A knock on the door jolts me from the past, and I whirl to see the bastard himself gazing at me from the doorway.
He’s got that amused expression on his face, but the look in his eyes shows something else.
Something I don’t recognize.
“Danni.”
Fuck, how dare he say my name like it’s audible gold? His gravelly voice conjures up images of sweaty bodies fucking forhours, tongues on hot skin, and ripped clothes. And didn’t I just tell him not to address me unless he had to?
Urgh, this fucking man.
“It’sDanielle,” I snap back, sitting down before he gets the chance to notice my trembling legs.
“Wow, so you work here.” Blake grins, his eyes skimming the room.
I’d recently put my awards on the walls, proud of them in their shiny silver frames, boasting my sales achievements.
Blake suppresses a yawn, and I wonder howanyonecan look hot yawning.
He’s the sort of guy that doesn’t know the meaning of ugly crying.
“What do you want?” I ask, opening my laptop.
I stare at the screen, praying there’s something important there, but other than my research into retail and internet merging strategies—which I’d already read—there’s nothing new.
I clear my browser and search for travel industry news.
“Ouch. Well, my dad wants to make sure we get along. He’s asked me to come and make sure, so…” He shrugs, his hair not moving an inch. “Here I am.”
I lift my gaze to him over my screen, ignoring the way my stomach releases butterflies like they’re the fireworks for New Year’s-fucking-Day.
He’s older, but he’s not only aging well, he’s looking better than he ever has. His skin is flawless, not a blemish in sight. His eyes can strip you out of your clothes with a mere glance, while his jawline could cut glass.
Stubble is sprinkled on his face, and I hate how manly it makes him look.
It’s clear he works out, but I tear my eyes away before his ego comes out to play.
The last thing I need is Blake James on my case.
“We’re fine, providing you keep out of my way.” My fingers swipe over the mouse, clicking on news story after news story, anything to make me appear busier than I am.
“Fine,” Blake huffs, backing out of my office. “Some things never change.”
I gasp, ready to blow him away with my last-minute retorts, but he’s already gone, walking across the office and out of sight.
I sink back into my chair and go to the company's intranet on my laptop.
Licking my lips, I click the ‘About us’ section, scrolling past a beaming photo of Alec James to find my ex-boyfriend staring back at me with pensive blue eyes.
I grit my teeth and read about how he’s destined to run this company when his dad leaves, vowing I'll be gonelongbefore that.
I dream of starting my own travel business from home, but I need more business experience before that happens.
Hence this job.
I’ve already learned so much since working with Alec in such a short space of time.
Today was day nine.
