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My HR manager looks at me with an expression of shock.
“I was a priest. I know how to calm a child,” I say through gritted teeth.
The infant solves the problem by jumping into my chest. I hold the kid close, then rub ever widening circles over her back. Her crying slows down, turns into hiccups, then stops. The baby draws in a deep breath, and her eyelids flicker down. I smooth down the wisps of soft curls on her head, then rock her for a few more seconds, before I hand her over to my HR manager.
"Thank you," she whispers.
I nod, then turn to my assistant, in time to catch the dreamy expression on her face. Hold a child in your arms, and every woman in the vicinity takes it as a sign you’re ready to procreate. Something I’ve sworn off. "Ms. Young, don’t keep me waiting again,” I snap.
She blinks then straightens her spine, “I’m the one who’s beenwaiting. I came in at eight a.m., as instructed, but you weren’t here.” She smooths her hand down the skirt she’s wearing. One which clings to her curves and outlines her full figure. Those hips of her are the most enticing pair I have ever seen. As for her thick thighs which stretch the fabric of her skirt? I’d do anything to squeeze them apart and—I stiffen, then curl my fingers into fists at my sides. She wore that skirt on purpose, knowing how tempting she’d come across in it. She squeezed into it, knowing exactly the effect it’d have on me. But I’m not going to give into my base instincts. I will not be distracted from my goal of becoming the CEO of this company. I resisted my impulses when I was a priest. Surely, I can do the same now?
“I’ve done what I could with your email inbox, but I need some direction.” She sets her jaw. “And I couldn’t stand by while the baby cried. Also, I had my phone with me so you could have contacted me anytime." She pulls out the device and waves it around.
I arch an eyebrow at her, and she blinks rapidly. "Surely, you didn’t expect me to stand by while Adela needed help with her child."
"Speaking of"—I turn to my HR manager—"you’re aware children aren’t allowed in the building?"
"What?" my assistant screeches in horror. "No children in the building?"
I glare at her. "Look around you, Ms. Young. This is a workplace."
"So? People have families. And working women like Adela need babysitting facilities so they're assured their children are taken care of while they're at work."
"Does it look like I’m running a charity, Ms. Young?"
She juts out her lower lip, and my dick twitches. A zing of lust sizzles up my spine. I stiffen. There is no room for a woman in my life—not since the one I wanted decided I was not for her. I made a vow, then, never to be emotionally involved again. It’s one I don’t intend to break. Definitely not for a curvy woman who streaks her hair purple and with a figure like she’s channeling Marilyn Monroe.
"Companies which provide childcare have seen productivity soar by fifteen percent," she announces.
"Is that right?" I drawl.
She raises a shoulder, then sighs. "I don’t know if it’s a fact, but I do know women need all the help they can get. And by going that extra mile for your employees, you’ll ensure they stay loyal to you."
"I pay them. That’s more than enough. If they don’t like it, they can leave, as can you—" I stab my finger over my shoulder.
My assistant stiffens, “If I hadn’t seen you with the baby, I’d believe you were an insensitive ass, but now—”
“Now?” I incline my head.
“Now, I know youareone, you—"
"I’m so sorry, this is all my fault,” my HR manager cuts in, “my babysitter cancelled today, and I knew I had to get into work to complete the staff-training. I thought I’d get through things while she was asleep, but then she woke up. Then, I had to change her. And then, she started crying." She swallows. "I’m sorry, Mr. Chase, I know it’s against the rules. It won’t happen again."
I nod, “Emergencies happen, and we can’t always predict circumstances when it comes to children, so I’m willing to overlook the incident. This time.”
“Of course,” Adela says stiffly.
“It’s not what I want to do, but I have to set an example, you understand? If it happens again, I’ll have to compensate for the drop in productivity by taking it from your salary."
My assistant gasps. "And will you pay her extra if productivity goes up?"
I shoot her a look. She scowls back, but thankfully, stops speaking.
"It won’t happen again.” Adela pats the now sleeping baby on her back, then turns to my assistant. "Thank you, Mira, you're a lifesaver."
My assistant smiles. "Anytime."
I make a warning noise at the back of my throat.
