The man that I’m pretty sure is the same man I saw yesterday let his eyes very obviously trail along my legs as I uncross them for the umpteenth time and then lets them follow along my entire body. He eventually meets my own eyes.

I feel myself blush at the notion that this extremely attractive man has clearly just checked me out. Thank God, I’m wearing underwear. Even if they are soaking wet, thanks to him.

“Grace?” Even his voice his is unexpected. It’s low and gravely. Not quite southern, but close. He smiles a wide smile at me and I feel myself blush harder. “I’m Boyd Ashdown. You’ll be working for me. Would you like a tour?”

He holds out his hand to me and I shake it hesitantly. Damn, Andrew had told me to always have a firm handshake upon greeting new people. I make another mental note and store it for later, since I’d messed up this opportunity.

“Doesn’t an assistant usually handle things like that?” I ask, getting up from my seat. I pull my skirt down ever so slightly, conscious of his eyes on me. He silently watches me shift the fabric against my legs. “Who am I to receive such a special privilege?”

I can’t believe I’m being a little familiar with him…a little flirtatious. He seems to take over my mind, just like he seems to take over my panties, causing them to dampen even more just at the further thought of him. I fall into step beside him as he heads toward the elevator bank. I surprise myself with how upfront I’m being. Mr. Ashdown, however, seems to take it in stride. I try and hide my embarrassment.

“Now that the firm has merged and taken on new partners such as myself, we run things a little differently around here. It’s not as daunting or as corporate as you might think,” he says, pushing the button on the elevator.

It takes a few moments before it reaches the sixteenth floor and I stand silently beside him as we wait for it to open.

“Also, now that we’ve expanded, we take over more floors,” he explains.

“I see,” I tell him, although I wouldn’t have known this was a new development.

He doesn’t say anything else but unlike what I’m used to, I find it comfortable to stand silently beside him. He seems to both give me energy and relax me at the same time. I’m filled with some kind of wired euphoria I can’t even explain, just by being near him.

The elevator doors open and we walk into it together. Several other employees get in after us and we’re pushed to the back of the elevator. His hand grazes my own for a moment and I look over to catch his eye. He stares straight ahead but I notice the small smirk on his face, which seems to say “I own you.”

I can’t help but think his gesture was purposeful. It’s almost as if he’s some kind of alpha animal, claiming his mate. A chill runs down my spine at the thought of it. I like the idea.

One of the women in the elevator turns around and notices us. I avert my eyes in the hopes she doesn’t notice how unabashedly horny I am right now, turned on by this Mr. Ashdown.

“Hey, you’re the newbie, right?” she says, looking directly at me. “Mr. Ashdown, you didn’t have to show her around. I would have taken care of that for you.”

“Thank you, Carolina,” Mr. Ashdown says. He crosses his arms and looks at me. “But you’re here as a trainee of the new staff, rather than as their tour guide. And I don’t mind showing Ms. Bower around. She is going to be working under me. I should at least be giving her the attention she deserves.” He smiles at me in a friendly manner, but it’s a smile that says so much more. Carolina turns around, but not without showing a curious look on her face that matches what I’m feeling inside.

The elevator dings at the eighteenth floor and several people file out. I make a move to follow them but Mr. Ashdown gently puts a hand on my wrist to stop me. As he does so, I can feel heat transfer from his hand to my entire arm. “We’re the twentieth floor.”

We reach the twentieth floor shortly thereafter and a bunch of us emerge into an extremely large and well put together office space. There are several large close-doored offices lining the walls and an open floor plan in the center. We reach yet another receptionist’s desk and Mr. Ashdown leans over the top of the desk to speak with the woman seated there. I stand awkwardly for a moment.

A young man walks past and looks me up and down, a smile on his face. For some reason, his attention doesn’t feel nearly as welcome as Mr. Ashdown’s does. He turns around and comes over to me, confidence and what I can only assume is entitlement, coming off him in waves.

“You seem new,” the young man says, leaning his elbow on the reception desk. His face is much too close to mine and his cologne is overpowering. I back up as calmly as I can. “It’s always nice to see a new, pretty face around here. I’m Brett. Who are you working for?”

“Mr. Ashdown,” I say, quietly, hoping that this conversation will soon be over.

“Oh, good luck with that,” the young man says, puffing his chest out. “You’ll need it.”

“Why’s that?”

“Let’s just say, I know some things.”

I nod my head in response, forcing a smile and trying desperately to face away from him and his potent smell. Amongst other repulsive things. He leans closer, however, causing me to back up further and bump into Mr. Ashdown.

Mr. Ashdown turns around and notices the awkward position I’ve been put in. He comes around and stands beside me.

“Brett,” Boyd says, addressing the young man, his tone forcing him to meet his gaze. Brett, immediately drops the flirtatious act and stands up straighter, his face ashen. “Don’t you have work you should be doing? I believe Chelsea has been asking for those billable hour reports for several days now.”

“Apologies, Mr. Ashdown,” Brett says, crossing his hands behind his back like a boy scout. “I didn’t see you standing there.”

“That’s obvious. But regardless of my standing here, you shouldn’t be harassing any of the employees,” Boyd says. “Go and report to Chelsea with what she’s asking for before I report you to HR.”

His tone is stern and commanding and Brett would be an idiot to not follow his orders.

“Yes, sir,” Brett slinks off without another look in my direction.

“I assure you that we do not tolerate harassment of any kind here,” Mr. Ashdown says, turning to me.

“Are you alright?” He looks at me with genuine concern. With that Brett guy gone, I feel immensely better.

“It’s alright,” I say, hugging my arms around myself. “Really, it’s fine.”

“You don’t seem fine,” he says, taking in my demeanor. “Let me take you to my office. We can continue the tour if you’re feeling up to it.”

I nod my head and I follow him into his office.