“Really, and have you met him, yet?” he asked, trying to sound surprised, like she was getting one over on him.
“Yes, at the interview. George Anderson is an amazing man, and I’m proud and excited to be working for him,” she said. She’d instantly liked both George and Joseph Anderson. She’d always been comfortable with older people, as they seemed much less judgmental.
“George isn’t the president,” he stated, popping her bubble. Her brows puckered and she looked at him like he was insane. He had to be trying to deceive her. George was the one who had interviewed her. She tried to remember her interview, word for word, but she couldn’t remember him actually saying he was the president.
“Of course he is,” she said, but not as confident.
“Believe me, I know he isn’t. He retired years ago, and though he’s still the majority owner in the corporation, he’s more of a silent partner, dealing more with personnel situations and behind the scenes issues,” he told her.
Trenton found he was enjoying her confusion, and watched as she tried to work out what he was saying. She still hadn’t put all the pieces together. He was thrilled to find the spitfire from the park was his assistant. He found himself glad to be in Seattle. He was with his cousins, who he loved, he’d spoken with his siblings more over the last month than in the last several years, and he was intrigued by a woman. Things were looking up for him.
“Well, then who am I working for?” she asked, perplexed. He walked over and leaned against her desk, giving her a confident look. He raised his brows and waited for it to sink in. “That can’t be,” she barely managed to whisper when it started to sink it. He answered her with a huge Cheshire cat smile and watched as her eyes widened and her face paled. He was worried for a moment she may faint.
He had to hand it to her, though, because she pulled herself together quickly, and much to his relief, her color returned. Her expression changed from shock to defiance and he had to fight back his smile. He found she was going to be a challenge and he’d never been able to resist a challenge.
“I guess I should formally introduce myself, Jennifer. I’m Trenton Anderson, President of Anderson United Corporation,” he said, as he held out his hand. He was curious to see if she’d take it, or shy away. He hadn’t seen her back down yet, and found he’d be disappointed if she did.
“Nice to officially meet you, Mr. Anderson. As you know, I’m Jennifer Stellar, and I’m looking forward to working here,” she said as she took his hand. She felt the electricity from his touch shoot up her arm, and hoped he didn’t notice the shiver traveling through her body. She’d have to get control over herself because there was no way she’d allow herself to be attracted to her boss.
“We’re not formal in the executive offices. You may call me Trenton,” he said, holding her hand for too long to be considered appropriate.
“I prefer to keep things at work completely professional, Mr. Anderson,” she said, pulling her hand from his and breaking eye contact. Trenton was determined to break her defenses down, but he had plenty of time to do it.
“That’ll be fine for now, but you’ll become more comfortable,” he said, knowingly. Jennifer stepped away. She needed to put some distance between them, and pull herself together.
“I’m perfectly comfortable, but I prefer to keep things at work professional. That way, no lines are crossed that shouldn’t be,” she said a bit haughtily. He looked amused by her prim and proper manner.
“Are you always so argumentative? It may not work well for you when you aren’t trying to please your boss,” he told her with an almost wicked smile. She sucked in her breath at his veiled threat, before she narrowed her eyes. She wasn’t a weak woman and if he thought he could make her shake in fear, or cave to his arrogant demands, he had a whole new thing coming.
“Believe me, I’ve never had any trouble making my previous bosses happy,” she said, with just enough of a double meaning to make his eyes narrow. She turned away from him for a moment to hide her expression. Let him think what he wanted about that statement.
Trenton stood in stunned silence. He couldn’t tell if she was bluffing or not, but she may not be the innocent girl he’d first thought her to be. If she was a woman of the world, then he could take her guilt free. That idea didn’t please him like it should’ve.
“Well, Jennifer, I’m certainly not feeling too satisfied right now,” Trenton finally told her. She looked at him in shock for a few moments. She was surprised he would call her bluff. She wasn’t willing to play the game with him, anymore.
“We should get to work,” she finally told him. He raised his brows at her, again. “I just don’t want to waste the corporation’s time by sitting around, doing nothing,” she said as if talking to him was a complete waste of her time.
“Of course, you’re right,” he told her and his tone was all business. She was surprised by the complete change to his voice. He went from warm and flirty, to cold businessman in a matter of seconds. She was grateful he’d finally taken the hint and backed off, but felt a bit of loss at the same time. She was beginning to not understand herself.
The rest of the afternoon Trenton was completely professional, and Jennifer got so caught up in her work that the time flew by. She was surprised when Nancy came into her office and told her their day was over. She gathered up her things quickly, and went down the elevator with Nancy, before she headed to the childcare center. Molly’s face lit up when she walked in the room, which filled her heart with joy.
“Did you have fun, today?” Jennifer asked.
“Yes, Tassia and Katie were here and I love playing with them. We had a tea party with real tea and chocolates and we even got to wear pretty hats,” Molly said to her in a rush of words.
“That sounds great, Molly. I’m glad you had fun playing with your friends,” she told her, happy her niece was showing signs of happiness, again. It had been too long since Molly had allowed herself to be happy and no four year old should be depressed.
“Excuse me, you must be Jennifer?” someone asked before she exited the building.
“Yes, how can I help you?”
“My name is Emily Anderson, and our girls have become quite close over the past few months. Tassia is having a birthday party this weekend, and I’d like to invite Molly over for a sleepover. I’d love to have you come, as well, and stay for the activities so you can know where she is, but we really would love to have her over,” Emily said.