“I vaguely recall that Karen told me a while ago that it’s owned and run by a couple, so one of them would be preferable.”
Now it was Ellie’s time to react, but inwardly, a coldness seemed to have gripped her heart before spreading outward until her whole chest felt like a solid block of ice.
Not because it seemed as if Knox was about to arrange for someone to be brought in from that agency. No, it was something else he’d said that bothered her. Something she had no intention of discussing with this tattooed man who gave off a dangerous sexual vibe and who she was totally physically aware of.
This instant attraction to a man had never happened to her before. Not before, during, or since her long-term relationship had ended so badly six months ago. Well…it had ended then, but Ellie had thought a lot about the situation since that time, and she’d realized that things had been off between her and Andrew for a couple of years before that.
“I’ll do that right now,” she agreed lightly before leaving the room.
Knowing, with every step she took, that Knox was watching her with those melted-chocolate-brown eyes. Because she could feel the intensity of that gaze on her, most especially on the gentle sway of her hips and bottom.
She was relieved once she could step out into the reception area and close the door behind her.
It took only a matter of seconds for her to order the flowers and balloons Knox had requested be delivered to Karen and Geoff’s home. She sent another bouquet on her own behalf. Once the happy couple was home from the hospital with their two babies, she would arrange for a pizza to be delivered to them one evening. Karen was a planner, always had been, which was why she was so good at her job, so Ellie had no doubt the other woman also had food prepared and put away in the freezer for after the birth. But bringing two babies home was sure to be chaotic, and no doubt a hot meal one evening that they didn’t have to think about would be welcome.
That done, Ellie put a call through to the HERA offices. “Hi, Benny,” she greeted the moment he answered the call. “Did you get my voicemail earlier and the note I left on your desk with a list of things I need you to do today?”
“Ells!” Benny squealed his pleasure at hearing her voice. “Yes, I heard the voicemail and read the note, but I’m no further forward in understanding why you or Sally decided to go into Wynter Security today. It wasn’t in your calendar.”
“Long story. The note already told you the short one: Karen went into labor, and so far, the agency hasn’t managed to find a suitable replacement to take her place while she’s on maternity leave.” Much to Ellie’s chagrin.
She had sent over the top three PAs on their books who were available for an interview, but none of them had found favor with the critical Knox Wilder.
“And you feel responsible,” Benny easily guessed. “It isn’t your fault the man is such a dick that he decided none of the candidates we sent were suitable.”
“I wouldn’t say he’s a dick…” Ellie had swung her chair round when she caught a slight movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to see that Knox was now standing in the doorway to his executive office, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand as he blatantly listened to her side of the conversation. “Not completely one anyway,” she added softly.
“What would you say, then?” Benny prompted.
Ellie continued to meet Knox’s challenging gaze. “I’d say, even though it can be slightly irritating to the people who are only trying to help him, that he has his own reasons for being unhappy about accepting a replacement for Karen. Even temporarily.”
“Dick reasons.”
“Possibly.”
There was a small silence on the other end of the line. “He’s listening, isn’t he?” Benny finally guessed.
“Yep.” The p popped at the end of the word.
“Ooh, ouch.” Benny feigned dismay on her behalf.
Ellie watched Knox as he crossed the room to stand in front of the desk before holding out his hand for her cell phone. She gave him a warning glance before handing it over. “Do not upset Benny, HERA wouldn’t be able to run at all without him.”
Knox gave her a mocking grin as he pressed the speaker button so she could hear and continue to be a part of their conversation. “Good morning, Benny. It’s the dick speaking,” he introduced himself. “Would I be right in thinking that the Ellie Hall currently sitting in my outer office is actually Eleanor Hall, cofounder and CFO of Halliday Executive Recruitment Agency, Andrew Day being the other cofounder and CEO?”
Impressive, Ellie thought, knowing Knox must have spent the time waiting for his coffee to brew by going online and looking up the name Ellie Hall, which, by a process of elimination, would have taken him to the HERA agency.
“No,” Benny answered economically.
Knox perched that toned bottom on the edge of Ellie’s—Karen’s—desk. “Would she give me the same answer if I asked her?”
“Yes.”
Knox frowned his puzzlement. “Why would she?”
“Because Andrew Day is no longer a part of this company, so as such, Eleanor Hall is now both CEO and CFO.”
“Potatoes/potahtoes.”
