Page 3 of Risque (Pack It In #1)
Mila
I swallow nervously, twisting my hands together in front of me as I’m led to a large conference table.
Everything is so deep and rich, dark wood that looks like it costs more than a year’s worth of rent.
One of the ‘Suits’ has me sit in one of the chairs and I resist the urge to lean back into the comfortable plush leather trying to suck me in.
If this is what all of the Suits and executives use every day, I couldn’t imagine having a problem with meetings.
“Mr. Grey?”
I jerk my head up to see an Alpha, long silky black hair falling over her shoulder.
She’s donned in a blue pinstripe pants suit, perfectly fitted to every curve as she sits just in front of me.
The warm smile on her face screams a gentle demeanor but that whatever she is going to ask of me is going to be… strange.
Weird.
Possibly inappropriate.
“Mr. Grey, this is a rather strange request and if there wasn’t a dire need for it, we wouldn’t be asking.
” She claps her hands together on the table, her smile widening slightly.
“I’m Miss Lawrence, although most people just call me Jasmine.
I work here as part of HR but mainly head up all of the executives’ personal affairs. ”
I give her a small nod, not sure where this is going.
I didn’t even know the executives had someone like Jasmine.
Her powerful vanilla-spiced scent is making it hard to concentrate, the need to just submit to whatever she’s asking overtaking all my rational thought.
Still, I try to stay clear-headed and meet her gaze, as terrifying as that is. “Okay?” I manage, still confused.
She softens her demeanor, tilting her head to the side. “Mr. Holt’s assistant just resigned and we desperately need someone we can trust to attend to his personal affairs. We have a project deadline in two weeks that can’t be missed.”
“Wait… Mr. Holt?” My voice cracks on the man’s last name as heat floods my cheeks. There’s no way in hell that I’m going to be that man’s assistant. I dated his son and then broke up with that Alpha because he cheated on me. I can’t stand in the same airspace as the man’s father. “I…”
Jasmine laughs as she reaches across the table to pat my arm. “Breathe, Mr. Grey. He’s not as terrifying as everyone makes him out to be. Truthfully, he needs a softer touch than most of his assistants have been giving him and we’re hoping that your background in nutrition might help.”
Now, I’m just more confused.
“He needs someone who can remind him to sleep, eat, and show up to meetings on time. That’s it.”
That doesn’t sound difficult but it also doesn’t sound like a job for me.
“I’m sure other people are more well-equipped for this position.
I just make coffee.” I do way more than that but being an assistant to the literal CEO of the company feels weird.
Not to mention the awkward conversation that will eventually happen when he finds out I’m his son’s ex-boyfriend. Ex-Fiancé Whatever.
“And it’s just a trial. We’re out of options and hiring someone outside would take too much time.
We’ll give it a few days and then I’ll check back in.
” Jasmine pushes a folder toward me, going off about all of the requirements and tasks I’ll now be in charge of.
I feel more like a caretaker than an employee based on what she’s describing but the Omega part of me is overjoyed.
I never got to take care of Nolan like that. He never wanted me at home like that or when I did things, he didn’t appreciate it. Being able to take care of someone has me wiggling in my seat before I remember where I am and catch myself.
“Does that all make sense?”
My eyes widen as I stare down at the folder, opened to where she’s pointing for a signature.
I caught pieces of ‘salary’, ‘apartment’, ‘trial-period’, and ‘take this seriously’ but everything else is all jumbled up in my head.
This Alpha really wants me to take care of the CEO?
In what world would they actually choose me?
“Um…”
“If you’re worried about any of your personal affairs, we are not. We do thorough background checks and are fully aware of who and what you are acquainted with. As long as you can remain professional within work hours, there should be no issues.”
Of course, they researched me. I wasn’t exactly quiet about my relationships and I still haven’t deleted everything off my socials.
Which means that they knew I was living with Nolan.
A separate apartment means a place to live but I’m wondering if they know I broke up with him yesterday or this is just a courtesy of this new position.
“Can… Can I think about it?”
A hard look passes through Jasmine’s position before she blows out through her nose. “It’s just a trial, Mila. But we can’t afford to wait. He has several meetings today that he has to attend.”
I’m still confused why they think I’m supposed to be able to fix this. But in all reality, I really could use a place to stay and if they already know I dated Nolan, then it shouldn’t be an issue.
It’s totally going to be an issue.
I quickly sign the contract and am then handed a new phone that Jasmine assures me has all of his meetings and contacts. When I go to ask just what I’m supposed to be doing, she mentions that I’m like a living, walking alarm clock. But also, his mother. But like not.
I don’t even have time to process this as I’m ushered into Mr. Holt’s office, the fresh scent of pine and winter blasting toward me.
A whine builds at the back of my throat as my body responds to the Alpha in this room, my eyes searching for the culprit with a desire I never had for Nolan.
And when they land on the larger-than-life male pacing the length of the windows, it almost undoes me.
He’s the very definition of a silver fox and Alpha power, his jaw pulled tight as he screams into the phone.
I lean back against the double doors, watching as his arms shift beneath his fitted suit, piercing green eyes darting back and forth as he fiddles with one of his buttons.
My nostrils flare as his scent thickens, the veins in his hand boldening as it tightens around the phone.
Jesus. H. Christ. I’m so fucked.
How the fuck am I attracted to my ex’s dad? This would have been awful had it happened once I finally met him, engaged to Nolan.
Shame takes over the desire as I curl into myself, debating whether or not to slip back out into the hallway or face Mr. Holt. Just as I wrap my hand around the knob, I hear the honeyed voice of an Alpha.
“I’m guessing you’re the new assistant? Great, I’ve got a meeting in five minutes and I need your help.”
I let out a little whine as I look up into those forest green eyes, Mr. Holt now void of his suit jacket.
He’s even more intimidating up close, the Alpha towering over my little 5’2” pudgy frame.
I manage a small smile as he nods toward his desk, pulling out a seat at the edge for me to crawl into.
Neither of us speak as he sits in his leather chair, grunting at how far I am once I plop into my own seat.
“Sir, I—”
He cuts me off as he reaches down to grab the ledge of my seat and drags me closer. A yelp of surprise tears from my throat before I slap my hands over my mouth, my cheeks heating all over again. My arm brushes against his, our seats close enough that I could crawl onto his lap without any trouble.
Bad Mila.
“You’ll sit here.” There’s no room for argument in his voice as he then opens one of his desk drawers and produces a small tray of sweets.
Each one looks more delicate than the last, small round balls that look like they’ve been made of glass.
I’ve heard of the artisanal foods Epicurea makes but they’re so expensive that only the elite ever get to try them.
And here I am, sitting in front of four of them.
“Your job is to try these and write down exactly what they taste like, how they made you feel, and why.”
I frown, confused. There’s no way they hired a nobody for taste testing but when I look up at Mr. Holt to protest, he just glares at me.
My cock thickens against the seam of my pants and I shift closer to the desk to hide my interest. “Yes sir.” He rumbles his appreciation before sliding me a pad of paper and a pen.
“Sit, don’t make any noise. Write each description on a new sheet and when you’re done, slide it to me.”
I don’t understand this task. At all.
But I’m not going to pass up a chance at these delicacies.