Page 4 of Consumed By You

I’m not breathing.

“Darcy, you have some pretty big shoes to fill,” he remarks, holding out his hand for mine. His assertive gaze is full of amusement, probably because he gets this doe-eyed look regularly from women.

I manage to raise my hand enough to clasp his outstretched limb, left aghast when we make contact. I’m perplexed by his omnipotent influence and he’s barely uttered a sentence in my presence.

Come on, keep it together. He’s your boss and he’ll fire you in a heartbeat if he thinks you cannot do this.

“Yes,” I whisper stupidly. Why couldn’t Doris have told me this man is a Greek god? A force to be reckoned with? A superhuman gathering of masculine carnality?

“When do you start?” He releases my hand and I have to actually resist pouting.

“I start officially on Friday. I’m in training now.”

A smile teases the corners of his mouth. I think he’s laughing at me. “Yes, I can see that. I look forward to working with you, Miss Fontaine.”

“Thank you, Mr. Scott.”

Doris opens the door for me and I practically sprint out of the room, desperate to inhale sustainable air that doesn’t consist of his intoxicating scent. It has immediately become my favorite smell.

Doris closes the door, cackling knowingly like the evil person she is. “Did I mention he’s handsome?” I glare at her and she laughs even harder. “You’ll get used to it.”

I don’t think I ever will. He’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen,Hollywood beautiful. It’s daunting.

“Is he always that intimidating?” I mutter, taking a seat in her sanctuary.

“To some. But you will be spend many hours of the day with him, so after a while it won’t seem so nerve-wracking.” She turns her computer to face me and sits in her chair. “You ready to figure out how to do this job?”

“Ready,” I respond, trying not to picture the man working in the room thirty feet away from me.

***

“There are many businesses in this building, all owned by Mr. Scott. It’s your job to make sure everything is running smoothly. Efficiency is key here.”

“What kind of companies does he control?” I ask, intrigued by how much he owns. He didn’t look more than thirty.

“He owns architectural companies, publishing houses, translation offices. The fields vary, which is why it is crucial for you to memorize what is in those books I gave you. Each floor of this building has a purpose, and you will learn what needs to be done each day from the ledgers.” She turns the page in the packet made especially for me. “There is a meeting every Wednesday morning and you usually have weekends off.”

That surprises me. “Really?”

“Yes, Benjamin does realize that we have families and lives. There may be a sporadic weekend he asks you to work, but it’s rare.”

“Ha. Well, I have no life so that will be fine with me.”

“Oh? I thought you were dating Adam?”

“No, we used to see each other, but things just didn’t work out for us that way. We stayed good friends.”

“Oh, I had no idea. He spoke quite highly of you. Any family?”

“No, no family.”

“None?” she presses, looking surprised.

“None that I consider family.” It’s hard to keep the undertone of disdain from my voice as I unwillingly remember a past which is better left tucked in a forgetful corner of my brain.

She immediately apologizes out of politeness. “Look at me, prying. I’m sorry.”

“No, no. It’s fine. It’s just a sore subject for me.”