Rush (Breathless #1)(9)

“I’m supposed to see Gabe at ten,” Mia said breathlessly.

“I’ll let him know you’re here,” Eleanor said as she picked up the phone.

Mia turned away, unsure of whether he would come get her or if she would go back. Whenever she came to see Jace, she always just walked in. There was no waiting as if she had an appointment.

“You can go back,” Eleanor called.

Mia quickly turned and then nodded, taking a deep breath and heading down the hallway, past Jace’s office to the end where Gabe’s spacious corner office was situated. She paused at the doorway and stared down at her polished toes that peeked from the sexy heels Caroline had suggested she wear.

She suddenly felt like the world’s biggest idiot. Whatever had come over Gabe at last night’s party was probably hugely misinterpreted by her. And she’d come dressed to kill.

She was just about to turn around and go back to the elevator as fast as those heels would take her when the door swung open and Gabe Hamilton stood there staring intently at her.

“I was wondering if you changed your mind,” he said.

She flushed guiltily, hoping like hell he couldn’t read her thoughts. Her guilt was probably plain to read on her face.

“I’m here,” she said bravely, notching up her chin to stare back at him.

He took a step back and swept his arm past him. “Come in.”

She sucked in her breath and entered the lion’s den.

She’d seen Gabe’s office once before, years ago when Jace had taken her on a tour of the floor HCM occupied, but she’d been excited and it had all been a blur. Now she studied the interior of Gabe’s office with keen interest.

It screamed classy and expensive. Rich mahogany wood, polished marble floor that was partially covered with an elegant oriental rug. The furniture was dark leather with an antique, old-world look. Paintings adorned three walls while the last wall was all built-in bookcases filled with an eclectic mixture of works.

Gabe loved to read. Jace and Ash teased Gabe about being a bookworm, but it was a passion that Mia shared with Gabe. While Gabe had given her the necklace and earrings she’d worn to the party the night before, that same Christmas, she’d given him a signed first edition of a Cormac McCarthy novel.

“You look nervous,” Gabe said, breaking into her thoughts. “I won’t bite, Mia. Not yet anyway.”

Her eyebrows lifted and he motioned for her to have a seat in front of his desk. He pulled the chair out and put his hand to her back as he guided her into place. She shivered at the heat of his touch, and he let his hand linger a moment even after she’d taken her seat.

He let his fingers slide up her shoulder before he finally walked back around his desk to take his seat across from her. For a long moment he stared at her until heat crawled up her neck and to her cheeks. He didn’t simply look at her. He made her feel devoured by his gaze.

“You wanted to see me,” she said in a low voice.

The corner of his mouth crooked upward. “I want to do more than see you, Mia. If I had only wanted to see you, I would have spent more time with you last night.”

Her breath stuttered raggedly over her lips and then for a brief time she simply forgot to breathe. She licked her lips and ran her tongue over her bottom lip in agitation.

“For God’s sake, Mia.”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

His nostrils flared and his hands curled into fists on top of his desk. “I want you to come to work for me.”

Of all the things she thought he might say, that hadn’t been one of them. She stared in astonishment at him as she tried to process the fact that he’d just offered her a job. Good God, she’d been well on her way to making a giant ass of herself. Her cheeks tightened in humiliation.

“I have a job,” she said. “You know that.”

He made a dismissive gesture with his hand and a sound of impatience erupted from his throat.

“It’s not a job worthy of your capabilities and education and you know it.”

“It’s not like I intend this job to be forever,” she defended. “They’ve been good to me and they’re shorthanded, so I promised I’d stay on until they can hire someone else.”

He gave her a look of impatience. “How long have they been telling you that, Mia?”

She flushed and dropped her gaze briefly.

“You’re cut out for more than being a cashier in a pastry shop. Jace didn’t spend all that money and you didn’t spend all that time in college to pass out donuts.”

“I never intended it to be long-term!”

“I’m glad to hear that. So give your notice and come to work for me.”

He leaned back, staring intently at her as he awaited her response.

“What exactly is the job you’re offering me?”

“You’d be my personal assistant.”

Just the way he said the words sent a shiver down her spine. The emphasis on personal couldn’t possibly be mistaken.

“You don’t have a personal assistant,” she accused. “You never have. You hate them.”

“It’s true you’d be my first in a long while. I trust that you’d prove a very capable employee.”

It was her turn to study him. Her eyes narrowed as she took in his intense, brooding expression.