Ellie turned to see that Knox was now sitting behind his own imposing gray marble desk. He somehow still managed to dominate that space, despite the huge chunk of striated rock in front of him that probably weighed a ton and must have cost a fortune.
She raised one brow. “Is there a reason I needed to know that?”
He nodded. “To emphasize that she’s…special, and very important to me.”
Ellie nodded. “Karen already told me that. But only because she felt it was something her replacement needed to be aware of,” she added so that he didn’t think Karen had been gossiping about her employer away from the office. Because that was something the other woman never did. Which was probably why she’d had no idea that Karen’s boss was lethally attractive!
“It is, yes,” Knox confirmed.
“And I will ensure that Sally is also aware of that situation. Is there anyone else she needs to be aware of?” Such as a mistress? Or girlfriend? Or a sleep buddy?—
“Angel is the only female who will ever call or visit me here. She lives in the UK and calls me, sometimes here at the office, but the latter won’t happen often.”
Having filled up the water and put the fresh coffee beans in the appropriate part of the machine, a blend she was rather partial to herself, Ellie now flicked the switch to turn it on. She was instantly rewarded with the familiar sound of coffee beans grinding and the water heating.
“How about your mother?” she turned to prompt.
“My mother is dead.”
“Sister?”
“Don’t have one.”
“Okay.” She nodded. “So, let’s be clear. None of the women of your acquaintance, one-night stands or otherwise, will ever telephone or visit you here. But if they do, Sally is to check with you first before putting them through?”
“What the hell…?” His jaw tightened. “Are you making assumptions or speaking from prior knowledge?”
“I’ve already told you Karen doesn’t gossip about you. She certainly hasn’t told me anything about your private life,” she assured primly.
“So, you were just making assumptions?”
She shrugged. “You just give off that vibe.”
He bristled even more. “What vibe?”
“Sure you want me to answer that?”
“Yes!”
“Okay.” She nodded. “You’re aged in your early forties, your public bio, which I read on the way here, says you aren’t married and have no children. I’m guessing the reason for that is that you prefer not to become involved in emotional relationships. As you don’t look like a man who would choose celibacy, I can only assume any…encounters you do have are of the brief and uncomplicated kind. Hence my mention of one-night stands. Does that answer your question?”
His gaze had turned icy. “It tells me that, despite having read some intrusive bio on me online, you actually know absolutely nothing about me or my private life.”
Ellie sensed she had said something that struck a nerve. Was it the mention of his age, or something else? Maybe Knox thought he looked younger. If she knew what she’d said to produce this icy demeanor in a man who up until now had been distant but polite, she would make sure never to step over that line again.
As Knox didn’t look as if he was about to answer that question, even if she asked it, she decided to change the subject instead. “Would you prefer that I call you Mr. Wilder or Knox for the short time that I’ll be here?”
“Knox,” he grated.
She nodded. “Ellie.”
“Well, Ellie, during the short time you’re here, could you arrange for some flowers to be sent to Karen and Geoff?” he instructed. “Along with a couple of balloons, one blue, one pink, to welcome their babies.”
She held his gaze across the desk. “Geoff said they’ll probably be staying in the hospital overnight, and if all is well, he’ll be taking Karen and the babies home in the morning.”
“Then it’s probably best to send the flowers there. And when you’ve done that, could you get someone at HE—Halliday Executive Recruitment Agency on the line, please,” he bit out before she could think of a suitable reply.
Her eyes widened. “Anyone in particular you wish to speak to there?”
