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Ready for work, I opened the door. “Okay, I’m ready, do you think we will have—”
There he sat with two cups of coffee in front of him. “I wasn’t sure how you liked it, but I figured you could adjust. I need to go over a few things with you before we head out and start the day. Here is as good as any meeting room. Have a seat.”
He was all business, so I sat down and pulled out my phone to record the conversation. “Okay, I’m ready.”
He was confused, I could tell by the way he scratched his head for a moment and frowned. “What in the hell are you doing? I said I wanted to go over some things with you. This isn’t some kind of press conference or board meeting where you need to take notes.”
I saw a flash of irritation in his eyes that he quickly masked over.
“Yes, but I don’t know anything about you or your business. I need to know as much as possible, and since we are starting right away, I won't have time to go over everything with you every second during the next few days.”
“I don’t like being recorded without my permission, so put that away.”
Angry, I tossed it in my purse. “Fine, but don’t be pissed at me if I am constantly asking you questions or for clarification.”
He stood up and paced the carpet back and forth. “Listen, if we are going to work together, you need to understand a few things. I don't have time for this.” He pointed back and forth between us. “And I won’t be a slave to your inadequacy. I won’t tolerate you nagging me all the time over every detail. If you truly can’t figure something out, you can call Martie. She knows me better than anyone.”
Chapter Three
James
Shewasthemostirritating woman I’d ever encountered. Not only did she have this way about her that confused me, but she got under my skin with all her goody-two-shoes attitude. I didn’t know whether I wanted to fuck her or strangle her or strangle her while I fucked her.
In the space of twenty-four hours, I was so out of my element that I doubted the success of the Chelsea Market. Gwen might be skilled at what she does, but it quickly became apparent to me that we did things very differently.
On top of that, I’d barely slept a wink. Instead, I laid on that couch, irritated with both of us that we weren’t in bed, our bodies happily exhausted from sex. She’d slept horribly too, which made me wonder if my presence ruined her sleep. Serves her right! She was playing with fire.
That last statement about my sexual skills right before bed had been the last straw. I knew if I hadn’t gotten out of that bathroom quickly, I’d either bend her over the counter and screw that thought right out of her head or need a two-hour cold shower to cool down my frustration.
I grabbed a seat next to her on the couch again after downing way too much coffee to awaken my senses and gather my thoughts.
“You're not drinking your coffee. We must get going, and I don’t have time for this nonsense. Save the prissy girl thing for later, after the work is done for the day.”
Her chin felt open. I knew I’d shocked her, but she quickly recovered and handed me the mug. “I don’t drink coffee. In fact, I hate it. I’ll just grab a bottle of water.”
I watched her hips sway as she moved from the couch to the mini fridge and grabbed a bottle.
Counting backward from ten, it was all I could do to control the beast inside me. “Who the hell doesn't drink coffee?”
I shook my head and drank the coffee in the cup she’d handed me. I spent the next half hour going over the details of everything she needed to know for today. We had goals, and a time limit and I had certain things I needed to be done urgently. It was hard for me to express these things, as Martie had worked for me long enough to anticipate them pretty much without me saying anything.
We arrived at Chelsea Market a little later than I’d hoped. The back and forth with her debating and questioning everything I said slowed things down. Still, I was happy enough when we finally got started.
At first, everything went smoothly, as she seemed to have everything under control. I was able to handle the marketing and sales end of things, networking with other businesses and people at the Chelsea Market while she worked.
Every time I checked on her, she seemed to have everything under control, until it came time for lunch. As I walked back, coffee in hand, after just having a lovely discussion with a sassy brunette who made artisan cheese, I was shocked to see how nothing was done as I intended.
“Excuse me, Milly, I’ll give you a call and maybe I can sample a few of your offerings.” I kissed the top of her hand before we parted ways, hoping she took what I said as I intended it.
Downshifting, I tried hard to not flip out on Gwen. She was managing the setup of the store at Chelsea while I did some networking. Apparently, she has no skills at handling these things.
“What in the hell are you doing? I told you to have these temps set everything up in a certain way. All you need to do is manage their activities and make sure they do it right. Damn it! Now that’s going to slow things down.”
My blood was boiling already, and I forgot where I was for a moment. The last thing I wanted to do was look bad. I tossed the handbags from last year on the floor at her feet.
“Have them rearrange everything. What’s on my calendar for this afternoon?”
I waited impatiently as she scrolled through her phone.
