Chapter 4
Chapter Four
MAGNOLIA
I was tired the next morning but arrived at the same time as Mr. Bane. The elevator door was closing, and I rushed toward it. “Hold, please!”
The doors opened, and I was met with Mr. Bane’s scowling countenance. I hurried, not wanting to keep him waiting. My foot caught on the mat on the floor, and I tripped, closing my eyes in anticipation of hitting the floor. But a pair of solid arms caught me, holding me upright. Seconds passed as neither of us moved. He felt so warm, strong, and oddly safe. I tried not to notice how delicious he smelled. Crisp, clean, woodsy. Reminding me of a fall day in the sunshine. I wondered what it would be like, walking in the forest with him, his large hand wrapped around mine, keeping me safe and laughing with me. Complimenting me on?—
“Jesus, Myers, you need to watch where you’re going,” he snarled and pushed me away, albeit gently. “Try to stay upright.”
The doors opened, and he strode away, leaving me still mid-fantasy, his voice in my head not so frosty. I sighed as I went to my desk.
Great start to the day.
I delivered his coffee, then stowed the bag I’d brought in the fridge in the break room. I made myself a coffee and returned to my desk, determined to do something with the files.
Around eleven, Mr. Bane came out of his office, frowning at the mess. “What?—”
I cut him off. “It will all be back in place today. I’m organizing.”
“Fine.”
I resisted rolling my eyes.
“Staff meeting,” he informed me.
“I’m aware. I see your schedule.”
“I’ll want lunch when it’s done.”
“Fine.”
He did that eyebrow thing, slowly raising it as if he was challenging me. I met his glare with a steady gaze. He waited, then rolled his eyes, apparently not trying to resist the way I had. “Are you coming, Myers?”
“Oh. I wasn’t sure I was supposed to. You never said anything.”
“Staff meeting indicates staff. Of which you are one. For now ,” he added after a beat.
I grabbed my notebook and hurried after him, tripping on the cable that ran past my desk. I muttered a curse, rubbing my thigh where I hit it on the edge of the desk. He stopped, shaking his head. “What now?”
I glared. “There’s a cable here, and I keep tripping on it. It’s dangerous.”
“I think you might be the danger, Myers. You seem to invite bad luck. Try to be more careful.”
Then he turned and walked out. I rushed behind him, following him onto the elevator, making a face behind his back, then sticking out my tongue like an angry toddler. What a jerk.
“We’re using the larger boardroom today,” he said, looking straight ahead. “The one on my floor is mainly for the partners and clients.”
I nodded, unsure of what else to say.
We stopped on the right floor, and he held out his arm, indicating I should go first. As I went by, he leaned down, his voice a low hum in my ear. “Always look around enclosed spaces.”
I glanced up and froze. The panel around the door was glass.
He had seen me. The face I had made. The fact that I had stuck out my tongue at him.
I kept my head down, following him to the staff meeting.
The words for now echoed in my head.
They now felt as if my future was set. And not in a good way.
BANE
We entered the room, Myers trailing behind me. I scanned the table, taking note of who was here. I spotted a couple of the vipers at one end of the table and made a fast decision.
“With me,” I instructed her. I sat down, indicating the seat beside me. Myers perched on the chair, turning in my direction. “Shouldn’t I be at that end?”
“If I wanted you at that end, I’d tell you. Be quiet and listen.”
She did that thing with her eyes. Partially shutting them as if I couldn’t see the eye roll behind the lids. I knew a lot of people wouldn’t notice it, but I did.
I noticed everything about her. Dammit.
Which was why I was being such a jackass. I needed to keep her away from me. I found her much too attractive and likable.
Not to mention sexy as hell. Even her quirks amused me.
For the thousandth time since I’d hired her, I reminded myself I was an idiot.
My partners came in, the room filling with people. Lawson and Anderson greeted me and smiled at Myers. Their assistants sat beside them as well, and if they were surprised to see Myers to my right, they kept it to themselves. Even Sally had preferred to sit away from me at meetings. She informed me I grumped and made rude comments too much and I was distracting. Little did she know I did it for her amusement. The temporary staff who followed her after she retired kept as far away from me as possible at meetings. Yet with Myers, I felt a strange need to keep her away from some of the other, less friendly people. I felt almost protective of her. Why, I had no idea.
I glanced her way, seeing her head bent over the notebook she seemed to carry everywhere. I had to admit, she had impressed me so far. Even if I made her think otherwise.
Less than two days in, my calendar was perfect, the filing was getting organized, and what she had done about my phone line still amazed me. The thought of not having to listen to my mother and her nasty diatribes all the time earned Myers a lot of leeway with me. Sally had refused to step in where my mother was concerned and had never suggested a different phone line. It was a simple, brilliant idea.
I liked how Myers had noticed how often my coffee went cold and fixed it. I was used to it, always getting involved with my designs and plans, but like my mother getting through on my private line, she decided to change that for me.
Recalling what had occurred with her trying to plug in the little device, I felt the tug of amusement on my lips, and I had to school my features. Once she’d left the office, I had actually begun to laugh after holding it in most of the day. Between the desk incident and her quick comebacks, my jaw ached from locking it down and not reacting to her cheek. She was droll and funny, and it took all I had not to respond. I had a feeling if I did, that would be a slippery slope I would slide all the way down.
I stole another glance, noting how she touched her tongue to her bottom lip as she kept writing, her brow furrowed in concentration. The memory of her pressed close to me, the scent of her filling my senses, the feel of her curves molded to my chest, made my hand twitch with the desire to touch her again.
And I couldn’t allow that to happen.
Lawson cleared his throat and began the staff meeting. I lifted my head, giving him my full attention and ignoring the woman beside me.
At least, as much as I could ignore her.
He got at least seventy-five percent of my mind.
The rest—well, I was doing the best I could.
MAGNOLIA
The staff meeting was well-run and efficient. There was no waxing on about things. Instead, information was given, items discussed, and new business delivered. Mr. Lawson said something nice to welcome me since Mr. Bane couldn’t be bothered to. I wasn’t surprised.
Mr. Anderson stood up close to the end of the meeting, announcing that Balanced Designs was up for five awards at the yearly architectural event being held soon. “We have three tables of ten,” he said. “Sadly, not everyone can attend, but there will be a draw if you want to put your name in to attend the dinner. Be advised it is formal.”
Lawson stood as well. “One piece of news is that our own Alexander Bane is up for best landscape design for the Beaumont Buildings and grounds. His ideas were ingenious, and we’re thrilled for him. Very prestigious.”
Everyone clapped, myself included. Mr. Bane waved it off, but I was pleased for him. I had looked at his designs in the files. He was incredibly talented. I had no idea the scope of the things he was involved in. The planning, the intricate designs, the committees he sat on. Sustainable systems, mapping out entire communities, working with varied levels of governments to ensure his designs met and exceeded all required environmental responsibilities. I had seen the awards on his shelves.
No wonder the man was so serious.
The meeting ended, and I stood, heading back to the break room and grabbing my bag with lunch. I set up his plate and mine, carrying them to his office. He was at his desk as I slid the plate beside him. He looked at it with a confused frown. “That looks different.”
“Try it.”
I waited as he took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. He grunted, but it wasn’t in displeasure. “It’s…” He paused, and I waited for the usual “Fine.” But he surprised me. “Good. I like it. They changed the bread and the turkey?”
“Different deli. All fresh. Better.”
“Okay.”
“You’ll have to sign off on the credit card bill.”
He waved his hand. “Of course.”
“I might not always be able to get sandwiches there, but I’ll try.”
“Try hard.”
I hugged myself. I was giving my side extra points for this.
“I’m going to find out where to put my name in for the dinner.”
“Don’t.”
Disappointment filled me. “Is this because I stuck out my tongue at you?”
I was shocked when he chuckled. “No. Our assistants are always included. You don’t have to enter your name. You’ll all sit at one of the tables.”
“Oh. Are you sure?”
The eyebrow lifted, and I had to grin at him. It was a great silencer.
Again, he surprised me and returned my smile with one of his own. It changed his face entirely. What was stern and handsome became warm and intoxicating. A dimple appeared high on one cheek. His eyes turned a liquid blue. They resembled the sky on a hot summer day, clear, bright, and warm. He was devastatingly sexy.
“Okay, then,” I mumbled. “I’m going to eat my lunch.”
He hummed around a mouthful and turned to his laptop. I walked out of his office on a high.
It didn’t last long.
I headed to the break room to eat my lunch. It was empty, except for a table with some women I knew were from the assistant pool. Any one of the executives, visiting clients, or even partners had access to the pool if they required a temporary assistant. The four of them had been sitting at the other end of the boardroom. I had planned on going over and introducing myself when Mr. Bane had tugged on my elbow and told me to sit next to him. Watching them during the meeting, I got the feeling they were people I wouldn’t want to be around much. They seemed catty. Constantly whispering among themselves and making comments only the four of them could hear. It felt disrespectful to me.
Now, as I sat by myself, they ignored me, talking among themselves again, covering their mouths to hide their words, yet I knew they were discussing me. I was grateful when Rylee walked in, and I smiled and waved. They immediately began with their chatter again. I didn’t like that.
She came over after filling her coffee cup. “Hi.”
“Time for a quick break?” I asked.
She looked startled, then grinned. “Sure.”
She sat with me, her back to the group of women who were watching us, their eyes as sharp as their tongues no doubt were.
“Mean girls?” I asked with a smile on my face, my lips barely moving.
She took a sip of coffee with a nod. “The worst. It’s like high school all over again. I ignore them. Luckily, I rarely deal with that department. I give their tickets to others who come through.” She smiled sadly. “Still, they always have comments.”
“I know the type all too well. Some never move beyond graduation.”
There was a round of laughter behind us. Rylee shut her eyes. “They’re nice in front of the bigwigs. Other staff. They wait until you’re alone to get their digs in. So fake.” She took another sip. “They make fun of me whenever they can. My looks, my butt, my nerdiness.”
I frowned. Rylee was a pretty woman with soft blond hair and bright-green eyes, plus she was curvy like me and short. She wore glasses that gave her an owlish look, and her outfit was as unique as mine. Whereas I went for lace and silk, she liked leggings and long tunics. Simple, easy.
“I don’t care what they think,” she added. “I left those needs behind me. I like me. My friends like me.”
“I like you too, Rylee. I think we’re gonna be great friends.”
She smiled, the action lighting up her whole face. “I think so too.”
“We should trade numbers and hang out after work sometime.”
“I’d love that.” Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen with a groan. “Well, that was a short break. I’m needed.”
“Have a good afternoon.”
She left, and I watched her go, observing the little clique in the corner. The one who looked like the leader made a remark, and they all laughed. I shook my head at their childish behavior, surprised they were allowed to act that way in a business environment. Then I remembered what Rylee said. Nice to her face, mean behind her back. And she wasn’t one to complain, especially since it would be her word against theirs. But I liked her, and we could be friends. Maybe somehow we could stop their wagging tongues.
I stood and headed to the door, then stopped and went to their table, deciding to catch them off guard.
“Hi,” I said with a bright, fake smile. “I’m Magnolia. I started here this week.”
I met the flat blue eyes of the one I suspected was the ringleader. “I’m Verity. This is Rhonda, Maxie, and Susan.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“You’re Bane’s girl of the week?” Verity asked with a sneer.
“I’m his new assistant, yes,” I replied, ignoring the jibe.
“Don’t get too comfortable. They never stay. I doubt you’ll be much different.” She sat back, eyeing me up and down, no doubt making notes for her scathing opinion of me. “One of these days, he’ll realize the best assistant for him is already in the company.”
Ah, her dislike of me made sense. She wanted to work for Mr. Bane. Probably more than work.
She wanted to bang Bane.
Bang, bang Bane.
For some reason, that silly thought made me smile. I had to bite back a laugh.
She narrowed her eyes at me. “What are you smiling about?”
“Nothing. I’m enjoying it so far. Mr. Bane and I get along fine.”
“You should join us for lunch. We can make sure you mingle with the right crowd.”
I smiled even wider. “You mean, keep your friends close but your enemies closer? Thanks, but I know the right crowd, and it’s not this one. Have a good day, um, ladies .”
I walked out, hearing their furious whispers and knowing I had just made some enemies.