Page 3 of Miss Treated

“I’ll send you a list of who I’d like her to meet with over the next few days. Ensure everyone understands these meetings are mandatory.” He stopped at the sound of his phone ringing. “My next call is coming in. Nic, she’s booked in the visitor office on your floor. You’re in good hands, Kelsey.”

“Thank you, Mr. Chambers.”

Dominic didn’t speak again until we were in the elevator. “How about we start with your office, so you can drop off your things? Then, I’ll show you the rest of the floors.”

“Sounds good.”

He studied me. Not in a creepy way. More like where else was there to look while we were in the small elevator. As an introvert, my natural instinct was to keep my eyes down and shrink into myself. But I forced myself to meet his gaze. It was a mistake. He was unbelievably attractive.

“How is your day so far?”

“Um, good.” His simple question threw me. I was accustomed to people focusing on my bio or asking questions which gauged my worth. I wasn’t used to people asking how I was feeling. And he asked as if he genuinely cared.

When the elevator opened, he led me down the hall past a large server room and opened a door on the other side of it. “Here’s your office,” he announced.

I walked inside. It was a lovely space with large windows overlooking the harbor. As I set down my computer bag, I glanced appreciatively at the dual monitors and large desk. Of course, I’d need to turn it around so my back wasn’t to the door where someone could see my screen when they entered, but I could move the furniture later.

“Please make a list of anything else you might need.”

Spotting a printer, I couldn’t think of anything else. “I should have everything. I’m sure you’re busy, so we can do the office tour another time.” Frankly, I was anxious to get my plan laid out while I waited for system access.

He didn’t take offense. “Sure. The ladies’ room is out your door to the left. The kitchen is further down the same hall. Coffee is mediocre, but the peanut-butter-stuffed pretzels make up for it. My office is down to your right on the end, and my door is always open to you. I’ll come by at noon to take you to lunch.”

“Thank you.”

I finally let out a breath of relief once Dominic Chambers left the room.

Chapter Two

Dominic

After stepping out of Kelsey’s office, I went straight up two floors and into my father’s. “Who’s the new contractor again?”

He sighed, a familiar action when it came to me. “I told you last week I was bringing in an independent auditor to help us with process improvement.”

Not surprisingly, I hadn’t been listening. I wouldn’t bother to pretend I had since this was familiar ground. In my defense, a perpetual fire hose of information had been coming my way ever since I’d started this job last month. Information which wasn’t all that interesting most of the time. Another reason for my father to sigh.

Occasionally I thought he loved his company more than his own family. But I was being harsh. I knew my dad loved us. But I wasn’t made for the corporate life. Not because I was lazy. Quite the contrary. But because money and titles didn’t drive me. Didn’t get me up in the morning, and definitely didn’t excite me. Much to my father’s dismay.

My father’s right-hand man and business partner had retired last year, leaving a gaping vacancy. My dad turned first to the obvious choice to fill the role of chief operating officer, my oldest brother, Gabriel. Unfortunately, arguments over where to take the company had Gabe turning the offer down. My other brother, Leonardo, would never entertain the idea of working a corporate job. Therefore carrying on the family legacy had fallen to the youngest son.

Problem was, only one month in, and I was already over my head. But I’d told him I’d do one year. Why? He’d goaded me into it by pointing out my inability to commit to things long term and for some stupid reason I’d thought to prove him wrong.

He wasn’t wrong with his accusation of me of quitting things easily. Quitting and then changing majors was why it had taken me five years to complete a four-year degree. I hadn’t lasted long in the internships he’d set up for me nor in my first job out of college. What could I say? I was more a live-in-the-moment kind of guy. I left the serious future planning to my older brothers and father.

Only eleven long months to go. And at the end of it, I’d either take over the company reins or… Well, that was the real question, wasn’t it? Or what? I didn’t think surfing and rescuing animals counted as responsible career goals.

“How long will she be here?” I schooled my voice to avoid sounding like I was seeking information on a personal level.

“As long as it takes her. Why?” His gaze narrowed, causing me to hold up both hands.

“You asked me to take an interest in what’s happening in the company. I’m taking an interest.” Even if my interest centered around the beautiful doe eyes and full lips I’d been fantasizing about since spotting her in the lobby this morning.

“She’s not your type,” he muttered, perusing his email.

No, I didn’t suppose she was. I was known for the bleached-blond, silicone-enhanced women I squired to various functions. But in my twenty-seven years, I’d never been serious about any of them. Never found them intriguing or challenging in any way.

“Agreed. What’s her background?”