The Meeting

Chapter 1- Tall, Dark, and Handsome

I tap my pen against the hardwood desk, watching the clock slowly make its way past three o'clock. Sweat drips down between my breasts and my hair sticks to the back of my neck, making me feel even more uncomfortable and anxious to leave.

I glance out of the window, my torment, as I see all the people down below in the warm air walking up and down the sidewalk. It’s stampede season and the street is buzzing with excitement and activity, cowboy hats moving through the crowd like bees in a hive. I would give anything to be going to the grounds with them for an ice cold beer, but instead I am stuck here. Awesome. I just wish our 'guest' would hurry up and get here.

“What time is it?” My boss, Tom Ayers, snaps at me as he glances around for the clock, which could be going backwards if it were moving any slower. He's anything but his usual self, and is fidgetting in his seat, looking very irritated.

“It’s 3:25pm, so we still have five minutes to go until Mr. Hunt gets here,” I reply. I smooth my tight black dress down my legs and shift in my warm leather chair, feeling my thighs sticking to it. God I hate leather in Summer. “I just hope that I don’t melt in the meantime. I still don’t understand why I need to be here. Did you want me to take notes or-”

“No, you’re here Zoe because I need someone easy on the eye to… soften him. I hear that he's got  thing for beautiful women and, to be frank, you're the only one in our office who is even remotely close to his known standard. So, you're going to sit there, look beautiful, pretend to take notes, and help me close on this deal. He could make us into a successful editing company instead of bottom feeders! Do it well, and I'll see to it that you get a raise.” 

Usually I would give him some sassy response back about me being his assisstant for four years and that he owes me one already, but instead I feel the air catch in my throat. He has to be joking right? He wants to use me as a distraction?

I wouldn't say I was beautiful. Pretty, yes, but not beautiful. My friends think I've had it easy in life because of my looks, but I've put a lot of hard work to get where I am and I pride myself on that. I glare at him and open my mouth to give him a piece of my mind, when the door swings open and a man enters the room.

Oh my god, if the room was hot before, it was certainly scorching now. He commands attention and my eyes roam across his body, which is dressed in probably the most expensive suit I'll ever be around in my life. His eyes flash over in my direction from under his jet-black hair and I hurry to snap my mouth shut. I feel a blush rise into my cheeks as I push some of my wild curly brown hair behind my ear. His eyes dart to the exposed section of my neck and his lips quirk up in a crooked smile, making me feel uncomfortable, yet somehow very turned on.

His gaze is almost paralyzing and I find it hard to do anything but stare helplessly. His predatory eyes lock with mine and I try to escape by looking down at my papers and start to write nonsense, hoping that I won't have to speak very much. To be honest, I don't think I would be able to string any intellectual thoughts together right now.

Tom jumps out of his seat to greet him, stuttering and almost falling over himself. I mentally roll my eyes at him and I continue my doodling, trying to think of anything but his strong hands running through my hair and his full lips on my neck. God, I’m a mess. I am a successful business woman. I don’t need a man. I am independent and smart. I am a strong business wom…

“Uhh, Zoe?” Mr. Ayers’ voice breaks me out of my mantra and I snap my head up and see Hunt standing in front of me, his hand stretched outwards with an expectant look on his face.

“Oh! I’m sorry!” I jump up and take his hand, dropping my notepad onto the floor. His eyebrow raises as he takes my hand. It’s smooth and strong as I thought. “Zoe Strand. It's nice to meet you Mr. Hunt.”