The Hookup Handbook(5)

“I like sex. It’s really that simple, Sienna.”

The sound of my name leaving his lips makes my lungs constrict with something hot and uncomfortable.

“Nothing is that simple.” And if he actually believes that, he’s an idiot. “What’s your end game?”

“My what?” His expression is part mild irritation and part amusement at my questions. He turns his big body away from the desk so he’s facing me.

“I’m just trying to put the pieces together here.” I tap my pen on my knee.

He sits back in the chair and folds his hands behind his head, which makes his biceps look huge. A slight grin tilts his full lips. “Tell me everything that’s on your mind. All at once.”

“I’m not sleeping with you.” Oh my God. Did I just say that? Out loud? Shit!

“Never asked you to.”

I swallow the lump that’s now lodged in my throat. “I’m here to work. That’s it. I don’t want to hear about your conquests. I don’t want to know what goes on when you leave here for appointments. The only thing I’m here to do is to help you in this office.”

“Perfect. Then we’re on the same page.”

“Oh, and since I graduated at the top of my class from a top-tier university, I’d appreciate something more challenging than data entry.”

He smirks at me. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I guess I’ll get to work, then.”

Turning back to my laptop, I take a deep breath. I know I’ve completely overstepped my bounds, and I have no idea why I lost my shit on him. I’m normally as cool as a cucumber.

I open a browser and pull up my email to fire off a quick message to my best friend, Allison.

To: Allison Garner

From: Sienna Johnson

Subject: First Day of Work

I’ve been in the “office” (more of a mansion—I’ll explain later) for all of an hour, and I think my boss already hates me. Best part? My desk is five feet away from him. Remind me why I’m doing this again?

Before I can even open a new spreadsheet to continue with my task, my email dings with a response from Allison.

To: Sienna Johnson

From: Allison Garner

Subject: Eyes on the Prize

Something to put on your résumé? To fill time between worrying about grad school and chasing down a summer fling. That’s why you’re doing this. Don’t lose sight of your goals, girl. Give your boss the finger for me. We’ll drink about it soon.

A giggle escapes me at the thought. Flipping off my boss my first day on the job? Talk about the fast lane to getting fired.

“What’s so funny?” Case gives me a suspicious look from behind his computer monitor.

“Oh, just an email.” I close the browser, just in case that intense stare can see through the back of my laptop. “Sorry. I’m halfway through these files now. I know you’re trying to work.”

“Great,” he says curtly, his attention returning to his screen. “Thank you.”

I hold tightly to that thank-you, making certain I don’t forget the way it sounds in his low, rumbling voice. Something tells me I’m not going to hear those words from him a lot.





Chapter Three


Case



Normally, I’m not the kind of man who has trouble focusing. Half the reason I’ve been so successful is because when it comes down to it, I buckle down and do what needs to be done.

For the past eight years, I’ve run this business on my own, managing a half dozen hotheaded men, filing paperwork, being every woman’s fantasy in the bedroom, all while putting out client and publicity fires left and right. This business has been my life, my baby, and if there’s one thing I have trouble with, it’s control. Or rather, giving it up.

And Ryder’s goody-two-shoes, whip-smart little sister isn’t making that any easier for me. It’s only Wednesday, and she’s driving me crazy.

“I finished cleaning out your in-box, and I’ve organized it so that all incoming emails will go to their respective files. One for clients, one for press, one for employees, one for expenses, and one for everything else.”

Sienna barely even takes a breath as she explains it all to me, her blue eyes glued to the computer screen as she clicks from file to file.

“It’ll take a few days for the new system to fully adjust, but I’ll keep an eye on it. In the long run, it should make your job a lot easier.”

When I decided that she should work with me in my home office, it made sense at the time. The room is big enough for both of us to work comfortably, and having her nearby makes it easier to communicate what needs to get done and answer any questions she might have.

But something about having her so close all the time makes my skin crawl. And it’s not just because she blows through every assignment I give her in a fraction of the time I think it’ll take her. No, being this close to her is unnerving for a whole different set of reasons.

First, I never expected her to be drop-dead gorgeous, with honey-colored hair down to her waist, big blue eyes, and a nice set of perky tits that are definitely more than a handful.

And what is that scent? I’ve been trying to place it all week. My office usually smells like male deodorant and coffee. Now that’s been replaced with a new mouth-watering aroma that I’m having trouble putting my finger on. It’s not too flowery or too strong, and there are hints of rose and cedar. She smells chic and sophisticated and utterly sexy.