I lift my hand, reaching for the golden doorknob, and gently push the door open. The nerves are really kicking in now, as I’m about to meet my new boss.
I shouldn’t have googled him and freaked myself out. Now, here I am, scared shitless to step inside. I feel like a lamb walking into a lion’s den.
I quickly glance down, checking that my dress is sitting right, and that my boobs aren’t on display.
Ever had a dress that slips down a bit? Yeah, that’s my situation right now. Lucky I caught it before I walked in.
“Come in!” my new boss calls again, his voice sounding more stern than before.
I take my first tentative steps into his office, spotting him standing by his window, engrossed in a file. He keeps his back to me as the click of my heels echoes off the tiles.
As I approach, he finally turns around and casually tosses the file onto his desk. I watch as it slides to the edge but doesn’t fall. I bet he’s done that a few times.
I’m trying to muster up the courage to speak. My mouth feels like a desert, and I’m struggling to find the right words. He’s turned his back to me again, and it’s making me anxious.
“You’re late.” His voice is hard and cold, startling me so much that I jump back, twisting my foot in these damn heels and landing hard on my ass.
I look up at him in shock and embarrassment as he slowly turns to face me, an eyebrow raised.
God, this man is stunning. The pictures didn’t do him justice. His face is clean-shaven, with a soft yet strong jawline.
His eyes, oh Lord, those eyes are dark. It’s like once you see them, you just want to stare at them for hours, you know?
I’m sure I look like an idiot right now, staring up at him with my mouth hanging open, but I can’t help it. I’ve never seen a man this handsome in my life.
Jesus, it’s been too long since I had sex! I can’t be drooling over my new boss, that’s not professional at all!
“Tsk. They sent me a stupid, incompetent girl.” He turns his back to me again and heads toward his desk, not even offering a hand to help me up.
Stupid? How dare he!
I’ll admit I’m looking a bit crazy right now, but I’ll have you know I had a 4.0 GPA in most of my damn classes. I may be a lot of things but stupid isn’t one of them, no sir.
I bite the inside of my lip to keep myself from telling my new boss off. Slowly steadying myself on my heels, I stand up, brushing my hands down my dress to make sure I look presentable again.
“I’m…,” I try to introduce myself but it comes out like a mouse squeak, so I quickly shut up and clear my throat before I try again.
“I’m Isabella Bowen. Your new personal assistant.” I walk up to him, extending my hand for him to shake. He just stares down at it, and I drop my arms to my side.
“I know who you are. Amanda let me know to expect you before you came in,” he says dismissively before sitting down at his desk.
“That’s good.” What else can I even say to that? I’m sure it’s her job to let him know when someone’s coming to see him.
The silence that surrounds us starts to get uncomfortable, making me fidget around, not knowing if I should stay standing or take a seat in one of the black leather chairs in front of his desk.
“You’re late. Did you not hear me the first time?” he growls out while picking his phone up from his desk, not even looking up at me.
“I do apologize. Traffic was horrible this morning. I promise it won’t happen again,” I explain, hoping it’s good enough not to get my ass chewed out.
“Well, we do live in the city. I’m pretty sure you were already aware of that, correct?” he asks, keeping his eyes on his phone.
Ugh! Why does this man, who happens to be so freaking sexy that my heart skips a beat every time he talks, have to be such an asshole?
“I am aware. It will not happen again,” I repeat myself. Maybe I should tell him about the bitch downstairs who kept me waiting for at least five minutes.
“See that it doesn’t. I like my employees to be on time,” he says before laying his phone down, finally looking at me for the first time.
“Why are you still in my office? You have a job to do!” he growls, making me jerk away from him.
Well, I could get on with my fucking job if he would have told me what I was supposed to be doing.
“I would be glad to get to work, Mr. Claiborne, I just need to know what to do. It’s my first day,” I remind him.
“For shit’s sake, I can’t keep dealing with this. Amanda is going to have to train the next one. Take the files off the desk and go make copies.
“Next door is your office; you will find a computer on the desk. I assume you know how to use one?”
He looks down at me with a condescending expression. I just nod my head.
“You will see on the screen, a file labeled ‘calendar’. Go through my calendar for the day and make sure I don’t miss any meetings.
“Then take these files”—he tosses them over—“and make copies before placing them in the file cabinet. The account is Mendoza.” He flicks his hand toward the door, dismissing me.
“Yes, Mr. Claiborne,” I murmur before speed-walking out of his office, hearing an agitated sigh as I close the door. I lean back against it, sucking in a deep breath before heading to my office.
That wasn’t so bad, right?
