Page 21 of Open To Negotiation

“Can you explain what’s going on?” I asked Theo, linking my fingers together to keep from fidgeting.

“I would like to offer you a job.” I started to laugh, but when he held my gaze I realized he was serious and the sound died off.

I looked over at Richard who said nothing. He didn’t have a good poker face and yet I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. I looked back at Theo and frowned.

Was he trying to get me fired as pay back for turning him down?

“Excuse me, Mr. Walters.” I looked back at him. “Can I speak with Mr. Knight alone for a minute?” Rather than look at me, Richard looked at Theo who gave a nod.

I tried to hold in my eyeroll as Richard stood and walked out of the room without saying another word. The door pulled closed behind him.

“You should call me Theo,” he said as soon as we were alone, looking at me with a straight face.

I ground my teeth together, trying to keep my cool. “Mr. Knight.”

“No. Theo.”

“We can compromise,” I said with a lifted brow. “Listen, Theodore.”

He cringed and I tried to hide my smile, I found something to get under his skin. I tucked that piece of information away in case I needed it later.

“Please never call me that, only my father ever calls me Theodore.” Despite the deep tenor of his voice, it was still alluring with his accent. I could practically feel it running through me.

Why had I missed the sound over the last few days?

“Are you here to screw me over because I turned you down?” I asked with narrowed eyes.

He looked startled by my question. “Of course not,” he said, his voice tinged with slight offense, his brow furrowed.

“Then what do you mean you’re offering me a job?” I tried to focus back on the crazy turn this conversation had taken.

“Knight Enterprises is well established, we have always worked internationally. However, I would like to have marketing done to help support the opening of our offices here and I thought of you.”

I waited for him to say something else. I didn’t understand what was happening exactly, but I did know he was offering me a job I was incredibly underqualified for.

“You thought of me?” I asked slowly. He blinked at me, like he was trying not to be annoyed. I was supposed to be the annoyed one.

“I did, Love.” The nickname rolled smoothly off his tongue. I hated how rattled this man had me.

“Don’t call me that.” The twitch of his mouth like he was fighting off a smile annoyed me more. “I’m not interested in whatever game you’re playing here.”

“I thought we had a nice time at coffee.” He tilted his head, watching me.

“We did. But I’m not interested in whatever this is.” I waved around us.

He raised an eyebrow at me. “I never play games when my business is involved, Miss West. I called some of the clients you’ve worked with, and they spoke very highly of you.”

“You did?”

“I did.” His face softened, not quite a smile but it had my resolve softening too.

“Well, you have seriously overestimated my skills and misunderstood my job here. I’m a glorified assistant regardless of what previous clients have said. I organize and coordinate to make sure the work gets done. I don’t do it myself.”

“Sounds perfect to me,” Theo said. I was getting flustered and he seemed to be enjoying it.

“I’m shocked an international company doesn’t already have a marketing department.”

“We do have one.” His short answers were irritating. This man was frustrating.