Page 17 of The CEO


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“Did they ever.” He lowered his hands and stood, his sudden proximity making her rethink her choice of seat. The wide, stuffy leather chair in front of his desk had seemed perfect while he was seated but now, with him towering over her, it wasn’t so good.

“Thanks for stepping in and saving my butt.”

Oh no. She wouldn’t think about his butt…wouldn’t go there…wouldn’t remember how she’d made a grab for it last night in that fit of insanity.

Grateful she could blame her flaming cheeks on exercise rather than embarrassment, she cleared her throat. “You’re welcome.”

“Now that you’re here, it’s time we had a chat.”

“About?”

His eyes bored into hers, challenging, determined, as he gestured toward a document on his desk.

“Your employment contract, of course.”

ChapterFive

“Pardon?”

Lana tapped her ears, just to make sure she’d heard correctly.

He picked up the document and offered it to her. “Take a look. It’s your employment contract.”

“You’re kidding, right?” She stared at the document like it was her marching orders to walk the plank. “I’m on vacation. A well-earned vacation, I might add. I helped you out of a tight spot back there in the gym, but that’s it.”

He threw the contract on a pile of folders and perched on the desk in front of her, way too close for comfort. “I understand how you feel, but I need your help. You’d only have to take two classes a day. In return, you’ll be well paid and it won’t interfere with your vacation. You love your job, don’t you?”

“My job?”

A puzzled frown knit his brow. “You said you’re a qualified fitness instructor?”

“I am.”

But that wasn’t her job. Her job entailed wearing boring business suits, cataloguing boring artefacts, and devising boring staff rosters.

Okay, so she loved her job, and it wasn’t always dull, but after she’d been passed over for the Egypt trip she’d started craving more, and strangely, the opportunity now came from the most unlikely source as she stared at him.

In that moment, it hit her like a meteor from Mars.

She needed to build her confidence this trip, wanted to try new things, but still felt stifled by her conservative nature. What if she stepped into a new role? Became the type of person she’d like to be if she had more nerve?

Besides, she wasn’t lying. Shewasa qualified aerobics instructor, she just didn’t do it for a living.

And who knew, maybe doing this would give her the tenacity to form a coherent answer without wanting to duck her head in embarrassment every time Zac smiled her way?

“Let me take a look at that.”

Trying to hide a triumphant grin and failing, he handed her the contract. “I took the liberty of contacting Madigan Shipping, the company that owns the Ocean Queen. I explained the circumstances and they approved a temporary employment contract, particularly when they heard the Rocks were onboard. They’re influential people in shipping circles.”

“Do you always organize other people’s lives or will I actually have a say in your grand plan?”

His grin broadened. “You’re here, aren’t you? And I’m giving you the option to sign on or not.”

“Yeah, right.”

Skimming the contract, Lana nearly fainted when she spied the remuneration, on par with her monthly salary. For taking two classes a day? Too easy. And she had been coveting a new futon for the spare bedroom in her flat. Not to mention the slight shoe fetish she’d developed thanks to Beth’s cast-offs, and this extra cash would come in mighty handy for a pair or two of her own.

“What do you think?”

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