Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
“Yeah, I looked at your notes and made a few of my own, have him stop by the office today or tomorrow, we can go over them all together,” Mace replies.
“Sounds good,” our chat is interrupted by a knock on the open door, Tessa making an appearance, once I saw she was in the parking lot I excused myself from Mace telling him I’d be back in to finish up the discussion while also telling him there was an interview that was set up last minute. That knock is Tessa, ready to interview for a position at our law firm. I stand up to introduce the two of them, Mace doing the same.
“Mace, this is Tessa,” I tell my business partner as she walks inside his office. It took some fast talking seeing as how I probably should have shot him an email or a text over the weekend to give him a heads-up. Of course, that’s not what I did, instead ignoring the girl who has turned into a woman. Whereas three years ago, she was a teenager, now there are curves where there weren’t any before, and my eyes do not deceive me in seeing them either. It took all I had to keep my hand where it was on her lower back, not to slide down further and feel her ass between under the palms of my hand.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Ayala.” Tessa takes his offered hand, and I reluctantly let her go.
“Nice to meet you as well, Miss Drake. Kingston says you’re looking for a job as a paralegal?” We all take our seats—Mace behind his desk, Tessa on the chair that’s to the left of me, and when she crosses her legs, I have to tear my eyes away and return them to Mace’s. The smirk he gives me lets me know it didn’t go unnoticed, and while we may be business partners split fifty-fifty, there’s no way I’m going to jeopardize our practice, regardless of my feelings towards Tessa.
“Yes, I am. I’ve recently graduated from University of Nevada. I was offered an intern position with a firm in Reno I respectfully declined. I’d rather be closer to home seeing as how I’ve been away for three years now, which may have backfired now that I’m home,” she tells Mace honestly. Our office is laid back as long as clients aren’t in for an important meeting, and even then, some of our clients usually prefer us to appear that way when we’re talking about millions of dollars they’ve earned. That means Tessa is a bit overdressed in her interview attire. I’m not going to complain, not when it gives me the viewing pleasure.
“I understand. Family and friends are a necessity in life. Here’s the thing: we’re still up and coming, just a few months in after opening. That doesn’t mean we’re not slammed with new clients and needing help. King and I can offer you a position as an intern with pay. The only thing we can’t offer as an intern is benefits. Should you complete the six months, you’ll have full employee benefits with medical and dental insurance. Vacation pay and sick pay are part of those, as well as a retirement plan, should you want them.” I see Tessa’s shoulders visibly relax, no longer at her ears and worried that this would be a wasted effort. Mace slides a piece of paper towards her with an offer letter, stating a number that I know can’t be beat while being an intern still learning the ropes. That’s what had me going to the office earlier today than I wanted after working most of the weekend on the contracts I didn’t finish Friday evening. I laid it out for Mace, letting him know there was and could potentially be more that meets the eye. It wasn’t a deal breaker. He just smirked and told me to keep things behind closed doors. Fucker is younger than me, is back with his ex-wife, and shit is going well for him. When that happens to someone, they want you to be right there with them in the happiness department. As much as I’d like to say this thing between Tessa and me could build, it comes with all kinds of red fucking tape. My daughter, her parents, society being the dicks they are with an eighteen-year age gap. The hits could keep hitting, and I’m not sure it’s fair of me to ask Tessa to deal with the fallout.
“Thank you. Wow, umm, this is really… I’m lost for words.” Mace didn’t need to see her resume to know what she’s capable of, not with me putting in a word. I may want to lick, suck, and fuck every damn inch of Tessa, but when I’m going to bat for someone, he knows as well as I do it’s because I know they won’t screw up.