“I guessed that.”
He scowled. “But you’re saying Karen is in labor right now?”
“Probably not anymore,” Ellie drawled as the cell phone sitting on top of the desk vibrated with an incoming message. She looked down and read the message on the screen. “Karen and Geoff are now the proud parents of a boy and a girl, weighing 5lbs and 5lbs 2 oz, respectively,” she read. “They aren’t giving out names yet.” She chuckled. “I think that’s maybe because they expected it would be either two girls or two boys.”
“Why the hell didn’t I get the same message?” Knox Wilder glared down at the screen of his own cell phone.
“Probably because of your previous lack of interest?—”
“I don’t have a fucking lack of interest!” he snapped before forcing the tension from his shoulders and adding in a milder tone, “I apologize for my language. But, of course, I’m interested. It’s just difficult for me to— Never mind.” He dismissed whatever explanation he had been about to give. “I’m really pleased for her and Geoff.” His gaze sharpened. “How do you know Karen, let alone the name of her husband?”
“Because he’s my cousin and Karen is his wife,” she provided calmly.
“Your…? Okay, I’ll ask again, what are you doing here?” His glare was ferocious. The sort that probably scared the hell out of most men and women.
But not Ellie, because she wouldn’t allow herself to feel intimidated by any man. “As I said, my name is Ellie Hall, and I’m only here temporarily because I assured Karen, purely so that she would stop worrying about you, that I would ensure the transition over to your temporary PA would go smoothly. She also told me that, despite interviewing several qualified applicants, the reason you don’t have one in place already is because you have insisted on not admitting the need to replace Karen once the babies are born. Although I do approve of the fact that, being an English based company, you allow expectant mothers to have six months maternity leave after they have given birth,” she complimented.
“Thanks,” he grated. “I think.”
Ellie nodded. “Before you ask any more questions, let me add a few comments of my own concerning your previous…remarks. I realize you had a good relationship with Karen and, as such, she always accommodated your requests. A temporary PA is a little different, in that collecting your laundry isn’t a normal part of their job description. But, I’m sure that can be arranged if discussed rather than expected. Your lunch order should be delivered rather than having a member of staff waste time going to collect it. Accompanying you on a business trip, to London or anywhere else, is also something that would need to be negotiated rather than expected of a temporary PA.”
“Karen does all of those things without being asked.”
She nodded. “Because Karen is your permanent PA and sets her own limits. Or not. Employees on a temporary contract and sent from an agency will work eight till six, Monday to Friday, and again, overtime is something to be discussed between the two of you.”
Tired of having him looming over her, Ellie stood up and moved to stand beside the desk rather than continuing to feel at a disadvantage sitting behind it.
But as Knox was at least a foot taller than her five feet four inches in height, she realized standing hadn’t really helped with that situation.
Unfortunately, standing closer to him had only made her even more aware of his imposing presence. It was also impossible to ignore the insidious and expensive aroma of his aftershave. Something with sandalwood and bergamot in it that seemed to perfectly complement the male musk she knew was all Knox Wilder. It was a heady scent that had now invaded all of Ellie’s senses, making it a little difficult for her to breathe.
Or that could just be the man himself having that effect on her because Knox Wilder oozed sex appeal out of every pore.
Something Karen hadn’t commented on during any of the conversations where her boss had been mentioned. Or maybe, because Karen was so deeply in love with Geoff, she simply wasn’t aware of it?
Either way, Ellie was aware of every muscular inch of Knox Wilder. In a way she couldn’t ever remember being with any man before him. “Nor, as I know there is a perfectly good coffee maker in your office,” she added sharply, “should you expect a temporary PA to make or go out of the building to get you coffee.”
He scowled. “How do you know about the coffee machine in my office?”
She shrugged. “One of the first things I did when I came in this morning was check out all the rooms on this floor, as well as their purpose. I always like to be fully aware of my surroundings.” There was a reason for that, but it wasn’t something she intended to discuss with this man.
“Fine,” he accepted.
She studied his truculent expression for several seconds. “You don’t know how to work the machine, do you?”
His jaw tightened. “Karen told you that.”
Ellie held back a smile at his continued disgruntlement. “She might have…mentioned your inability to master the intricacies of that particular device.”
His teeth grated. “Before or after you had agreed to come here in her stead today?”
“I don’t think the when is particularly relevant, do you?” she dismissed.
His eyes narrowed. “If a temporary PA doesn’t collect laundry, or do overtime, or go on business trips without ‘negotiation,’ or make coffee, what the hell do they do?”
“Everything a good PA is supposed to do. Arrange your appointments and make sure you get to external ones on time, check emails before forwarding the relevant ones to you, and saving or deleting the rest from the system. In your case, they should also bear in mind that a person named Angel is always to be put through to you, no matter what the circumstances.” She’d memorized Karen’s last request, after a long list of them, earlier this morning before Geoff drove his wife to the hospital to have their babies. “She or he will also ensure no one gets in to see you without an appointment, and take minutes during meetings,” Ellie continued. “Anything else, including all of the above, will, as I said, need to be agreed upon between the two of you.”
He looked completely baffled. “The two of who?”
