I had one rule and one rule only – keep my legs closed to
every man I worked with. But the moment Harper Conrad walked into
my life, I learned rules were meant to be broken.
I stood alone in the vast lobby of the
Chicago Hawks team facility in front of the umber, bonded-metal
elevator doors for an eternity. I spent most of the time trying to
fix my hair my reflection from the doors; the long black strands
which graced my shoulders weren’t bouncy today.
Today was my first day on
the job and I wanted to knock ‘em dead in the boardroom just as
much as I did on the sidelines as a cheerleader. The time had come
for to trade in my low-cut booty shorts for pencil skirts. My heart
drummed through my blouse. It’s not a big
deal Danica; it’s only the beginning of the rest of your
life.
I finally mustered up the strength to push
the up arrow button and walked into the elevator doors. No turning
back now. My mouth felt like a tub of cotton balls. I pushed the
button for the twelfth floor.
The elevator doors slowly slid shut as a
flash of gray fabric and white pinstripes swooshed in at the last
second; virtually avoiding being squashed by them. The scent of oak
and sandalwood filled the tight quarters. The air became charged
with masculinity.
The gentleman straightened his suit jacket
by his lapels. He took one sweeping glance at me and opened his
mouth to speak, but paused and smirked instead. “Twelve please,” he
said. I nearly bit my tongue when I saw his face – remarkably
handsome. The rich, velvety timbre of his voice bounced off the
padded walls of the elevator. Intoxicating and - to a smaller
degree - intimidating.
“ You’re pretty fast. You
were almost a goner,” I said, clearing my throat.
“ Right, I should try out
for wide receiver,” he said. He sure had the body for it. The suit
he wore fit his frame to perfection. I’d bet money his abs were
hard as granite. “You think I’d have a shot?”
“ The team needs a lot of
help at that position.” His eyes, the color of cognac, scanning me
from my black stilettos, up to my gray eyes. “I think you’d do just
fine.” I smoothed the front of my blouse – wearing it always made
my tits pop.
“ That type of honesty is
needed in this town. Do you work for the organization?”
“ Nine years as a Hawks
cheerleader and day one as executive assistant.”
“ Really? You could spend
nine more years as
a cheerleader. You’re cute as a button.”
“ Well thank you.” Cute as a
button? I haven’t heard that since the third grade. But a
compliment from a man as attractive as him - I’ll take it. “I’m the
personal assistant for Harper Conrad, the new team owner. Do you
know him?
“ Well…I…”
“ I heard he’s a real jerk.
Domineering beyond belief. I’m not looking forward to
it.”
“ Interesting. What else
have you heard about him?” He stroked his chin. His pearly white
teeth were peeking through his smirk.
“ I heard most of his past
assistants quit because of his overbearing personality. The word is
he’s so controlling and bossy that one assistant created a blog
about her experience. I heard he put her through hell. What an
asshole!” I shook my head in shame.
“ That’s too bad. Most of
these rich guys have egos so enormous; they forget what it’s like
to be human.”
“ Absolutely. I’d tell him
what an asshole he is right to his face. Wouldn’t be me. I’m not a
quitter.”
“ Oh, you wouldn’t ?” His tone was
one of astonishment. He shook his head, smiling.
“ I’m sorry.” I extended my
hand out to shake his. “I’m Danica Martin.”
“ Hello.” His strong hands
swallowed my five, tiny digits. Was he a quarterback here for a
tryout? I could feel the sensual current stinging every bit of me,
from my eyelids down to the cuticles on my toenails.
The elevator made a ding
and the doors opened. “Pleasure to meet you, Danica. I’m Harper
Conrad, your new boss.” He gave me a sly smirk and swiftly
David Sherman & Dan Cragg
Frances and Richard Lockridge