SADIE
“I don’t care how much it costs to expediate the process, Louis. The potential profits will make it worth it in the end,” he said in a cool, matter-of-face tone as he rounded his desk and sat in his chair. He didn’t even look at me as he sat back and crossed his leg over his knee. He’d unbuttoned his gray suit jacket, and my eyes flickered down his torso. The crisp, white dress shirt he was wearing seemed to strain against his chest and abs as he moved and flexed.
When I realized my mouth was hanging slightly open, I quickly pressed my lips together and tore my eyes from him. He didn’t seem to notice, though, as he continued talking on his phone, completely ignoring my presence.
“I don’t care what the board thinks,” he said, his voice a throaty growl. “This is my call. I want it done. Got it?”
Geez, he sounded like an asshole. I supposed he had to be to some extent. How many people reached his level of success and wealth without being a little dickish now and then?
His conversation went on for several more moments before he finally said, “Good. Keep me posted on the progress, and if any board members run their mouths about it, I want to know. Talk later, Louis.”
Hanging up, he finally deemed to look at me.
“Miss Bruns?” he said in a cool and clipped tone.
I nodded, a little caught off guard by his brusqueness. “Um…yep. That’s me.”
He released a long sigh, as if he was being inconvenienced by my presence. My irritation at his lateness grew.
“I am looking for someone who can do this job with little oversight. I’m a very busy man and don’t want to have to babysit my nanny, got it?”
I blinked at him, stunned. Did he talk to all his employees like this? I could understand being a little curt given his position and the responsibilities that no doubt came with it, but this was just downright rude. “Um…excuse me?”
He arched a brow at me. “I don’t like to repeat myself, Miss Bruns. If this is too much for you to keep up with, I doubt you’ll be a good fit for the position.”
My eyes widened, and my irritation burst into full-blown anger.
“I didn’t say excuse me because I didn’t understand, Mr. Grave,” I snapped. “I said it because the way you’re talking to me is appalling.”
His expression showed his surprise, and then, he furrowed his brow in obvious annoyance.
“Not sure I like the tone, Miss Bruns.”
I clenched the arms of my chair, as if to keep myself from flying from my seat and across the desk at him.
“Well, I’m not sure I like yours, Mr. Grave.” “Where do you get off, speaking to me like that? As if I’m somehow unworthy of your time? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m here because you need help. Don’t act like you’re the one doing me a favor.”
Even though this job would be an answer to most of my current problems, it wasn’t the only job in the city. I didn’t need to work for this jerk. I could find another job, but he would be lucky to find anyone who could tolerate working for him.
He clenched his jaw so hard that I could see a muscle twitching.
“I don’t appreciate being spoken to in such a manner in my own house.” His eyes flashed, and his voice lost some of its cool edge, his anger seeming to shake his control. Pushing to his feet, he continued, “You can go now.”
I shoved to my feet as well and glared at him. “Gladly! But before I go, you should know that you’re a conceited ass, and I doubt you’ll be able to get anyone of quality to stick with this job for more than a couple of days.”
“Get out!” he barked, pointing to the door.
Chapter 3
He had a beautiful face, but he was rotten on the inside. Whatever initial spark of attraction I’d felt toward him was squashed by his ugly personality. Spinning on my heel, I marched toward the door, throwing it open and storming out without a backwards glance.
I made my way through the house to the front door, furious and disappointed that this opportunity turned out to be such a disaster.
As I passed by the living room door, a small movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention.
Turning, I spotted an adorable, little girl peeking out around the doorframe. She had black hair and gray eyes just like Mr. Grave, but her gaze didn’t have any of the coldness his had.
“Hello,” I said with a grin. “Are you Megan?”
Nodding, the little girl smiled shyly and stepped out from behind the doorframe.
“Yes,” she answered. “Who are you?”
She had a sweet, little voice, and I couldn’t help but be charmed by her. Bending over, I rested my hands on my knees, so I could be closer to eye-level with her.
“My name is Sadie,” I told her. “How old are you, Megan?”
“Seven,” she said. She clutched the skirt of her cute dress and began swishing it back and forth. “I’m in first grade.”
“Wow,” I replied, making sure I showed the right amount of awe. “Do you like school?”
“It’s okay,” she said and shrugged. “Uncle Cyrus says school’s important and I should do my best, but I don’t think it’s very fun most of the time.”
I chuckled. “Well, your Uncle Cyrus is right…though I agree, school can be a little boring. He probably likes boring, though, huh?”
Megan giggled, and I laughed softly with her.
“Do you have a lot of friends at school, Megan?”
The little girl’s laughter died and her gaze dropped. She slowly shook her head.
“No…not really.”
I frowned, my heart squeezing at her sad tone. “I’m sorry. It’s not always easy to make friends, especially at a new school.”
Nodding, she peeked back up at me. “It’s not easy. Do you have a lot of friends?”
“I have a few. What matters though, is that you find people who really care about you and understand you. It doesn’t matter how many friends you have, just that you have good ones.”
Megan blinked. “My mommy used to say that.”
My lips parted in surprise. “Well, she sounds like she was a very smart woman.”
Megan’s mouth turned up into a tentative grin. “She was.”
Grinning, I said, “And I’m sure she was fun and interesting. Not boring, like your uncle.”
“Boring, hmm?” a deep voice suddenly boomed behind me, making me jump and gasp. “Do I strike you as boring, Miss Bruns?”
Straightening, shoulders tensed, I slowly turned around and met Mr. Grave’s irritated, gray gaze.