“Good morning.” The woman acknowledged her with a nod. “Do you have an appointment with Mr. Steele?”
“Uhh, yes,” Serena said quickly, too embarrassed to tell the woman that she was reporting for her first day at work. “He’s expecting me."
“I’ll have someone take you up.” She directed Serena to have a seat in one of the soft black leather chairs along the side of the wall.
She’d been sitting there for less than a minute when a statuesque woman with raven-black hair exited the elevator and approached her. She was impeccably dressed in a wine-colored suit and matching pumps. She had the body and gait of a model.
“Ms. Van Buren?” The woman’s voice was husky, almost as deep as a man’s. Serena tried to hide her surprise behind a bright smile. She stood up and took the woman’s outstretched hand.
“Yes, I’m Serena Van Buren.”
“Welcome,” the woman said then released her hand. “My name is Theresa Lederman. I’m Mr. Steele’s personal assistant.” Then her brows knitted. “Did you have a problem getting here? We were expecting you some fifteen minutes ago.” The disapproval was evident in her tone.
Serena immediately bristled and straightened to her full height, not that it made much difference since Theresa Lederman had a good four or five inches on her. She gave the woman a frosty look. “I’m not used to driving on Bay Street at this time of morning. I had no idea the traffic was so heavy.” Then she frowned, angry at herself for even responding. She’d never had to explain herself to anyone before. And who did this woman think she was to ask her about being late? She was nothing but a glorified secretary, after all.
The woman looked down at her and nodded. “Well, this is your first day so I can understand. But you will have to head out earlier tomorrow. Mr. Steele postponed a meeting specifically in order to meet you this morning and he’s already lost fifteen minutes.” She beckoned Serena toward the elevator. “Unfortunately, he’d wanted to spend at least an half an hour with you to get you started but now he’ll only have a few minutes.”
“I’m…sorry,” Serena said grudgingly, suddenly feeling guilty for her previous display. She was going to have to check her attitude. She gave an inaudible sigh. Being an employee was not going to be easy.
At the tenth floor Theresa punched in a code and the glass doors automatically slid open. They entered another beautiful lobby, a smaller, more intimate version of the one below. She strode down a hallway then stopped in front of a door and knocked. Serena heard nothing but apparently the woman did because she pushed it open then stepped aside to allow her to enter. “Ms. Van Buren,” was all she said by way of presentation then as Serena stepped into the room she pulled the door shut behind her.
Stepping hesitantly into the middle of the room Serena looked around at the expansive office, impressed with the elegance of its décor and the wide bay window with its impressive view of the city. A quick survey revealed that the long anticipated Roman Steele, the man who would hereafter control eight hours out of each of her weekdays, was nowhere to be seen.
Okay, now what? Stand here like an idiot or plop self into one of the chairs and wait? Where the heck was he, anyway?
As if in answer she heard the rustle of paper then a deep voice behind her. “Welcome, Miss Van Buren.”
Serena jumped. She turned toward the voice then stared in wide-eyed surprise at the startlingly handsome man who filled her vision. Tall and broad-shouldered, he towered over her five foot three inch frame in an immaculate suit the color of midnight. Ink-black hair framed a tanned, rugged face that spoke of strength, power and pride. Eyes the color of black diamonds bored into her, making her flush under his intense scrutiny. When his firm lips curled in what could only be amusement, she dropped her gaze and her eyes sought refuge in the rich crimson of his tie.
She’d been staring like a doe caught in headlights but she couldn’t help it. Roman Steele was so shockingly different from the middle-aged balding man she’d expected. Who could have known he’d look like he belonged on the cover of GQ? And why in heaven’s name was her heart racing like she’d just done a hundred-meter sprint?
Serena took a quick breath, trying desperately to steady her pulse. She lifted her face again. “Where did you come from?” she asked, then cursed herself for sounding so breathless.
He cocked an eyebrow then giving her a crooked smile he waved his hand in the direction of a door which stood slightly ajar. “I was pulling a file from the vault.” He seemed amused at having taken her by surprise. “Please. Have a seat.” He waved her to a chair then went and sat behind his massive desk of deep mahogany. “I’m glad you could finally join us.”
Serena felt her face redden at his sardonic tone. “I got caught in traffic,” she began then bit her lip, realizing how easily the man had intimidated her.
She’d had a plan to come into this office and, through either intimidation or charm, get herself out of this predicament. She’d planned to get her new employer on her side, get him to talk to her father, reason with him about how unnecessary the internship was. She could see that intimidation was not going to work here. This man was too bold, too sure of himself...and too darned handsome. Risky as it might be she would just have to try charm instead.
She looked at him with wide eyes. “I’m so sorry I was late this morning, I really tried to be on time. It won’t…” She paused, lowered her lashes and looked down at her hands. “It won’t happen again,” she said in a soft whisper.
Through the thickness of her lashes she peeped up at Roman and saw that he was taken aback by her response. She had to bite her lip to keep from smiling her satisfaction. Then his eyes narrowed and she quickly dropped her glance. She could not afford for him to read the true Serena. Not yet, anyway. Not if her plan was going to work.
“Good. I will appreciate punctuality in future.” Roman’s voice was firm.
Serena looked back at him, frowning slightly. She had not expected this. Normally, as soon as she started playing “defenseless maiden” all the men in her presence would jump to protect her and her feelings. She had expected Roman to tell her that it was okay, that she didn’t have to worry about being late. So charm had not worked with him. Not yet, anyway. She was not going to give up.