Chapter One #2
Xia’s breath caught. She had never been one for bald men, but the photos she had seen online hadn’t captured his raw physical presence.
At forty-two, he moved with the fluid grace of someone who clearly spent considerable time maintaining his impressive physique.
His broad shoulders strained against the tailored suit jacket, hinting at the powerful build beneath.
“Ms. Foster?” His voice deepened with a New Orleans accent. Extending his hand, he caught hers in a firm, confident grip. “Rex Oliver. Please, come through to my office.”
She stood, grateful that her legs remained steady despite her racing heart. This was not what she had expected. The man ran a BDSM club in the sky, for heaven’s sake. She had imagined someone perhaps more... flamboyant? Instead, he looked like he had stepped off the cover of Men’s Health magazine.
“Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Oliver.” Her voice emerged steadier than she felt.
The moment Xia passed Rex Oliver, his cologne invaded her senses—the expensive, subtle aroma had an unexpected, devastating effect on her. Her empty stomach fluttered, and this time, hunger had nothing to do with it. Every nerve ending in her body sparked to life.
Get it together. She scolded herself silently. He's just another CEO. A very attractive, definitely intimidating CEO. Hopefully, one who’s about to offer me a job mixing drinks at 35,000 feet.
Her inner voice scoffed. This man is one hot tamale and fucking delicious, and since you’re always the slowpoke, let me enlighten you.
This is him. The One. Look at that magnificent specimen of masculinity.
Those shoulders, that jaw, those eyes that see right through you.
Yep, he’s our man. Hell, I’d even go as far as to say this is our future husband.
So, get yourself straightened out, Xia Foster, and ace this goddamned interview!
This is one man we’re not letting slip through our fingers.
Heat bloomed across her cheeks, and though Rex’s eyebrow lifted slightly, he maintained his professional demeanor as he settled behind the imposing desk.
Or perhaps, her inner voice suggested, he’s so used to women losing their tongues around him, he’s not fazed. Hmm... speaking of tongues. I wouldn’t mind taking a long, slow lick along that lower lip of his.
Shut up! You’re going to make me embarrass myself.
Just saying...
Xia shifted uncomfortably as Rex’s penetrating gaze raked over her.
“Just to clarify, Ms. Foster.” His voice rolled over her like warm honey. “Are you aware this interview is for an inflight position at an exclusive club aboard an Airbus?”
“Yes.” Her hands fluttered self-consciously over her business suit. “Force of habit. I’ve been interviewing in the corporate arena, so I didn’t think to dress down.”
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Xia Foster... GlobalTech’s marketing prodigy.” Recognition flashed across his face. “You launched their revolutionary cloud computing platform and won the Marketing Excellence Award.”
“Oh, my.” Surprise colored her voice. “No one outside the company’s customer base has ever made that connection.”
“Well, it impressed me, especially since we lost two Fortune 500 clients because of that. Your launch was brilliant. Beat us to the market by a month.” His smile turned wry. “But we’ve since made massive improvements and reclaimed the top spot.”
“You’re the leader in cyber technology, Mr. Oliver. GlobalTech was lucky to beat you that one time.” A shadow crossed her face as she fought to keep her voice steady. “I guess now I know why I was laid off.”
“Laid off?” Genuine shock registered in his expression. “They let you go?”
The memory stung fresh. “Six months ago. No explanation, no reason. Just hit the road, Jill.”
Something dark flickered in his eyes. “Corporate sharks only look out for themselves. I’m truly sorry you experienced the brunt of it.”
“Not your fault, Mr. Oliver.”
“It seems inappropriate to be offering you a job as a...” he consulted his laptop, “bartender. Last spot available.”
“Inappropriate?” Desperation crept into her voice.
“I’ve been interviewed more times than I care to mention for more appropriate jobs and was turned down because I’m overqualified.
” Her bottom lip trembled slightly. “My business qualifications aside, I was a bartender throughout college. I might need to learn the latest cocktail trends, but I can shake a martini better than anyone out there.” She met his gaze, letting her desperation show.
“I need this job, Mr. Oliver. With the recession, there are no top-level corporate jobs available, and no one will take a chance on offering me a junior position, fearing I’ll either overshadow the seniors or leave for something better.” She attempted to smile. “I’ll beg if I have to.”
“Maybe one day you will... for something else,” he said cryptically, almost too low to hear as he drummed his fingers on the desk.
“I’ve done background checks on you, Ms. Foster, including your time as a bartender.
If I’m honest, that doesn’t make you the best candidate.
Bartending at Club Decadent Skies will be very demanding, and it isn’t your typical bar. The emotional demands alone...”
“I had a very demanding job, Mr. Oliver, and I’m not scared of hard work. Dealing with highly emotional submissives is something I excel at. Ask Dr. Cheri Butler; she’s a member of Club Decadent Skies. I’ve been called the sub whisperer at a local club we frequent.”
“I’m aware. I already spoke to her.” His revelation startled her, especially since Cheri hadn’t mentioned it. “So, you’re familiar with the BDSM lifestyle. How long have you been a submissive?”
Xia’s first reaction was to scoff at him for assuming she was a submissive and not a Domme, but she snuffed the rebuke.
He might not be in his dominant role at the moment, but the submissive inside her had reacted to the power he exuded from the moment their eyes had met.
Because of that, he would already have identified which role she played.
“Eight years.” Her fingers gripped the chair arms. “Just give me a chance. If I don’t meet your expectations after the first flight, I’ll walk away. You won’t even have to fire me.”
“If you fail, you’ll be fired inflight. I can’t afford unhappy members on our maiden flight.”
“You won’t have any. I promise.”
“I have a couple more interviews lined up.” He stood, towering over her. “Vee will contact you tomorrow with the outcome.”
Xia rose, forcing herself to walk past him with a regal posture, desperately hoping he couldn’t see how his proximity affected her.
Rex Oliver better give her this fucking bartender job, or she would start stalking him. If she had learned one thing during this short interview, it was that her subconscious was right. He was the man for her.
I want him, and by damn... I'm gonna get him!