5. Ava
Ava
Ipull on the black dress and step in front of the mirror.
“No,” I mutter. “I’m trying too hard.”
I take it off and go pick up the slacks I pulled out earlier. I put them on and then the heels.
Now, I am getting somewhere.
“Now, what blouse?”
It feels like I am dressing for a red-carpet event instead of a damn interview.
I rummage through my closet, pulling out a crisp white blouse with a subtle ruffled neckline. It’s professional but not boring—sharp enough to make an impression without overcompensating. I slip it on, buttoning it up quickly, and turn back to the mirror.
Better. Much better.
The slacks hug my hips just right, and the heels give me an extra inch of confidence I desperately need today.
I run a hand through my hair, debating whether to leave it down or tie it back.
Down feels too casual, so I twist it into a sleek low bun, securing it with a couple of bobby pins.
A swipe of mascara, a dab of lip gloss, and I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
I grab my bag and check my phone. Forty-five minutes until the interview.
Perfect timing. As I head out the door, I can’t shake the nervous flutter in my chest. This isn’t just any interview.
It’s my only interview. If I don’t get the job, I’ll be forced to start looking for any job. Anything that would give me a paycheck.
I park my car in the parking garage and make my way to the building.
The elevator doors slide open, and I step into the sleek, modern lobby.
My heels click against the polished floor, echoing in the vast space.
The walls are lined with glass and steel, and the air smells faintly of coffee and glass cleaner.
I make my way to the bank of elevators. Sullivan Tech owns the building and occupies the top four floors.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. This is it. The interview I’ve been preparing for all week. The job I need.
When the elevator doors slide open again, butterflies take flight in my belly. A sleek, curved desk with big shiny lettering for Sullivan Tech greets me. A minimalist vase holding a single orchid is the only thing on the desk. It’s all very sleek and modern. And maybe a little cold.
Behind the desk, a young woman with her hair in a sharp bob and a headset tucked discreetly into one ear greets me with a smile while she’s talking into the tiny microphone.
I look to my left and see what almost looks like a living room. Overstuffed chairs, sofas, and a table set up in the corner with baskets of goodies, an espresso machine, and a cooler that you would see in a gas station filled with soft drinks, water, and every juice known to mankind.
“Can I help you?”
I pull my attention back to the receptionist. “I’m here for an interview. Ava Coleman. I was told to check in here.”
“Yes. I’ll let them know you’re here. Have a seat.”
I smile, my stomach twisting into knots. My palms are sweaty, and my heart is pounding in my chest. I don’t know why. It’s just an interview. I’ve interviewed before. But this is the job. The one I’ve been waiting for. The job I’ve been working toward since the first day I started school.
I sit down in one of the overstuffed chairs, smoothing my slacks and crossing my legs at the ankles. The receptionist murmurs something into her headset, her eyes flicking to me briefly before she turns back to her computer.
My mind starts to wander, and before I can stop it, I’m thinking about him. Nick. It’s not like I’ve been able to stop thinking about him.
“Ms. Coleman?”
My stomach rolls. I look up to see a woman standing in front of me, her smile polite but professional. She’s wearing a tailored, navy suit, her hair pulled back into a no-nonsense ponytail. “I’m Sarah. Come with me.”
I nod, standing up and smoothing my blouse one more time. I fall into step behind her as we walk down a long corridor lined with doors that I assume go to offices.
I force myself to relax. Sarah leads me into a large office and closes the door behind us.
“Have a seat,” she says.
I sit down, telling myself to relax. It’s just an interview.
“Thank you for coming,” she says with a smile. “Let’s get started.”
The interview goes better than I expect.
The questions are tough, but I’m prepared.
I talk about my degree in business administration, my experience working in the human resources department as an intern, and my passion for helping people thrive in their careers.
I can tell she’s impressed by the way she nods along.
By the time we’re done, she’s smiling.
“Ava, I have to say, I’m really impressed,” she says, leaning back in her chair. “You’ve got a great mix of education and experience, and I think you’d be a fantastic fit for this role.”
My heart skips a beat. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
She nods, tapping her pen against the table. “I don’t usually do this, but I’d like to offer you the job on the spot. What do you say?”
For a moment, I’m speechless. This is everything I’ve been working for, everything I need. But then I remember whose company this is, and my stomach twists again.
“I …” I hesitate, my mind racing. It’s a huge office. I’m sure his office is on the top floor. I’d be down here. The chances of us crossing paths are nominal. “I’d love to accept. Thank you.”
She smiles, standing up to shake my hand. “Welcome to the team, Ava. We’re thrilled to have you.”
“Thank you.”
“I need to put together the employment package. Can you start Monday morning?”
I nod. “Absolutely.”
“Perfect,” she says.
Her phone rings.
“I’ll show myself out,” I say. “Thank you so much.”
I leave her office feeling like I’m floating. This is it. A fresh start. A chance to prove myself.
I push the button for the elevator. The doors slide open, and there he is.
Nick.
My stomach drops.
“Ava,” he says with clear surprise. “What are you doing here?”
I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest. “I … I just had an interview.”
His eyes narrow. “An interview?”
“Yes,” I say, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I just got hired. So, if you could not ruin this for me, that’d be great.”
He stares at me for a long moment. “In. Now.”
I don’t know why I do it, but I step into the elevator.
He presses the button for the top floor.
“Wait, where are we going?” I ask. “I’m leaving. I step forward to push the button for the lobby, but he levels a stare at me.
I step back, my heart skipping a beat
“My office,” he growls. “Now.”
I want to argue, to tell him to back off, but I can’t. His voice is more a growl. I have heard that growl before.
He’d been deep inside me. The memory sends a blast of heat through my veins.
His predatory gaze triggers something inside me. There’s possession there.
Being trapped in an elevator with him is about the last place I want to be. But dammit, there’s a traitor inside me that’s thrilled to be near him.
I can smell him. I’m transported to that night. I can’t stop the shiver of desire that washes over me. I remember the way his hands felt on my skin. The feel of his cock in my hand. The way he tasted.
“You can’t just—” I start, but he cuts me off.
“I can. And I will.”
The elevator jerks to a stop, and the doors open. He says nothing, expecting me to follow him.
And I do.
He walks down a hall. This floor has a different design. There are several pods of sorts with three or four desks pushed together in the center. Along the wall are large offices. People seem to take notice of Nick.
I notice a woman giving me a dirty look. She’s tall and blonde, with bright red lips and a cold expression. I shake it off, trying to focus on the situation at hand.
Nick’s office is exactly what I expected—sleek, modern, and impeccably organized. He closes the door behind us and turns to face me, his arms crossed.
“What the hell are you playing at, Ava?” he demands.
I blink, taken aback by his tone. “I’m not playing at anything. I needed a job, and this one came up. I applied. That’s it.”
“You knew it was my company,” he says, his eyes narrowing.
“Yes,” I admit with a nod.
“You think fucking me is a way to get a job?”
“If I did, wouldn’t I have demanded a job from you?” I shoot back. “I didn’t ask you for anything.”
“You just happened to show up at my company?”
“I assumed you were rarely here. You’re always off somewhere, doing whatever. I’m not stalking you, Nick. I just needed a job. Don’t flatter yourself.”
He stares at me, his expression unreadable. Then he sighs, running a hand through his hair.
“This is a bad idea,” he mutters, more to himself than to me.
“Why?” I ask. “Because you can’t handle being around me? Because you’re afraid I’ll remind you of what happened in Mexico?”
His eyes snap to mine, and for a moment, I think I’ve gone too far. But then he looks away, his jaw tight.
“This isn’t about that,” he snaps. “This is about professionalism. You’re going to be working in my company, Ava. I need to know you can handle that.”
“I can handle it,” I say. “But if you’re so worried about it, maybe I should just quit.
Never mind. Forget it. It’s not like I’m going to brag about being a notch on your bedpost. Trust me, I feel like an idiot.
I know I’ve joined the masses of women you’ve banged. That’s not something I’m proud of.”
Nick’s jaw tightens, but he says nothing.
I turn to leave. My earlier elation is gone. I’ll be applying at the Italian restaurant across the street from my complex. He steps in front of me, blocking my path.
“Wait,” he says, his voice softer now. “Don’t quit.”
I stop, looking up at him.
“Stay,” he says finally. “It’ll work. I know you’re not after anything.”
I hesitate, my heart pounding in my chest. “Are you sure?”
He nods, though he doesn’t look happy about it. “Yeah. Just stay out of my way, okay? I don’t shit where I eat.”
“I don’t know what that means, but gross.”
He smirks. “Sorry. I don’t mix business with pleasure.”
“Nick, I think we both know what happened in Mexico was a one-time thing, right?”
Why am I asking him? Am I actually hoping he’ll say no?
“Yes,” he says. “Does your brother know?”
“No! I don’t want him to know. Please. That would be awkward.”
“No shit,” he mutters.
“Okay. So … we’re good? I can start on Monday, and we can just pretend that incident never happened?”
“Yeah. We’re good.”
He steps aside, finally letting me pass.
I walk out of his office without another word, my heels clicking against the polished floor.
The blonde woman from earlier is still there, standing by one of the pods with a coffee cup in hand.
Her eyes follow me as I head toward the elevator.
I can feel her gaze burning into my back until the doors close.
I got the job.
Now I just have to survive it.