CHAPTER27
Of course there would have been a list. Every woman this side of Manhattan would want to work for Jake Carrero. Work with him closely, very closely indeed.
“You’ll soon get sick of the flights and hotels, Emma. I practically live out of a suitcase,” he sighs and once again finds something with the toe of his boot at the door to start pushing. It’s oddly juvenile.
“I will?” The thought is a little exciting; I long to travel, long to experience things beyond New York. I’ve been waiting on it.
“Margo has a husband and family; she can’t be my chaperone anytime I need her. She’s missed out on so much of her kids’ lives.” He looks genuinely guilty about this. “Her husband is retiring now, and I think she feels it’s time to rekindle her marriage. So, she took the opportunity to find a more suitable assistant. Natalia has already decided that after her maternity leave, she won’t return to my office. She wants to offload some of her responsibilities and concentrate on family.” He throws me another disarming smile. “Not everyone can handle the intensity of this job, Emma, or the hours. And once you’re ready to move up to Margo’s position, we’ll find someone else to work under you.” He stops with the fidgeting and focuses on me once more.
“I hope I don’t disappoint. I aim to work my butt off,” I say, honestly, starting to relax in his presence and somehow seeing a new side to him after this little encounter. Time alone together has made me a little less intimidated by him. He’s human after all.
“Over the last couple of days, I’ve been observing you, trying to find out if we’re compatible enough to have the same kind of working relationship that I have with Margo.”
“And?” I’m surprised by this.
“You’re still my PA, aren’t you?” He smiles warmly, that devastating natural smile of his that has the ability to curl toes and leave women fanning themselves.
“Early days, Mr. Carrero,” I smile back, a little bit of my relaxed humor seeping into my tone, feeding from his casual demeanor for once.
“Reading people is a gift of mine. I recognize ability. I think once you relax and thaw a little, we’ll get on fine. Your skills are on point, you follow instruction, and you also take initiative.”
I’m stunned. I don’t know why his praise shocks me. I know how hard I work; I know how good I am. I guess I’m shocked that he even noticed and verbalized it. He seems too relaxed to watch people sharply. I guess it’s another of his hidden skills, a silent observer who is very good at hiding it.
“Margo aims to hand over to you eventually. I want to make the transition smooth, so she has no reason to backtrack. Margo deserves her retirement.” I pick up on the affection in his face. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that kind of connection between co-workers that wasn’t sex based. It’s sweet, I guess.
“I’m sure I won’t disappoint her,” I shrug quietly, eyes on him, and a soft smile crosses my lips. A genuine one.
“You need to learn to relax around me.”
“If you’re implying that I should adopt your casual posture and manner, then I don’t think the transition will go as smoothly as you want,” I say with an edge of seriousness in my tone. I want him to understand that I’ll never be as lax as Margo in our work relationship.
He just grins at me, all white straight teeth and chiseled handsomeness, self-assured and smug.
Annoyingly so."
