CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Kerry picked up the phone on the second ring. “Mr Chase's office,” she said automatically.
She heard a familiar laugh and gasped. “Simone, is that you?”
“Yes!” Simone answered with a giggle. “I called the main line and asked to be put to Mr Nathan Chase's secretary. How's work?”
“Okay. This is just my third day at Chase Security, and there's a lot to learn, but I'm getting the hang of things. Everyone's been really helpful and patient,” Kerry said. “Are you at the restaurant?”
“I just knocked off,” Simone said. “I'm on my way home. I prefer the morning and afternoon shifts now. I want to reach home before dark.”
“Simone...” Kerry paused and asked worriedly, “Is everything okay?” Her friend had never been afraid of going home alone after dark.
“I'm fine,” Simone cut her off. “I just wanted to call and see how you're doing. When you told me that Nathan Chase offered you a position in his company, I thought you were kidding.”
“When Nathan first mentioned it, I thought he was kidding too.”
“Awww...he's sweet on you,” Simone teased.
Kerry could only protest weakly as Simone went on, “I'm happy for you, Kerry. You deserve this.”
“Simone, I haven't thanked you properly...”
“Thank me? Nah. I didn't do anything. I was really worried though. There are all kinds of people at the auction. They're all filthy rich and they're used to getting what they want. I was so worried that you'd meet an obnoxious jerk. But...you met Nathan Chase. One of the most eligible shifter billionaire bachelors in town. Who is now your boss—and your boyfriend. You did good, girl!” Simone cheered.
“He's not my boyfriend...”
Simone tsked. “That's not what Tia told me. She said you're definitely dating Nathan Chase. And...” Simone's voice dropped to a dramatic whisper. “Tia said he's crazy about you.”
“That girl!” Kerry spluttered. “Don't listen to her. She's just...”
“Okay, gotta go,” Simone trilled. “I'll check in on Tia on my way home, and catch up on more gossip.”
Kerry laughed. “Thanks, Simone.”
Simone made a kissy sound and hung up.
Kerry looked around the quiet office as she continued with her filing. The top floor of the building housed the top management of Chase Security. Only three spacious, private offices were on her floor. The CEO, COO and CFO shared the top floor, but their offices were all pretty far apart.
Lucien Myers, the CFO, was an affable, silver-haired werelion, but the COO, Jennifer Fuentes, was a no-nonsense, formidable human woman.
Miss Fuentes had her own personal assistant, but Suzie Lee, secretary extraordinaire, did work for both Nathan and his Chief Financial Officer, Lucien. Suzie had made Kerry sit beside her for the first two days and personally shown her the ropes. “Nathan does a lot of things himself,” Suzie said. “He's very hands on and very independent for a CEO. Even though I'm supposed to be working for both Lucien and Nathan, Nathan hardly assigns work to me. Nathan is a great boss, very smart and very fast. But he can be demanding as well,” Suzie warned. “When he wants something, make sure you get it done pronto.”
Kerry finally asked Suzie the question she had been dying to ask. “Why doesn't Nathan have a personal assistant? Miss Fuentes has her own assistant. Why does Nathan share you with Mr Myers?”
“I don't mind being shared,” was Suzie's gleeful reply. “I get paid double!”
But when Suzie fell silent and pursed her lips, Kerry knew that there was more to it and the woman was trying to decide how much to tell her. “Nathan's last two secretaries...well, they didn't conduct themselves appropriately,” Suzie said at last.
“Oh, they...”
“They tried to seduce Nathan. And when they failed, they had the gall to sue for sexual harassment!” Suzie huffed, slamming her stapler onto the table. “Good thing the company has the best lawyers. Nathan never touched them. Those women...really!”
Suzie's violent outburst made Kerry like and respect the older woman even more. She was fiercely loyal to the company and her bosses and she seemed to regard Nathan more like a younger brother than a boss.
Kerry put away the files and stretched. Suzie was at her desk in front of Mr Myer's office, and the frosted glass partitions blocked her view of the CFO and COO's offices.
The top floor was peaceful and private, but a little too quiet. And with Nathan out of the office, Kerry wished she had a little more hustle and bustle around her.
Kerry jerked her head up even before she heard Nathan's footsteps. It was strange, but she could sense him.
She stood up as he approached her desk. Nathan had been out for a meeting the whole day. Kerry drank in the sight of him greedily. Nathan looked so handsome, with his dark hair slightly tousled and his shirt sleeves rolled up. He had taken off his jacket and was loosening his tie as he strode towards her.
Kerry grabbed her notes and began to rattle off the list of people who had called while he was out of the office. But Nathan silenced her by grabbing her and crushing his mouth to hers.
His kiss was bruising and hungry, and he cupped his hand over her nape to hold her captive as he plundered her mouth.
Nathan didn't let her go. His lips devoured hers, and his tongue was relentless. Kerry opened to him, giving him everything he wanted, letting him know that she was his.
He had been away from the office since morning, but it was obvious that neither of them could stand being apart from each other for long. This maddening yearning and craving from getting worse and worse.
She saw Nathan every single day. And yet...she couldn't get enough of him.
Not having him in the office with her the whole morning and afternoon was sheer torture. She couldn't understand this craving, this obsession. It couldn't be healthy, could it?
But Nathan's hunger for her was equally insatiable and ungovernable. He wanted her, all the time. Kerry saw that he had to adjust himself and hide his erection when other staff were present. He was constantly hard for her, and it was by sheer iron will that he managed to leash his lust and his wolf.
But now, his hunger was raging out of control. He had denied himself, held himself back for the past few days. There was no controlling the inferno within him now.
Nathan broke the kiss and they stared at each other, the heat and tension thrumming in the air between them. His eyes blazed as he yanked her into his arms and pushed her into his office.