Chapter 3
Andi squirmed uncomfortably under his scrutiny. Nevertheless, she mustered a nonchalant shrug. "I'm not sure. You'd have to ask him."
“I will, but I doubt I’ll get a solid answer.” He considered an idea that he and Rafi had been playing around with. Now that he’d met Andi, Laith suspected the idea might work. “Are you married?”
Andi’s jaw dropped in surprise and Laith immediately pictured her like that after she climaxed. His body tightened and he had to remind himself that she was off-limits.
She blinked, recoiling with her shock. “I’m…not clear how that’s relevant.”
“It is,” he countered. “Any kids?”
She shifted nervously on the edge of her chair, and he couldn't help but find her irritation endearing. Andi was like an adorable, if prickly, hedgehog. She seemed torn between bristling with her spiky attitude or curling up into a ball of rage.
“My personal life isn’t relevant to my job performance, sir," she asserted firmly, her tone sharp yet politely professional. "I believe what I do outside of the office is solely my own concern.”
“You're absolutely correct,” he agreed, raising his glass to conceal his amusement. He then caught her increased ire. The woman seemed to bristle even further when he found something amusing.
For a moment, Laith debated on how to suggest the role he had in mind for her.
On the one hand, he could tell she didn’t like him.
But on the other hand, after today’s meeting, she seemed like the kind of person who would relish the possibility of a challenge.
So, how to present the idea without her throwing it back in his face?
In the end, Laith decided that it would be best to be straightforward.
“I have a job offer in mind for you. I don’t expect an immediate answer.
Take tonight to consider the role and give me your response tomorrow morning.
Consult with…” He hesitated, momentarily taken aback by the thought of her needing to discuss anything with a significant other, though he knew it was a possibility.
With her beauty and allure, she likely had romantic connections.
“Discuss the option with whoever assists you in making such decisions.”
“I make my own decisions, sir,” she retorted primly.
He couldn't help but admire her assertiveness.
Damn, she was really something else! “Good. The job entails traveling to the various factories and supply areas around the world, looking into the financials of the various departments and subsidiaries of this company and reporting back to me with feedback.”
“Towards what purpose?”
“Saving the company,” he replied immediately.
That got her attention! He shifted slightly, watching her carefully as he continued.
“The company has been veering off course for the past several years and the financials show it. I’m here to steer it back on course.
I’m forming a team with several other experts in their fields.
Each team member will be responsible for finding problems and offering solutions within their spheres.
” He paused and took another sip of his scotch.
“Think you can work your financial magic to find issues, so you can help me save the company?”
She hesitated, biting her lip thoughtfully as she considered. When she looked up at him, he was startled by the intensity in those blue eyes. “Are you going to lay people off?”
Laith didn’t want to lie to her. “If necessary, yes. But the only reason we’ll lay off workers is if it is necessary to save the other thousands of jobs. Think you can do that? Think you are smart enough to analyze various parts of the company and find the issues in the numbers?”
Andi-Andrea loved the idea. Laith could see it in her luminous blue eyes. She was challenged and ready to dive right in. But she was also cautious, which was a good sign.
She was still for a long moment, but slowly, she nodded.
Still silent, she sipped her wine and he could see the wheels turning in her head.
More nodding, the excitement was clearly building, evident in the renewed tension in her shoulders and the way she held her wine glass.
“Yes,” she replied, tightening her grip around the glass stem.
“Yeah, I’m smart enough.” But he could see the anger there.
Those blue eyes were snapping sapphire fire at him.
Unfortunately, this lovely woman had no idea how much that turned him on!
“When does this new job start?”
Laith shifted slightly, trying to hide the rush of triumph he felt at her agreement. “We’ll fly to Singapore Monday morning.” He stood up and extended his hand.