My Pet (A Dirty Boss Romance 1)
“No, only that I would be a temporary assistant with the opportunity to become a full-time hire if I fit.”
“Ah, well, yes. I suppose they didn’t want to overwhelm you with that idea of working for the big boss. It’s fine. I’m sure you’ll do a great job according to your temp tests. All we ask is that if you have a problem with the boss, you inform us. He’s very demanding, and it can be a lot for assistants who aren’t used to the high demands.”
“Oh. Okay.” Now the tension is back.
“Mr. Shaw, your new assistant will be up in ten minutes. Would you like me to escort her, or do you want Elliot to do it?” Linda, the HR manager, says as I sit in front of her neatly organized desk. It’s a decent-sized office and nothing compared to what the boss will have, and yet I’m so intimidated. I can’t even fathom how I’ll feel when I see his massive office.
“Just send her up,” I hear him snarl on the other end of the phone. My body has conflicting reactions about the sound. A part of me wants to run to the elevators and never enter this building again, and another wants to see if his looks match that sexy voice. His growl is almost insanely deep, like an animal, and yet, you’d never expect that coming from the CEO and owner of a major corporation.
“Yes, Mr. Shaw.” The line goes silent and she hangs up the receiver, so it’s clear he hung up on her. Damn, someone’s having a pleasant day, and I’m supposed to deal with him? I’m on my second temping job, and I’m actually surprised I landed this one because I didn’t think I was a good fit—although I’m not so sure I’m the one who’s going to be a problem. I’d venture to guess that Mr. Shaw goes through plenty of assistants and that’s why they’re willing to hire a woman from the bottom of the barrel who had quit her last job in two days because the boss got a little too touchy-feely, but most don’t know that story. All anyone knows is that I quit because I was too embarrassed to deal with the judgmental eyes and comments accusing me of trying to sleep with the boss.
“I assure you he’s much nicer than that on most days. He’s had a rough go this morning. He’s recovering from an injury caused by his last assistant, so he’s not quite in the mood for a new one and, well, we’re just going to make the best of it.”
“What kind of injury?”
“He had hot coffee spilled down his chest and lap, resulting in serious burns,” she mentions, face scrunching up with embarrassment. I immediately imagine his bits being burnt, which is not cool at all.
“Oh. Yes, and well, let’s just say she said it wasn’t an accident.” She squints, and I have too many questions that make me a little nervous. I want to turn on my heels and make a run for it even more now.
“Relax. He’s not some pervert. She was pissed because he fired her and he did it in the middle of the breakroom after he overheard her conversation with another employee. Both of them were fired, but Mr. Shaw hasn’t been in a good mood since then.” Maybe because you’re telling everyone that he got his private parts burned off. That might make him feel a bit salty. Although she didn’t quite say it, that’s my guess.
“Take this and finish filling it out when you have time. Bring it down to me by tomorrow. Use this elevator. Here’s your badge. If you have any questions, I’m a few floors away.” She presses the button and then essentially pushes me in, and I feel like I’m being fed to the beast or something. “Oh, hello, Elliot. This is Petra, Mr. Shaw’s new assistant.”
“Hello, Petra.” He’s a handsome guy probably a few years older than me, and I have a feeling he knows he’s good looking. “Welcome aboard. I’ll take you up there.” He presses the button and the door closes as Linda waves us off. “The boss was in the middle of a call when I was up there.”
“Oh, that explains his quick temper.” I probably shouldn’t have said that, and I need to remember to think before I speak. It’s been known to get me in trouble from time to time.
“Yeah, that’s it,” he mutters, darting his eyes downward before bringing them back to me. So that’s not why he’s a dick. That’s just who he is, then. I’d be pissed if someone tried to destroy my body. Burns are no joke; they can kill or permanently disfigure a person.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. I’m here to do a job and go home.”