I nod. “It can’t be that hard. I hope.” I add.
“I know you’ll be great, Tori. Maybe the best I’ve ever had?”
“Excuse me?” My breath catches in my throat. Was that a double entendre?
“At reception.” He stutters a bit. “You’re a smart, beautiful woman. I’m sure you’ve got the skills.” His eyes dart right to my breasts, and I nearly soak my chair.
“I will be the best you’ve ever had, Zaid,” I say. Two can play this game. “I guarantee it.” His green eyes sparkle, crinkling at the edges when he smiles. My heart is beating triple by the time he walks away.
I let out a long exhale, reach for the stupid receptionist binder, and try again to push down the guilt of flirting with Zaid who is not only my best friend’s brother, but now he’s my boss, too. Besides, I didn’t come to NYC to fall in love. I came here to find success, and if there’s a digital department here at The Zarin Group, I’m damn well sure going to be a part of it!
And I won’t let anyone stop me.
4
Zaid
Maybe this was a bad ideaafter all. I can’t keep my eyes off of Tori. It’s a good thing she’s behind the desk because that figure of hers is sending my dick into overdrive. It doesn’t look good for the boss to be walking around, with a raging hard-on. Dammit, I can’t help it. Those curves of hers should come with a warning. Her soft, full body begs to be touched. Tori does things to me that no woman has ever done.
Separating work from pleasure will not be easy. It’s a good thing she’s only a temp. I don’t think I could control myself if we had to abide by my strict no dating policy.
Since the tour, I’ve avoided walking by her, busying myself with meetings and tasks. My to-do list has never been checked off so quickly. It surprises even me when I’m done only an hour after quitting time, as opposed to my normal three or four. It’s for the best; Tori’s probably gone by now. It’s pure hell walking by her without being able to act on my feelings. If only I’d asked her out last Friday when we met for drinks instead of offering her a job.
What in the actual hell was I thinking?
I gather my things and lock my door, then make my way to the front. The office is mostly quiet, so it takes me by surprise when I round the corner to find Tori still sitting at her desk, her face, a mask of concentration. With her nose so close to the screen, she looks like she’s studying something under a magnifying glass. So deep in concentration, she doesn’t even hear me approach.
“What are you still doing here?”
“Oh, God!” She gasps, and fumbles for her mouse. Her screen goes black. “Jesus, Zaid you scared the crap out of me.” I peer at her sleeping iMac. What the hell was she looking at?
“I thought you’d be long gone.”
“I got caught up in something.” Her defensive tone is punchy.
“Well, are you done? I thought maybe we could grab a drink?”
No, Zaid. That’s not a good idea…The way I feel about Tori, with a little liquid courage in my system, there’s no way I could keep my hands off her incredible body.
“Oh, um…” Tori licks her full lips. “I really need to get home.”
“Oh.”
“I just still have a lot of work to do.”
“Receptionist work?”
“No, finding a permanent job, work.”
My chest tightens. “That makes sense,” I say, but part of my ego drops into my shoes; Maybe doesn’twantto have a drink with me.
“So, I’ll see you tomorrow?” Her copper hair sticks up on the side, like she’s been running her fingers through it and forgot to brush it back down. I resist the urge to fix it for her. Even touching her silky hair may be crossing the line.
“I’ll be here.” I force a smile. “I kind of have to be.”
“Oddly enough, I do too.” Tori’s forced smile matches my own.
“Well,” I look down at my shoes before raising my eyes to meet hers. “Goodnight, Tori.”