The pen I was clenching clattered to the desk. Teresa. From the Certified Financial Planners Board. My mind flew in a million different directions searching for a reason someone from the CFP board would be calling me. Aside from the fact that my client dressed as a hooded intruder had talked me through the most intense orgasms I’d had the week before.
A throat cleared on the other end of the line.
“Oh, hi Teresa. I’m well, and you?” I rushed, trying to cover the awkward silence I’d created. The board wouldn’t call me unless it was something to do with a violation or a complaint.Fuck.
“I’m well, thank you. I was just calling to discuss your last CE submission. In our review of your certificates, it seems there is a duplicate.”
A wave of relief crashed over me, and I sank down in my chair. Of course she was calling about my CE reporting.
“I’m assuming this was a clerical error and you have anadditional continuing education credit to submit?” she continued.
“Yes, absolutely. That was likely my oversight. I’ll remedy that immediately, and you’ll have the additional submission in an email shortly.”
As soon as the call ended I searched my certificates, found the error and fired off an email to the board. Once I clicked send I fell back in my chair wiping my forehead. Dammit, I couldn’t live on pins and needles being afraid of repercussions. I either needed to commit to this thing with Ryan and stop worrying or I needed to end it.
The rest of the afternoon flew by, and before I knew it, Mia popped her head into my office. “Hey, Raven. I’m headed out a bit early. I need to take the puppy for its next round of shots. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I waved my hand at her. “See you tomorrow.”
Thirty seconds later, Mia was bounding back down the hall and came to a stop in my doorway, breathing heavily. I looked at her quizzically, raising my eyebrows at her haggard look.
“Raven, holy fucking fuck.”
“What’s going on?” I asked, starting to wonder if the building was on fire or something.
“The hottest fucking guy is sitting in the lobby right now. Is he a new client? If so, I’m going to need to be the one that calls him every single day from here on out.”
I scrunched my face, confusion spreading through my mind. “I don’t have any client appointments today. I’m only doing—” Realization dawned. “Oh! That's probably the next candidate.” I looked down to see that it was almost time to meet with him.
Mia’s eyes bulged. “You’re interviewinghimto workhere?” she squeaked. “Oh my god, if you hire him I’m going to be so distracted.”
I chuckled at her freaking out in my doorway. “Well, I guess that means I can’t hire him then, doesn’t it? Your efficiency is in luck, because I think I’m going to hire the girl I interviewed this afternoon.”
Mia sighed. “Damn. Well fine. I’m jealous you get to sit in the same room as all that hotness for half an hour. Lucky. I’m leaving now. Bye!”
She was a whirlwind, but at least she was fantastic at her job. As she walked back out the door a second time, Joanne’s email notification popped up in the bottom corner of my screen. I wondered if the guy was what I would consider attractive. Probably not. I’d seen Mia’s boyfriend once when he dropped something off for her, and he was not who I pictured her with. Mia was gorgeous and kind, but he just looked mean.
I rolled back my chair and smoothed my hair, positioning the dark locks perfectly over my shoulders to frame my face. Halfway up the hall I heard Joanne’s laughter. Puzzled, I walked into the lobby and stopped dead in my tracks. My stomach fell out of my ass, and my heart pole vaulted from my chest onto the floor. This wasn’t a random “hot” guy. Standing at the desk talking up Joanne was the bench guy from the park. I was not getting through this interview unscathed.
Chapter Twenty
Ryan
I was restless all day.It ramped up tenfold as the time inched closer to the interview. The steamy air sat heavy in my lungs as I stepped out of the shower to the vanity and cleaned the foggy surface. Wrapping a white towel around my waist, I leaned over the sink and gripped the edge as my alter ego took over. The mask fell into place, the excitement dissipating. I looked up at my reflection, and Zander stared back at me—all my insecurities vanishing with the fog on the mirror.
Throwing the towel in the laundry, I donned the tightest black boxer briefs I could find. No one would see them tonight, but it didn’t hurt to be prepared. The black slacks settled on my hips and I shrugged into a black button down, both of which I had ironed, perfectly creased and crisp.
The pristine silver belt buckle glinted in the mirror as I dried my hair and styled it, long enough on top I needed a bit of gel to hold it in place. I ran my fingers through it and laced the only dress shoes I owned. With the three rings I knew would drive Raven mad nestled on my fingers, I was satisfied. I left the chain necklace in the dish on the dresser, but I wouldwear it when I visited Raven’s house. Whenever that time came.
The bright afternoon sun glared as I walked to my old Honda. My parents didn’t spend a lot of money on me since I was their biggest disappointment, but they at least got me a car when I turned eighteen and went to college. It might’ve been their way of thanking me for at least going to the one they wanted. I hadn’t gotten a new one after I started to earn my own money because who was I trying to impress? I lived alone and seduced women with my voice on the internet for a living. I didn’t need an expensive car.
The drive downtown was painless since it was mid-afternoon. I had chosen this time on purpose so hopefully Raven’s staff would leave before the interview was over. After I parked in the same garage I followed Raven out of last week, I went into the building and rode the elevator to the thirteenth floor. I wondered if Raven would remember me from the park. Her face that day seemed like she wouldn’t forget me easily so hopefully, it was a good sign my voice wasn’t the only thing about me she liked.
My nerves were nowhere to be found as I stepped off the elevator and walked into the office suite, in daylight this time. I was a few minutes early so instead of sitting in the waiting area, I sidled up to the reception desk. The lady sitting behind it looked up from her computer.
“Hi, I’m Ben Jones. I have an interview with Raven Lovelace.” My performance voice was dazzling.
The woman hesitated, almost as if she was stunned for a moment, then beamed. “Oh, yes, I’ll let her know. She should be right out.”
