Free Riding with the Bad Boy (A Dark Motorcycle Club Romance) by Emma Russell Page B

meant the advice in a friendly way, but it was intimidating.

    S hit , just what I wanted to hear.

    S o I gathered up all my courage and thanked her, walking for the elevator she motioned to.

    T he one that went to the executive level.

    T hose steel doors slid open and I stepped in, along with another woman, one I recognized.

    T he angry looking one from the interview. Shit.

    I slid my card and looked at her, and smiled. “Morning.”

    S he just stared on ahead . So I let it go.

    F inally we made it to her floor, but not before she turned and looked at me with the coldest eyes I have ever seen. Damn, she was one cold ass businesswoman.

    “ L ook , I wasn’t in favor of you getting hired. I don’t think you are experienced enough, and I certainly do not think you have the decorum it takes to work at a company like this. Let alone to jet promoted for a job that most people want. So, stay out of my way, don’t talk to me, and we won’t have a problem.”

    “ T hat seems reasonable , so long as you stay out of my way.”

    I t took all I had to keep from gong ham right there at her, but instead I just kept my breath and stared on ahead, giving her the same exact treatment she gave me. I could feel the anger heating up my cheeks, but I needed to prove her wrong. That I could work with a sense of decorum.

    S he didn’t know me ; she just assumed I was someone who was weak, or that I was a stereotype, or whatever.

    S he didn’t deserve my time.

    I gritted my teeth and didn’t let the woman whose name I couldn’t remember rattle me.

    D amn . I was always letting someone rattle me, but not this time. This time I let myself stay focuses.

    A t least she played her cards early.

    T he elevator stopped , my floor. The executive level. It was then that I realized my palms were sweating and my heart was racing. I was going to meet him. The boss. My boss.

    I bit my lip and walked through the opening doors, right into a large lobby.

    “ M ay I help you ?” the secretary on the other side of the room asked, a sweet smile on her face. She was beautiful, almost too beautiful. Well, he liked to surround himself with women, after all.

    “ I ’m Ava , I’m new here.”

    “ A h , yes. We’ve been expecting you. He’s in his office, Ms. Jacobs.”

    “ T hank you .”

    I nodded and walked to the doorway, my mouth wide open as I realized exactly who I was looking at.

    D ean . The man who cleaned me up and talked me into interviewing.

    “ W hat are you doing here ?” The words popped out of my mouth before I realized what I was saying.

    “ I work here ?” he answered, his tone light.

    “ Y ou’re not ,” I paused, “D.T. Gilmore?”

    “ D ean Thomas , at your service.” He paused then stopped, looking me over. “I’m not a picky man, but I do pay attention to detail, but a lot of my clients do. I’ve noticed you have the ability to pay very close attention to detail, I saw it in your previous work, and your academic career.”

    “ Y es , sir. I try hard to be meticulous.” It was the truth, but now my nerves were in overdrive, and I couldn’t help but stumble over my words.

    H e was too damn handsome to be the CEO of the company. I totally expected to be ordered around by a man twice his age with a whole lot less muscle and a whole lot more body fat.

    “ G ood . Well, I’m going to work it out so that we can slip you right into the swing of things, I think our first order of business is going to get you acquainted with the company. I have a lot that I need done, and I’ve been without an assistant for weeks.”

    H e was so handsome , it was hard to concentrate on his words.

    “ A fter that we will get you some new clothing. Yours is nice, but not spectacular, and it really is going to matter. You and I are going to have to get a personal shopper for your wardrobe. This is not going to work. Especially if you are going to be on my right hand all the time.”

    “ M r. Gilmore