My hands are animated as my temper rises. “You were wrong out there.”
“Considering the exorbitant amount of money that I shove his way, he can refrain from getting friendly with you.” He reaches for my hips, thrusting me into his body. I can feel the firmness of his taut muscles. My mind is fuzzy with the need to melt into him and the desire to slap him all at the same time. He lets out a sigh. “He cannot do his job, Angie, if he is emotionally invested.”
“That’s not true,” I huff. “Besides, throwing money at someone doesn’t give you the right to be a jerk. Plus, his job was to collect me from school. Mission accomplished.” Just when I think I have said my piece, I remember the reason why I am here in the first place. “Oh, and do you think that throwing a quarter of a million at me will get me to bend to your whim and be at your beck and call?”
I try to twist out of his arms, but he holds me still. I feel safe, despite the growing anxiety in my belly over the whole situation. I am here to discuss his barbaric tendencies. I am not here to give this man further assurance that his methods are working.
Graham exhales, moving one hand from the small of my back to run through his thick hair. “We should not be arguing over this right now.”
“You brought it up,” I mumble, focusing on his sensual actions. He’s too close to me. Every time we are this close, I lose control.
His arms release me and gently turn me around so my back is to his front. He helps me set down my bag and get out of my green coat. “You look very nice in jeans and casual clothes. Very pretty.”
I whisper my thanks, noting his smooth ability to change the subject.I am on to you, Hoffman, and your antics.I guess I did look better than I do for a typical school day, forgoing the Uggs and sweats for dark-washed skinny jeans, an ivory bell-sleeved sweater, and heeled brown leather ankle boots.
I turn to examine his space. The office is very large with a huge desk and leather chair. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the entire back wall, making the room appear open and inviting. A small table is situated near the center window with what looks like our lunch on it. On the other side of the room, a sofa rests with end tables. Behind it, a large conference table is located with twelve chairs surrounding it.
Graham makes a comment that I don’t quite hear. He looks very much in control in his charcoal three-piece power suit. Too bad for him, I am not his employee. Lucky for me, he is not entitled to boss me around.
I make one more scan of the room and then meet his eyes. “You look good too.”
“Why thank you, Miss McFee.”
“Ready to discuss how you are going to end the shenanigans of tampering with my job?” I jump to the chase, not wanting to waste any time. This is why I am here today, after all, right?
“Let’s eat first before it gets cold.”
“But—”
“You are more pliable after you are fed.”
I snort over his silly comment. In a way, I guess it is true. But now I am not really hungry—the excitement of the day lessening my basic need for nourishment. “You think you’ll get your way if I’m fed?”
I am shot an intense look as I follow Graham over to a table set up near the window, the skyline of Portland at his disposal. “It’s always worth a shot.”
We are on the top tier of floors of the west wing of his building. The view is spectacular, even in the bright light of day. I stare out, looking for the distinguished Parkhouse Plaza and Hoffman Hotel signature structures. Since mingling with Portland’s elite, my appreciation for architectural design has been sparked, with a newfound enjoyment for the art and architecture of a building.Geek.
“So you own a jewelry company.”
“Yes,” he responds with a shrug.
“One that is growing exponentially and becoming pretty famous. I think I read an article about it inThe Headlinerseveral months ago. But I just can’t remember for sure. You weren’t mentioned in it, though. I would have remembered you.”
He smiles a self-satisfied grin, showing off smooth white teeth. “I keep under the radar as best as I can. But the chain is taking off and soon I’ll no longer be able to sneak past the reporters and photographers. I’m relishing my privacy before my publicist has it her way and I can no longer hide out.”
“You seemed in your element being interviewed at the charity gala.”
“I can be good at acting.”
“Part of you has to love the attention.”
Graham rubs his chin and pauses. “Perhaps a little. But I’m a very private person, Angie. My publicist and marketing manager have been on my case for weeks now. Thus, my name will be splashed soon enough.”
There’s more than just a name being splashed. His face happened to make an appearance on the local news and in the local paper. Pretty monumental, if you ask me.
I turn my attention to the outside, catching my reflection in the spotless window. “We all have secrets, I suppose.” My mind drifts until Graham’s image joining mine monopolizes my attention. I turn to stare up into his formidable eyes. “Is that why you were doing the interview at the gala?”
“Part of the territory for throwing down a hefty amount of money. Media channels always want to back it up with the origin. While I wanted to remain anonymous, I have a business to try to keep afloat with a depressing economy. And my marketing manager is pushing for the launch of more stores. There are a certain number of boxes that need to be checked. It is not just about me. There are stockholders, and my employees have equity shares. People are invested in the success of the company and are relying on me to lead.”