Chapter 11
Jade
M aking it to the large office building of Bright Investments with half an hour to spare, I grab a latte from the coffee shop around the corner and take a seat on a bench opposite, not wanting to seem too eager.
I sip my drink as I immerse myself in the noise of the commuters on their phones as they rush to work, the sound of their shoes clicking on the pavement. There are honks of horns from the busy road behind, and surprisingly, I find all this chaos calming.
I gaze up at the thirty-something-story building in front of me. A tower of glass and architecture that is truly unique. It stands out against the other office buildings as it towers above them. The early morning sun reflects off the glass, making it look almost like a beacon. Above the elaborate entrance, the company name is displayed in a deep midnight blue, with gold accents, the colors a trademark of Bright Investments .
After finishing my coffee, I toss the cup in the nearby bin and walk towards the entrance, giving myself a little pep talk in the process.
Once I’m through the large revolving doors, I cross the lobby where the theme of blue and gold accents flows throughout. A team of professional men and women are busy taking phone calls. They’re speaking French, German, Mandarin, you name it, they’re speaking it. I’m so entranced I don’t hear the receptionist ask how they can help until the person behind whispers in a deep American accent. “I think you’re next.”
Jumping out of my skin. I come face to face, or more like chest to face, with a gorgeous man smiling down at me. Trailing my eyes up his body I take in his appearance. Blond hair, perfectly styled into that ‘just fucked’ style; gray eyes, the color of steel, which seem to be boring into my soul. His jaw is so strong I bet he could cut glass with it. The suit he is wearing has obviously been custom made to fit him. Noticing me blatantly checking him out, he gives me a slow, sexy smile. When that smile reaches his eyes, a dimple appears on his left cheek. This man is undoubtedly sexy, and definitely, bad news.
“You okay?” he smirks at me.
“Yes, sorry. I forgot where I was for a moment,” I say as I feel my face flush with embarrassment.
“Wherever you were, it looked like a lot of fun.” This time he gives a little chuckle.
Giving myself a mental shake, I nod at the ridiculously gorgeous man, moving to speak to the receptionist, who gives me a knowing smile.
“How can I help you today, Miss?” He lowers his voice so only I can hear the next part. “Or do you need help from someone else?” His eyes sparkle with mischief.
Laughing nervously, I plead with my eyes for him not to say anymore.
“Don’t worry, sweetie, that man gets us all in a pickle. Mr. Leo Brent is, without doubt, someone I would love to take a bite out of, but honey, he doesn’t play for my team. But I bet you could have some fun.” Wiggling his perfectly sculpted eyebrows at me, my cheeks heat at his suggestion.
I try and chance a look at Leo again, hoping he doesn’t notice. Luckily, he’s now on his phone and paying us no attention. “Jesus, it’s unfair for anyone to be that hot.” I look at the receptionist, noticing his shoulders shake as he starts to laugh uncontrollably. Forcing myself to keep it together, I try not to make it obvious that we’re talking about Leo. But it’s hard when his laughter is so infectious. I start laughing too.
“Oh God, you've made my morning.” He wipes tears from his eyes. “I need to be somewhat professional, else Jan will have my balls.” He points to a graying older lady in an office just to the right who’s scowling at her computer screen while simultaneously screaming down the phone. He shudders. “So, honey, how can I help?”
“Oh, right, the actual reason I’m here. I’m Jade Wilde. I’m here to meet with the CEO, Mr. Stone, and Mrs. Frost from HR. I'm the new Financial Associate, which hopefully is a job I still have based on this little encounter.” My nerves come back in full force.
“I’m Dexter. Lovely to meet you. My partner, Ted, will be your PA.” He leans across the desk as he whispers, “He’ll definitely like you better than the previous associate.” He shakes his head as his face screws up in distaste as if just thinking about the old employee physically repulses him. “Let me get you sorted so you can access the elevators here.” He busies himself getting everything together, then jumps up, startling me. “Here you go,” he says, passing me my security pass.
“Thanks.” I take it. “Did you not like the old associate?”
“Oh no, sweetie. That man walked around here like he owned it. Also, you knew he was in the building before you saw him. If you know what I mean.” He holds his nose to emphasize his point. “Honestly, I’ve never known a more arrogant man in my life. Looked down on us here on reception like we were minions to do his bidding. Hopefully, you and my Ted will get along and he’ll be much happier because I love that man with all my heart, but he has been so cranky to live with lately. And to top it off, he never questioned anything Mr. Stone said, who wasn’t too impressed either. He likes a good argument.”
“Well, I don’t kneel for anyone,” I say, giving him a wink. “If I don’t agree then Mr. Stone will know about it. I’ve not made it this far, being a ‘yes woman’.”
Dexter’s lips tip upwards and his eyes sparkle. “Perfect. Mr. Stone needs someone who’ll keep him on his toes. He’s a lovely man, but I haven’t seen him smiling lately. So serious all the time and that smile of his is deadly. Maybe you can bring out his fun side.”
“I’ll try.”
“Right, let’s get you where you need to be. You need to take the elevator to floor thirty and one of the girls will take care of you.’
“Thank you. I hope you have a lovely day.” Heading towards the elevator I give him a little finger wave, which he returns, then resting his head on his hands, he stares dreamily towards me. Confused, I glance to my left and find myself standing next to Leo, his Tom Ford aftershave surrounding me.
“So, you’re our new Financial Associate?” His deep baritone voice hits my ears, triggering memories of another American that I can’t seem to forget, but I push those aside.
“It’s rude to listen to people’s conversations,” I reply, knowing I’m being sassy.
“It’s also rude to stare, Miss Wilde.” I can’t help myself. I start laughing, which makes Leo give a deep chuckle.
“Dexter’s right. Mr. Stone has no idea what he's gotten himself into, does he?”
He shakes his head, which makes his blond hair fall into his eyes. He swipes it away, the movement undoubtedly sexy. Shit, I’ve been reading too many billionaire romances.
“I’ve only been in the building for five minutes and already you think you have me all figured out?” I give a nervous laugh.
“Not by a long shot, Miss Wilde.” His gaze is playful and as the elevator arrives he gestures for me to enter first.
Stepping inside, I press the button for my floor, and turn to Leo. “That’s my floor too.”
The elevator doors close, trapping us in the confined space. I shuffle slightly in my heels and grip the handle of my tote tighter to try to stop my hands from shaking as my heart pounds in my chest. As realization hits that I’m actually here.
“I should really introduce myself considering I overheard your name and reason for being here,” he says, extending his hand. “Leo Brent, CFO, but I’m assuming Dexter filled you in?” My hands stop trembling at his calming tone and gesture as his hand envelopes mine.
“He briefly told me who you were, yes.” I release his hand, repositioning my grip on my tote.
“Trust Dexter. That guy dances to his own beat, but you can’t help but love him.”
“He does seem quite the character.”
“That he is. I mainly work out of the London office and from what I can take from your personality from this very brief encounter, Miss Wilde, you’ll fit in here perfectly.”
“Thank you, Mr. Brent, but please, Jade is just fine. Miss Wilde seems far too formal. I just hope I don’t say something stupid and mess this up. I tend to just say whatever comes to mind and think about it afterwards. Truth be told, I've wanted to work here for as long as I can remember.”
“Please call me Leo, and I think Mr. Stone needs someone to tell him how it is. Someone without a filter, because while I love him like a brother, people bend over for him, literally and figuratively because of who is and what he can do for them.”
So, Mr. Stone is a player who takes full advantage, by the sounds of things. Noted.
The elevator reaches our floor and Leo, ever the gentleman, gestures for me to exit first. “Good luck, Jade. I hope to see you again very soon.”
“Thank you.” I give him a nod. “Any final words of wisdom?”
He pins me with a stare while he looks like he’s assessing what he’s going to say. “Be yourself and give him hell.” He winks and wishes the receptionists a good morning as he walks away. I turn to the receptionist but her eyes are trained on a certain CFO with a faraway look on her face. I wait as I don't want to ruin her moment because I can’t blame her. When he’s out of view she realizes I’m there and she winces at being caught checking out Leo. “So sorry, that’s terribly unprofessional, how can I help?”
“No need to apologize. That man is something else.”
“I think that every morning.” She sighs.
“I’m Jade Wilde. I’m here to meet with Mr. Stone?”
“Oh, lovely.” She picks up her phone. “Just bear with me I’ll check with his PA that he’s ready for you. Take a seat.”
I take a seat on the navy couch opposite. The fear is really starting to sink in now. I know I can do this job. I’ve done it for years but just on a smaller scale. I’ve got the drive. I've never let anyone stand in the way of what I want. Some call it bossy, I call it assertive and determined. It’s always infuriated me that men can act a certain way and are deemed as strong, successful businessmen, but when a woman shows the same passion, she is bossy, rude, and has ideas above her station. Well, this bossy bitch is owning it. I want this and I’m taking it.
It’s not long before I see the receptionist making her way toward me. “You ready, Jade?”
“Thank you.” Standing, I straighten my dress, placing my bag over my shoulder.
Glancing down, she spots my shoes. “I’ve true shoe envy. God, what I would do to own a pair of those. Please tell me your really rich, amazing boyfriend didn’t give them to you because then I would be even more envious of you.”
I laugh. “Nope. Just ate noodles for a month so I could afford them. No sugar daddy for me. I work for my own money.”
“I could tell I’d like you.” A genuine smile tugs at her lips and I can’t help but return it. “Here we are. Good luck Jade, we need more women like you up on the top floor.”
“Thank you, that means so much.” She knocks on what I assume is Mr. Stone’s office door.
“Come in.’ I get a slight sense of Deja vu at the tone of that voice but I knock that notion out of my head.
“I've Miss Wilde for you, sir.
“Perfect, send her in.” My brow creases at the deep tone. Seriously, why do I feel like I know that voice?
Taking a deep breath I step through the door. "Good morning, Mr. Stone, it’s…” I trail off as my eyes land on the man standing in front of me.
Because Hunter Stone—my new boss—is also my mysterious Gladiator.