Chapter 3

 

I was amazed how fast three weeks could fly by, but before I even felt like I blinked, they had. I’d settled into my new job perfectly and felt eager to see where it would all take me. If I were perfectly honest with myself, I had to admit I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect working with Starboard Industries, but I soon learned it was like working with my own group of best friends – at least, one of them.

Stef and I got along much better than I thought we would, and before long, I had come to think of her as one of my closest friends on the floor. Of course, the others working there were nice to me, but there was a level of reserve between us. I wasn’t certain if I was the one who’d put it there or if they were, but I wasn’t really worried about it.

After all, I had come to be Knox’s personal assistant, not any of theirs, and I would fill the position with all the passion I had in me. He started me off slow…most of my assignments were taking place in the office, basically doing all the things he didn’t want to do. I didn’t have to do much of the work myself, but it was just my job to make sure it got done.

If he wanted something to be reported to HR, I was the one who took care of it. If he wanted a phone call made that he didn’t wish to be a part of personally, I was the one who made it. The more comfortable I became in the office, the more duties he gave me to do, and the more comfortable I became in doing them.

He paid not only for gas for me to get around town for him, but he also gave me a car to run the errands in. Of course, when Daddy raised his eyebrows about me getting a car with this position, he insisted it was nothing more than a company vehicle that I was allowed to use while at work, but I secretly liked to think Knox had given it to me as a personal gift.

I would do anything and everything he asked of me – from running errands to mailing something he wanted mailed immediately, to bringing back lunch or even just a cup of coffee if he asked. Anything I could do to make his day easier – or just to bring a smile to his face which I would do quickly and without question, feeling like I was working with a celebrity each time I did anything.

Of course, I was handsomely rewarded for all the work I did. Knox not only paid me a very large salary for taking on the job to begin with, but he would often let me keep all the extra money as a ‘tip’ for the work I put into doing something. Money was nothing to him – he wouldn’t only give me enough to get lunch from one of the upscale places downtown, but he would give me enough extra money that I would end up with fifty dollars in change for myself.

I wasn’t at all scanty with the tips I would leave people no matter where I went, and I soon became a popular face in many of the different venues I stopped at to grab something to eat or drink.

Money wasn’t the only way he would thank me. When I was with Knox, I felt like I was queen of the world. He would put his hand on my lower back, making me feel safe and secure next to him during all staff meetings. He would brush his arm against mine as he passed me in the hall, and he would put both his hands on my shoulders if he were to come up behind me when I was on the computer.

Of course, I thought nothing of the gestures besides the thrill they gave me – I was still convinced he would be nothing more than a fantasy I would continue to yearn for until the day he finally found someone else to take up his time.

But it didn’t seem to me that he was looking for anyone else. There were women he would tell me he didn’t want to hear from and should they call, I was to tell them he was out of the office and call them back – but not tell him if they left him a message in the first place. If they were to stop by, it was me they had to get through before they were allowed into his office – and it was my job to make sure they weren’t ever allowed in there. Of course, I gladly did this. I hoped he didn’t have a steady girlfriend. I intended to change that, if I could. Yes, it seems brash and hopeful, but then I would remember the kiss and feel emboldened.

The only woman he didn’t tell me to shield him from was his ex-wife. Yes, it did bother me that she was allowed to have access to him, but I did find relief knowing it was unlikely she would ever want to do so. Every time he brought her up it was with disdain for the situation and a relief that he was no longer a part of it, and I found comfort in this.

Of course, I did my own share of the flirting in every way I could. I knew he already liked me, and after the kiss, I had a pretty good idea that he was also attracted to me…so of course, I intended to do anything and everything in my power to encourage him.

“And here is the final report from that deal you signed last week,” I said as I leaned across his desk, handing him the small stack of papers. He reached forward and took them, and I allowed my fingers to brush over his before letting go of the report myself.

Knox studied the paper and shook his head. “These dates are all wrong. Are you sure that we set up the appointment for next month?” he asked me with frustration in his voice.

I walked around the desk so I was behind him, leaning down toward the paper with my head close to his. I had my hand on his shoulder, and he was pointing to the various places on the paper to the listed dates.

“I’m not sure. I just wrote down what was told to me. If there’s a problem with this, then I’ll ask them,” I said with a smile.

“Good girl,” he replied, as he so often did when I said or did something he liked. He reached out and touched the hem of my skirt.

I felt the familiar thrill rush through me. I was wearing a slate grey office skirt that showed off all my curves in just the right way. My father didn’t approve of the shape or style, which made me love it all the more.

And I knew Knox was in love with it as well.

“I’ll have another copy to you by the end of the hour,” I said as I walked toward the door. I swung my hips a little more than usual, and smiled to myself when I could hear his excited breathing behind me. “Does that work for you?” I asked, turning quickly as I reached to close the door behind me.

His eyes darted from my ass to my face as he gave me a hungry smile. “That’s perfect,” Knox said.