Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
CHARLI
Tugging on my collar for the hundredth time, I ride the elevator up to Teague’s office on Monday morning.
Good thing Macklin brought my coat to me on Saturday as well as the code for the garage, or I’d have been in a world of hurt this morning.
Not that I’m upset about the thirteen inches of snow or that it’s still falling.
I need the pass to close. But I’m not used to the frigid temps or driving in the stuff, and it took forever to get from my apartment to the coffee shop this morning, but I did it. By myself.
Teague didn’t say where I’d be sitting when he stopped by Sunday to check on me, so hopefully he’s in his office. The elevator dings and the doors open, revealing Teague in a sharp navy suit, arms crossed, eyes dark and stormy. He glances at his watch.
Am I late? I lift my phone. 7:28. Phew. The tightness in my chest eases as I close the distance between us.
“Good morning,” I say cheerfully, offering him a cup. “It’s from the little coffee shop off Main. I didn’t know how you liked it, so I got you black. But if you prefer something else, I’m happy to add it to my order tomorrow.”
He stares at it like it’s a snake, but with a huff, he takes it from me. “I don’t like the idea of you driving in this snow to get coffee. Especially not for me. Besides, we have coffee here in the break room.” His eyes narrow. “What did you get?”
Pretty proud of the way I handled driving in the snow this morning, I nod, knowing I’ll need to switch to the office coffee in order to save money, but I’m celebrating my first day. “A campfire mocha. It’s delicious. Do you want a sip?”
He shakes his head, but there’s a smile teasing his lips. “We’ve got a busy day. Hope you’re ready to jump in.” Taking a swig of his own coffee, he heads to his office, with me hurrying behind him.
Those few minutes set the tone for the entire day. Teague’s a machine, meeting with various staff on budget, strategy, you name it. Any issues are dealt with quickly and concisely.
In the software development meeting, I make sure to document everything. This is one of the projects he’s assigned to me, and I don’t want to let him down.
Instead of lunch, he pulls me into a conference room where Andros is meeting with his legal team on the sale of the telematics company.
“Everyone, I want to introduce you to Charli Ford. She’s my new PA. I’ve assigned her to this project so she can keep me up to date on the latest,” Teague announces as he takes a seat and motions for me to do the same.
Intense, caramel-colored brown eyes land on me for a brief second, irritation in their depths, suggesting this is the first time Andros is hearing of my involvement. I drop my gaze from his and shift uncomfortably in my chair.
Several people utter a welcome or offer a smile, but their attention quickly returns to Andros.
All except one guy with dark hair and hazel eyes who blatantly checks me out, then winks. “Maybe I need a PA.”
Teague growls and jumps to his feet, but shockingly, Andros is already lifting the guy by the neck as if he weighs nothing. How did he get over there so fast? I didn’t see him move. The guy claws at the black leather hand wrapped around his throat, but Andros doesn’t flinch.
I move closer to Teague and grip his arm. Is Andros going to strangle him to death right in front of us? A muscle jumps in Andros’ jaw, and he tightens his hand even further. I wait for Teague to say something, but all he does is clear his throat. Andros flashes me a sideways glance and sighs.
“Clearly you need some manners,” Andros says in the coldest tone I’ve ever heard anyone use. He walks over to the door and tosses the guy out of the room. “I’ll see you in my office in precisely one hour.”
The man’s face pales, but he pushes himself to his feet and walks away.
Andros straightens his jacket and calmly resumes the meeting as if he didn’t almost kill a guy for being a sleezy jerk.
“Most of the requested revisions are acceptable except for three: the ten percent share of Granite Securities, the clause concerning production, and the ownership transfer of the patent.”
I swallow and reluctantly release Teague’s arm to open my laptop. Ignoring my shaking hands, I update my notes and pause, waiting for Andros to continue.
Andros folds his arms across his chest. “Those are non-negotiables. Strike them from the contract and send it back. No explanation.”
Teague stands but motions for me to stay. “Agreed. Tell them to take it or leave it. We’ve spent enough time negotiating with them. There are other buyers.” Andros nods. “I believe Charli’s on your schedule for the next hour.” He glances at me, then leaves.
I open my mouth to protest, then shut it.
A little violence isn’t going to make me leave the highest-paying job I’ll likely ever get.
For the next thirty minutes, Andros and his team work through all the contract changes, and my fingers fly across the keys, documenting everything.
When they’re finished, he gathers his things and picks up his phone.
“Send me the final, and I’ll do a last read through,” Andros orders them, then strides to the door. “Coming?”
I look around, but nobody is moving. Oops, he means me. Scrambling, I pick up my laptop and follow him out.
Not once does he glance in my direction. His entire focus is on his phone. He enters the large office at the end of the hallway and sets his things down on the desk. I wait for him to begin, but he’s busy jotting down a few notes, his hands still encased in leather.
Why is Andros wearing gloves in the office? Is something wrong with his hands? Or does he not like touching people? If that’s the reason, I can relate. But it makes me curious. Although not enough to actually ask him.
If I saw him on the street, I’d never believe he was a vampire, but knowing is a different story.
I can’t unsee it. Curious about Teague and Macklin’s mysterious roommate, I scan the room.
Unlike Teague’s office, Andros’ doesn’t have a fireplace.
Bookshelves line two walls, stuffed full of thick legal tomes, the gold embossing on their spines gleaming in the bright sun.
There’s a leather couch on the opposite wall along with a marble coffee table, where a lone cup and saucer sit.
A deep red, antique-looking rug completes the cozy sitting area.
There’s nothing remotely personal in this office, no clues as to what he likes or values.
Andros clears his throat, and I swing my focus back to him, cataloging all the little details I missed in my sketch. Like how his stern lips are fuller than they first appear. Or how the umber undertone in his burnished brown hair makes it appear rich and glossy.
For a few long seconds, he stares at me, and there’s something about his intensity that makes me more aware of myself.
How fast I’m breathing. The pulse at the base of my throat.
The slump to my shoulders. Why does it feel like he’s a predator cataloging my weaknesses?
I straighten in my chair and clasp my hands together in an attempt to appear calm.
“I’m not sure why Teague assigned you to this project but let me be very clear.
It’s up to you to get up to speed. My team doesn’t have the bandwidth to help you, especially now that we’re down a member,” he begins, his caramel-colored gaze pinning me to my chair.
“Do not get in their way or cause them extra work. Slacking off will not be tolerated. Nor is using your position to gain favor with them or me. Understood?”
I swallow hard and nod. “Completely.”
He tilts his head. “I don’t know if you’re as innocent as you look or a siren in disguise. You’ve been here…what? Five days? Macklin’s already lost his infamous control, and Teague’s in a fucking snit because you left and went home without telling him.”
Does everyone know about the Wolf’s Den? And is that why Teague was irritated this morning? He didn’t get my note?
He taps on his desk, and I refocus. “Make no mistake. I’m not them. I won’t tolerate disruptions or drama, nor do I care what you do with someone else. Vampires don’t have mates. We fuck and move on. Got it?”
Is a mate like a wife? Does he think I’m interested in him?
Heat crawls up my neck. “You and I…I’m not…
interested in…anything.” I stumble over my words as I try to assure him that I haven’t thought of him in that way.
Women probably throw themselves at him, but I’m not delusional.
I’m sure the women he dates are elegant and experienced, not a scarred twenty-three-year-old whose one time in college was over in two minutes.
He stiffens, and his rich, caramel-colored brown eyes turn cold and dark. “Good. Glad that’s cleared up. I’ll make sure any meetings pertaining to the sale of the telematics company are added to your calendar. That will be all.”
Crushing my laptop to my chest, I turn toward the door.
“Wait,” he snaps, and I halt. “I apologize for Martin’s behavior this morning. Sexual harassment is not acceptable. It will never happen again.”
I nod and continue out the door.
Martin passes me in the hall, his lip curling in a sneer. “You better watch your back, bitch. I don’t care whose PA you are.” His expression smooths, and he pastes a contrite expression on his face. “I’m so sorry for my behavior this morning. I honestly didn’t mean it like it might have sounded.”
My brow furrows at his abrupt change. I glance over my shoulder and see Andros standing at the door to his office.
“Martin,” Andros says, his eyes flicking between the two of us as he waits for Martin to enter, then he closes the door.