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Lingering Consequences
Tyler
Seattle, Washington
“Iwant you to treat me like any other CEO,” I said to the C-level staff in my office later that afternoon. “Also, don’t talk to the press outside, ever. If they want to know what goes on in this building, they can apply for a job. Questions?”
A man in the front raised his hand. “Do we report directly to you or Miss March?”
“Either is fine during this transition.” I looked past him, spotting Chloe in the back.
Wearing a sexy grey dress that complemented her eyes, she was pretending to be fascinated with something on the floor. A familiar lacy black bra strap was peeking from under her sleeve.
She’s still wearing my watch…
I smiled. “Any other questions?”
“I noticed that you brought in a team of people to redesign and redecorate your entire office last night…” A woman in a blue suit spoke softly. “Does this mean some of the staff from the publishing company that you ran in secret will be joining us?”
“Not at this time,” I said. “If they do, I’ll place them in other departments. They won’t take your jobs.”
A collective sigh of relief filled the room.
“I’d like to discuss next month’s releases in the conference room at eight tomorrow morning,” I said. “Until then, thank you for the warm welcome. You’re free to leave.”
Chloe headed toward the door first.
“Minus you, Miss March.” I caught her as she twisted the doorknob. “We need to talk.”
The remaining executives shook my hand one by one as they exited the room. The last woman, a brunette named Susie, didn’t let go.
“I think you’ll really like it here in the States.” She smiled.
“I think so, too.”
“I think you’ll like me as well.”
I tried to pull my hand back, but she gripped it tighter. “My first one-on-one meeting with you is next weekend. I think it’s great that you want to get to know us on a personal level.”
“A business level.”
“That’s what we’ll call it for now.” She finally let go. Then she batted her eyes one too many times before leaving me alone with Chloe.
“Would you mind shutting the door, Miss March?” I asked.
“I would, actually.” Her cheeks flushed red. “I like to feel the cool breezes from the hallway.”
“I’ll turn up my air conditioning.”
“I also like when other people are listening to every word of my conversations.”
“Miss March,” I said, eyeing her dress. “Close the door.”
She remained still, so I walked over and shut it, inhaling her familiar strawberry and mint-scented perfume.
“Before I address our unfinished business—”
“I’ve already told you that I’ve never seen you a day before in my life, Mr. Carrington.”
