Page 11 of Beguiled

Maybe I’d awakened in an alternate world this morning.

“So I understand that you’re hoping to become a financial advisor.”

What? He’d paid attention to my rambling attempt at boosting my resume during my interview months ago. “Yes, sir, I am.”

“I take it that means you’re not happy here.”

Did he expect honesty? Was this the great big send off? Thanks for your time but don’t let the door hit you in the ass? Just in case I still had a job when I walked out of his office, I offered another more poignant smile. “No, I love working here. However, I have my heart set on being involved in creating wealth for my clients through investments. And making some serious money on the stock exchange floor.”

He sat perfectly still as if waiting for more. When I called his bluff in remaining quiet, he nodded. Just once. If I’d blinked, I would have missed it. “Very well, Ms. Mitchell. Have a report on my desk regarding your idea of taking the company public, the ramifications of doing so versus ignoring the possible necessity. And at the same time, provide me with a concept of diversifying with regard to investments. Specifically, I’m looking for purchasing stock for strategic partnerships.”

I found myself leaning forward. “Are you serious?”

“I assure you, Ms. Mitchell, that I wouldn’t ask you if I wasn’t serious.” He leaned back and, in my mind, was thoroughly enjoying my utter confusion.

He’d never asked me to come up with projections of this nature before. Even with my mouth dry, I was instantly giddy. But I refused to show it.

You go, girl. Show him your stuff.

I didn’t shift in my seat, but I did raise my eyebrows, highlighting interest instead of surprise. Or so I hoped.

The air shifted between us. Still charged, but even more… electric.

Maybe it was wishful thinking that I’d suddenly become his peer instead of his employee.

“Are you interested only in New York or adding in Chicago and Boston?”

Before saying anything, he yanked out a jump drive from his desk drawer, pushing it across the desk to me.

He rubbed his jaw briefly before steepling his hands with his elbows on the armrests. Once again, he was drilling a hole through me. What was he searching for, whether I’d crack like everyone else who’d faced his requests? “I’ll leave that up to you, but my suggestion would be we conquer New York first before branching out. I’ve taken the liberty of providing you with a list of proposed companies that would make a decent fit with our methodologies.”

Conquer.

The word had an entirely different meaning with him involved. And wait a minute. Why had this come out of the blue? I hadn’t bothered to mention anything about my ideas in weeks. Another feeling of warmth pooled between my shoulder blades.

“Day after tomorrow?” I grasped the jump drive and for some reason, I was even more nervous than before.

“That is correct, Ms. Mitchell, unless you don’t believe you’re capable of providing such an important document in that length of time.” For the first time in I don’t know how long, his face shifted as a smile appeared. Not big like someone who was happy, enjoying the moment or their life, but big and bold enough on him that I was almost tossed from my chair.

I wasn’t certain whether he was goading or challenging me, but either way, he wasn’t going to come out the victor. I was. To him this might be nothing but a game to ease his boredom, but this was my life. Nothing was going to stop me from getting what I wanted.

“Of course not, sir. I’m a whiz with numbers. And don’t worry, Mr. Chertov, I will be thorough as I am with everything else.”

“I’m certain that you will as you’re very detail oriented. I don’t think I need to tell you this, but with exploring avenues such as developing strategic partnerships, we could develop enemies very easily. I must say I wonder if your intent is solely about the company or about a personal gain.”

I had no idea what enemies he was talking about. Personal gain? If he meant growth so I could consider advancing my career, he was right.

His mouth curved and my eyes were drawn to his lips. They were plump, rosy, and my mind drifted to places where good girls shouldn’t go, and professional women were crucified by thinking.

But there was another flash of amusement. Thiswasa test. The bastard.

Maybe now I’d finally confirm he was a sadistic man and stop fantasizing about him. I had way too much material, almost all keeping me awake at night and my vibrators busy.

“Is that all, Mr. Chertov? If so, I should get back to my desk and ensure we don’t have anyone eager to be added to our enemies list.”

“You can go.” Everything about his expression was different than before, his usually cool eyes reflecting something much darker.

Even more dangerous.