Chapter 2 #2
I didn’t shift in my seat, but I did raise my eyebrows, highlighting interest instead of surprise. Or so I hoped.
The air shifted between us. Still charged, but even more… electric.
Maybe it was wishful thinking that I’d suddenly become his peer instead of his employee.
“Are you interested only in New York or adding in Chicago and Boston?”
Before saying anything, he yanked out a jump drive from his desk drawer, pushing it across the desk to me.
He rubbed his jaw briefly before steepling his hands with his elbows on the armrests.
Once again, he was drilling a hole through me.
What was he searching for, whether I’d crack like everyone else who’d faced his requests?
“I’ll leave that up to you, but my suggestion would be we conquer New York first before branching out.
I’ve taken the liberty of providing you with a list of proposed companies that would make a decent fit with our methodologies. ”
Conquer.
The word had an entirely different meaning with him involved. And wait a minute. Why had this come out of the blue? I hadn’t bothered to mention anything about my ideas in weeks. Another feeling of warmth pooled between my shoulder blades.
“Day after tomorrow?” I grasped the jump drive and for some reason, I was even more nervous than before.
“That is correct, Ms. Mitchell, unless you don’t believe you’re capable of providing such an important document in that length of time.
” For the first time in I don’t know how long, his face shifted as a smile appeared.
Not big like someone who was happy, enjoying the moment or their life, but big and bold enough on him that I was almost tossed from my chair.
I wasn’t certain whether he was goading or challenging me, but either way, he wasn’t going to come out the victor. I was. To him this might be nothing but a game to ease his boredom, but this was my life. Nothing was going to stop me from getting what I wanted.
“Of course not, sir. I’m a whiz with numbers. And don’t worry, Mr. Chertov, I will be thorough as I am with everything else.”
“I’m certain that you will as you’re very detail oriented. I don’t think I need to tell you this, but with exploring avenues such as developing strategic partnerships, we could develop enemies very easily. I must say I wonder if your intent is solely about the company or about a personal gain.”
I had no idea what enemies he was talking about. Personal gain? If he meant growth so I could consider advancing my career, he was right.
His mouth curved and my eyes were drawn to his lips. They were plump, rosy, and my mind drifted to places where good girls shouldn’t go, and professional women were crucified by thinking.
But there was another flash of amusement. This was a test. The bastard.
Maybe now I’d finally confirm he was a sadistic man and stop fantasizing about him. I had way too much material, almost all keeping me awake at night and my vibrators busy.
“Is that all, Mr. Chertov? If so, I should get back to my desk and ensure we don’t have anyone eager to be added to our enemies list.”
“You can go.” Everything about his expression was different than before, his usually cool eyes reflecting something much darker.
Even more dangerous.
As if seeing me in an entirely new light.
I’d experienced flirtation before, including when serving as a barista. I had my share of admirers and could always easily tell what they were thinking.
Not this man.
Right now, I wasn’t thinking of him as Mr. Chertov, my boss and a powerful man within the company. I was seeing a different side of him, somewhat playful while challenging both my motives and my knowledge. More like the man I’d met at the party.
His eyes locked onto mine with almost an obsessive focus.
I’d gathered him to be an obsessive person, but this was something else entirely. This was as if he’d seen through my private layer of armor that was necessary in this industry, exposing my thoughts and desires.
But for what purpose?
A slow and steady chill shifted down my spine.
Maybe I should throw caution to the wind.
After all, why should I provide such a detailed report, which would take me hours to complete, without obtaining something in return?
Yes, I had a job to do and analyzing financial data was in my job description.
However, what he was asking went above and beyond my typical duties and stood a chance of making the company and perhaps him personally significant bucks if things went as well as I knew they could.
Why shouldn’t I get a piece of the pie?
“Mr. Chertov. As I said before, I’m happy, even eager to provide you with a detailed report.”
“But?” He tilted his head almost as if in anticipation I wanted more.
“But I want to be involved.”
He was either hot or cold in his reactions, both so subtle those who didn’t know him would miss it.
I didn’t.
The amusement had drifted into intrigue. “And exactly what would that be, Ms. Mitchell?”
Shit. He’d called my bluff and I had no idea what I wanted. “A true position as financial analyst and not in name only. I’d like to be involved in the decision-making process of moving the company forward. In addition, I’d like a percentage of any contract that I proctored for you.”
Why not shoot for the moon?
“You’re asking for a significant increase in responsibilities as well as salary and benefits. Are you certain you’re ready to handle moving into an executive level position?”
“I am.” I stated the two words with confidence.
He took a deep breath, holding it in his lungs for a few seconds before exhaling. “As you might imagine, Ms. Mitchell, often companies are required to move into gray areas within business techniques. Are you prepared to face both the difficulties in doing so and the possible consequences?”
Gray areas. I looked him square in the eyes. The term ‘no pain, no gain’ wasn’t truly appropriate in this instance, but those were the only words that came to mind. “I am.”
His features softened and this time, I couldn’t read him at all. “Then I guess we’ll see.”
“Understood.”
“I hope you do because if I trust you enough to offer a promotion, there is no going back.”
No going back. I wasn’t certain what he was insinuating, but I wasn’t prepared to ask because I wasn’t certain I wanted to know the answer. “As I said before, I understand.”
I was somewhat queasy when I stood, the swarming butterflies indicating I’d stepped into a mess of something. Nodding as he’d done with me, I turned toward the door, fighting with myself to keep from racing through it. I was both nervous and excited at the opportunity.
“Just for the record, Ms. Mitchell, I absolutely adore and value strong, intelligent women who don’t mind getting a little dirty while handling business.”
What?
The words were like the ones I’d…
My head was swimming, his words echoing. There wasn’t a chance that… No. No way.
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.” When I opened the door, I thought I heard him chuckle.
“There’s one more thing, Saige. I tend to savor children for dessert instead of breakfast. It gives me something to look forward to in my dull drudgery of a life.”