AUBREE
I stood outside the Decker building and looked upward as far as the eye could see. I guess I’d never really thought about it, the fact that I couldn’t see the top floor, until now. Now that I would be working on the one hundred and twenty-fifth floor.
I was deathly afraid of heights. I wanted to be cheerleader when I was in school, but was too afraid to tryout because I didn’t want to be on the top of that pyramid or tossed into the air. Ten years later, just thinking about it made me sway on my feet.
Someone bumped against me and snapped me out of my trance. I stepped through the revolving door and out on the other side. My black heels clicked on the marble as I made my way to the elevator.
After meeting with Tabatha in human resources, we rode the elevator up to the one hundred and twenty-fifth floor and to the office where I’d be working. Luckily, the managerial skills that I learned in community college were enough to help me land this temporary position. I just hated that I had to quit before I finished and earned the course certificate.
The interior of the building was beautiful. My head was bouncing from wall to wall, taking in all the beautiful artwork. I felt like a bobble head. When Tabatha came to a halt in the middle of one the offices, I almost ran into her. I needed to get a grip. I’d hate to get fired on my first day.
“This will be your office.” She ran her finger over the dark wooden desk. The desk looked brand new, and sitting behind it was a black high back leather chair. I couldn’t stop smiling. “The windows have automatic blinds. They adjust with the position of the sun.” She turned around and looked at me. “Is everything okay, Ms. Layne?” It was then that I realized I hadn’t said a word.
“This is really beautiful. I guess I never saw myself working in such a beautiful space,” I admitted with a grateful smile. “How long did you say she would be off?” I couldn’t think of the secretary’s name that I was filling in for at the moment.
“Well, that’s something I’m going to need to speak with Mr. Decker about when he arrives. Maryann called this morning and said that she’d decided to stay home with the baby. She was due to come back today. You have no idea how relieved I was when you said you could help us out,” she told me. “I’ll leave you to it. Here is the key to the desk. You may keep your purse, lunch, or anything else you wish in there. Mr. Decker’s phone is still being answered downstairs, so there is no need to worry about that right now. It will give you some time to get things set up like you wish, and, the most important of all, the way Mr. Decker likes things to flow,” she explained with a smile.
“Where is Mr. Decker’s office?”
“Right through the door there.” She pointed to the big wooden door behind me. My stomach knotted, and my throat felt tight. “Please call me when he arrives so that I can discuss the matter of finding him a new assistant.”
I gave her a nod and forced a smile. I desperately wanted and needed the job, but I was sure it would be frowned upon to grovel on my first day. I spent some time organizing my desk, the best way I knew how, and there was still no sign of Mr. Decker. There had been several people stopping by to see him or ask if I knew when he would be in, and I didn’t know what to tell them.
I checked the time on my computer screen. It now showed 11:00. I had already been there three hours and hadn’t used the restroom. I had to go. There was no waiting. I just hoped I made it back to my desk before Mr. Decker arrived. What the hell kind of hours does this guy keep anyway?
I made my way down the long, carpeted hall, and some sweet lady took pity on me and asked if I was lost. When I told her I was new and just needed the restroom, she pointed me back in the direction that I’d came. I couldn’t help but laugh and shake my head when I found it. It was only two doors down from my office.
I took care of my restroom duties, washed my hands, and stepped back across the hall to my office. I could hear a deep male voice coming from the other room. My eyes flew to the big wooden door that was now open. He was finally here. I raked my hands down the front of my black skirt and sat in the big leather chair.
“Maryann, I need to see you for a moment, and bring a notepad, too.” No one had told him his assistant wasn’t here. Grabbing a notepad and pen from the top drawer, I made my way slowly to his office. “Have a seat,” he said, with his back to me. He was searching for something in the dark cherry credenza behind him.
“What the…?” we both said at the same time.
It was the no tipping suit guy from the coffee shop, and since I now knew that he could afford to tip, it pissed me off even more.
“Are you lost, Aubree?” He flashed his perfectly white teeth. That was when the little dimple in his chin made an appearance. Dimples were a weakness for me. They made babies adorable, and men like Grayson Decker irresistible.
“What makes you think I’m lost?” I crossed my long legs, pushed out my chest, and lifted my chin.
“The coffee shop is downstairs.”
He leaned back in his chair, causing his navy suit jacket to fall open, revealing a crisp white shirt that hugged his toned abs. His expensive cologne surrounded me, making me clinch my thighs together, hoping for a little relief. He smelled good enough to eat. He cleared his throat and smiled. He was letting me know that I’d been caught staring. I mentally slapped myself.
“What gives you the idea that I work at a coffee shop?” I squared my shoulders and waited for his answer.
“I’ve seen you there.” I arched a brow in question. “I’ve seen you there in the evenings. You usually stock the shelves, but, for some reason, you’ve been working the counter lately.”
Both of my brows shot up in surprise.
“You seem to know an awful lot about me. If I’d known you were a stalker, I would have had you arrested.”
I uncrossed and re-crossed my legs. His eyes watched every move. I cleared my throat and smirked when he lifted those lustful blue eyes to mine. Busted!
“How do I know that you’re not stalking me?” he asked. I couldn’t contain the nervous giggle that escaped my lips. Grayson Decker was too damn handsome, smelled heavenly, and intimidated the hell out of me! I had to come up with something. I needed to get a grip. “What was that for?” His brows dipped down as he sat there in that big chair, waiting for me to answer.
“You’re old,” I blurted. “I don’t stalk geriatrics.”
I mentally patted myself on the back. Where the hell had that come from? I could kiss the job goodbye. Open mouth and insert foot. He stood from behind his desk in one fluid movement and stopped in front of me. All 6 feet, 2 inches of him. My mind was swirling like a wind funnel. All I could think about was climbing him like a tree, and oh the things I’d do on my way up.
“How old do you think I am?” he questioned, crossing his arms across his broad chest.
“Maybe, thirty-five?” I guessed.
“I’m thirty.” He leaned forward, invading my space. Fire flickered behind those pale blue eyes. I could practically feel the warmth of his body, and that, along with his spicy cologne, had me clinching my thighs in hopes for relief of the steady pulse that was growing stronger by the moment.
“How old are you? Wait. Let me guess.” He paused a moment, letting his eyes roam over me. “I’d say you’re probably twenty. Maybe twenty-two.”
My lip curled upward.
“That’s one of the best compliments you can give a woman; guessing that she’s younger than she actually is. I’m twenty-five.”
“Why are you here, Aubree?” he snapped. Not a good sign.
“I’m filling in for Maryann.” I decided the shorter the answer, the better off I’d be.
“For how long?” he asked, staring down at me where I sat in the chair.
“I-I’m unsure of that.” I coughed lightly around the large lump that was now in my throat. He turned his back on me and started for the door. I suddenly remembered something that Tabatha told me earlier. “Tabatha in human resources needs to see you.” He stopped when he made it to the door.
“That’s where I’m headed. Don’t move from that spot.” Then he disappeared from my sight.
I don’t know how long I sat there, but it was long enough for my legs to go numb, and I could really use the restroom again. I know he said not to move, but I’d take my chances. I stood from the chair, and almost fell due to the numbness in my legs. I just hoped I could make it to the restroom and back before he made it back to his office. As I stepped into my office, there was a beautiful woman with long blonde hair standing in front of my desk. She was wearing a very short, very tight black skirt along with a white silk blouse and black heels.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were out here.” Her eyes raked over me, judging me from head to toe. “May I help you?”
When she told me that she had an appointment with Grayson, I ushered her into his office and explained that he would be back momentarily. Once she made herself comfortable in the exact chair I just vacated, I walked out in search of a coffee pot or some type of beverage to offer her while she waited.