Page 2 of Size King

According to her résumé, she is twenty-six. She doesn’t speak like someone in her mid-twenties; she speaks in a way that feels unreal. Adam ends up doing most of the talking because I am still fixated on Kate’s raw beauty and spectacular body. She flies through all our original questions and more, giving intelligent answers and insightful observations. I feel like a nincompoop sitting next to her. Not only is she smart, but her brown hair and smooth skin alone are enough to turn me into a gawking lunatic.

I know that I have to get better about controlling my sexual urges, but I’m not about to start practicing self-control right after meeting Kate. I know that I should have pulled myself together and behaved professionally, especially considering the accusations being thrown at me, but I can’t help myself.

“According to your résumé,” I say to Kate, “you’ve only had one steady PR job since graduating college?”

“Yes, sir,” she replies. “I was the head of east coast PR for Circuit Town.”

“How are things going over there at Circuit Town these days, do you know?” I wonder.

“I haven’t talked with a lot of the people I used to work with over there,” she says. “Things got a bit rocky toward the end.”

“Yeah, they’ve filed for bankruptcy, I hear. I’m sure you had nothing to do with that,” I joke darkly.

“Yeah, they were already in trouble before I got there,” Kate laughs. “I did my best.”

“No one could have saved Circuit Town’s image,” I say reassuringly. “While you were there, did you deal with any sexually-related allegations or misconduct against upper management or the like?”

She pauses for a moment.

“No, surprisingly not,” is her answer. “Everything but, basically.”

“Well, thank you so much for your time, Ms. Harly,” Adam says. “We’ll be in touch.”

We all stand for our farewells, but Kate is daring:

“If I may be so bold,” she starts. “I’m aware of what’s being said about you and this company. I have access to the Internet. It’s not a big secret, what your last PR manager is saying about you, Mr. Marx.”

“Call me Aiden,” I insist.

“Perhaps I should stick with Mr. Marx,” she retorts. “Don’t you agree? We should speak as professionally and soundly to each other as we can, no?”

“Yes, I agree,” I say, nodding while daydreaming about fucking her.

“I think that part of what fuels the anger toward the company is what you’re selling,” Kate continues. “You sell laptops and other electronics to all, yes. But your stock also includes a children’s section, doesn’t it? You sell robot toys, remote-controlled and wireless toys and drones—you also sell learning tablets for toddlers and growing kids.”

“That is correct,” I confirm.

“Your image doesn’t just include the electronics you sell to adults, but you’re selling to little children,” she stresses. “If we could do something that uses your angle with younger electronics to our greatest advantage, it would be easy to placate parents and people that frown upon premarital sex. I’ve been working on ideas all weekend.”

We say our farewells, and I watch her leave my office just as elegantly as she entered it. I am left to soak her in, wishing that I had just hired her on the spot.

“So,” Adam says afterward. “Three names, three PR wizards. All the candidates had something to offer.”

“Who were you thinking of?” I wonder.

“I think Greg is the most qualified of—”

“I don’t want a guy that’ll come off as anxious,” I interrupt quickly. “He is good, and he is definitely qualified, but if he looks nervous,Ilook nervous.”

“Okay, what about Kenneth?” Adam asks. “He is an excellent communicator.”

“He’s also never dealt with any sexual controversies,” I point out.

“Neither has the chick,” Adam interjects with a pointed tone.

“Her name is Kate,” I say. “She may not have seen as much battle as Greg, or have been to as much school as Kenneth, but she’s the one for the job.”

“Aiden—”