Raine (Gods of the Fifth Floor #2) - M.V. Ellis Page 0,9

took a few steps backward and away from me.

As Nate took a seat on the couch, Beck glared at me.

“Okay, I’m fucking coming. Jesus, anybody would think I was in here shooting up heroin, not just smoking a fucking blunt. You all need to remove the sticks from up your old man-acting asses.

I walked around the desk and threw myself down onto the couch next to Beck. I had no idea why they all gave so much of a fuck about where we held these meetings, and who sat where, but they really did. I often played on that, and annoyed the hell out of them pretty much every meeting by sitting at my desk with my feet resting on the edge, legs crossed at the ankles, just to watch their blood pressures rise.

When I was settled Nate met my eyes again. “She has to go. You know the rules. On top of everything else going on right now, I cannot deal with any kind of drama, or worse litigation, because you can’t keep it in your fucking pants for ten damned minutes. More to the point, we as a company can’t afford to be embroiled in that kind of mess. Especially not right now.”

“It’s one week. The agency has no dudes who meet the requirements, and there’s no way I’m hanging on without anyone. They’ve assured me that they will be combing the city for the best male candidates until we find the perfect fit. In the meantime, I have Wednesday Addams out there.”

“Not happening.” Nate was still stony.

“Well, then we have a problem, because I went ahead and agreed to her being here for a week, and before that, I’d already offered her a month’s work just to go away, because that’s how long she was supposed to be on the assignment for.

“Really? This gets better and fucking better.” Beck rolled his eyes. “Why don’t you just open the window and throw money out of it?”

“Chill. It’s not that much of a big deal. You know how much PAs earn, right? And if it is a dram, I’ll cover the cost from my own pocket.”

“No, you won’t.” Nate looked at me as though I was something the dog shat out. “You’re not paying her privately. Imagine how damaging that would be if it went to court. It would be like you thought you were engaging her for extra services or some shit.”

“Why are we talking about court? It’s a temp for one fucking week, not an orgy. Besides, have you seen her? This is not whatever you think it is, trust me.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen her. She’s seriously hot.” This was Dillon’s first real contribution since Confession has started.

“She is,” I agreed, “But she’s about as warm and welcoming as a Chicago breeze. I don’t think she’s said two words to me for the whole time she’s been back here after I told her to go away, and if she does, they’re not likely to be terms of endearment. I really don’t think we’ll have an issue, here. It’s all good.”

“They sound like famous last words to me. One week. I’m trusting you for five measly days. Don’t screw this up, and don’t screw her, Raine. I mean it. We can’t afford any extra drama right now.” His brows knitted together. I had no idea what the fuck was going on, but he was obviously stressed to the max.

“Why do you keep saying that? That we can’t afford this ‘right now’. What am I missing here? What the hell is going on?

Chapter 4

Noa

* * *

I looked around my new temporary workspace and marveled that the previous PA— a guy, obviously, called James—had left me a detailed manual introducing me to how all the systems worked, which seemed like pretty standard stuff: taking calls, filing, appointment setting, travel arrangements, office admin, etcetera. Nothing I couldn’t handle.

I’d already successfully completed my first task when my new boss had stormed out of his office earlier, barking a bunch of orders at me.

“Noel.”

“It’s Noa.”

“That too. It’s Confession time. My office. Now”

“Excuse me? I don’t...”

“Jesus, don’t look so horrified. I’m not asking you to act out some kind of kinky priest fantasy with me, though that does sound good. Haven’t you read the instruction thing James left?”

“I’m doing that right now.”

“So, you know what I’m talking about then.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t. Maybe I haven’t reached that item yet, but I’m happy to do whatever you need.” He quirked an eyebrow, and I straight away