Page 6 of My Sexy Boss
Chapter Three
Cierra
Iplopped downin my desk chair and stared out the window. How the hell had this happened? I had no idea Trace Prescott was Thomas Linder’s grandson. Kelsey never mentioned it to me, and I’d never really read any of the articles in the tabloids. I’d just see him and a pretty woman splattered on the front pages when I’d stop at my favorite newsstand down the hill from my apartment. I was one of the dying breed who actually loved the smell of ink on paper and having a newspaper to read while I drank coffee in the mornings.
Coffee.I wanted to erase the last twenty-four hours from my life. Once again, my fiery Irish temper got me into trouble with him this morning when I slammed into him. I groaned while images of receiving my walking papers danced in my head. I loved my job, and I’d gotten used to the more-than-comfortable salary it paid. Pressing my fingertips into my temples, I tried to calm down. I had a habit of jumping to conclusions and sometimes assuming things I didn’t really know about. My brain whirred; he hadn’t acted like he was going to fire me. As a matter of fact, he’d told me it was forgotten and we’d start with a clean slate. I had to quit obsessing over what happened. Trace Prescott was now my boss, and anything that came before had to be forgotten.
I glanced down at my ruined blouse and shook my head. With bags under my eyes from not enough sleep, a wrinkle on my forehead from nursing a hangover, and a huge brown stain decorating my ivory-colored shirt, I looked like a mess. And how the hell did Trace Prescott look so damn hot after partying the night before?Stop it. You’ve got a ton of work to do. Get to it.No matter what the situation was, I’d be polite, do my job, and have as little contact with the CEO as possible. Besides, I’d rarely hung out on the top floor when Mr. Linder was running the company, so there’d be no reason for it now. And when Lindsey came back to work, I’d have no reason to visit the mahogany-paneled suites.
I swiveled away from the breathtaking view of the bay and clicked on the computer screen. And what was up with my body reacting when he inadvertently touched my fingers? I didn’t imagine the tingle that shivered up my spine.What is wrong with you? Why are you still thinking about him? Vibra is launching in a couple of weeks.I opened the file and began tapping away on the keyboard.
Someone clearing his throat made me look up. I saw Paul, a coworker of mine, filling the doorway.
“Hi. What’s going on?”
“Hey. I’ve been elected by our floor to find out what Mr. Prescott is like.”
“Uh… he seems okay. I mean, he said he was committed to taking Velocity further and growing the firm at an exponential rate.”
“That’s what they all say.” Paul sat in one of the leather chairs in front of my desk. “Did he mention cutting down on jobs or any major changes?”
“No. He said he was going to keep the departments as they are. Mr. Linder knew what he was doing, so I doubt his grandson’s going to upset the apple cart. He’s probably only a figurehead while Mr. Linder runs the firm behind the scenes. Prescott has a reputation of being a major partier.” The minute the words came out of my mouth, I wished I could’ve taken them back. I had only been in the office for three hours and I’d managed to ruin my blouse, eat crow, and dis my new boss.Way to go.
“Do tell.” Paul leaned forward.
“I’m just going by the tabloids and celebrity magazines I see at the newsstands. I’m sure the majority of the stuff they print is bogus. I don’t know why I said that. I guess he doesn’t strike me as the CEO type. I don’t know.”
“Well, I’ve heard he’s kind of an ass, but good when it comes to business. He had that app thing, didn’t he?”
“Huh?” I looked up at him, brow furrowed. “What’re you talking about?”
“He designed some gaming app a few years ago and wound up making a mint from it. So he probably knows what he’s doing.”
“Well, that’s a start,” I muttered, turning my attention back to my computer, hoping Paul would take the hint and leave.
“All the women are chattering about how good-looking he is and what a catch he’d make. Is he that great-looking?”
My mouth went dry. “He’s just an average guy.” Trace’s Roman nose, strong jaw, and his perfectly arched eyebrows framing the most amazing gray eyes I’d ever seen flashed across my mind.I’m such a liar.
“Well, all I can say is it’s a good thing there’s a no-fraternization rule around here.” He chuckled as he pushed up from the chair. “I have to get the sketches to Graphics for the launch. I’ll let you know when they have some proofs.”
“Sounds good.” I watched as he sauntered out, then diverted my attention back to the screen. Without thinking, I minimized the window and typed “Trace Prescott San Francisco” into the search bar. Dozens of links populated the screen. I spotted the one about the app he invented and clicked on it. A younger version of Trace popped up with a long article written in a prestigious online business magazine that sang the praises of the young inventor. The rest of the links pertained to his playboy, booze-induced antics.
The vibration of my cell phone had it bouncing on the desk like a frenzied jumping bean and I clicked out of my Trace search in less than a second. Guilt assuaged me when I saw Kelsey’s name flashing on the screen. In the midst of all my morning drama, I’d forgotten to text her to make sure she was okay from the night before.
“Hey, Kels. How did last night turn out?”
“Perfect. Chandler was such a gentleman.”
I sniggered. “So you finally got his name right. That’s great. Do you have plans to meet up again?”
“Friday night. I love starting the weekend off with a hot date. Do you want to get something to eat after work tonight?”
“Love to. I heard Emerald’s in Union Square is fantastic. I’ve been wanting to try it out since it opened. Are you game for that?”
“Anything. I just want to tell you all about how wonderful Chandler is.”
“Can I borrow a blouse from you? I spilled coffee all over my new silk one.”
