Filthy Rich Alpha - Virna DePaul Page 0,9
the company. The space was roomy by Manhattan standards, and even had a window with a thin slice of the spectacular view. Thick translucent glass panels set into the interior walls afforded an illusion of privacy from the general commotion. Never having to deal with the distractions of a cubicle where anyone could look over her shoulder meant she got a lot more work done—and meant she could hide out and stay late. In some ways, her office felt more like home than her apartment.
She was grateful to reach the door of her office without being seen, but stopped abruptly when she saw Branden seated in one of the chairs. He rose immediately upon seeing her. “Hello.”
“Hello,” Cara said, forcing herself to not stammer. Slowly, she held out her hand and said, “Nice to see you again, Mr. Duke.”
He wore an expression of professional neutrality, but his gaze still seemed to pierce her. When he reached out and took her hand, she barely suppressed a gasp at the tingles that went up her arm.
He was even better looking in the daylight. Thick hair that she’d slid her fingers through while kissing him with unabashed lust wasn’t quite as dark as she remembered—more brown than black. There was the strong jaw she’d caressed and there were the faint creases around his mouth that suggested a smile even when he wasn’t smiling.
Which he wasn’t. And unlike last night, there was no hint of amusement or warmth in his gaze.
“I’m taking the day to introduce myself to everyone. Mind if I sit down?” Branden asked cordially, although his expression remained unreadable.
“No, of course not.” As he sat down, she put down her things and took her seat at her desk.
He moved the chair closer to her desk and settled his long frame into it, resting his hands on the polished wood armrests. The subdued elegance of his suit emphasized his remarkable physicality and self-assurance.
Her mouth went dry. God, what was she supposed to say here?
“Thank you for the ride last night,” she finally said. “I got home safely.” She winced and whispered, “Obviously.”
He nodded. “It was my pleasure.”
“So,” he began. “You’ll meet some of the personnel I’m bringing in later. I have someone who will be revamping IT, a new office manager, and a few other specialists. Right now I’m trying to get a scope on who does what, and how well they do it. Tell me what is it you do for the company that’s unique.”
Cara blinked. Okay, so he wasn’t firing her immediately. Maybe her position with the company was still up in the air. But what was it exactly that he wanted to hear? “Can you clarify what you’re asking?” she said.
“Your analytical methods, innovative approaches you’ve come up with, that sort of thing. Let’s start with the most difficult problem you ever faced here.”
That would be you, Mr. Duke.
“Well. Let me think.”
“Is it really that difficult a question to answer?” he asked with one cocked brow, his tone mildly taunting.
She lifted her chin. Last night, the man had turned her on beyond belief. Hell, he was still turning her on, even as she worried about the safety of her job. But clearly he was in the position of power here, and while he wasn’t exactly being rude about it, he was testing her meddle. So fine, if that’s the way he wanted to play it…
Game on, Mr. Duke.
Cara stood, and on weak knees made her way to the file cabinet at the corner of her office. She hauled out hard-copy files and printed reports, slapping them down on the desk and turning them around so Branden could read the highlights as she pointed them out. In the last six months alone, Cara had analyzed several multimillion-dollar deals in development that no one but she thought would ever turn a profit. In the end, management had followed her advice and D&M had raked in a fortune. A tiny fraction of which would hopefully plump up her year-end bonus.
But as she explained the spreadsheets, throwing out facts and figures and pointing out profit margins, it took all her effort not to focus on how closely Branden paid attention…how his gaze flicked from the papers on her desk to her face, then back again, eyes smoldering in intensity…how the corner of his mouth crooked up when she got excited over explaining a formula she’d come up with…how he would occasionally stroke his gaze over her, as if sizing her up.
How his scent