“All going well in IT now?”There had been a massive breech into FI’s systems, and we all remained on alert.Thank goodness, the hackers had been caught.
“All good.Emma is a godsend.I’m so glad she came to work for us.”
“She’s good.”Emma had been instrumental in catching those trying to sabotage the company and IT.The elevator pinged.
“My floor.Have a good day.”Ben exited.
Valerie stayed silent until we reached the HR floor.“This is us.”I held the door open as she stepped out.I couldn’t stop myself from admiring the way she moved.Be professional.
“Big building,” Valerie commented.
“There are other companies in Seattle that are much bigger than ours.”While we owned several buildings, we weren’t the biggest organization in the area.Did that concern her?Why was I worried?
“But none of the companies do what you do?”
I glanced at her.“So you researched us?”Jessica was smart.I suspected she did, and if so, she knew exactly what Fantasies, Inc.did and what she was getting into.Over the years, so much of what we did here made me think of her.Of us.Together.Stop.This isn’t the time or place.
“I research all the companies I’m assigned to.”
“Then you know what we do.”I wanted to rub my hands together.Her knowing what the company was about opened so many possibilities.
Hold up.No jumping the gun.Just because my libido woke up hard the instant I saw her doesn’t mean leaping without looking.
“Yes.”
Yet she didn’t seem to know I was the head of Finance.I opened my mouth to ask her about that as Sarah, the HR executive assistant, looked up as we approached.“Hi, Sarah.This is Valerie Ray, our new contractor.Miles is expecting us.”
“Go on in and welcome to Fantasies, Inc., Ms.Ray.”
“Thank you.”
I knocked on Miles’ door, opened it, and gestured for Valerie to enter.She hesitated for a moment, then moved into the room.Miles stood next to his desk, waiting for us.“Ms.Ray, welcome.”He held out his hand.
“Valerie, please.”Miles held her hand longer than I felt was necessary, and I found myself wanting to snatch Valerie’s hand from his.Where the hell was this jealousy coming from?It was just Miles’ natural friendliness.Besides, it had been years since Valerie and I were together.
“Miles.Go ahead and take a seat.”Miles gestured to the small round conference table in his office.Valerie glanced around Miles’ office before she took her seat.
“Do you need anything before we start?Coffee, water, something else?”Miles asked.
“I’m fine, thank you.”Valerie said.
Her body was stiff, and she kept giving me side glances.I took the seat next to her; Miles sat to her right, then kicked off the conversation.
“To start off, HR at Smith, Rogers, and Associates emailed me your signed contract.But there is other paperwork we need to go over.”
“Before we get into that, I do have a question,” Valerie said.Miles nodded.“In the contract, it said while I’m working here, I’m an independent contractor to Fantasies, Inc.”
“That is correct.As agreed, your employer is aware you are contracted to us, and they’ve granted you leave for the duration of your contract with us.You will continue to accrue vacation time with your employer, and they will maintain your health and all savings benefits while you’re on contract to us.We pay you directly, and while you keep your benefits through your employer, you are responsible for state and federal taxes.”
Valerie tilted her head.“I’ve never been employed this way before.”
Her question was valid; the arrangement was somewhat unusual, but not unheard of, especially when dealing with product research and development.
“Due to the nature of our business, we prefer it this way.Your employer is being compensated as well.”
Valerie nodded and sat back in her chair.It irked me a little bit that Miles could make her relax, even though I was glad to see the tension ease.She carried tension in her shoulders and neck.I’d given her massages almost daily when we were together, and those massages always led to other activities.I shook my head to clear the sensual thoughts.
Miles opened a file.“Here is an NDA for you to sign.”
