me.”
I took a step backwards in feigned offense. Or maybe it wasn’t feigned. I was actually kind of offended at that suggestion. I stood silently for a moment, unsure of what to say.
“No matter, Emma. I like you. And what’s more important, Mr. Gambit reviewed your file and interview tapes and he liked you.”
“Interview… tapes?”
“Yes, each stage of the interview was recorded. You knew that. You signed the relevant sheets. It’s the same process we’ve all been through.”
Damn it, I knew I should have read those sheets. What other rights had I signed away?
“So… Mr. Gambit already knows about me?”
“He’s a very…. He’s a hands-on type. Very generous to his employees. Very professional, but kind-hearted. He also enjoys a good laugh.”
Okay. Professional but enjoys a good laugh? This might be tricky. Part of my recipe for success that I’d been developing was to charm the higher-ups with my good natured humor. And if that didn’t work, I’d charm them with my not-so-good natured humor. And if that didn’t work, then I figured I was screwed. I’m a good worker, but you need more than that to get ahead in this world. I had to be charming; I had to be everything they were looking for.
“Okay. I think I understand, then.”
“Doubtful. Oh – here he comes. Time to introduce yourself. Let’s see how you do…”
The tiny little microscopic hairs on the back of my neck stood up. A subtle scent filled the room. It was intoxicating, like some kind of creamy, ambergris candle, crafted to draw you in and seduce you. I was too afraid to turn around, as I heard the footsteps approaching. It was Mr. Gambit. It had to be. I watched Lillian’s face instead. Her expression changed in a flash; her controlling and powerful demeanor switched to gentle, laugh-lined, and charismatic. She displayed a face that was ready to react and laugh on command.
Okay, I was ahead of the game. Knowing how to react to Mr. Gambit was half the battle. I just needed to follow Lillian’s lead.
I mimicked Lillian’s face – an enthusiastic smile, ready-to-laugh expression – and spun around to meet my boss, the owner, founder and CEO of Vay Technologies, Eric Gambit.
“And you must be my new junior assistant, Emma Faro.” Eric Gambit said. To me.
Uh oh.
I froze.
Chapter 2
I had seen him before, in pictures in magazines, and I already knew he was attractive. But I didn’t realize how devastating his looks would be in person. His brown eyes turned me to stone in an instant, and it was all I could do to study the rest of his face; high cheekbones, thin and rugged, a perfect white smile, a brow that protruded ever-so-tenderly over the ridge of his eyes, giving an implacably masculine quality to his entire face, complete with a feint five o’clock shadow that sealed the image of a rugged young man. How could this be Eric Gambit? I was not prepared.
I simply was not equipped to meet him. I either wanted to latch onto him and start making out, or I wanted to turn around and run home. I couldn’t quite figure out which one I was more inclined to do. Red alert ! What the hell was going on? My entire body felt like it had been electrocuted; I had never felt his way before. My fingers felt tingly, my toes were numb, and the place between my thighs… well, I felt him there too.
Oh God, how long had passed since he had greeted me? Why wasn’t I talking? I had to snap myself out of my stupor.
“Emma?” Lillian nudged me.
“Yes! Yes of course, I’m your new assistant. Your new junior assistant, that is. Emma Faro. But you already knew that, of course. And yes, I know who you are. How could I not after all, I do read People magazine.” I was talking too much.
Lillian shot me a glance that told me to tone it down a notch, but Eric Gambit kept a cool veneer over his expression. He was not fazed.
“Pleasure to meet you, Emma.” He said, extending a hand. “I think you’ll fit in great around