AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s right here.” She slaps down a bound copy of the report onto her desk. “I skipped lunch to make sure you had it in time for your meeting this afternoon. Did you need anything else?” she asks briskly.
I admit I enjoy provoking her so I can witness her sassy side. Despite maintaining a professional relationship, I appreciate her willingness to speak her mind regardless of my role as CEO.
“That’ll be all.” I grab the report, ready to rush back to my office.
“Mr. Sinclair, I think you’re forgetting something.” Presley’s melodic voice has me spinning around without pause.
She folds her arms across her chest, fixing me with a frosty glare. God, why does she have to be so cute when she’s mad?
“And what might that be, Ms. Stafford?”
“Your manners.” She nods to the report in my hand.
I suppress a smile of admiration at her insistence on being treated with the utmost respect.
“Thank you for putting this together so quickly, Ms. Stafford.” I gesture to the report. “It’s very much appreciated,” I say with sincerity.
“You’re very welcome.” She flashes me a grin, making me think of all the wicked things I could do with that pretty little mouth of hers. “Before you go, I wanted to let you know that I’m taking off two weeks of work next December. My mom was disappointed that I had to cut my visit short this year, and I won’t let that happen again. I’ll remind you as it gets closer, but I just wanted to let you know well in advance.”
I don’t like the idea of her being gone for that long. It doesn’t matter, considering it’s a year away. Anything could happen between now and then.
“We can discuss it when it gets closer,” I say tersely. “For now, get back to work.”
“That’s fine. I’m putting it on your calendar since I wouldn’t want you to forget,” she says with a smirk.
“Okay.” I give her a curt nod before walking away.
Since Presley Stafford stepped into my office for the first time, she’s never been far from my mind. I can only hope that someday, her presence won’t have such a profound effect on me. She’s become an indispensable part of my team at Sinclair Group and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize our working relationship. No matter how tempted I might be to cross that line.
1
PRESLEY
PRESENT DAY
WHO THE HELL DOES JACK SINCLAIR think he is?
I narrow my eyes at the email that just hit my inbox.
Ms. Stafford,
The Wescott acquisition has been finalized. We’re meeting with Mr. Wescott and his team on Friday to plan the transition before the new year. He and his associates will be calling in remotely. Block out our calendar for tomorrow so we can prepare.
Your boss,
Jack Sinclair
It’s official—I hate him. He knows damn well that today was meant to be my last day of work until after the holidays. He has no right to demand that I delay my well-earned time off. The deal is complete, and these meetings can wait until January. I guarantee I’m not the only one who thinks so. Just because Jack Sinclair doesn’t have a life outside of work doesn’t mean the rest of us don’t.
I can’t help but scoff when I see his signature. I’ll never understand why he insists on signing every email with “your boss.” How could I possibly forget that I work for a moody, high-strung asshole who has no regard for anyone but himself.
My phone chimes, letting me know my rideshare is waiting downstairs. I’ve already had to cancel my pickup twice because Jack is adamant that I be in the office when he is.
The handle of my suitcase peeks out from the side of my desk—another reminder that I was supposed to leave for the airport hours ago. Even if it wasn’t rush hour, there's no way I’d catch my flight. I let out an exasperated sigh and cancel my ride for the third time today.
I wonder what the chances are my mother would let it slide if I couldn’t make it home for Christmas.Zero. She’d drag the whole family to New York before she would let me skip out on spending the holidays with them in Aspen Grove. Plus it wouldn’t be the same if they came here.
I frown down at the piece of paper on my desk. Every year since I was a kid, I’ve made a list of things to do during the holiday season. Some are long-standing traditions, and others are new things I want to try. Regardless of my mother’s wishes, I can’t help but wonder how many I could check off if I stayed in the city.
