CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Nathan ushered her into the kitchen and sat her down at the kitchen counter. Kerry ran her fingers along the beautiful marble surface and admired his spacious, modern kitchen.
“I don't cook much,” Nathan admitted.
“Neither do I,” Kerry replied. “I love to bake but I don't really have the time nowadays. Tia doesn't want me to take on so many extra shifts though. She even volunteered to get a part-time job.” Kerry clenched her fists. “I won't let her do that. She can't tire herself out!”
As Nathan started pulling out ingredients from the fridge, Kerry jumped to her feet and said, “Let me help you.” She surveyed the available ingredients on the counter and nodded. “Ham and cheese sandwich it is.”
They ate their sandwiches in companionable silence for a while. As Nathan poured her another glass of orange juice, he asked, “Have you considered getting another job?”
Kerry sighed. “I don't know if I can find a better paying job...”
Nathan was about to say something when his intercom buzzed. With a grin, Nathan slid off his stool and said, “That must be Suzie. She's got your clothes.”
“So fast?” Kerry coughed.
“My staff are highly efficient,” Nathan answered smugly.
Nathan opened the door and a petite bespectacled woman bounced in. She arched a brow at Nathan as she pushed up her glasses, her eyes conveying both amusement and exasperation. Kerry got the impression that she knew Nathan pretty well. She harrumphed as she pushed past Nathan and declared, “I'm going to ask for a raise...”
The woman stopped short when she saw Kerry. Immediately she straightened up and smiled. “Hi, I'm Suzie Lee, secretary extraordinaire. You must be Kerry. I got you everything Nathan ordered. I hope they fit you.”
“T-thank you,” Kerry stammered. She took the packages from Suzie and thanked her again. On closer look, she realized that Suzie was actually older than her. Her petite size and lively manner made her look twenty years younger.
Suzie wagged a finger at her boss and spoke to him more like an older sister than an employee. Kerry took an instant liking to the older woman. She was irreverent and witty and she made Nathan laugh out loud a couple of times.
Finally, Suzie gave Kerry a cheery wave and flounced out the door. “See you tomorrow, boss!” she yelled over her shoulder.
“Is Suzie your secretary?” Kerry asked.
“Suzie is my CFO's secretary. But she helps me sometimes. So I sort of share Suzie with Lucien.” Nathan scowled and muttered, “That sounded all kinds of wrong.”
Kerry laughed. “She seems to know you very well.”
“Suzie has been with the company for close to thirteen years now.”
Kerry nodded. If a company could retain good staff, it spoke well of the company and its management.
“But...does she always have to work this late?” Kerry winced. The woman went out to grab new clothes for her in the middle of the night.
“Suzie is on night shift this week,” Nathan said. “Chase Security is open round the clock, and the staff can swop their shifts around.”
“I hope you guys are paying her well.”
“Suzie is probably the highest paid personal assistant in the whole damn city,” Nathan said, rolling his eyes.
“But she's worth every cent,” Kerry finished for him.
Nathan grinned. “She is.”
Kerry stared at Nathan, her heart swelling with a strange emotion. His grin made him look a lot younger, less stern and intimidating. He looked boyish and playful, and she clearly saw that he was a good boss to his staff. He took Suzie's ribbing and mock complaints with good humor, and he made sure his staff was well compensated and rewarded for their service.
Kerry was attracted to him. She couldn't deny that. But any hot-blooded woman would want to jump his bones. The guy was seriously sexy. Tall, handsome, sweet and protective. Nathan was everything a girl would want in a mate.
Kerry shook herself. Why was she even thinking of him as a mate? He was a client. And she would probably never see him again after tonight.
The realization made her inexplicably sad. “I...I'll go change,” she stuttered, clutching the packages to her chest.
“I'll drive you home when you're ready,” was all he said as he watched her retreat to the bathroom.