CHAPTER 6: Mason

I looked in the full length mirror on my closet as I perfected the knot on my black tie. I had a meeting with some possible new clients today and I wanted to bring Isabelle along. It was a lunch meeting but she would make a good impression on them. I could also spend some more time with her and smiled as I ran a hand through my dark hair.

I found it comical that I fired my last assistant for being too much into me but liked this one enough to get to know her. I could see a lot behind her eyes, suggesting that she’d lived some hardships before getting the job. Hannah also hinted to that fact, and I walked into my kitchen to finish my coffee before leaving for work. I made a mental note to pick her brain for more information, knowing that she wouldn’t budge.

I left the condo and headed to my car, breathing in the cool morning air. I’d ran a few miles in it earlier this morning as was my usual habit in good weather. I had a gym for the winter months but I had some time before that to enjoy and I wondered what Isabelle would be wearing to the office today.

I drove in and parked in my spot, joining the others that worked in the building as we headed to our respective offices. I looked around for Isabelle, surprised to see her sitting at her desk sending a text as I approached her. I smiled and set down the coffee that I grabbed on the way in for both of us, watching her jump as she looked at me with big eyes. “You caught me off guard!”

“Is everything okay?” I asked her as she looked at her phone with a soft smile.

“Yeah, it is. Thanks for the coffee.” Isabelle smiled and pulled it towards her, sipping it slowly. “Should I start on the next book today?”

“You know you don’t have to read them that quickly. We have reasonable deadlines.” I looked into her pretty face as she blushed and shrugged. Isabelle was fucking beautiful.

“I just naturally read fast. I won’t if I feel like I need to slow down. This is an important part of the process.” Isabelle smiled, and I felt my phone in my pocket. I pulled it out and glanced down to see that the client was emailing me.

“Oh, there is a lunch with potential clients today at one. I hope you can make it so you can get a feel of the process as well as give me your thoughts. I think we make a good team so far.” I held her eyes as Isabelle flushed again and nodded.

“I’d like to be there. One?” She confirmed as I nodded and watched her do something on the computer.

“It’s just a few blocks down and we’ll be meeting them. I’ll come out just before.” I smiled. “Don’t get lost in your book today.” I turned and walked into my office, playing back my words as I cracked the door. Was I flirting with my assistant? I’d slept with a few women but I typically tried to keep it separate from the work place.

I opened up the book that Isabelle completed and started to read her notes as I drank the coffee I bought in the lobby. It happened to be cinnamon, and I smiled as I inhaled the spicy scent. Isabelle already showed me something new, and I glanced at the door for a moment. Her notes were good, and I admitted that while she read fast, Isabelle seemed to comprehend things just fine. In fact, she had some great insight, and I told myself that I needed to think of her as just an assistant. I had a good thing going at this company and could not fuck the staff, no matter how hot they were.

I heard Hannah’s voice a little while later and glanced up as I rubbed my eyes. She made her way into my office, tapping on the door before walking in and grinning at me. Hannah and I got along well, and I appreciated her honesty, most of the time. “How’s it going?”

“It’s great. I think she will be a great help to the company.” I reached for my coffee as Hannah dropped into the seat across from me.

“You’re behaving yourself? I saw the way that you were looking at her yesterday.” Hannah told me as I leaned back in my chair.

“She spilled coffee all over me moments before we met. I was surprised to see her,” I informed her as she raised one of her perfect brows.

“I hope so. I don’t think you’ve gone that route here and doing it with your own personal assistant is not a great idea.” I frowned at her, wondering why she was so intent on this subject.

“I didn’t plan to. I take my position here seriously and I had her hired here to help me, not hinder me.” It annoyed me that she was one of the few people that could read me.

“I hope so.” Hannah said as she glanced towards the door. “I did a great job with her, didn’t I? Something about her resume stood out and I liked her the moment that I met her.” Hannah was the one that took care of it while I was gone on a trip. She’d done it a few times for me when the assistants became too interested in me and I contributed that to this behavior.

“Did you ask her if she was into women for me? You seem so worried about us.” I said softly, seeing that Hannah closed the door behind her.

“She’s not.” Hannah smiled sweetly, and I laughed. She was into women and seemed to have a good radar about the ones she had a shot with. She burst out laughing and leaned her head back, her dark eyes filled with mirth. “Not at all.”

“What is it about her that you’re being so weird about?” I demanded as her face fell and she went serious.

“Nothing. I tease you a lot but I know that you wouldn’t get involved.” Hannah excused herself and closed the door behind her as I watched curiously. I went back to the document and realized that her notes matched what I’d write myself. That was hard to manage, and I glanced at my clock to see that I had another two hours before lunch. I didn’t take a lot of breaks here at the office and ran a hand through my hair as I considered a quick walk to the break room, possibly the break room for some hot coffee.

I stood and left, glancing at Isabelle as she smiled at something in the book. She blushed as she met my eyes and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. It was down today in loose curls and I wanted to feel the silky locks. “Don’t rush.” I warned her before continuing down the hallway and turning into the break room.