“Since you’re soable, Miss Fontaine, I’d like you to compile these contracts for me.”
I immediately blanch. “Doris didn’t teach me how to do this.”
“That’s because she never did these.”
“How am I supposed to know what to do?”
“You’ll figure it out.” He smirks and I want to hit him…hard.
“You’re punishing me for having an opinion?”
He shoots me a hard glance and stalks out of my office.
What the fuck?
I growl in frustration. He is so exasperating and irritating and angry and…hot. If I weren’t so pissed right now, I’d definitely be turned on.
I pick up the phone and dial Kate’s extension. “You wouldn’t happen to know how to compile a contract, would you?”
***
It’s nearing eight o’clock when I hear Benjamin’s office door open and my sore fingers stop typing. There’s a hesitant knock against the thin glass of my door, just as my scowl disappears into a mask of indifference.
“Come in.”
I focus on my computer screen, typing away even though I know he’s staring at me from the doorway.
“You’re still here?”
I look up at him expectantly, observing the briefcase under his arm. “I’m finishing my work, sir.”
I need to watch myself or I’m going to get fired in a second. I’m so mad and hungry and tired. I’ve been here for over twelve hours.
“I didn’t expect you to still be working.”
“You didn’t tell me I could leave, Mr. Scott.”
He rubs the back of his neck in a brief uneasy gesture. “I’m sorry. Please, stop. I didn’t mean to keep you here this late.”
I look into his surprisingly contrite expression.
Good lord, he’s beautiful.
“If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to finish this. I’m nearly done,” I say finally, which disarms him, giving me the control for once.
“Sure.”
I feel his eyes boring through my skull as I continue typing. “Do you need something from me?” I ask, without offering a glance in his direction.
“Uh, no. I guess not. Good night, Darcy.”
“Good night, Benjamin.” I try to control my reaction as I hear his first name tumble from my lips…on myfirstday on the job. That’s it. I’m done for.
I don’t dare risk a peek to the entranceway until I hear the door close. The smell of his cologne is still hovering in the air, consuming all space around me. He holds so much power over me, effortlessly. I truly can’t stand him, and yet I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.
I think of Adam and our three-year relationship. I think of our lack of chemistry, how hard it truly was for us to connect with one another. Adam was a fantastic boyfriend. He was sweet, gentle, attractive, and we were comfortable in our relationship. He accepted me, accepted my complicated past, but I needed a spark. I needed fire. Heat and passion. Orgasms…things he could never give to me.
For so long, I’d wondered if the notorious spark was simply a tall tale, a ruse to sell a convincing love story. Austen had cemented the notion in my brain and I could never disregard it. All my life, I’ve searched.
