Max was sitting in his office when she walked in. He glanced at his clock and then to her face. He knew she’d been with his father and uncle and wasn’t pleased with how long she’d been gone. He wanted badly to rip her all-important iPad from her and read everything she’d been writing over the last couple weeks. He couldn’t believe he’d allowed this ridiculous interview to go on.
Every time he even thought about ending the entire farce his stomach would tighten in protest, though. The longer he was around her the more he wanted to know her every secret. He’d never been so fascinated with any woman and he didn’t like the power she seemed to hold over him. He knew she desired him as much as he wanted her. Maybe, he should just please both of them and take her to his bed. He was trying to prove to himself that he alone had control over his suddenly raging hormones. He was a stickler for perfection, even from himself, and his weakness around her was unacceptable.
He hadn’t touched her in weeks because he didn’t trust himself to stop. He didn’t trust her to stop him, either. He was beginning to think he was a real idiot for torturing both of them. He either needed to take her to bed or send her on her way. He just couldn’t figure out which way he was going to go.
Max leaned back in his chair, appearing casual, not allowing the turbulent emotions passing through him to show through his face or body. He propped a foot on his desk and smiled at her.
“Sit down, it looks like you want to chat,” he said. She walked further in and took the chair across from him. “How was your long lunch?”
Cassie looked at him strangely for a moment. She wasn’t on his payroll. In fact, she was only there to interview him, and the people who worked for him, so she didn’t see why he could possibly be upset with her being gone for a few hours. Sometimes the man didn’t make any sense.
“Lunch was great. I spoke with your father and uncle. Don’t worry, I’m not writing a bunch of personal family history in my article, but to be fair to you, I need to have as much of a clear picture as possible,” she quickly added, cutting him off.
“Are you enjoying yourself, then?” he asked casually.
“Actually, yes. Thanks for asking,” she said just as nonchalantly.
“That’s good,” he replied. Their obnoxiously polite conversation was ridiculous and she was done with it.
“Have you made a decision about the Alaska trip, yet? I think it would be great for me to go, to really see you in action. You’ve been working on this deal for a long time, and to get a fully rounded picture of you, I need to go,” she pleaded. She hated to beg, but she wanted to go. He’d be gone for several days, cutting into her precious month.
Max stared at her for several moments, not giving away any hint of what he was thinking. She couldn’t tell if he was going to allow her to go with him or not, and she felt like screaming. Enough with the suspense, already.
“Alaska, at this time of year, can be dangerous. I’m going to a small town called, Cordova, as you know. Did you research the area, like I suggested?” he asked.
“Yes, I did an online search. I know its main industry is fishing, and that at least one member of each household is most likely involved in the fishing industry in one way or another. They took a hard hit when the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground on the Blight Reef, causing one of the most devastating environmental disasters ever in North America. With that and the restrictions put on logging, the town has had some hard hits but their slowly coming back,” she said proudly.
“The town also gets hit by a lot of snowfall, dangerously low temperatures, and you have to be aware of wild animals. You can’t just go wandering around wherever you feel like. You could end up dead in a matter of minutes in those conditions,” he said firmly. She could feel he was beginning to cave. She sat eagerly, not wanting him to change his mind.
“I understand all that, and I promise, you’ll barely even be able to tell I’m around,” she said quietly.
“That’s highly unlikely,” he said with a smirk. If she knew the thoughts racing through his mind, he didn’t think she’d be so eager to join him in the secluded town. His body responded at just the thought of her alone with him in a remote cabin. He was grateful to be sitting so she couldn’t see the evidence of her effect on him. He squirmed in his seat for a moment, suddenly very uncomfortable.
“If you’re going to come with me, then you’ll have to make yourself more useful than just taking notes and following me around. Cynthia had a family emergency and won’t be able to accompany me like she normally does, so I’ll need you to fill in for her,” he said. She would be willing to do anything to go, and taking some notes as his secretary didn’t seem like it could be that difficult.
“I can do that,” she said, hoping she didn’t sound too eager.
“Cynthia’s job isn’t as easy it looks. She’s just so good at what she does, she makes it seem effortless. You have to know when to speak, and when not to. You have to take detailed notes, listen to what I’m asking, and not offend the locals,” he preached. She wanted to give him a sarcastic reply but managed to hold it in, barely.
“I know Cynthia is a true gem. I’ll be sure to pick her brain tomorrow and have her go over everything I’ll need to know,” she said, instead.
“As you well know by now, we’re very close in these offices. There are certain items of discussion that I can’t have you writing about. I’ve been lenient about this interview, but on this trip you’ll need to be careful with what you’re writing. I’m going to need to approve your final copy,” Max told her. Her hackles immediately rose. She didn’t like him questioning her integrity. She also didn’t like him getting the final say on her article. She didn’t know if she should argue, though, as she really wanted to go. She was trying to figure out how she could agree without locking herself into something.
“I have to say I’m a bit offended by that statement. I’ve gotten along very well with the workers. I also promised from the beginning to be honest. If you have nothing to hide, then I don’t see what the problem is with my article,” she answered, avoiding making any promises. He folded his hands and rested his chin on them. He stared her down, neither of them used to making any sort of compromise.
“Fine, I’ll let you look over the article but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to cut and slash my work so it’s a typical fluff piece. I’ve never agreed to that,” she said with a frustrated sigh. The man was insufferable.