Falling Into You (Geek to Chic) Page 3

  “Wait, what? Don’t you want to see my resume, talk to my references, make sure I am not out to kill you even though all evidence points to the contrary? Plus like I just said I have never been an executive assistant before.” She worked her bottom lip between her teeth driving him to distraction.

  “All you have to be able to do is take phone calls, get me away from my computer and to my meetings on time and not let anyone distract me while I am working. Jemma, my assistant, has the calendar set up for the next two life times. She should only be gone a week or two, it will be perfect.” He was a genius. “Plus, remember how I told you to apply at CP Security Technology? Well, you applied and got hired congratulation!”

  “Wait, you work for CP Security Technology? They are one of the leading companies in Colorado. Heck, in the country. Don’t you have to get approval to hire someone?”

  “I don’t exactly work for CP Security Tech, more like own CP Security Tech, along with Alex, aka Super Asshole.” Admitting he owned a high profile company like CPST always made him nervous.

  Her eyes grew wide, she muttered something about being out of her league under her breath. That made him frown. “I have one question before I accept the position… what the hell is your name?” She smiled up at him and he laughed.

  Chapter Four

  “Derek Callaway” He said, holding out his hand.

  “Veronica Atlas, everyone calls me Roni” She started shaking his hand. That simple touch had her toes curling. She looked into his icy blue eyes and saw that he felt it too. Maybe taking this job with him as her boss was not such a good idea. After all, you can’t grope your boss and keeping her hands off of him would be difficult if not impossible.

  “It is nice to finally meet you, Roni” He pulled her hand to his lips for a small kiss. A shiver shot down Roni’s back, the good kind. She had never met a man that could flip her switch with a simple touch. “When can you start? I need to go to the office today, now that Jemma is going to be gone. I’m not staying long, so it would be a perfect opportunity to show you around let you get a feel for the office. I’ll even buy my new employee lunch.” He looked so nervous, looking down as he said the last part. Roni thought he was an odd mixture of personalities all in one gorgeous hunk of a body. On the one hand, he was the smooth, confident CEO, on the other he was nervous as a schoolboy. She found that combination intoxicating. He was the entire package.

  She stared at him, realizing she was taking too long to answer. Obviously making him more nervous. “That sounds like a great plan, but I’m not really dressed for the office.”

  “Neither am I.” He grabbed up the rest of his stuff, stood, and held out his hand to her. “However, it is casual Friday, so we will look better than most. Come on, I’ll drive.”

  “Well, since you put it that way, let’s go.” She giggled collecting her own stuff taking his proffered hand. He linked his fingers with hers, almost making her sigh at how comforting holding his hand was. They walked out of the coffee shop, hand in hand, towards a black Audi R8. Her earlier thought of being out of her league was obviously true. “Your car is orgasmic!” She exclaimed, running her hand over the trunk. “Did I just say that out loud?”

  “Um, yes, yes you did.” He said, gasping for air between laughs. Then wincing, “Ugh, I am never drinking again.” He mumbled.

  She popped her hip out and placed her hand on it, looking up at him and shaking her head. “Do you know how many times I have uttered that very sentence?”

  “Ok, let me amend my previous statement. I am never drinking with a bunch of guys in order to get even with Alex. Though the hangover was worth it when Alex saw his bill. Then he had to drive us all home. So worth with it.” Derek walked past her, hit his remote to unlock the doors and opened her door for her. “My lady.” He said with a dramatic bow and arm movement.

  “Such a dork, but thank you.” She could not stop smiling being around him today. He was even fun hung over. Even after she almost sent him to the emergency room twice and totaled what looked like a very expensive laptop, he was still kind to her and laughing with her. Most men would have run screaming the other way. Which made her wonder what she was missing? He was obviously smart, funny, kind and let’s not forget tall, dark and handsome. He was everything she could want. She had to wonder why he would want to hang out with a clumsy, average looking, slightly flaky woman like herself. The perma-smile she had just been sporting, started to fade as her insecurities came rushing to the surface.

  Sure, she was smart with a good sense of humor but she was sure he could find a rich, successful, super model looking woman with those qualities as well. Maybe he felt sorry for her, after all she did come off as someone who couldn’t take care of herself. No job, falling all the time, she was one purse snatch away from being the stereotypical damsel in distress. Is that how he saw her? Oh God, was he being nice to her out of pure pity?

  “What has you making that scowling face out the window” Derek asked her as he concentrated on the traffic in front of him.

  “Did you offer me this job out of pity? I mean I know I l come off as a mess, with being fired and constantly causing you unintentional bodily harm, however I really am put together. I graduated with honors from college, have managed 28 years without injuring another human, and some even think I am cute. So really if you're offering me a job and being nice to me is some kind of way for you to boost your Karma points, thanks, but no thanks.” She huffed out the last part, crossed her arms over her chest and went back to staring out the window.

  Derek stopped at the stop light. Stared out of the windshield a moment, with the most confused look on his face, before turning to her and saying, “You’re right, I hired you to be my temporary assistant during a crucial time in my business to gain Karma points. It had nothing to do with the fact that you made an impression on me. When you’re not trying to kill me, that is.” He smiled at the last part and laid his hand on her leg. “Now, stop over thinking this job offer. I needed an assistant right away and you need a job. I see this job offer as us helping each other out. How does that sound?”

  She was having a hard time focusing on his words. The hand he had placed on her leg was now rubbing up and down her thigh. She held in a groan, or maybe it was a purr. Making sure not to close her eyes under the pure bliss the feel of his large hand on her was causing. She had admired him from a distance for six months, yet she never thought his simple touch would make her feel so close to ripping his clothes off. Roni chanced a glance at Derek, he was back to concentrate on the road, his hand still tracing patterns on her thigh. The peaceful look on his face and relaxed position of his shoulders, made her happy, she felt like she had given him that. From the first moment she saw him, he had seemed tense and focused. To see him relaxed around her was nice.

  “You have been staring at me for the last few minutes, so either you are reconsidering the job or I have something on my face.” He flashed her a quick smile.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to stare, I was just thinking….”She trailed off not really knowing what to say next, “that you’re right, we would be helping each other out.” Not exactly the truth but she didn’t want to embarrass herself, again. “So how far from the office are we?”

  ***

  Derek realized his hand was still on her leg. He wondered what it meant that she hadn’t moved his hand. At the same time, though he didn’t care why she let him touch her, as long as she continued to let him do so. “Here we are.” Derek pulled into the parking garage into his reserved spot. Yep, being the boss was good. He killed the engine, got out of the car, hurrying to her side so he could open her door. When he did she looked at him in a mixture of surprise and awe. She must not be used to such gestures, well that must give him an advantage, he thought. He even went as far as to take her hand and help her out of the car. Ok, so the reason he took her hand may have had less to do with being a gentleman and more to do with wanting to touch her anyway he could.

  As they walked through
the marble lobby, a few employees stopped to ask him questions. Upon the first person approaching them, Roni pulled her hand out of his. He wanted to scowl, but realized she was going to be working with these people and did not want to be seen as the girl sleeping with her boss. Hmm, maybe he should have thought this through a little more. Sure, he would have her close, but he wouldn’t be able to touch her or flirt with her for at least eight hours a day. Dumb ass! Derek’s brain scolded him. That he was, a major dumbass.

  “My office is on the eleventh floor” He placed his hand on the small of her back leading her to the elevators, trying to avoid other employees so he could leave his hand where it was. “We have a huge release coming in a few weeks, hence the reason I could not live without an assistant while Jemma is out. If I know Jemma, she left a detailed list of all the important meetings and deadlines as well as the outstanding items that need completed in order for this launch to happen.”

  Derek wanted to make her feel comfortable while still ensuring that she understood the importance the next few weeks held for his company.

  “This release, what is it for?” The million dollar, or billion dollar, question he thought when she asked.

  They walked the short distance from the elevator to his corner office. His office was nothing special. His desk was the typical executive desk, his walls were a beige color, but his view was spectacular. He had chosen this building for the headquarters of CPST for this view. He had the fortune of looking out to see the beautiful Rocky Mountains every day. Whether the mountains were covered in snow or the sun was shining over them, they had a calming effect on him. “Before I answer your question, I need you to sign an NDA, non-disclosure agreement.” He stated almost apologetically as he pulled the paperwork out of his desk drawer handing it to her along with a pen. She smiled, not in the least bit offended, looked over the document, and signed it with that bubble cursive that women wrote in.

  “This release is the most important security job we have ever been brought into. You know what a drone is of course. Homeland Security as well as most of the higher ups in the military has become increasingly worried that the drones are vulnerable to hacking and therefore would be able to be used against us, instead of for us.” He explained.

  “Is that possible?” She looked horrified.

  “With the security program and other toys my team and I have created for our government, not anymore.” Derek boasted.

  “Well, now I can sleep at night knowing a super nerd like yourself is on the job.” Roni stated barely containing her laughter as she raises an eyebrow at the amount of computers and monitors he had on his desk. “Now I see why you didn’t blink twice over my latte bombing your laptop this morning.

  He had to laugh. “That laptop was at least six months old, time to buy a new one. Plus, it was my personal laptop. Nothing on that thing, but video games.”

  “Oh good, now I don’t feel bad since it gave you an excuse to shop. I can get behind something like that.” She gifted him with one of her amazing smiles. What was it about this woman that had him all tied up inside?

  Chapter Five

  Derek’s office was so very plain, obviously the man cared more about his computers than any sort of eye catching decor. All his office held was the furniture needed to conduct business. A large modern black desk in the center. Two straight back black guest chairs, which looked very uncomfortable, in front of his desk. A plain dark brown couch and black coffee table in the far corner. The walls were the same beige as every hospital hallway. No artwork adorned them.

  The only thing that gave life to his office was the perfect view. Her friend Gracey would have a field day with this place. It would be a blank canvas. She would make sure to call her, if Roni stayed beyond the two weeks that was. She walked to his plain modern desk to get a better view of his computers that’s when she noticed the single picture frame on his desk. A picture of a thin woman with black hair and his familiar blue eyes, holding an adorable baby. She looked closely at the picture wondering who the woman was but scared to ask.

  He must have read her mind because he closed the distance between them, placing a hand on the small of her back again. “That’s my baby sister Caroline, and the deceptively cute baby is my niece, Netty. She’s 6 months old, smiles all the time and I think she is going to be a computer genius just like her uncle.” He was absolutely beaming with pride as he spoke of his niece. Seeing a man light up over a child made every women’s heart turn to mush.

  “I bet Caroline and her husband are in heaven, raising a cute baby like her.” His smile fell instantly and if she wasn’t mistaken his hands fisted by his side.

  “Netty’s father is not in the picture. The bastard took off so fast after finding out that my sister was pregnant, I think he left skid marks. I never thought he was good enough for her, now I just want to castrate the asshole. I offered to pay a private investigator to find him, but Caroline doesn’t want to find him anymore. She’s a great mother. Netty is her world and I applaud her for that, but I wish she would get out more. Do something for herself.” He shook his head and smiled again at the picture.

  “Do you babysit for her so she can go out?” Roni asked already knowing the answer. He might love his niece dearly, but most single guys she knew were terrified of babies. They would rather defuse a nuclear weapon than change a diaper.

  “Um, no I love her dearly, she is an adorable kid, but I barely know how to take care of myself let alone a baby. Hell, I am lucky to remember to feed myself at this point.” He said it like it was something she should know already.

  “Not even for an hour? Really?” She was laughing now. “Men so tough until it comes to a small human. Then they run for the hills until the kid is potty trained.” He gave her a scowl, one that was laced with amusement. She put up her hands in surrender. “Fine, fine, you’re a macho man without diaper duty in there. So boss man, what’s next? What needs to be completed today?” She suddenly wished for a pen and paper so she could take some notes on what needed to be completed.

  Derek switched personality’s right in front of her. He did it so fast her brain had trouble keeping up with the sudden and dramatic personality change that had taken place right in front of her eyes. His voice became harsh and the laughter left his face.

  He was now the powerful CEO not her… …what was he? Acquaintance? Friend? Potential boyfriend? That blank she would have to fill in later. Right now she needed to focus. “I need to check in with a few members of my team and return some emails. Jemma is very organized, I am sure she left notes and more notes. If you could start by reviewing what she left, that should get you up to speed. Her desk is the one right outside my office.” He scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to her. “This is the login and password I had IT set up for you moments ago.” She tilted her head in question. “I sent a text before we got in the car. The login information should work for both the laptop and iPad. I will come out when I am done.” With that, he sat at his desk and immediately started working. Guess his manners did not carry over to his CEO Persona, since he had dismissed her without another word.

  ***

  Derek watched her out of the corner of his eye as she left. As soon as the heavy door closed behind her, he leaned back in his chair, taking a deep breath. Two problems, beyond his workload, ran around his brain like a hamster on his wheel. First, Roni was 100% right, he should offer to take Netty for Caroline. He knew she needed time to herself, but that she did not trust many people with her baby. He decided he better offer to take his niece for a few hours before he totally chickened out. Shaking his head, he grabbed his iPhone.

  “Big Bro, you never call in the middle of the day, well actually you never call, I was under the impression you only knew how to text.” Caroline giggled out as she answered the phone.

  “Funny, and here I was all set to do a favor for you.” He thought that would change her tone.

  “Wow, a real phone call and a favor! Is it my birthday and I just for
got?” He rolled his eyes at the phone. Only Caroline could be this much of a smart ass in this short of time.

  “I guess if you don’t want me to watch Netty for you so you can go have some mommy time then…” He didn’t even get to finish that sentence.

  “Are you serious? You know you have to feed her and change her right? Never mind, I’m sure you’ll hire someone if you don’t know how. I have not been out of the house on my own, other than work, which doesn’t count… sorry I’m babbling. When?” Caroling spun the words together into one long sentence without a breath. Now he knew for sure he should have done this sooner.

  “I’m not sure really. I had not thought that far, just thought I’d offer and see what worked for you.”

  “Next Saturday, that will give you a week to get ready for the monster that is your niece.” She laughed.

  “Oh, she’s cute. Nothing, that cute could be bad. I’m sure I can handle anything she can dish out.” He would show her.

  “We’ll see about that.” She laughed, “I better get back to work. Thanks this means a lot, I really do need a little time to myself.” He said she noticed the last part as a sad whisper.

  “No problem C, send me a text next week to let me know what time the monster, as you called my perfect niece, is coming over.” With that they ended their conversation.

  Now to deal with his next problem, Roni. His plan was so simple. She comes to work for him, he gets to know her, she gets to know hi, boom, and he wins the girl’s hand. He forgot about the minor fact, he would be her boss! Which meant no touching, no flirting… ugh. He placed his head in his hands. He blamed the amount of alcohol he had last night for his poor planning. Derek could still make this work. In these walls he would be nothing but professional. After work, outside these walls, he would pursue her. That plan could work. If he could keep from pissing her off from 8-5, which, given how big of an asshole he tended to be when he worked was going to be quite the task. He could reel in his CEO asshole side, right?