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I follow the two of them to a conference room where designs and concepts for both games are laid out. “These look fun. Can I get access to the builds so I can start working on ideas?”
Austin cocks an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “I don’t want ideas, Shay. That’ll waste our time. You need to work with your team to devise the best worldwide launch strategy by the retreat. Then execute. Period. These games are crucial to our financial targets.”
“Don’t worry, Austin. I’ll get up to speed quickly. Trust me.” I bite back the snarky retort on the tip of my tongue in order to reassure him. I mean, he has a decent reason to be concerned about my capabilities, obviously. His condescending tone makes me mad, though.
Determined.
And why the attitude? What a dick.
Miles puts his arm around me protectively. “Shay, I’ve left a ton of this information in your office. Why don’t I help you get settled and then I’ll introduce you to your team.”
“Don’t babysit her, Stodge.” Austin glares at the two of us. “You vouched for her, now let her do her job.”
Miles furrows his brow and opens up his mouth to say something but I grab his arm. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve got this.”
Austin rolls his eyes and turns back to the game designs. I’m thrown in at the deep end as the three of us spend the next couple hours going over game release schedules. As the meeting drags into hour three, I do my best to show enthusiasm. But, it’s hard when I’m overwhelmed with information and Austin’s shitty attitude feels like a weight pressing down on my chest.
I didn’t expect today to go this way. Is he testing me to see if I’ll survive in this fast-paced environment? I’m seemingly going to fail if Austin’s judgmental death glare is to be believed.
For the millionth time today I ask myself, did I make a mistake?
Mercifully, Miles wraps things up on a positive note. “I’m so glad you’re here, Shay. You’re going to do great things for us.”
“Thanks, Miles. I won’t let you—either of you—down.” I hug him and hold on a little too long, soaking up the comfort and the reassurance only my twin can provide.
I walk out the door followed by Austin, then Miles. Without a doubt, I can feel Austin’s eyes burning a hole through me but I resist the urge to look back. I won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing his weird attitude bugs me.
I know what’s up. Underneath his handsome face and rockin’ body, he’s conceivably the same geeky kid he was growing up. Intense. Focused. Nerdy. I don’t need to understand what goes on in that head of his. I’m not going to let him kill my buzz. I’m happy to be here and grateful to work with my brother.
If I have to tolerate Austin, I will.
I have no choice.
Chapter three
Austin
Three Hours Later
The view from Miles’s office is similar to mine, though on clear days he can also see a slight glimpse of Mt. Rainier.
When we set up Hungry Llama HQ, we chose this building for a reason. Watching the ferries glide back and forth between the downtown waterfront and Bainbridge Island is soothing. Meditative. A welcome respite from the daily pressures of running a thriving gaming company.
I’m definitely not feeling meditative and Zen today, though. The snow has predictably been replaced with seasonally appropriate rain. The entire sky is gray and foreboding, which mirrors my feelings about having Shay Stojanovic working at my company.
I thought I had her figured out.
Then she smiled at me like we were old friends.
I couldn’t stop staring at her golden-blonde hair cascading around her shoulders. Deep-blue eyes. Peaches-and-cream complexion. Full lips. Smokin’ hot bod—narrow waist, big tits. The prototype of my video game fantasy girl. My cock nearly burst through my jeans at the sight of her dressed like she belongs on a New York runway, not a tech office in Seattle.
From that moment a few hours ago, I’ve been untethered by her mere presence in the building. All I can think about is calling her into my office then bending her over my desk and fucking her.
Thoughts of which make it hard to pay attention to Miles, who’s delving into the fine details of the UI development schedule for our upcoming game releases. He’s in the middle of explaining the tweaks they’re making to Bistro Bonanza’s level designs when the door opens, and she walks in.
You’d think she’d feel out of place, but no. Shay is still effortlessly cool with an edgy vibe. She’s fucking stunning. She’s always been stunning.
Too bad she has a cold, black, calculating heart.
