Page 7 of Fiercely Protective
I felt as if the world was conspiring against me. Of all the things that could have occurred to sabotage this interview, I never imagined this. How could this be the same guy from last night? Was he the same Mr. Delaney who owned the club? My cheeks blushed as I remembered that I had agreed with him when he mentioned the club owner was an asshole.
“Would you like to have a seat or conduct this interview standing?”
I stepped forward to take a seat in the chair situated in front of his large mahogany desk, ignoring the voice in my head screaming at me to run in the opposite direction.
He was even more strikingly handsome in the light of day than he had been in the dim darkness and flashing lights of the club last night; only this time, he looked more threatening, more wicked. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt and black dress pants, his arms crossed over his broad chest as he leaned back casually against the desk as if he were testing me to see if I was brave enough to be in the same room as him.
I raised my chin a notch higher and summoned what little courage I possessed. If he brought me here to humiliate or degrade me, I would not give him the satisfaction of seeing how unsettled his presence had made me.
“Why didn’t you tell me last night who you were?” I hated the way my voice cracked when I was finally able to speak.
He looked at me intently then walked back around to take a seat behind the desk. “I saw no need in it. Besides, where would the fun be in that?”
I may have been impulsive last night, but I had been through too much to allow this man, a man I barely knew, to humiliate or frighten me. “I am sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you, but I feel that this is a waste of time, and I don’t have the luxury of time to waste.” I rose from my seat, but his deep authoritative voice caused me to freeze in place.
“Sit down.” It was more of a command than a suggestion.
I immediately sank back into the seat I had just vacated, mentally chastising myself for being so easily controlled.
I looked up to see his lips curve in a one-sided sexy as hell grin. “I am not going to bite unless that is what you came for. I was under the impression that you were here for an interview and an interview is what you shall have.”
“Very well.” I sat up a little straighter then handed him my resume across the desk. “I uploaded a copy with my application online, but I brought a hard copy in case it was needed.”
I watched as he took the paper from me and scanned over it before tossing it in the trash can beside his desk.
“You went to a lot of trouble for a waitress position, but I don’t need to read your resume to know that you are more than qualified for the opportunity I am about to offer you.” He interlaced his fingers as he regarded me, a crooked smile on his face. “It is quite an important position and one that requires someone with your… skillset. Would you care to hear more about it?”
“I came here to interview for the waitress position.”
“It would not be a good fit for you. Besides, the club has plenty of waitresses. Do you truly think that serving drinks would be reaching your full…potential.” A faint light twinkled in the depths of his eyes as he stared at me from behind the desk. “You are the type of woman who could have so much more. And I am the type of man that can offer it to you. It just so happens that I am looking for someone to fill a different role. It will require 100% devotion to the job. There could be travel involved as well as long hours. But it does include housing, a clothing allowance, as well as a substantial salary. If you think you would be interested and can meet these requirements, we will discuss it further.”
My eyes narrowed wondering what those requirements would be. “What exactly is this opportunity you are offering?”
“I won’t lie to you. It is a very demanding position and will require you to be at my disposal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As I mentioned before, I travel for business from time to time, and you may be asked to accompany me if I deem it necessary. You will be asked to attend charity or business functions with me. But you must know and understand upfront that I can be very difficult at times. That fact I will not try to hide from you. I require someone that will be devoted solely to me and only me. So, if you have a boyfriend or someone that would require your attention, you should think seriously about it because I am not the type of man that will share.”
I narrowed my eyes slightly as he laid out his proposal. “That doesn’t exactly sound like a position for which I am qualified. I think you have the wrong girl. I came here to interview for a waitress position, not to be a paid escort.”
He leaned forward. “You didn’t let me finish, but if you feel that is the case, you may leave now. But before you go…” He handed me a folded piece of paper. “This is the weekly salary I will pay you and of course, there will be bonuses. It does not include your housing, clothing, travel, and any miscellaneous purchases. Those will be paid for you and will not be taken from your salary.”
I took the paper from him, my curiosity getting the better of me. When I saw the numbers written out in ink before me, I felt a little dizzy. This would not only solve all my problems but also allow me to put some money aside for the future. I would no longer be living check-to-check, nor would I have to worry about finding a way to keep the lights on or food in the fridge.
“Interested?”
I looked up from where I had been staring at the numbers swimming before my eyes. “I’m still here.”Regardless of the warning bells going off in my head.
“The offer will not be on the table long. I’m afraid I am an impatient man and will require your answer today. If you decide to accept my proposal, you can start right now. I need someone bright enough to learn what I like and anticipate those needs. Someone that I desire to spend time with. I will also expect you to be friendly and congenial to the clients I entertain.”
I raised my eyes to find him watching me. “Friendly? How friendly? If you mean I should fall into bed with them, then we can stop right now.”
I watched his eyes darken, and I could almost feel the fury radiating from him.
“No one will touch you. I can promise you that. I’m not trying to pimp you out, Bri. I am offering you an opportunity that most women would kill for, one with lots of possibilities.”
“You are offering me a position as a highly paid escort. Prostitution is a nasty word, but the meaning is the same unless you are including yourself in that promise not to touch me. I highly doubt you would offer me the salary written on that paper if this was to be a purely platonic arrangement?”
He stood from his seat and walked back to stand in front of me. “First of all, I have more than enough money to pay you whatever I wish. Secondly, I will not make you a promise I have no intention of keeping. After having already touched you…kissed you…tasted you…I will not deny myself the privilege to do so again. I have thought of little else since last night. But I can promise that I will never do anything you do not…desire.” He reached out and placed a finger under my chin to lift my face higher. “I can see the yearning in your eyes even now, Angel.”
The man must have some sort of enchanting or sorcerer-like qualities, because I found myself wanting to give in, wanting to do whatever he asked of me. It was like being under a spell.What the fuck was wrongwith me?