“T.H.? Well who would have thought,” I say, extending my hand to shake his. I’m suddenly a little disappointed it’s Maverick when I was expecting to land a huge account. Granted, I will land some other huge object straight between my thighs. He must see the displeasure on my face.
He takes my outstretched hand, shakes it, and then folds his large arms across his chest. “Expecting someone else?” he asks.
“Yes and no. I spoke with Morganna today. She told me you wanted my information.” As I say the words, paranoia hits me. Maybe Maverick really does have a lot of money and he does want me to manage it for him. Maybe he’s not interested in dating, screwing, insert sex act here, with me. He wants my professional services. I’m not sure what is worse. Not getting a large account or not getting him, Morganna’s warnings aside.
“I want your information, huh?” He stalks around my office like a predator. Which is what this man is. Fully. I love it. His eyes heat when he looks me up and down, not trying to hide his appraisal. He drags the office chair that sits in front of my desk next to my seat.
His proximity heats me, wetting my panties and blushing every part of me that isn’t covered by clothes. I cross my legs. His unreadable gaze darts to my legs and the black pencil skirt that covers my desire. This much man, and how he affects me, should be illegal.
“Well, you’ve found me. What can I do for you,” I say, glancing down at the paperwork he laid on top of my keyboard, “Mr. Thomas Maverick Hart?” Trying to ignore the way his arm brushes mine, I scan the numbers on the paperwork. The large numbers. Maverick is loaded. Not loaded like a Navy bachelor who has a couple re-enlistment bonuses in his account; he’s loaded like a trust fund baby who never has to work a day in his life. I feel his gaze boring into the side of my head as I read. It’s unrelenting. I look at him and hold up the top page, pointing at the bottom line.
He shrugs his shoulders and the top of his neck tattoo peeks out of his polo shirt. “Can you help me with it or not? You are a CPA.” He rasps my title a little too excitedly.
If this is a ploy to get me to date him, he is sorely mistaken. Money won’t win me over. If anything the exact opposite is the case. I know what type of people have this kind of money and I stay away from them. They are the ultimate assholes that don’t care about anything except number one. I shudder. Maybe Maverick isn’t even worth a one-night stand if he’s pushing this in my face on purpose.
He lays his hand on top of mine. “I wanted to see you, Windsor.” He says my name and my stomach drops. He might as well have ripped off my clothing, for the reaction it causes in my body. I suck in a determined breath.Be professional, God dammit.
“I need to know exactly what you want me to do with this money. We could diversify some of it. Use the bulk of it in a more aggressive nature. You are younger. What rates were you getting before? Do you have any ideas or expectations?” I ask, trying to keep my voice from going all freaking raspy with desire. This might be impossible.
“I have high expectations, Windsor,” he says. I want to scream at him to be straight with me. Snatching my hand out of his, I get up and walk to the window overlooking the parking lot of Food Lion. Women juggling kids and groceries distract me.
“Color me stupid. Could you spell it out for me?” I ask without turning around to face him. It’s a little better when I don’t have to look at him, or know he’s in touching distance. I cross my ankles to try to fight the fire between my legs.
“I did my research. I know that you aren’t only a CPA. You are also very good at making money for people. I’ll up the percentage you make on profits if you go out with me. One date,” he says, his voice growing closer as he approaches. I turn around wide-eyed and supremely pissed off.
“Are you seriously trying to buy me? I’m not a prostitute for God’s sake!” I scream, and then slam a hand over my mouth, praying Garrett didn’t hear my outburst.
Maverick laughs. He has the fucking audacity to laugh at me. He shakes his head.
I interrupt him. “Even though I’ll probably get fired for doing this, I’m going to have to say no thank you. You should take your copious amounts of money elsewhere to be managed.” My blood is boiling. I can’t believe he thought buying me out would be the only way to get a date with me. Walking around him, careful not to brush his arm as I pass, I sit down at my desk. “Did you even think to just ask me out?”
He has the good sense to look mortified. He bites a corner of his lip and blows out a breath. “It didn’t cross my mind. I thought it would be much harder than simply asking. You didn’t want to give me the time of day Saturday night.” He cocks his head to one side. “I figured if I sweetened the deal a little, maybe you’d be more receptive to my advances.” Hands in his pockets, he approaches quietly, stealthily. I shuffle his papers on my desk, feeling ill. Ill that I have to send his accounts away and sick because I can’t sleep with him. Not after this show of stupidity. Even my libido has IQ standards.
“You know what they say about assuming, I assume? It makes an ass out of you and me. Plus, it would be a conflict of interest if I handled both your money and your…” I trail off, and let him assume whatever he wants. He’s good with that.
Now he looks really pissed off. Dragging a hand through his longish brown hair, he continues his head shaking.
“I’m sure you have plenty of options, especially given your financial situation. You don’t want to date me,” I tell him, hoping to make him feel better about my rejection. Because I’m insane and I honestly feel bad because he thought this would work. Women don’t tell him no. “I’m all messed up. Ex-fiancé drama and all. Add in your womanizing and it’s a recipe for disaster,” I admit. I’m honest even though he doesn’t deserve my honesty, and even though my crazy heartbeat and the throbbing between my legs tell a different story.
“I’m sorry if I offended you. You’re good. I did my research. I want you on my accounts. No date. I never should have tried that tactic,” he says, looking remorseful. He doesn’t even meet my eyes. He looks down at the floor as he speaks.
Morganna’s words bounce around in my head.Bad news, Winnie. Bad news.I can’t even help it. I’m still inclined to throw myself at him. Thank God my brain speaks before my body does.
“My associate, Garrett, will be happy to manage your accounts,” I say. Garrett will be more than pleased to have this pushed his way. I’ll have to make up some lie about not being able to comfortably deal with the amount, because I sure as shit can’t tell him the real reason I don’t want to deal with the money or T.H. I smile. “He’s good. Just as good as me, I assure you.”
Dimples flash at me. They look less mouthwatering and a little more menacing. Eyes narrowed he asks, “That’s two no’s then?”
“Yes,” I tell him as I extend his paperwork out to him. “I have an afternoon appointment. I appreciateallof your interest. Garrett’s office is out my door, first door on the left.” I take one more look at the assets and liabilities on the page before he takes it from my hand and strides out of the door like a freaking Viking called to war.
I should have just accepted the date, because now I feel like all I managed to do is poke a grizzly with a long stick. I won’t be able to find that long of a stick next time. I don’t want Steve. I don’t want anyone that will make me think of Maverick. I need to get him out of my system…and fast.
*****
Maverick
She sent me away like a diseased leper. Not only that, but she did it easily. She didn’t even consider fucking me, even when she saw the money. No dollar signs flashed in her eyes like a normal woman. No. She said “No.” And she even tried to make me feel better about her rejection, doling out some story about how messed up she is.
I passed desperate asshole status a long time ago. Hanging out in this level of embarrassment is new. I had no intention of going to visit Garth’s office. I’m so fucking pissed off and frustrated. To top it off, my dick is hard. It didn’t get the rejection memo yet. The tight skirt, the flawless skin in daylight, the blue eyes that show every emotion she has. If I saw another guy I’d probably end up doing something stupid, breaking something or saying something really incriminating.
