“Either.”
She chewed her lip, smoothing her hands over the little skirt I’d fantasized about all day.
“Well, I was wondering… obviously, Colin knows a few details about my contract since he’s been training me on the resort information. But what does the rest of your office know about my role in this company? Do they know… what I was hired for?”
“Absolutely not. As far as the office is concerned, you’re training to be a third assistant. They won’t at any point learn about the specifics of your contract. It’s sensitive information.”
“Okay, thank God,” she breathed. “I just wouldn’t want my role here to be misconstrued, considering how it’s kind of… risqué in nature. I obviously trust you with the information, but not anyone else.”
“Understood entirely. No one in this office or building will know about your contract. I have no intention of putting you in a position where you could be viewed differently here.”
“I appreciate it,” Sara said with relief. A mischievous smile twitched on her lips. “I take it then that what happens in the elevator before work is an exception.”
“Actually, I called you in here to touch upon that.”
“Oh?” She arched an eyebrow. “What exactly would you like to touch upon?”
Her phrasing lured my eyes down to her tight little body. What would I like to touch upon? I had a lot of answers for that question, none of them usable.
Just fucking say it, Hoult.
“I wanted to talk to you about a rule I’ve enforced at this company for as long as it’s been around. It applies to everyone, myself included, and it’s been crucial for us in terms of running business in a seamless, strictly professional way,” I said. I took in the slowly changing look on her face.
Gradually, her faint smile fell. Her warmth and any hint of playfulness faded into something guarded, stiff. I hated being responsible for that, but I forced myself to go on.
“In short, I have a zero tolerance rule on interoffice dating. Romances, sexual relations of any kind – they’re all off the table, and I felt the need to tell you that despite your unique contract, and despite what happened between us before work this morning, I can’t allow any exceptions to that rule.”
Sara raised her eyebrows high.
“So, what happened this morning didn’t count?” she asked slowly. “Simply because I hadn’t officially started the job yet?”
“I didn’t come in this morning with the intention of taking advantage of some loophole. I hadn’t actually thought about it. My intention was to be professional with you from the start. Of course, I didn’t exactly control myself as I should have this morning, and I take full responsibility for that,” I said. “But moving forward, I hope we can start anew and give your contract with this company the full respect it deserves.”
I waited for some form of confusion or protest when I finished. I’d prepared myself for it, but there was only a moment of pause before Sara blinked and nodded.
“Okay.”
My eyebrows lifted. I studied her, unsure if I should feel relieved or wary.
“I appreciate your understanding,” I said, my gaze still trained with uncertainty on her as she rose from her seat. She caught my expression and broke into a smile.
“Of course. You might not know this, but if anyone were to understand work rules, it’s me,” she said.
“Then that’s a relief to hear. And thank you again for understanding,” I said, unable to take my eyes off of her. “I do appreciate it.”
“Well, I appreciate the opportunity just to work here,” she said breezily. “It’s crazy how much I’ve picked up from your staff in one day. I’m pretty sure I’ll learn quite a few things in just a few months here.”
“I hope that you do.”
Her dark eyes glimmered as she nodded. “Is that all you wanted to discuss with me, Mr. Hoult?”
Mr. Hoult. My instinct was to invite her to call me Julian, but I refrained.
“Yes,” I said. “That’s all. You’re free to leave for the day.”
“Great. Thank you again for everything,” she said on her way out. “And have a good night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You too,” I returned, memorizing the smile she flashed me over her shoulder before letting that tight ass hypnotize me on the way out.