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Amber and her line of work didn’t make sense to me either. Why would she choose to be around men like Tony?

  The phone rang around four in the morning and I answered, not even needing to look at who it was. I already knew.

  “Hey sis, long night?”

  Chapter 2

  Claire

  I woke up groggy and the phone going off next to me. It was late, I could tell by the sunshine coming through the window like tiny little blades of glass in my eyes. I closed my eyes and lay back down. My head hurt, most likely from the few drinks I’d imbibed.

  The phone stopped ringing and I laid there for several minutes in the silence before I braved opening my eyes again. It was pretty outside when I finally pulled the curtain back. It was like jumping in cold water, get it over with quick. Pulling the shade back had me squinting, but I was finally able to see the day in front of me.

  I wanted to be positive, even though my head was throbbing incessantly. I picked up my phone only after I had a cup of coffee in my hands. I had a feeling that it was going to be Amy. She always drank more and recovered quicker. It was proof I was a light weight or she was a witch, not sure which one.

  I didn’t even look to see if she was the one that had called. I just dialed her number and let it ring while I took my first sip of coffee. It was heavenly.

  “Hey Amy, I can’t believe you are up so early. I was going to give you some time to wake up before I called, but since you already did, what’s up?”

  “Huh? What are you talking about?”

  “Didn’t you call a little while ago?”

  “No, I am trying to figure out why I am even awake right now. It is only nine Claire.”

  I laughed and apologized. “I will call you back when you have gotten your beauty sleep. Just answer me one thing?”

  “What?”

  “Is Justin there?”

  There was a pause that spoke volumes and I just shook my head. I should have known that she would call him up.

  “It’s your fault because you wouldn’t stay over.”

  “Bye Amy. Call me when you have rolled out of bed and gotten rid of him.”

  “Okay.”

  I hung up and just shook my head in disbelief. Amy really was a bit off when it came to men. If sex is what made a woman like that, I was thankful that I hadn’t gone that way. How exhausting it would be to make bad decisions based on a few minutes in bed.

  Looking to see who did call me if it wasn’t Amy, I didn’t recognize the number. Pushing the recall button, I heard a recording that I had reached the offices of Future Plans HR Department. My heart instantly started to race. This was the call that I had been waiting for and I had been lying about in bed.

  Waiting for someone to come on the line, I told them that my name was Claire Adams and I was returning a phone call. When she didn’t automatically know what they had called me for, I told her that I had recently put in an application. It was very recent, like a few hours ago, but I was holding out for this being what I needed.

  “Yes, Claire. We were calling to set up an interview later this afternoon if you are available. I have a couple of positions for someone with your degree as a starting position. I would like to fill those as soon as possible if you are interested.”

  I was, far more interested than I would be able to express. “Yes of course. Just let me know the time and place.”

  “Very good, we like eager. I will connect you to Andrea and she will take care of you.”

  I thanked the woman, never catching her name. Staring at myself in the mirror, I frowned at my appearance. My blonde hair was hanging limp around my face and my blue eyes were dull. The best thing I could do was get started on straightening myself up. I was going to worry about it for the next few hours anyways, so I might as well look my best. This was the interview that I was waiting for and everything had to be perfect.

  ***

  The building in and of itself was enough to be impressive. It was at least fifteen floors and I felt quite small standing in front of it, looking up to the top. I couldn’t actually see where it all ended. From this vantage point, Future Plans looked like something from the future. I just had to find out if this was going to be part of my own future or not.

  I gave my name to the lady in the front. She was a general secretary and she was the one that had the information. “You have an appointment at four with Caroline Channing.”

  I nodded my head that her information was correct. I was given a visitor badge that I wasn’t expecting and instructions on where to go after I got off the elevator. There were several people behind me as I was leaving and I hoped that they weren’t there for the job as well. I needed this and no matter what, I had to get this job today. All I wanted to hear was that I was hired.

  The elevator was slow and it took several minutes to get almost to the top. I would be meeting Caroline on floor fourteen and as the elevator went up, so did my anxiety. This was the big time and I was scared to death to mess this up.

  The instructions from the elevator were a little confusing, but it made more sense when I got there. The financial level was a maze of cubicles and offices and the four turns were necessary to find the office of Caroline Channing. I took a deep breath and knocked. It was now or never.

  ***

  “Come in.”

  I opened the door slowly and was almost instantly relieved at the smiling woman that was in front of me. She wasn’t much older than me and I don’t know why I felt better. I felt like I had a chance now, as she hadn’t been out of college that long either.

  “Claire Adams?”

  I nodded my head that I was she and she motioned me to the seat across from her desk. “Nice to meet you. I was glad to see your resume in my inbox this morning. You have all of the educational requirements that we are looking for. Sadly that has been a hard thing to find it seems and even with several recruiters I have two open positions.”

  She was babbling and I was just to the point of smiling and nodding. I was listening, but more just waiting for her to get to the interview. Her desk was covered in work and I could tell that she was scattered brain for a reason. It seemed like she needed me, as much as I needed the job.

  Caroline asked me about school and my grades. I had a copy of my transcripts with me just in case and when I offered to show her she took a few minutes going over everything. “Great grades and I can see that Stats was your best class. Very impressive Claire.”

  “Thank you.” I was waiting for the but now. Like I had all of the education, but we were looking for someone with a little more experience. That was the but I was waiting to come out of Caroline’s mouth.

  “Well everything looks to be in order Claire and I think you would be a great fit here. We focus on efficiency and I can see that you will be perfect. I have talked to a couple of your professors and bosses and everyone raves about you. We need the passion they describe here. I need people that are passionate about numbers.”

  It was a silly thing to say, but I could relate. Numbers were easy because they didn’t change. Everything else changed and I liked the simplicity of numbers. I found it soothing, while most found it mind numbing.

  Caroline went over the pay packet and the benefits that they offered. It was higher than I would have thought and there were many perks to working there. While Future Plans was still small in comparison to their rivals, they were making a name for themselves and apparently believed in taking care of the employees. “The employees take care of the customers, so Rick likes to make sure that we are taken care of. You couldn’t ask for a better boss. He is demanding, but I am sure you won’t have any trouble here. I have a good feeling about you Claire.”

  I thanked her for her kind words and the opportunity. I almost wanted to get out of there quickly so that she couldn’t change her mind. I don’t know why I was so worried about it, but I was. I needed this job and it had just fallen on my lap a little too easily. I wasn’t used to it and I am sure that is why I felt this way.

/>   “Do you have any questions for me Claire?”

  I couldn’t think of a thing. “When do you want me to start?”

  Caroline smiled and the woman looked beautiful for a moment. Her smile made the rest of her face more inviting and it was almost like seeing an eclipse with the belief that you wouldn’t see it again for a very long time.

  “Start tomorrow at nine sharp. Make sure you are on time. You will have a meeting with the rest of the consultants and with the CEO Rick in the morning.”

  “Sounds good, thank you again.”

  She told me that it was no problem. “I am just happy you applied. I was starting to think I would never fill those positions and I was going to have to do it all. We are in our busy time with all of the annual reports going out. Businesses are feeling the pinch and many want to know where all of their money is going.”

  I left not long after that. Caroline had a lot of work to do and she was happier than when I first came in. She was inviting in her own way and I hoped to see her again. Caroline had changed my life and she didn’t even know it.

  Going down to the fifth floor, I picked up a packet from HR and made my way out to the parking garage. I had a handful of paperwork in my hands to do with the insurance and the 401K. I felt like for the first time, I was finally an adult, with a real job and everything.

  I had to call Amy with the good news, but first I had to get home. It had been a long day with a late start, but everything was starting to look up if nothing else.

  Chapter 3

  Rick

  “Good morning baby.”

  I looked to Bella and smiled. She was lying next to me and I could feel by where our skin touched that she wasn’t wearing any clothes. I don’t remember asking her to stay the night, but I wasn’t going to argue with the results of waking up to her supple body. It did something to me and it wasn’t long before I was pulling her to me. The softness of her skin was intoxicating and before long I had her on top of me. It gave her the power and me the best view in the house.

  “Do you have to work today?”

  I grabbed her hips to hurry her along. “You know that I do.”

  My teeth gritted to the tightness surrounding me and I pulled her down for a kiss. I didn’t want to talk, but Bella had something on her mind. She was pouting, her bright red lips poked out. Did she sleep with makeup on?

  Pushing her hands to my chest to brace herself, she slowed down and made me groan. It wasn’t enough to push me over and I think that was her purpose. I was starting to feel need boil up, but the way she was riding me was prolonging it. I was going to be late and didn’t have time for her antics. She knew exactly what it was that she was doing.

  Rolling her underneath me, I thrust in a few times hard and fast, sending us both to the edge. I heard my name called out and it was the best start to the day.

  I got up and told her that I would call her a cab.

  “Why can’t I be here when you get back Rick? Do you have another girl planned for tonight?”

  She shouldn’t ask questions that she doesn’t want answers to. “It’s not like that Bella. You know that I like my privacy. I will call you.”

  I would too, but it would be a week or two from now. I had to give her time in between so she wouldn’t get clingy fast. While Bella knew she wasn’t the only one, she still wanted to be the only woman in my life. I tried to tell her that I wasn’t looking for a relationship, but like many women, she thought falsely that she could change my mind.

  “When…? And don’t say soon, I really hate when you say that.”

  I was going to say soon. That was my answer to that question. I liked ambiguous answers that I couldn’t be held to. If I told her a day or a week and I didn’t call, she would pop up at my work again. “Very soon.”

  Bella pouted, but I ignored the look. She did that a lot when she didn’t get her way. I would have stopped seeing her a long time ago, but Bella was talented in other ways. She was a great girl, but just not for me. I told her that one day she would find who it was she was looking for. I knew when that day came, it wouldn’t be me.

  I jumped in the shower and checked the time. I had about twenty minutes to get to work and start a major meeting. The company wasn’t in trouble, but we were going to be soon enough if we didn’t get some more staff in to take care of all of the new clients. My little consulting firm had really taken off, but staffing it had become a big problem. I hoped for all of our sakes that Caroline had found a couple employees for me.

  The drive to work was relaxing. After the orgasm with Bella and the jazz on the stereo, I was ready for another day. I parked in the same spot I had for several years and made my way to the elevator. All the way up to the top, I got out and stopped by the conference room. Everyone was already in there because they know how I hated tardiness. Waving at a few, I told them I would be back in a minute. I needed a cup of coffee in my hand, one that my assistant already had ready for me. It was times like this that she was a real lifesaver.

  “Busy day Karen?”

  “Not too bad. You have the meeting in a few minutes and then a couple of consults with Jerry Adkins. I don’t know how long that will run. You know how long-winded he is, so I left the afternoon open. If you get back from lunch before three, I have something else lined up for you. We will just see how everything is going.”

  I thanked her and looked back towards the conference room. “Any new faces?”

  “Caroline hired a girl yesterday. She has a great education, but no experience.”

  I was not sure how that would go. It would either go really good, or it would be a disaster. I never knew which way it was going to go. “I didn’t see her in there. When does she start?”

  “Today I think. Not really sure. I can find out if you want me to boss.”

  I declined the offer and made my way to the conference room at the end of the hall. I was there with a handful of my best consultants, as well as the hiring manager. I looked around the room. I didn’t see anyone new and I thought that maybe Karen had been mistaken.

  “Good morning everyone. How was your evening?”

  Everyone gave a nod or a short answer. I wasn’t the only one that looked like they needed coffee, so I sent Karen to get a cup for everyone. We had a lot to cover and a lot of new clients that had to be given a consultant. It was going to be a long meeting and the last thing I needed was people unable to pay attention.

  When Karen came back, she was the savior to most and I pulled Caroline to the side.

  “I heard you hired someone yesterday?”

  She nodded and I could tell that the question made her uncomfortable.

  “Did she not show up?”

  “Not yet, Sir. I told her nine. I didn’t think that she would be late. You should see her resume and she was actually almost a half an hour early for the interview.”

  “Give her a few more minutes and if she doesn’t show up, keep looking.”

  “Of course, Sir.”

  I went to the front of the long table and sat down. I was clearing my thoughts, trying to figure out what I was going to say first, when the side door opened and a young blonde walked in. She was tall and petite, nothing special in my world. Her eyes were a blazing blue that really stuck out to me and it was hard to look away when I met her gaze. That was a little different and made her unique.

  Caroline introduced her to the group and while I thought she was pretty, she was also almost fifteen minutes late. She tried to give an excuse but I stopped her. I just didn’t want to hear why. I wanted to hear that it would never happen again.

  “Just sit down Miss…”

  “Claire Adams.”

  “Well Miss Adams, find a seat and try to keep up.”

  I was slightly irritated by the new employee being late on her first day. I was sure it was to make sure that her shoes and her black bag matched, or that her makeup was perfect. I didn’t think she was going to last long.

  The meeting went as expected. There was
a lot to cover, namely several new clients that had set up consultations. It was more than I could take on and that is why I was building the consulting team. I eyed the young blonde that was staring wistfully out the window.

  “Am I boring you Miss Adams?”

  Her name jolted her up from her seat and she shook her head that I wasn’t.

  “This is where I give out assignments. Do you think you are ready for one?”

  I expected her to get a nervous look on her face, wide eyes, but she just nodded her head that she was ready. I was surprised, shocked even, but I had to begrudgingly admit to myself that I liked her spunk. She looked me right in the eyes, accepting the challenge. I had thrown down the gauntlet and that didn’t seem to bother her one bit.

  Caroline interjected that it was literally her first day and I remembered her saying she was fresh out of college with no experience, but I couldn’t back down from a challenge any more than she could apparently.

  “I think that if Miss Adams wants to give it a shot, we should let her. Our reputation is not so fragile.”

  I wasn’t even going to pretend that I had faith in her. I didn’t have much, but I wanted to see how it would all turn out. My aggravation had turned to intrigue. I usually knew what was going to happen next, but this time I was left in the dark. It was a nice change of pace from everything that was so predictable.

  “You can have Baker’s Food. I will need a report on my desk by the end of the week. Since it is only three days away, I suggest you get started.”

  She thanked me, but didn’t budge. “Now Miss Adams, you need to get started now.”

  “You want me to leave the meeting?”

  The exasperated feelings were coming back and I shook my head up and down slowly like she was an idiot. I don’t know what possessed me to, but there was something about that woman that put me on edge. I didn’t like inconsistency and surprises and she was both.

  ***

  “You were kind of harsh on her, don’t you think?”

  I shook my head that I didn’t know what she was talking about, but we both know that I did. She was talking about Miss Adams. Caroline didn’t usually say anything to me in this way, but she seemed to have a protective feel for her.