in from head to toe. The charcoal color of his suit makes his silky black hair stand out, while the icy blue of his button-up shirt highlights those mesmerizing eyes. His perfect physique fills out what is clearly a bespoke suit. You don’t get that kind of fit off the rack. How is it possible for a man to be this gorgeous? There’s just something about men in suits that makes my panties wet.
It only takes our eyes meeting for my mind to send me back to our tryst in the gym the other night. It’s like I’m feeling him thrusting into me, fire running through my veins. My breath quickens, and my cheeks flush with embarrassment and something more. I’ve finished my perusal of his gorgeous body, finally moving my eyes up to his. They darken, responding to the heat in mine. He doesn’t even try to hide it, his gaze so hot it burns right through me.
After closing the door, he stops in front of my desk. The sofa is our usual meeting spot, so I give him a questioning look. He opens his mouth to speak, but then immediately shuts it. He looks nervous, which is unlike him. He’s always so confident. The thought that he might be as anxious as I am hits me, and I feel a bit better knowing I’m not the only one. Hemoves toward me with purpose, and I’m suddenly glad he shut the door on his way in.
I’m out from behind my desk before I can think about it, his gaze pulling me like a magnet.
“See something you like, baby?” His growly voice slithers over my body, lighting it up, and all traces of nervousness have disappeared as a cocky grin forms on his face. He pulls me toward him.
I don’t have time to respond before his mouth crashes down onto mine, and I’m drowning in him. His hand on my hip pulls me closer as his tongue darts out to tangle with mine. I can’t remember what I wanted to talk about because all I can do is feel. His kiss deepens, and I smooth my hands down his back to grip that fabulous ass, trying to pull him even closer. Hockey players have the best butts. Lainy isn’t wrong about that.
