Chapter Five

Isabella

We make our way toward his car quickly and I’m unable to deny my surprise that he’d driven himself until I see what he’s driving.

“Is that a Maserati?”

“Yes. A GranTurismo Sport,” he nods, pulling my door open and meeting my eyes as if his words mean nothing. “I have to admit, I’m surprised you recognized it. Have you driven many?”

“Have I driven many?” I ask in amusement. “Definitely not. I’ve never even seen one in person before now,” I admit as I slip inside and take a look around, finding him studying me as he slips behind the wheel. “It’s beautiful. I’m definitely a fan.”

“Thank you,” he says politely, making quick work of checking the rearview before pulling away from the curb and slipping into the light traffic that will take us to The Omni.

A comfortable silence surrounds us in the car and although I’m slightly surprised at the ease of it, I don’t question it much. Instead, I opt to enjoy the sunset and the way his cologne permeates the leather interior, invading my senses. The sound of my phone chiming distracts me and I can’t help but giggle when I read the text from Christie.

Damn, girl! Screw professionalism… That’s a six-figure ass right there. If you don’t get a promotion, you should sue the gorgeous bastard xo

“Something I said?” he asks, his voice making me jolt slightly as he breaks the silence.

“No,” I shake my head as I set my phone to vibrate and slide it into my clutch. “Just… it’s just my friend. The person I had plans with tonight,” I ramble my explanation. “She was just answering me.”

“Ahh… that’s right. You did say you had a prior commitment this evening,” he begins, changing lanes and slipping into traffic effortlessly before glancing at me from the corner of his eye. “I know I didn’t give you much of a choice in the matter,” he smirks, the playfulness in his expression both surprising me and causing my cheeks to heat. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t really in a position to allow much argument, but nevertheless, I appreciate your compliance,” he says politely, albeit stiff. Glancing over once more, his eyes traveling lower this time to the dip in my cleavage. “And you look lovely. Quite perfect for tonight’s purposes, I’m sure. I hope it wasn’t much of an inconvenience.”

“Thank you,” I offer, honestly stunned by his abrupt change in personality and tone.

It must be the car, I think to myself. This car would put anyone in a good mood. I’ve been in it for five minutes and already, I feel love drunk.

The shift in his demeanor surprises me after how serious he was only a few minutes earlier. I get lost in the sound of the low music in the background, the gentle waves crashing against the shore off in the distance as the car hums beneath me. His low and masculine voice fills the car occasionally, his thoughts almost completely mirroring mine as he takes in the sunset that’s been captivating me since we began our drive. As we move along the curve of the road, the brightness of the sun hits the car and I can’t help but squint slightly. He notices.

“We’ll be around the corner soon. It’ll help with the glare.”

“I don’t mind it,” I admit, glancing over at him and swallowing the gasp that comes with seeing Adam Avery this close beneath the rays of the sun.

“There’s nothing quite like it,” he agrees with a soft smile.

“Have you ever met someone who complains about a sunset?” I ask, making him nod. “Don’t you kind of hate people like that?” I continue, making him nod once more as a smirk spreads over his lips. “God,” I whisper as I glance back out at the bay basking in oranges and reds. “Who can complain about a sunset?”

“Savages,” he says simply, making me laugh louder than even I expect.

“Well, I won’t argue with that,” I sigh, glancing back over at him, admiring the cut of his jaw before I clear my throat and begin to speak. “So, can you please tell me why you’ve asked me to come with you tonight?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, it’s obviously an important contract if it’s both something Richard was already working on and it requires an assistant,” I say, pulling a nod from him. “I’ve seen Richard close deals and although your approach has its differences, you seem to be cut from the same cloth. I guess if I’m being honest, I’m not really sure what you’re expecting of me or why you’ve asked me to come. I am your assistant for the evening. Isn’t that correct?”

“Not exactly,” he admits.

“Well, if not an assistant, then… I mean, it’s not a date…” I trail off awkwardly, my stomach churning with shame and embarrassment as I whip my head around to face him. “God, you don’t think this is a date, do you?”

“No,” he smirks. “No, it’s definitely not that, either.”

“I can’t imagine you’ve asked me along for no reason at all. If I’m not your assistant, then what do you expect me to add to the evening that wouldn’t have already been hashed out in previous negotiations with Richard?”

“You’re very perceptive. I like that,” he nods. “What I expect of you is to be professional, be attentive and take good mental notes. The final papers may be drawn, but the fact that Richard has stepped down has offered a slight rift in the company’s appearance. Changing CEO’s mid-deal isn’t something that’s done often and for good reason. No one wants to make a deal with an unstable enterprise,” he explains, making me nod. “You’re there to help me obliterate those doubts, plain and simple.”

“So you want me to smile and nod?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.

“I wouldn’t say that,” he shakes his head, his lips curling up slightly, revealing a dimple in his cheek I’d not noticed before, but instantly have the desire to run the tip of my tongue over. “Is that what you’d call it?”

“Call it whatever you’d like, Mr. Avery. Whatever term you choose, if that’s what you’re looking for, I feel it’s my duty to inform you that you very well may have chosen the wrong assistant for this particular task,” I smirk, holding his gaze despite the crimson staining my cheeks at my own thoughts. “As you may have noticed during our previous interactions, I’m not exactly a ‘smile and nod’ kind of girl.”

“I did notice,” he says, unable to keep from returning my gentle smirk.

The chuckle leaving him is somewhat playful, showing me a side to him I hadn’t known to exist before tonight. The man I’d spoken with in his office is an asshole, but the guy with the playful smirk and the lickable dimple?

I like this guy. I like him a lot.

“So,” I shake my head clear. “Why have you chosen me for this particular task then?”

“A few reasons,” he admits, eyes still locked on the road in front of us as he finds our exit and heads toward the hotel. “First of all, I couldn’t very well go alone and profess unity within the company following a massively publicized change in ranks. The man we’re meeting would see right through it. He’s established and his is a business that is both sought out and very hard to come by. His wait list is miles long and he’s only agreed to not pull out from negotiations due to my name, nothing more. He’s built a great rapport with my uncle and that’s been our saving grace, but it’s important that Avery Finance continues to be portrayed as a solid company with invested assets and employees. It’s tricky to convince someone that you have such qualities to offer when you arrive to a meeting appearing to be a one man show. That’s reason one,” he continues. “I did a little digging, found out more about his company and they’re the real deal. I could understand immediately why my uncle had been so eager to have his name on this contract like he had on so many others,” he confesses. “In my own business ventures, I’ve always done best with someone who knows the ins and outs of the company at my side. I’ve spent every waking minute since I arrived learning this company like the back of my hand in order to deliver what’s expected of me. Had the meeting we’re attending tonight gone as scheduled, I may have been able to pull it off on my own. However as I mentioned this morning, negotiations have been accelerated and the single department I’ve not yet had a chance to delve into just happens to be marketing and advertising. That’s reason two,” he continues, his words finally clicking into place. “Both my uncle and Mr. Mitchell, the man we’re meeting tonight, have assured me that in order to make this deal happen, Avery needs to come off as the same well-oiled machine it’s always been, Miss Baxter. I can do that with all the other aspects, but I needed help with one. Once I got your name, I pulled up your file and found your history with our company as well as notes from previous performance evaluations. Sabrina holds you in high regard and all things considered, you seem like a good fit,” he says, pulling into the line for valet before flashing me a quick smirk. “Besides, you ruined my favorite tie this morning and I like a challenge. Smile and nod kind of girl you may not be, but a little subordination goes a long way. With that fiery little temper of yours, I thought it might just do you some good.”

 

Adam

I can’t deny the tingle burrowing low, the combination between amusement at her surprise and arousal at the way her full lips part at my suggestion making my cock ache.

Fuck, if she only knew the half of it…

I step out of the car, handing my keys over to the valet and making my way to her side. Her door is already open, but she remains in her seat, glancing up at me from beneath her thick lashes as I come to a stop beside her.

“Isabella,” I say low, extending my hand.

She ignores my hand, instead turning and using the back of the seat as leverage to push herself onto her feet.

“Thank you,” she smiles courteously toward the valet attendant, pulling a nod from him and putting a slight smirk on my lips as she walks past me without another glance.

“Have I offended you in some way?” I ask innocently, already knowing the answer as I lead her toward the entrance, nodding toward the doorman in appreciation as we step through.

“I don’t do well with anyone thinking that just because I’m a woman, they can tell me what to do or how to act,” she says bluntly. “I’m not some mindless trophy who can be bought with a fancy dinner and a pretty dress, with or without the ruse of a work function.”

Her words make my feet slow and without a second thought, I reach for her elbow and turn her to face me.

“You think I brought you here for that? That I’ve expected your compliance based simply off the fact that you’re a woman?” I ask, pulling a nod from her. “Were you even listening to me?”

“Of course I was,” she balks. “Bravo, by the way. I’ve got to hand it to you. You’re better than I thought,” she shakes her head. “You almost had me convinced I was actually coming to help you with my knowledge of the company and the work I’ve put in, but I think that last little comment you let slip out said it all, don’t you?”

Her words have me biting my tongue as a laugh of frustration slips through my lips.

“Unbelievable,” I shake my head.

“Yeah, it really is,” she huffs, ready to storm off, but I don’t let her.

“Stop,” I order, honestly a little surprised when her feet come to a stop although I have no intention of letting this go. “I’m only going to say this once to you, so make sure you listen because I want this to be very clear,” I begin, taking the single step that separates us and standing close enough that my front brushes against her back as I speak low over her shoulder. This conversation is one that should probably be had privately, but something inside me won’t let it wait until later. “First of all, I understand that you don’t know much about who you’re working for and I’ll take responsibility for that. I’ve been busy, but make no mistake here. I have no need or desire for a fucking trophy. And you know something? If I did, I’m pretty sure I could get one that wouldn’t argue with me at every turn,” I insist, my low tone slipping out in a growl that has her breathing heavier against my chest. “As for those orders I’ve been barking at you, it’s not because you’re a woman, it’s because I’m your boss. When I give you a task, I expect you to do it to the absolute best of your abilities, because that’s how employment goes, especially when you work for me. I know the details of how I came to become the head of this company have been completely misconstrued, but let me assure you that I don’t believe in handouts and I am not here by accident. Regardless of what you may or may not have heard, I have earned my place, I will be respected and if you want to continue working for me, you will do as I ask and that has nothing to do with the fact that you’re a woman,” I warn, the same blunt edge in my tone as hers had held only a moment ago. “Trust me, Miss Baxter. If I ever tell you what to do based off the way you look in that dress, I won’t be talking to you as your employer and you can bet your ass you’ll know the difference.”