Oh my God. I swallowed the lump in my throat and wondered what I’d done to be this unlucky? I couldn’t believe I was standing in front of Oliver Talon! He was the new owner! How it could be possible that this man was the same man who had treated me like crap the other day?

He was the new owner and this would mean I would have to work under him in order to be on the project I loved and was obsessed with. I was working so hard to get this, and in the end all my years of studying and effort came to this...

I was so sure I would never see him again, but then I noticed him sitting with his colleagues, and for a moment I hadn’t been able to breathe. He was so sexy in his black suit, which was almost the same as the one he wore that day. He looked like he owned this place.

Even though I was so mad at him for insulting me that day—I still clearly remembered those horrible words—I couldn’t deny I felt something for him. All men in this room were looking good, but Oliver was in a way, different—he made me all hot. He made me feel some things I never felt.

When others left the room, clearly feeling our tension, I felt embarrassed for a moment. I came here to get the job, not make drama. Shit.

“Who the hell are you?” he’d asked me, and I had to bite my tongue so I wouldn’t reply rudely.

I had to hide my anger. I was preparing several days for this, and I couldn’t let myself lose this project just because of some unfortunate circumstance.

As if my anger wasn’t enough, it was mixed with excitement because he was so damn hot. I was annoyed with myself for noticing how gorgeous he was. Why wasn’t he some ugly, old man? Why did I have to get attracted to the person who was beyond rude and was going to be my boss if I was lucky enough to get the job despite what happened between us?

I cleared my throat and put a smile on my face. Here we go. “I am Alexandra Harris.”

“Alexandra?” The way my name sounded on his lips was too good for me. I felt my pussy throbbing in response.

“Yes. Something wrong with that?”

He shook his head, smirking. He looked even hotter with that smile. “Nothing at all. It’s just too sexy for me.”

My jaw literally dropped. “Sexy?”

“Yeah. Just like you.” His smirk grew even wider, and I swayed a little. Oh my. Why did it have to turn me on so much? Oliver Talon was rude, yet that didn’t stop my pussy from getting embarrassingly wet.

“Are you flirty with all women or you giving me some special treatment? If you do want to charm me in that way, I am afraid it is not working,” I retorted bitterly, and then I cursed myself.

No, this was wrong. I wasn’t supposed to challenge him. I was supposed to tame my anger and try to get the job. Provoking him was the last thing I should do.

“I doubt that, considering that you’re squirming at the moment. You want me, and it’s written all over your face.”

What? I blushed so hard that I felt the burn on my face and neck.

The conversation just went into a completely different direction and I had to fix this. I had to stop answering to his provocations and tell him what I was here for.

“I’m sorry that I didn’t introduce myself fully to you,” I said, ignoring his previous sexual remark. “I’m an interior designer. I’ve been working on redecorating and designing interiors for several years. I came here because I would like you to hire me as the designer for the hotel project—the one where we met.”

For several moments he didn’t say anything, studying me carefully. I felt myself sweating and I wiped my sweaty palms discreetly on my skirt.

“Really?” his voice was dripping with sarcasm and I didn’t like it a bit. “And why do you think I would hire you?”

Okay, now he was really getting on my nerves. I had to do this. I couldn’t let this jerk intimidate me.

“If you would allow me, I have several designs I wanted to show you.”

I walked over to the table and put my briefcase on it. I opened it and pulled out my portfolio. I handed it to him. “I brought you my portfolio. Here is also my CV.” I took my CV out of my briefcase and put it next to him on the table. “In my portfolio you can find some of the biggest projects I’ve worked on so far.”

He didn’t look that interested in my portfolio when he opened it several seconds later. As he flipped the pages, seemingly focusing on each interior, I explained what those projects were about and why I’d chosen those decorations.

“As you can see, I have a lot experience with hotels, and I can assure you that my design of your place will match your wishes.”

He didn’t looked convinced, and I felt bile rising in my throat. He was going to make this hard for me.

“I have a degree in interior design. I was always a straight-A student, because the education was—is—the most important for me. I got interested in architecture and art since my early adolescence, and soon I was drawn into interior design. That building you are looking at now,” I pointed my finger at the picture of an apartment complex I’d worked on in Europe. “That project was in France, and the owner wanted the neo modern interior design. It was my biggest project so far. It took me almost a year to complete it, and I’ve already extended my contract with the owner, who is interested in one more project like this one.”

He slammed my portfolio shut and put it on the table next to him. He didn’t even bother looking at my CV.

“Yeah, yeah. Impressive. You are really a nerd.”

What?

My anger just reached a whole new level, and for a moment I was seriously thinking on giving up and getting the hell out of here.

I couldn’t do that, and that annoyed me the most. I had to suck it up.

“But I know my job well. I have 100% client satisfaction and—”

“Wow,” his lips twisted into a sly smile. “One hundred percent? Those blowjobs must have been something then, right?” His smile widened, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief, and I swallowed the lump in my throat. The image of Oliver’s cock flashed in front of my eyes, and I almost cursed myself out loud.

Seriously? He was a douchebag, using those cheap insults, and I was still getting attracted to him? So what if he was handsome? I couldn’t possibly work under such a rude person.

No. Enough.

“You know what, forget it.”

“Forget it?”

“Yes. Forget it. That hotel means a lot to me, and I would put my heart and soul into the project, because I want it to be restored to its old glory. I really hoped I could be hired as its interior designer, but you are making everything difficult for me. You act like I’m some stupid whore and you completely disrespect me, and no matter how much I want to get this job, I won’t let you treat me like some trash.”

I curled my hands into fists, returning his stare as I trembled uncontrollably. I could see the surprise and something else that I couldn’t name in his eyes, as if he didn’t expect me to speak for myself like this.

I almost scoffed. Well, of course he hadn’t expected that of me since he clearly didn’t think highly of me. Up until now, all I’d heard from him were his insults.

His blank expression twisted into that of an amusement, and I wondered what he found funny now.

“You know, this really comes as a surprise for me. You can bite, after all!” My frown deepened.

He suddenly stood up and stopped directly in front of me, only several inches separating us. This time, his face was completely serious, and for the first time I saw the respect in his eyes.

“Look, I’m sorry, okay? I was acting like a jerk all the time and you didn’t deserve it.” He exhaled in frustration. “You see, I thought you were someone else when I met you at that place. I thought you were one of the bidders—my competition. Now you showed me that not only you aren’t my rival, but you are also smart and talented.”

My eyebrows flew up. I couldn’t believe he’d changed his attitude all of a sudden.

“I liked what I saw in your portfolio. I think you are talented and have good skills. Also, I respect you for standing up for yourself just now.”

I still couldn’t say a word, completely taken aback. After treating me like I was the worst, hearing these highly praising words sounded strange. It sounded like a prank.

“Are you pranking me?” I had to ask.

He chuckled, astonished. “Prank?”

“Yes, because all of a sudden, you don’t sound like yourself.”

He took a step closer to me, and now I could smell his cologne. I inhaled and his fragrance made me even hotter, as if his nearness wasn’t enough. I had to pull myself together.

“As I said, I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m attracted to you. A lot.” My heart jumped in my chest, and for a few moments I was unable to breathe. He took another step, and now only several inches separated us. His eyes were almost black, and I was losing myself easily in them.

“Do you treat all women you get attracted to like this?” I whispered, still feeling the traces of my previous anger, but now I was slowly becoming overwhelmed with the feeling he provoked in me. I wanted him.

“No. Only the ones that make me hot as hell and crazy for them. But I don’t usually mix business with pleasure.”

Oh no. His words weren’t supposed to affect me like this—I was supposed to treat him coldly—but I couldn’t.

“I want you, Alexandra. And I’ve decided to hire you. I need someone like you on my team.”

“Is that because you want me?”

He smiled. “No. It’s because you are competent and have experience. On top of that, you are motivated and ambitious.”

“You didn’t even see my CV.”

“I don’t need to. I already believe in your quality."

Oh.

“Okay,” I replied, still not believing he would hire me after all.

“But I have only one condition.”

My heart dropped. Of course. “Yes?”

“I will hire you if you are willing to submit to all my wishes.”

My pulse sped up instantly, and I almost swayed under the wave of lust. Shit. I couldn’t believe his words actually affected me like this.

I moved my eyes over his face, drinking in his every line and spot on his perfect face. I was losing this battle against my desire.

Ugh, I was so torn and annoyed with myself right now.

I couldn’t deny it. I wanted him. I wanted him badly.

On the other hand, I wanted this project too.

He was so insolent. He was gorgeous.

I sighed, knowing I had to give this—whatever this was—a shot. He’d already apologized and he was willing to give me this job. I couldn’t miss this opportunity.

“Okay,” I muttered, my eyes downcast.

“Okay?”

I raised my eyes and found his—the excitement and challenge written in them. “Okay. I accept your condition.”

He grinned widely. He raised his finger and placed it on my jaw, tracing it slowly. His eyes were trained on those places he touched and I was surprised with the raw desire I found in them. I swallowed again, feeling tingles all over my skin.

He dropped his hand, meeting my eyes again. “Consider yourself hired, Ms. Harris.”