“Dave, I want to make you President and CEO of D’olivetto.”
I stared at him for a moment and I know the hinge on my jaw sprung, because I felt my mouth drop open. He wanted to make me the head of the olive oil company? Me? I didn’t know shit about running a business. Was he out of his mother-loving mind? I was so deep in shock that I couldn’t even speak.
He just threw his head back and laughed that purring, sexy laugh of his. That laugh made women cream for him, and it made my cock get hard too. It was a deep rumbling in his chest that made his whole body vibrate. God, I wanted to fuck him hard right now.
“Dave! Oh God, you are funny sometimes. Why don’t you think you deserve this?”
I shook my head, coming out of my shock. “I never said that.”
Rick exhaled, still grinning at me. “You didn’t have to. It’s all over your face. You make a lousy poker player, man.”
I had to admit that was true. I could never hide anything from anyone. My face always gave me away. I grinned sheepishly and nodded. “Yeah, okay.” When I met his gaze again, I was a bit more serious. “But I don’t, Rick. I’m not a business major; I’m a glorified administrative assistant. Why me?”
He carefully folded his hands together, his two index fingers extended, and he spoke softly, carefully choosing his words. “Dave, after three years, you’ve learned a hell of a lot. I stopped thinking of you as an ‘administrative assistant’ about ten minutes after you started working for me. I don’t even consider you an employee any longer. You’re a…you’re a partner.”
His smile that made him look like a mischievous little boy. He was wearing his hair longer these days; the new girlfriend liked it long so he wore it layered down to his shoulders. He swept it back behind his ear, still watching me.
“A partner? Me?”
With a nod, he answered, “Yeah, I do. You’re my partner, Dave. I don’t think I could do anything without you. And, after three years, I want you to know that.” He tapped a forefinger against the desk, lightening the mood a little. “Besides, you’ve got good instincts. No, I’m convinced that this is the right thing. This is my gift to give you. It’s your deal, baby. So, it’s your company inside of Rickman Enterprises.” With that, he stuck out his hand to me. “Congratulations, Mr. President.”
Shit, how could I say no? I took his hand and shook it in mine. President. What a fucking thrill this was. “Thanks, Rick. Thanks.”
He leaned forward over the desk and I leaned to join him. His mouth came over mine, warm and inviting, and I pressed my lips against his. His free hand came around my neck, pulling me as close as he could, and he kissed me softly but thoroughly. God, that man could kiss and I met his tongue with mine. We’d both been drinking jasmine tea with honey, and his mouth was so sweet and juicy to me that I couldn’t get enough of it.
He broke the kiss, following it up with a gentle peck on my lips, and pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. “Well then. Your trip is all planned out? Flight? Hotel? Transportation while you’re there?”
“Oh yeah.” I didn’t want him to back away. I wanted him. Right there on that goddamn desk. God, I wanted him.
But he pulled back anyway, standing upright. With a flick of the mouse, he put his laptop into hibernation mode and shut the lid. He clapped his hands once, rubbing his palms together. “Then, I say we knock off for the day. Since you won’t be here this weekend, I want to do something special. How about a ride in the country?”
I knew what that meant. Taking the Morgan Aero out for a long drive on some back roads and maybe a picnic. “Sure. Let’s go.”
His Man Saturday
By Siobhan MacKenzie
Novella 2 — chapter Excerpt
I heard the creak of Rick’s chair as he settled back in it. The sound pulled me out of my thoughts and I looked up from my notebook computer to see him smiling at me. I smiled back, waiting, but when he said nothing, it started to drive me nuts.
“What?” I asked, laughing at him.
“Oh. Nothing. Just you.”
“Me? What about me?”
“I bet you thought I’d forgotten about this weekend.” He winked at me and ran his tongue over his lower lip.
To be honest, I’d thought just that. That he had forgotten. I flushed, my cheeks growing warm. It was damned embarrassing, blushing like that every time, but it was something I had no control over. I was learning to live with it. “Okay, yeah,” I confirmed, ducking my head a little.
“Three years, man. Three fantastic years.” Rick leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “You’ve been responsible for increasing my fortune, helping me to maintain my good relations all over the world. And bringing me a new business. I want to do something special.”
“Yeah?” I ran the possibilities over in my mind. What could he possibly do that would be special? “Like what?”