In His Service

casual

Derek's POV

My subconscious was panting like a dog at the idea of her riding around in my car in nothing but a see through top and the skimpiest shorts I had ever seen.

And I knew she would be welcomed with unparalleled enthusiasm if she were to meet the guys like this, but I shook the thoughts right out of my head.

I couldn't suppress the devilish grin that skated across my face at the thought, though. And if she ever uncrossed her arms, I would check my theory that her nipples were pierced.

I counter-stepped to block her from the door. Professional as she was at work, she was clearly a firecracker outside of work, and I was on her turf. She had me there. Still, I didn't need my newest employee running around town half-naked.

Naked.

Her.

My brain flat-lined momentarily as all the fluid in my body rushed south.

"You need an hour to get ready?" I asked gruffly, grasping at anything to pull my scrubby mind out of the gutter.

Emerald eyes rolled in exasperation.

"Alright, alright," I conceded. I set the ring box on the sofa table and opened my palms in a peaceful gesture.

Virginia eyed the box warily but seemed to relax a little. She took a deep breath and let it all out in a whoosh. I considered that a cue to continue.

"I want to apologize, Virginia," I began, focusing on her deep green eyes. "I made unreasonable demands of you this morning. I should have respected our discussion about the start date, and I admit I crossed a line in my zealous attempt to have you begin work today."

I paused and waited for her to respond, but she just nodded silently and leaned against the fireplace, watching me with those eyes. She made me nervous, but more than that, she made me want to prove myself.

Who the hell am I?

I continued, "On that note, I'm also sorry for showing up at your home unannounced. I really had been worried about you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

I dropped my eyes to the carpet and cleared my throat one more time.

"And I'm sorry that other dickhead showed up today, too," I added quickly, raising my eyes to meet hers again.

I felt a pang of frustration and anger towards that guy when I saw how flat and hard her deep green eyes had gone at the mention of him.

"You deserve better, Ginny," I assured her honestly. "A man who's more worried about a ring than he is about his woman's feelings is barely half a man in the first place. You deserve more man than that."

She nodded slowly again, the perfect listener to my apologetic monologue. I noticed the tears in her eyes, but I pretended not to.

Looking down at the floor again, I noticed her bare feet and remembered her shower. No doubt it was ice cold by now. I felt even guiltier.

Then, I had an idea.

"Forget working today," I said briskly. When Ginny started to protest, insisting she was fine to work, I held up a hand to silence her and gave her a reassuring smile. "I mean it, Ginny. No work at all. For either of us."

She narrowed her eyes in suspicion but stayed silent, waiting for me to elaborate. Generally I preferred women when they weren't talking, but she said just as much with her eyes as she did her mouth.

And that mouth... full, soft, Cupid's bow lips that framed straight white teeth, and that tongue that could spit fire...

I stopped day dreaming and realized she was still waiting to hear my plan.

"I've never had a personal assistant. Neither have my partners. As we discussed yesterday, there will be a variety of expectations the four of us have for you, and an array of responsibilities to look after. I'm not entirely sure how all this will work out, but I'm hoping that together we can figure out an arrangement that works for all of us."

I could tell I had her attention now. Her bottom lip was between her teeth and her eyes were locked on mine, ready to attack at any sign of insincerity.

"The way I see it, if you're to successfully execute this job, we need to get to know each other a bit. If you'll join me, I would like you to come have breakfast at my ranch. I can give you a tour of the grounds, you can meet the guys informally, and we can all learn more about each other. Casually." I finished my proposal and waited for her response.

After a long moment, she gave a tiny smile.

"Okay," She agreed. "It honestly sounds good to get out of this apartment and just chill and talk. I just need to shower and get ready."

"But what about the hot water?"

She raised an eyebrow in question, then realization dawned on her and she waved a hand, laughing sheepishly.

"It's an instant water heater," she admitted. "It never runs out of hot water. I might have been a bit over dramatic earlier."

With a shrug she disappeared around the corner, where I assumed her bedroom was hidden as well. I wondered what it looked like, smelled like. What she looked like sleeping in her bed. If there were tons of pillows to nestle down in...

"Oh and Derek?"

I snapped to attention and met her eyes when her face appeared around the corner again.

"I won't take more than twenty minutes. Make yourself at home." The smile she gave me next was genuine and sweet.

I couldn't wait to make her smile like that again... and suddenly, the idea of my partners working closely with her both professionally and at social events made me a little jealous... if not a little turned on at the idea as well. It was exactly the dynamic my partners and I would flourish in.

The element of chase, a feeling of power, and the knowledge that Virginia Sullivan was available for every possible need.

Oh yeah. Ginny Sullivan, the emerald eyed firecracker, will definitely be a LOT of fun to work with.

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