“Joshua, please.”
“Why did you seduce me? Why me?”
“You didn’t like it?” He had an amused look on his face.
“You know I did.”
“I saw a sexy, somewhat innocent woman and once I found out how smart you are, I had to have you.”
“What do you mean once you found out how smart I am? You didn’t know who I was until today at the meeting. All you knew was my first name.”
“Do you think I go around seducing random women? Of course I knew who you were. I found it curious that you always like to sit on the second level. You were new on the train and when I kept seeing you day after day you intrigued me. When you got off at my stop you intrigued me even more. When I saw you going into my building each morning, I had to know more. So I had my secretary do some digging. How do you think I found you in the lounge? My secretary contacted your boss looking for you. You fascinate me. I left you alone this morning because I knew you had a presentation today and I figured you were probably very nervous. I didn’t want to make things worse. I haven’t been captivated by a smart, sexy woman in a long time.”
I was speechless and flattered, I didn't know what to say. This gorgeous, wealthy man was intrigued by me? I had to stop second-guessing myself. I obviously had many redeeming qualities that captivated his interest.
“Isn’t it extremely inappropriate for me to be working on your floor after what we’ve done?” My voice was very small once again.
“What have we done?” He stood there looking at me, arms crossed, with a sexy, slightly mocking, smoldering look. I wanted him to ravage me right there on the spot.
I stood there speechless, not knowing how to respond.
He must have noticed my embarrassment because he let me off the hook.
“It’s not inappropriate for you to be up here, at least not in my eyes.” He straightened his suit jacket and walked toward me. “Now, I have a proposition for you. Whether you say yes or no, will in no way affect your employment status with this company. You will still have a job here. I honestly think you are extremely bright and talented and you will be a great asset to this company. I also think you'll be a great asset for me. I want you to work for me and train under me. I will teach you everything you need to know to excel in this company. I will teach you hard work, discipline, the importance of attention to detail and everything you need to know to make the partner fast track. I can tell you what you need to do to make partner in five years rather than 15. I don't have the power to make you partner. The partners and investors decide who becomes partner. This keeps favors and nepotism out of the selection process and this is one of the reasons we are so successful. You have to earn a partner position.”
“Why would you be willing to do all of that for me, a new associate?”
“Well, there is a stipulation. I will teach you all of that so that you can be on the partner fast track. I'm assuming you want to be a partner, yes?”
“Yes, I do.” I had no idea where this was going but I was open to listening.
“I will do all of this for you if you agree to do everything I desire for 30 days.”
“I don’t understand. What do you mean everything you desire? Do you mean something like fetch a drink for you or file documents?”
“I mean exactly what I said. Everything I desire. If you don’t agree to this you still have a job here, of course. But it will take you 15 years to learn what you need to know to make partner. If you agree, we will be working very closely together."
I thought about it briefly. Thirty days of what will probably be menial labor to make partner in five years, versus 15 years of learning the hard way. This was a no-brainer. How bad could it be? It would only be for 30 days and I would get to see this gorgeous man every day. I wasn't worried about not being able to focus on work because I'd been able to do that while preparing for my big meeting. Nothing was going to get in the way of my goals.
“Okay, I'll do it. And thank you for the opportunity.”
He gave me a mischievous smirk when I thanked him.
“Good. Your salary will be the same as all first-year associates. You'll be traveling with me, all expenses paid. You won’t have to worry about paying for anything while we are away on business. You will have an expense account that you can use freely for the 30 days. I expect you to only wear designer clothes, shoes and handbags. You will be representing me when you are with me and I expect you to look your best. When we travel, I will provide a personal makeup artist, manicurist and hair stylist for you. Your office here is down the hall from mine. When my secretary buzzes you I expect you to be in my office in less than one minute. Understood?”
“Yes.” A little rigid, I thought, but I would do whatever it took to learn all this incredible information.
Chapter 5
“Stand up.”
“Excuse me?”
“When I tell you to do something, do it. No questions, no hesitations. We are going to have a lesson on discipline right now.”
He picked up the phone and told his secretary that he did not want to be disturbed for the next hour.
I looked at the door with uneasiness written all over my face. “Won’t someone hear us?” I could feel the heat between my legs begin to rise as it dawned on me what this might be about.
“No one will hear us. Every office on the executive level is soundproof because we have some very paranoid investors who don’t want to risk sensitive information being overheard.”
“Stand up.” The stern tone told me he was serious. I did as I was told.
“Take off your jacket and unbutton your blouse.”
I took off my jacket and my shaky fingers managed to unbutton every last button.
“Now take it off.” He was walking around me slowly looking over every inch of me. I took off my blouse, my breathing becoming more shallow.
He ran a finger up my arm to my shoulder and leaned in to whisper in my ear. “Take off your skirt.”
I did as he said, not because he promised to teach me so much about the company, but because I wanted to. I was a bit shocked at myself that I enjoyed being told what to do, but it turned me on. He turned me on.