A Calculated Seduction(27)
“Why would he leave then? I mean, most people can put up with irritating relatives for a fortune like that.”
“Not sure. From what I’ve been able to find out, there was a huge argument. Pretty public, too. One thing though, you know this job doesn’t pay as much as what he was earning there.”
“His father cut him off without a cent?” Sounded like Ethan’s father.
“Sure did. But even without all that money, he has a pretty nice house in north Dallas.”
“Anything else?”
“No, other than your Miss Menendez, he’s had no steady women. ”
“She’s not my Miss Menendez.”
“Whatever you say, boss, but I’ve seen a picture of her.”
“What do you mean you’ve seen a picture of her?”
“It’s my job, boss, and I know your type. She’s your type.” The fact Todd knew him so well, aggravated his already rising temper. “So, dowdy little secretaries are my type?”
Todd chuckled. “A sure sign I stepped on your toes. I just thought it was interesting it took you so long to check her out.”
“I don’t pay you to think.”
He hung up without another word. Okay, so it wasn’t the most mature thing he’d ever done but he was ready to shout at his employee over the phone. That would be worse. He shoved both his hands through his hair and released an aggravated sigh. Something had to give, he just didn’t know how much longer he would last. Dulcy’s little rap sounded at the door and without waiting for an answer, she opened it. She was holding a file folder, her brow wrinkled in concern.
“We have a problem, Mr. MacMillan.”
He ground his teeth at the use of his last name, but let it go. “What’s up?”
“It seems a store out in Tucson special ordered three hundred red boots. Problem is, we shipped them three hundred red lace-up work boots. They needed them yesterday.”
“Three hundred red boots?”
“Yeah, some dance team wants them for their photos.”
“Okay, call down to shipping and see if they can get the order out tonight.”
Ten minutes later, Dulcy returned, her frown still in place. “We have them, but there’s another problem now.”
“What is it now?”
“It seems we’ve had some calls from several of our customers. All the orders have been screwed up.”
“Lord, it’s that new computer program.”
She nodded. “I guess we’ll be staying late?” Her brow raised in question.
He nodded and she left him alone. For the first time that day, his mind was on something other than Dulcy. He had to make sure he saved the reputation of the company.
* * * *
Six hours later, Ethan leaned back in his chair, massaging his neck. Tension thrummed inside his head and down his back.
“So, we’ll give you a twenty percent discount on those and ten percent on your next order.”
“Well,” said the store manager on the other end of the line, “I really appreciate this, Mr. MacMillan.”
“No, it’s I who am in your debt. The glitch in the new computer system has caused a whole load of problems. Thank you for your understanding.” And this was the tenth call he’d had to make.
Dulcy’s sharp little knock sounded and she entered, her crooked little smile in place. Instantly, some of the day’s stress melted away at the sight of her and his blood warmed.
She carried two white plastic bags and from the smells, she’d ordered food for the two of them. His stomach grumbled, reminding him he’d skipped lunch. As the manager droned on about his customers, he watched Dulcy empty the bags, then set up their dinner.
Her economical movements fascinated him. She was not overly graceful, but there was something about her. Something so innate in her gestures. Maybe it was her hands. They looked delicate and small, but able to handle just about anything thrown her way. Including sliding down his chest, past his abs and wrapping around his cock—
“Mr. MacMillan?” the manager asked.
“So sorry. It’s been a long day. I’m just glad we could sort this out for you.”
After a couple more attempts, he finally hung up.
“Chatty?” Dulcy asked. She’d pulled one of the two chairs in front of his desk closer and picked up a pair of chopsticks.
“Apparently, he was a little amazed I called. Me being the president and all,” he said with a smile.