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“I won’t. See you tomorrow.”
Hanging up, I unlocked my door, stepped inside and kicked off my shoes, looking around my small abode. Daniel’s office was five times the size of this. We were definitely worlds apart.
I unzipped the back of my hellish skirt and slid it off, tossing it on the floor by my bed. I didn’t plan on wearing that again any time soon. When Daniel came to the office tomorrow, he would see we don’t really do office attire there. It was more like a smart casual dress code. One that didn’t require tweed skirts with no give, thank God.
I walked to the kitchen in just my button-down and underwear and pulled a bottle of cabernet from the wine rack. While I normally didn’t drink during the week, tonight, I could use a glass or two. I took my wine opener and unscrewed the cork, the familiar sound soft popping from the opening. I took a swig from the bottle before grabbing a glass from the cabinet.
After I poured a somewhat generous serving, I moved to sit on the couch, grabbing my laptop on the way. I plopped down and took another sip of wine before opening my laptop. I had some Googling to do. I typedDaniel Jacobsinto my search bar and his face popped up immediately. It was such a common name, but he took precedence in the search results. His pictures didn’t do him justice. They were good, but he was better in the flesh.
I scrolled through, seeing nothing new that I hadn’t read in the file Brian had given me. I switched over to the “news” tab and intermixed with articles on his latest business deals were tabloid articles. This was what I was looking for.
The headlines read:
Three Girls in One Night? Daniel Jacobs At It Again!
Will New York’s Biggest Playboy Ever Settle Down?
Caught With a New Leading Lady!
I read through the tabloids and studied the paparazzi photos glaring at me from the screen. All the women he was with were stunning, and never the same ones in the photos. My stomach growled as it craved Ling’s Dynasty. I wondered if these women were ever as hungry as I was. If they were, they sure didn’t show it. I noticed their slender arms and long legs on display in skintight dresses that hugged their small midsections.
I saw his fingers interlaced with theirs. His hand on the smalls of their backs. His lips on their ears, exchanging intimate secrets. I felt that familiar pang of jealousy I had earlier while scheduling my meeting with his assistant, Margaret. I closed my laptop and slid it across the couch with a sigh.
I took another swig of wine before calling in a takeout order for Chinese food. Then I laughed to myself as I sprawled out on the couch. Daniel Jacobs would never be interested in me. It seemed to calm my nerves slightly for tomorrow’s meeting.
Chapter 4
Daniel
There was a knock at my office door and I prayed it wasn’t a meeting I overlooked or Margaret with another question. She was new, so it was to be expected. While she was mostly smart, I didn’t really hire her for her professional skills. I glanced at my watch and let out a frustrated sigh before acknowledging whoever was at my door.
“Yes, come in,” I said, leaning back in my chair and preparing to give another mini tutorial of my digital calendar.
The door swung open and my brother strolled inside like he owned the place, which he did. Well, half, anyway.
“Hey, bro,” he greeted with a smirk.
I rolled my eyes and watched as he leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, looking at me like he had something up his sleeve. It was never good.
“What is it, Brody?” I asked.
“Hey, can’t I just come and see my big bro?” he asked, putting his hands up innocently.
Doubtful,I thought to myself.
“I’m just about to head out.”
“Gotta rush home and get ready for tonight, right?”
I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face. I loved my brother, but he was the definition of the annoying younger sibling, and it had only gotten worse with age.
“Yes, Brody. I know the auction is tonight.”
“And?”
“And what?” I snapped, standing up from my chair and grabbing my jacket.
I slid it on and grabbed my briefcase, avoiding my brother’s amused expression.