Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Paul, the Smith to my Sullivan, had been the one to hire this new secretary, so I’ve never met or even spoken to the new hire. I was supposed to read over her CV this weekend, but instead, I spent the entire two days unable to focus on a damn thing because the girl from the bar took up every one of my brain cells.
So now, I have to go greet this secretary without even knowing her name. Real fucking professional of me. Christ, I’m going to be lucky if she doesn’t just turn around and leave within five minutes.
I’m halfway to the entryway the new girl should be waiting in when I look up.
Jesus.
All the air leaves my lungs in a rush. I feel like I’ve been electrocuted. Frozen, sparks shooting through my veins, mouth dropping open, and eyes going wide. Undoubtedly, I look like a fucking fool, but I can’t move. My gaze is locked on the woman waiting at the front of the office. Her blonde hair is swept into a sleek bun rather than falling around her face in soft waves, beautiful blue eyes framed by long lashes, full lips parted.
“Savannah.”
She looks just as edible in her black skirt that stops just above her knees and a silky white blouse as she did in that skin-tight pink dress on Friday. Hell, she’d look gorgeous in a paper bag. The shock wears off, and I rush towards her, needing to close the distance between us.
“Savannah,” I say again when I reach her, wrapping an arm around her waist on instinct. I need to touch her, to convince myself she’s actually here. “Am I hallucinating or are you actually here in my office? Because given how much time I’ve spent thinking about you the last two days, I’m not going to lie, I’m convinced my brain has conjured you up.”
She laughs, smiling, but it’s clear she’s nervous. She shuffles her feet, stepping away from my hold on her and putting space between us. My stomach drops.
“I’m real. I’m here,” she says, chewing her lip. “I…I didn’t realize you worked here.”
I clear my throat, shoving my hands in my pockets to stop them from reaching for her again. “I’m Sean Sullivan,” I re-introduce myself, scrambling for some professionalism. “This is my company.”
“Oh my god,” Savannah whispers, blue eyes wide. “So…that means…”
I realize it at the same time she does. It feels like the floor falls out from under us, my heart in my mouth, my head spinning so fast I feel dizzy.
“I’m your boss,” I finish for her, voice strained. Shit. Shit! That’s why she stepped out of my hold. That’s why she seems so goddamn nervous. She didn’t know she was coming to work for me, and not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine that Savannah of all people would be my new hire.
Nothing is ever fucking simple, is it?
“This…this is weird…right?” Savannah clutches at her bag like it’s a lifeline. Or a shield.
Every inch of me is desperate for me to gather her into my arms and hold her until she feels better. I hate the mixture of nerves and worry on her gorgeous face. I never want her to be worried about anything ever again.
“It doesn’t have to be,” I answer. Distantly, I’m aware that the other employees can probably hear and see this, but I find that I don’t really care what they think. But it’s clear Savannah is worried about it, her eyes darting over my shoulder, her teeth ripping the skin on her lips now. “Come on,” I say, trying to keep the possessiveness out of my tone. “We can chat through the paperwork in my office.”
“Paperwork. Yes, right,” Savannah rushes to say, nodding and readjusting her bag on her shoulder.
A few employees offer her smiles and quick greetings as we pass through, but I don’t stop to make introductions the way I probably should. I’ll do it later, once this shit show has been sorted out and I’ve convinced Savannah that her role as my secretary doesn’t have to affect the fact that I want her in a very non-professional way.
“Have a seat.” I hold the door open and gesture to the comfortable office chair at my desk.
I wait until she’s seated before I press the small button to the right of the door that brings down the frosted film in the glass walls, hiding us from prying eyes. She gasps as we’re hidden from view, then coughs to try to hide it, looking around at my office with interest.
I stroll around the desk, taking my own seat on the other side. The desk serves as a barrier between us, one I resent but know is necessary to keep her comfortable. The fact she’s even here feels like a miracle, and the last thing I want is to chase her away when I’ve only just found her again.