He didn’t looked convinced, and I felt bile rising in my throat. He was going to make this hard for me.
“I have a degree in interior design. I was always a straight-A student, because the education was—is—the most important for me. I got interested in architecture and art since my early adolescence, and soon I was drawn into interior design. That building you are looking at now,” I pointed my finger at the picture of an apartment complex I’d worked on in Europe. “That project was in France, and the owner wanted the neo modern interior design. It was my biggest project so far. It took me almost a year to complete it, and I’ve already extended my contract with the owner, who is interested in one more project like this one.”
He slammed my portfolio shut and put it on the table next to him. He didn’t even bother looking at my CV.
“Yeah, yeah. Impressive. You are really a nerd.”
What?
My anger just reached a whole new level, and for a moment I was seriously thinking on giving up and getting the hell out of here.
I couldn’t do that, and that annoyed me the most. I had to suck it up.
“But I know my job well. I have 100% client satisfaction and—”
“Wow,” his lips twisted into a sly smile. “One hundred percent? Those blowjobs must have been something then, right?” His smile widened, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief, and I swallowed the lump in my throat. The image of Charles’s cock flashed in front of my eyes, and I almost cursed myself out loud.
Seriously? He was a douchebag, using those cheap insults, and I was still getting attracted to him? So what if he was handsome? I couldn’t possibly work under such a rude person.
No. Enough.
“You know what, forget it.”
“Forget it?”
“Yes. Forget it. That hotel means a lot to me, and I would put my heart and soul into the project, because I want it to be restored to its old glory. I really hoped I could be hired as its interior designer, but you are making everything difficult for me. You act like I’m some stupid whore and you completely disrespect me, and no matter how much I want to get this job, I won’t let yo
u treat me like some trash.”
I curled my hands into fists, returning his stare as I trembled uncontrollably. I could see the surprise and something else that I couldn’t name in his eyes, as if he didn’t expect me to speak for myself like this.
I almost scoffed. Well, of course he hadn’t expected that of me since he clearly didn’t think highly of me. Up until now, all I’d heard from him were his insults.
His blank expression twisted into that of an amusement, and I wondered what he found funny now.
“You know, this really comes as a surprise for me. You can bite, after all!” My frown deepened.
He suddenly stood up and stopped directly in front of me, only several inches separating us. This time, his face was completely serious, and for the first time I saw the respect in his eyes.
“Look, I’m sorry, okay? I was acting like a jerk all the time and you didn’t deserve it.” He exhaled in frustration. “You see, I thought you were someone else when I met you at that place. I thought you were one of the bidders—my competition. Now you showed me that not only you aren’t my rival, but you are also smart and talented.”
My eyebrows flew up. I couldn’t believe he’d changed his attitude all of a sudden.
“I liked what I saw in your portfolio. I think you are talented and have good skills. Also, I respect you for standing up for yourself just now.”
I still couldn’t say a word, completely taken aback. After treating me like I was the worst, hearing these highly praising words sounded strange. It sounded like a prank.
“Are you pranking me?” I had to ask.
He chuckled, astonished. “Prank?”
“Yes, because all of a sudden, you don’t sound like yourself.”
He took a step closer to me, and now I could smell his cologne. I inhaled and his fragrance made me even hotter, as if his nearness wasn’t enough. I had to pull myself together.
“As I said, I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m attracted to you. A lot.” My heart jumped in my chest, and for a few moments I was unable to breathe. He took another step, and now only several inches separated us. His eyes were almost black, and I was losing myself easily in them.
“Do you treat all women you get attracted to like this?” I whispered, still feeling the traces of my previous anger, but now I was slowly becoming overwhelmed with the feeling he provoked in me. I wanted him.