was Eve calling his bluff by calling him back when he noted the call was from Shana Bradford. “Yes, Shana?”
Shana took a deep breath, thinking there was that sexy voice again. She hated admitting it, but she liked the sound of her name on his lips. “I figured you would still be at the office. Chocolate is known to boost your energy level, and I noticed that your slice of cake at lunch was a lot bigger than mine.”
She heard his rich, masculine laugh and thought it was sexy, too.
“You noticed, huh?”
“Yes.” She smiled, recalling how he’d devoured the entire slice. “I won’t keep you, but I was wondering if I need to bring my own computer or if you’ve got one there for me?”
Jace lifted a brow. “Some companies actually make you bring your own computer?”
“Yes, and it’s no big deal if that’s the case. I just like knowing beforehand.”
Jace leaned back in his chair, suddenly feeling calm and relaxed. Both feelings were much appreciated after his phone call with Eve. “Well, that’s not the case. In fact, I took charge of things myself.”
And he had. He had decided to give her the office next to his, the one that had a connecting door to his grandfather’s and his father’s offices. Since it was in the middle of both offices, it had served as a private meeting room for the two men. It was roomy and large enough for Shana’s temporary office and had a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge Mountains outside the window.
The maintenance department had already removed the huge conference table and replaced it with a desk, a couple of file cabinets, a bookcase and other accessories. His grandfather’s secretary, who was officially now Jace’s secretary, had gotten the office organized with supplies, including the latest computer. The receptionist from downstairs had assisted his secretary, which had probably made Dalton’s day. Fortunately, it was a task that hadn’t taken long to complete.
“I appreciate it and intend to be there first thing in the morning—around eight.”
“All right, and you have a spot reserved in the executive parking lot.”
“My-oh-my, don’t I feel special?”
She had a nice phone voice. Silky-sounding. He had thought that yesterday and was thinking it again today. “If a parking space does that, then wait until dress-down Friday. I understand that’s a big event here. They like to get out of their dresses and suits and go straight to the jeans.”
“Doesn’t take much to satisfy some people,” she said.
He wondered what it would take to satisfy her...or whether she was one of those women like Eve who couldn’t be satisfied. Nothing for her was ever enough.
“I almost forgot to mention something, Jace.”
“What?”
“I have my own computer expert, and I prefer using one of my own networks. So if it’s okay, he’ll be there tomorrow to put me on a different computer system than you have at Granger. It will be best for security for the work I intend to do there.”
“Okay, I don’t have a problem with that. I’ll let my technicians know.”
“No, I prefer no one knows but you and I. Bruce will make it seem like I’m still using the company’s server, but I won’t be.”
“Oh, okay.”
“I’ll be seeing you in the morning, Jace.”
“Sleep well.”
“I will.”
Jace hung up the phone. He’d heard her fighting back a yawn a few times during their conversation and wondered if, like him, she was still at the office. As he picked up the file he’d been about to read earlier, he couldn’t help but smile at the thought of seeing her again tomorrow.
* * *
A few hours later, Shana slid into her jacket ready to leave her office, confident that she was prepared for her first day at Granger Aeronautics. She found everything about it fascinating, even the fact that it was losing its place as one of the top leaders in aerospace engineering. Why? What she’d read was only out there for public consumption, and she couldn’t wait to delve into the real stuff.... Present clients. Past clients. Business models. PR focus. Product designs. Returns on workforce investments...
All those things made up the success or failure of any company, and she intended to see if any ratio of them might be hurting Granger. She appreciated the fact that, although she might have kept long hours tonight, Jace Granger had done so, as well. Not tit for tat, but because he was demonstrating a strong desire to move his company forward and was committed to doing so.
She