AllFreeNovel
Share Us
This perfect specimen of a man is going to be my boss for the next month? I knew Bishop Castillo was devilishly handsome from the articles I read about him in preparation for today, but seeing him in the flesh…
Let’s just say no picture could ever do this man justice. How could it? Nothing could capture his sapphire eyes. They look almost black from a distance, but with him looking down at me from his six-and-a-half-foot stature, I can see the light reflecting off his irises. I can confirm that they are definitely dark blue and not black.
Everything about Bishop is severe, from his crisp, dark suit to the sharp angle of his jaw. Dark blue eyes cut me through and through, but I have no idea what he’s thinking. His features give nothing away.
An unfamiliar feeling floods my system, settling deep in my core. I’m not scared of Bishop; I’m just… on edge. Like every part of me is aware of every part of him, from his short, dark hair to his polished Oxford dress shoes.
My father clears his throat and elbows me in the side, startling me out of my ridiculous thoughts. Why does it matter how devastatingly gorgeous my new boss is? It’s not like he would ever look at me the same way. My mother’s old refrain echoes in my head, despite my best efforts to erase it from my memory.
You’ve got good bones, Harlow. Just shed some fat off of them.
Needless to say, she hasn’t won any mother of the year awards. I suppose I can’t expect the owner of the Beach Body Now gym franchise to view things any differently.
“Hi,” I squeak out, waving like a dork. I drop my hand immediately, peering over at my dad like a little kid in need of direction. The glare he gives me sends a shiver down my spine.
Crap. I’m already messing this up.
“I think what my daughter is trying to say is that she’s excited for this opportunity. Isn’t that right, Harlow?”
Oh, boy. If he could yell at me right now and not look like an asshole in front of one of the richest and most influential people in the city, he would. I can see the tension and disappointment mounting in his eyes.
“Yes,” I say with a nod, tearing my gaze away from my father. “Sorry,” I stutter out. “First-day jitters, I suppose.” I let out a nervous laugh, swallowing hard as I stare at Bishop. He’s so intense, his stormy blue eyes boring into me and igniting something in the pit of my stomach.
“My wife and I really appreciate you taking her off our hands for a bit,” my dad continues, steamrolling right over me.
Shame crawls up my neck, and I dip my head down, breaking eye contact with Bishop before he can see my face turn bright red. Taking her off our hands for a bit? God, I knew my parents didn’t think very much of me and my decision to take a gap year between graduating high school and going to college, but he’s making it sound like I’m some problematic brat. I don’t even live with them!
“Right,” Bishop finally says, his rich timbre rolling over me. I don’t want to look up at him, but my head moves on its own, following the silent command of his voice.
When my eyes lock with his, I see a hint of confusion. A moment of doubt. And then it’s gone, swallowed up in the stormy seas of his deep blue eyes. But I saw a crack in his armor. I get the sense Bishop Castillo has built a fortress around himself, both literally and metaphorically.
He’s untouchable. It must be lonely.
“Harlow is still trying to find her path,” my father jumps in after a moment of silence. “But being your temporary assistant is sure to give her some inspiration for the working world.”
“Assistant,” Bishop repeats, his voice gravelly as his eyes roam over my face.
It’s obvious he completely forgot the promise he made to my dad at their last board meeting, but my father is too self-absorbed to read the room.
“And holiday coordinator,” my dad says. Bishop breaks eye contact with me, cutting a glare at my father, who puts his palms up in surrender. “You know I don’t care about the damn decor, but Raymond and Nichole are choosing this hill to die on for some reason.” Both men roll their eyes. “But now you don’t have to deal with it. Harlow likes to do this kind of fluffy stuff.”
I clench my jaw and squeeze my hands into fists at his words. He’s absolutely infuriating. He’s desperate for me to get a higher education, yet he belittles the one thing I’ve ever been passionate about - interior design.
Bishop and my father fall into small talk about investments and ROI, and I’m left standing beside them, feeling like a lost little kid. Every few seconds, Bishop’s eyes find mine, though they don’t reveal any emotion.
I try distracting myself by looking around the office space and getting a good feel for how to spruce this place up. It’s about as boring as you’d expect an investment and real estate company to be, but that only means the transformation will be even more dramatic.
I get the sense Mr. Castillo isn’t a huge fan of the holidays, so anything too over-the-top isn’t going to work. I’m already buzzing with ideas for a subtle yet classy vibe for the office space. Perhaps some neutral tones with a splash of gold and dark green.
“Why don’t you two go down to HR on the second floor?” Bishop says, turning his attention to me. “They’ll get you set up with a badge and whatever other credentials you’ll need.”
“Thank you, Mr. Castillo,” I say, finally finding my voice. “I’m thrilled to be part of your team here, even if it’s only for the holidays.” Out of the corner of my eye, my dad nods his head, letting me know I did something right for once. Of course, then I have to go and ruin it. “I’ll get this place decorated and up to snuff in no time.”
Oh my god.Up to snuff?Who says that?
Bishop raises an eyebrow at me in what I hope is amusement and not annoyance. My dad grabs my elbow and spins me around, tugging me toward the elevator.
I look over my shoulder at Bishop, my eyes drawn to him instantly. I’m surprised to see him scowling, though I’m not sure if he’s angry at my father or me. He’s staring at where my dad’s fingers are digging into my elbow. Does he think I’m some disobedient child who needs correction?
