3. Shes The One
She's The One
Luke
It’s my job to read people. That’s how I win my cases. I can tell instantly what a person’s intentions are by the way they stand, carry themselves and treat other people.
The two blonde women with the dark roots are here only to be attached to my name. How do I know? The way they are dressed and the way they treated Carrie when they first walked in the office. They use their bodies to get whatever they want and have never been told ‘no’ once in their lives.
Now, that honey blonde is a hard read.
When our eyes met, she didn’t look away—like most people tend to do—instead, she mimicked my brow raise. She’s going to be a very big problem.
Reason: she’s the most stunning creature I have ever laid eyes on.
The moment my eyes met hers, my blood raced, my dick hardened, and I began to sweat. A reaction that has not happened in a very long time upon seeing a woman, and it’s pissing me off. I like control. I crave it. However, this tiny woman walked in and with just a look she almost crashed through it.
A beautiful woman is a dangerous creature. She lures you in with her stunning features and sweet voice. Makes you feel needed, wanted, and adored. However, once you let down your guard and hand over your control, she strikes.
And you become her prisoner.
I know this from experience.
I glance back at her as she talks to Carrie. Her eyes meet mine once more and I run them down the short length of her body but when I look back at her, her eyes are full of insecurity. As if she doesn’t deserve to be glanced upon.
I steel myself. I need to keep a level head or I’m a goner.
Her eyes leave mine and she heads down the hall as Carrie walks in, shutting the door behind her. "Everyone’s here," she says.
"I see that. Tell me about them." I demand.
"They’re the most qualified, came with high reviews and amazing references." Carrie explains.
"I don’t care about that; I have seen their resumes. What are their names?"
Carrie turns slightly towards the windows. "Addison Marshall, twenty-two, she finished her temp job as personal assistant to the mayor’s aid a month ago." Carrie points to the woman in the cherry dress.
"The woman next to her is Tessa Wright, also twenty-two, she finished her temp job as secretary at the mayor’s office two weeks ago." Carrie moves her finger over to the woman in the taupe dress.
"The other woman is Daniella Carter. Thirty-three, never been a personal assistant," Carrie says.
"Why is she here if she has no experience." I snarl.
My cousin turns to me. "If you didn’t want Daniella to interview, you shouldn’t have asked me to call her."
I cross my arms over my chest and exhale out my nose. Hard.
"Don’t give me that look, Luke. As you said, you’ve seen her resume. You knew she didn’t have the experience and yet, you asked me to call her. You must have seen something that caught your interest." She says plainly.
I take a deep breath to calm my temper. Carrie enjoys pointing out when I put my foot in my mouth.
"What’s your opinion on them?" I bite out.
Carrie is the first person everyone meets when they walk into this office. In my experience, people treat the receptionist like absolute trash.
"I’m not a fan of Addison and Tessa. I think they will be like all your other PA’s."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning, their noses will be so far up your ass, you’ll get annoyed within the first week." Carrie states.
I cannot stand suck ups.
"Dani, however," Carrie looks over at me, a wicked smile growing on her face. "She’ll put you in your place faster than you can whip it out to piss. I like her."
I catch sight of Daniella sitting back down, clutching her purse in her small hands. She’s nervous.
I rub my face and stretch. "Send them in."
Carrie crosses her arms and narrows her eyes at me. "Do you really plan to do a group interview? Isn’t that a little immature?"
"No." I answer without explanation. "However, I do need you to interrupt the interview about ten minutes in."
"What for?" Carrie asks.
"Just do it." I tell her.
I chance another look at Daniella, she’s talking on the phone, hand waving wildly, mouth moving a mile a minute. I know those gestures. Someone is getting in shit.
"Carrie, open the door a crack. I want to hear what Ms. Carter is saying."
"That’s creepy Luke," she says as she reaches over and does as I ask, all while smiling like an idiot.
"Mason, you tell Axe I’m going to cut his damn hands off if he keeps going into my pantie drawer. Tell him to put them all back and lock my door," Daniella orders.
Carrie shoots me a look of ‘I told you so.’
"No. No—n—put him on the phone…I don’t give two shits, Mason, put him on the phone. I’ll deal with you when I get home." Daniella taps her foot on the floor.
"Axe. Axe! Listen here you little shit, you put every single one of my panties back in that drawer or so help me, I will bury you in the backyard along with Mason and adopt Clay as my new son. You feel me?" Daniella yells.
The other two women are watching with disgusted looks on their faces. I, on the other hand, have never been so attracted to a woman before. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm that’s raging inside me.
"No, you can’t keep one! And I’m not telling you why I have matching sets of black and red lace panties and bras…Axton Charles, I am sixty seconds away from saying fuck this job and coming home to beat you…oh my God! You little pervert. Put Mason back on the phone!" Daniella orders.
"Mason! You two better be home when I get there, I’m going to rip a strip off both of you…good, now hopefully Mr. Archer hasn’t heard any of this and I still get the chance to interview for this job," her tone becomes affectionate. "I love you; I’ll be home soon." She hangs up the phone and drops it back in her purse like nothing happened.
Carrie opens the door wider and walks out. "Luke will see you now," she calls.
The younger women jump up and rush the door, fighting to get in and sit as close to me as possible. Daniella takes her time, stopping to say something to Carrie, causing her to cackle, before walking inside and shutting the door behind her.
She sits to the right of me, next to Tessa. Daniella puts her purse down, pulling her chair in and resting her forearms on the table. While the other two sit up straight, tits pushed out, smiling brightly, all while eye fucking me.
"Ladies, thank you for coming in this morning—"
"Thank you for taking time out from your busy schedule to see me ," Addison purrs.
My eyes snap to hers, her smile falters, and she looks away.
"As I was saying, thank you for coming in this morning. We are going to start with a group interview then move onto one on one. Let us start with your experience," I say.
I keep looking over at Daniella. Even this close, I can’t get a read on her. However, I do notice a scar running from her temple to her chin. Although it doesn’t detract from her beauty.
"I’ll start," Tessa announces. "My name is Tessa. I’ve worked as a receptionist for the mayor, mayor’s aid, and city hall." She flashes a huge smile and way more cleavage than is necessary.
Addison introduces herself next. "My name is Addison. I was a personal assistant to the mayor’s aid and for the city planner." Another huge smile and more cleavage.
I don’t know how my brother does this every few months. I’m annoyed already.
I take a chance and glance at Daniella. She’s picking at her nails, her eyes downcast. There’s a slight tremor in her hands and under the table her foot taps out a rapid beat as if she’s ready to run.
I clear my throat, causing her to jump.
"Oh," Daniella straightens in her chair. "I’m Daniella, but I go by Dani. I have no experience as a personal assistant, but I have a seventeen-year-old son who can’t do anything for himself." She says.
There’s a sharp knock on the door before it opens. "Sorry to interrupt, but there’s a situation that needs your attention." Carrie says.
I stand, excusing myself and walk out. Leaving the door open a tad.
"I think this is a stupid idea." Carrie whispers, turning on her heel and striding away.
I lean against the other closed door, listening in.
"Then why are you here if you have no experience?" Addison asks.
"I have a son to take care of, plus bills and rent to pay." Dani answers plainly.
"You should’ve thought of that before you opened your legs and got knocked up." Addison replies with ridicule in her tone.
"And you should’ve been the load your mother swallowed, but here you are." Dani says without missing a beat.
My eyebrows go up at that comment but I have to agree.
"And if you weren’t such a slut, that friend of your kid would know he doesn’t have a chance." Addison snaps, her voice shaking.
"You’re like the end pieces of a loaf of bread. Everybody touches you but nobody wants you," Dani snaps back.
I’ve heard enough. I stride back in, closing the door and taking my seat at the head of the table.
"I heard what was said while I was out of the room," I say, looking each woman in the eye. "It is no business of yours why Daniella is here." I place my forearms on the table. "Her resume impressed me. Her experience in dealing with the public played a huge factor in my reason for her being here."
I meet Addison’s eyes, seeing embarrassment. "Apologise."
Addison mutters one under her breath.
"Louder," I snarl, "and mean it."
"Sorry." Addison says, looking away from me.
I glance at Dani; her cheeks are painted a pretty pink colour, and there’s a look of shock in her beautiful turquoise eyes.
"I’m sorry." Dani whispers.
"There is no need for you to apologise, Daniella. Addison was out of line." I inform her. Dani opens her mouth to reply, but I hold up a hand to stop her. "Now, let’s continue with this interview."
Dani blinks in confusion before she stands quickly. "I’m sorry, Mr. Archer, but I don’t think I can work for you." Dani states, picking up her purse and heads for the door.
"Ms. Carter," I call, grabbing her attention. She turns slightly but not enough to see those amazing turquoise eyes. "Care to explain why?"
Dani plays with her purse strap. "I’m not good with people."
I lean forward, watching her strangle the shit out of that skinny piece of leather. "And why is that?"
Dani’s eyes dart to mine briefly before focusing on the floor. "I don’t have the patience for stupidity, and I have a tendency to blurt out whatever comes to mind." She shrugs, turning her head away from me.
"You start tomorrow." I say, sitting back in the chair and crossing my arms over my chest. She turns fully then, skeptical eyes wide.
Shit, those eyes are out of this world.
"Are you high?" Dani blurts out then slaps a hand over her mouth.
Tessa and Addison inhale sharply.
I shake my head, keeping eye contact with her. "I like you, Ms. Carter, and I don’t like many people." I state.
Dani’s brows fly up her forehead. I straighten, closing my suit jacket. I walk past her and open the door, catching a trace of her perfume. She smells like heaven. Coconut and vanilla.
"If you will follow me to my office, I have some papers I need you to fill out. Basic information and such." I step out, waiting for her to follow. "Carrie, can you show the other two ladies out?"
I look back at Dani; she’s staring up at me with turmoil flashing in her eyes.
"Shall we?" I motion for her to follow as I head towards my office.
I hear her curse under her breath in disbelief. Opening the door for her, she turns to walk past me. Our bodies only a breath apart, and damn if I don’t take another deep breath. She’s a tiny woman. Short, curvy in all the right places with perfect bow lips. The bottom one a tad bigger than the top and don’t get me started on those legs.
Dani’s breathtaking.
Looking around, Dani sits in the chair across from the desk. The sun is shining through the windows that line the wall behind my desk and coat Dani in an elegant light.
"Snazzy office," she comments, crossing one leg over the other.
"Thank you." I close the door and take a seat behind my antique mahogany desk, a treat I got myself when I opened the firm. Gabe and I nearly killed ourselves moving it in here, but it was totally worth it.
She looks over at the door and then back at me. "What’s your deal?" Dani asks.
I grab the paperwork from my desk drawer and slide them over to her along with a pen. "As you can see, it’s all basic information. Bank account information, emergency contact, etcetera. Your benefits will start after three months—"
Dani leans over the desk, interrupting me and touching my hand to catch my attention, sending a shock through my body.
"What’s your deal, Archer? Why hire—"
"Mr. Archer." I correct, undoing my jacket again.
Dani sucks her bottom lip into her mouth as that pretty pink colour covers her cheeks again. "Sorry, Mr. Archer."
"You were saying?" I inquire and tap the papers.
Dani looks away. "Why hire someone who has no idea what she’s doing? An—and why is there a couch in your office? You filming porn for extra money?" she blurts out, slapping her hand over her mouth again. "Sorry."
I don’t acknowledge her apology, it’s not needed. I reach over and tap the papers again. "If you could fill those out, Carrie can get started on entering your information," I hand over a pen. "And the couch is extra seating. Some of my clients like to bring family or friends with them for emotional support."
"Huh." Dani mutters.
My eyes find their way back to hers. "What?"
Dani leans forward. "You’re nothing like what I read about online. Although, I haven’t started working for you yet." She starts filling out the paperwork.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I ask.
Dani looks up at me from under her lashes and my dick twitches behind my zipper. I need to shut this down and take back the control she is trying to shatter.
"I read up on you yesterday. People did not have pleasant things to say about you. No sir, they did not." Dani states.
I notice a burn mark on her collarbone as I look her over for the third time and when she catches me staring, she pulls the shirt closed.
"I’m not the most liked man in this city. This comes as no surprise to me." I shrug, sitting back.
"Well, don’t you think highly of yourself," she says dryly, seeming to recover from her bout of shyness.
A phone rings before I have a chance to reply. Dani reaches into her purse with one hand and answers. "Hello?"
A scream comes through the phone causing Dani to drop it on the desk.
Dani wiggles a finger in her ear. "Good God, Erin, way to bust my eardrum," she says when she picks the phone back up.
I can’t make out what the woman on the other end of the phone is saying but she sounds excited.
"I’m with him right now. Come over after work and we’ll chat…I guess you can order a stripper; I promise not to tell Jake." Dani laughs and my control slips a bit.
"As long as they have blue eyes, I don’t care what they look like. You know I’m a sucker for men with blue eyes," Dani states, looking up at me.
Dear Christ, this woman is going to be the death of me.