GUARDING HIS HEART, TEASER #1 Coming August 26
“Good Morning, Mr. Maxwell, your father will meet you in your office on the tenth floor.” The receptionist beamed at me as I entered the foyer of Maxwell Enterprises.
“Morning.” I nodded, without smiling. I was annoyed. I hadn’t been in the building for years, yet she still remembered me. I could see the glances I was receiving as I walked to the elevator. I could almost hear what they were all whispering, what they were likely all sending to each other via text message. “Did you hear? The prodigal son returns.”
I walked into the elevator and was about to press the button when a long leg entered the elevator with me. “Please keep the doors open.” She gasped out as she ran in and joined me.
“You’re safe.” I said dryly before hitting the button to close the door. “What floor are you going to?”
“Ten, please.” She looked up at me with wide, open brown eyes and a head of messy brown hair. “Thanks.”
“No worries.” I shrugged and looked away from her.
“What floor are you on? Are you new?” She asked me and I looked at her in surprise. Hadn’t she heard the news? The CEO’s son had returned to take his rightful place in the company?
“Don’t worry about it.” I shrugged. It was starting already. Girls were pretending they didn’t know who I was, so they could try and trap me.
“I wasn’t worrying about it.” Her voice sounded sarcastic and I looked up at her again and studied her face. She was prettier than I’d initially thought, now that her hair was tied back. In fact, she was a lot prettier than I thought. I turned away from her again. I didn’t have time to worry about pretty faces.
“Good.” I gave her a small smile and tried to ignore the long expanse of leg she had on display. We stood there in silence for the new few seconds until the elevator started moving.
“You’re new?” The girl asked me again and gave me a small smile as I fiddled with my tie.
“Yeah, it’s my first day.” I made a face. “Corporate America here I am.”
“You didn’t want the job?” She looked at me quizzically, her green eyes surveying my face with interest.
“Not really, but I gotta pay the bills.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.” She sighed. “I wanted to quit, but my stupid roommate is so irresponsible that I know the moment I quit, she’ll get fired and then we won’t be able to pay the rent.”
“Uh yeah.” I nodded, feeling bad that she’d misunderstood me. “What do you do?”
“I’m an overqualified assistant to a big asshole.” She made a face.
“Don’t like your boss huh?”
“Nope, he’s a privileged jerk.” Her voice grew angry. “I would have quit already if I could.”
“Oh wow. Maybe tell HR about him?”
“He took my job and my raise, they’re not going to want to hear it.” She sighed. “Especially as he’s related to the CEO.”
“He’s related to the CEO?” I froze as I stared at her. Was she talking about me? I frowned as I stared at her. I’d never met this girl before in my life and I certainly hadn’t done anything for her to think I was an asshole. Could she be talking about someone else.
“Yeah, he’s the bosses son.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t even think he’s qualified for the position.”
“Oh, hmm.” I paused. “Have you worked for him for a long time then? You seem to really hate him.”
“I’ve not met him before.” She confessed. “But I’m sure he’s a spoilt rich kid like every other Beverly Hills Trust Fund baby.”
“He’s from Beverly Hills?” I asked softly. I’d grown up in Manhattan Beach so I was curious to hear what her answer was.
“I’m sure, aren’t they all?” She shrugged.
“So you don’t really know much about him then?” I stared at her as the elevator stopped at the tenth floor.
“No.” She made a face. “I’ve not actually worked for him as yet, but I already know he’s going to be a jerk.”
“Yeah, from what you’ve told me, he seems like he’s going to be a monster.” I nodded in agreement. “And you’re going to be his assistant.”
“Yeah, I’m his right-hand man.” She grinned. “Though I think I’ll let him stew for the first few days. See how well he gets on without me telling him what to do.”
“Yeah, hopefully he doesn’t fire you then.”
“Oh, he won’t.” She grinned. “To his face, I’ll be nice. I’ll just be shady behind his back.”
“Well that sounds like a plan, maybe I can do that with my boss if he turns out to be a jerk.”
“Most of the senior people are cool.” She sighed. “Maxwell Corp, is actually a pretty cool place to work. What exactly will you be doing again?”
“To be honest, I have no idea.” I laughed. “I was offered the job and took it.”
“They must have really wanted you.”
“I guess so.”
“Well maybe I’ll see you at lunch, I get off at the next floor. All the assistants eat lunch together.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” I grinned. “I’m Leo by the way.”
“Hannah.” She shook my hand and walked out of the elevator. “Oh,” she looked at me in surprise as I followed her out. “You’re working on this floor as well.”
“I am.” I nodded and raised an eyebrow at her.
“What did you say your name was again?” She paused and looked at me for a few seconds with a thoughtful look.
“Leo.” I smiled at her widely as we stopped outside a door.
“Leo?” She froze and I saw a red hue rising in her face. “As in Leonardo?”
“Yes.” I nodded and put my hand on the doorknob.
“As in Leonardo Maxwell?” Her voice was soft as I opened the door.
“The one and only.”
“Oh.” She groaned as she followed me into the door.
“It’s nice to meet you, Hannah.” I grinned. “I assume you’re my new assistant?”
There was silence in the office as we both stared at each other. I was able to study Hannah’s body a lot better with her standing in front of me. She was wearing a rather short skirt and a top that seemed one size too small, as the buttons next to her chest seemed like they were about to pop open. She was a pretty girl, with long dark brown hair and green eyes that seemed to be sparking shots of fire at me. Her lips were naturally pouty and she was wearing some sort of pink lip gloss that was begging to be kissed off. I could see from her stance that she was confident, but worried. The look on her face was that of a suicidal deer in the headlights that was still debating on how much pain it would be in if it continued
Running into a car. It was the pain vs. damage debate. She was upset that I’d become privy to her thoughts, but she wasn’t backing down.
“So you’re planning on making my life difficult then?” I asked her softly. “Is it your plan for me to be so upset that I’ll up and quit.”
“No.” She muttered and looked at the ground. “Would you quit?” She asked hopefully.
“Do you think you would get this job if I quit because you were making my life a misery?” I laughed. “Do you think I wouldn’t just have you fired?”
“I guess so.” She looked up at me with pursed lips. “So are you going to fire me?”
“What sort of person would I be if I did that?” I pursed my lips. Plus, she was the sort of girl I could have a lot of fun with. I needed something to make this a fun couple of first weeks. I’d keep her for now, but if I thought she was getting too crazy, she’d be out on her ear.
“I didn’t mean for you to hear all that.” She said sullenly.
“How old are you, Hannah?”
“Twenty four.”
“Twenty four?”
“That’s what I said.” She spoke up. “Why.”
“Just curious.” I shrugged. “I didn’t know that backstabbing in the corporate world started in those as young as twenty four. I thought it started when folks hit their thirties at least.”
“Nepotism doesn’t start in the thirties, so why should backstabbing?”
“So you admit that you’ve got a plan to backstab me?”
“I don’t have a plan to do anything.”
“I used to be a bodyguard you know, well, more like a bouncer, but I don’t take crap very well.”
“Are you threatening me?” Her lips trembled as she stared at me with narrowed eyes. It took everything I had in me to not laugh. This girl was a spitfire. A real spitfire. She was going to make my first few weeks very interesting.
Knock Knock. We both turned to look at the front door.
“Leo.” My dad’s voice boomed as he walked into the office. “You made it in.”
“Bright and early.” I said sarcastically as he pat me on the back.
“Good.” He nodded and looked at me with pleased eyes. “That’s what I like to see.”
“Dad, this is my assistant Hannah.” I nodded towards a wide-eyed Hannah. “Hannah, this is my father and the CEO of Maxwell Corp, James Maxwell.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Maxwell.” Hannah’s voice was soft and sweet as she held out her hand, a wide smile on her face. “I can’t tell you how much of a honor it is to work for you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Hannah. Take care of my boy. He’ll be CEO one day.” He shook her hand and then looked back at me. “Shall we get lunch today and chat?”
“I told Zane I’d meet up with him for lunch.” I shook my head. “Maybe tomorrow?”
“I guess so.” He frowned. “How is that boy? I can’t believe he got married and has kids already.”
“He’s doing great dad. He and Lucky are very happy.”
“You’ll be next I suppose.” He grinned. “We’ll be having little feet running around here before we know it.”
“I wouldn’t count on it dad.” I shook my head and frowned. “I have no plans to get married and no plans to have kids.”
“Leo, you have to…” He started and I cut him off.
“Dad, this isn’t the time or place.” I said angrily. I could see Hannah watching the exchange with a curious expression.
“Fine.” He gave me a stern look. “I want my grandchildren to inherit this business, Leo and you’re my only child.” He paused and then smiled. “But let’s just have you focusing on work for now.” He nodded. “We’ll grab lunch tomorrow. I think Mike is going to come down and talk to you in a few minutes and go over how things work and give you your first assignments.”
“Sounds good.” I nodded.
“Have a great day you two.” My dad walked out of the office and I turned to face a smirking Hannah.
“What’s so funny?” I barked at her, feeling annoyed.
“It’s usually women that have to hear the grandchildren talk. It was funny to hear it directed towards a guy.”
“Whatever.” I shook my head. “I have no plans to get get married, so don’t get your hopes up.”
“Excuse me?” She frowned, her jaw dropping. “I could care less what you do.”
“Good.” I nodded. “I don’t need my assistant trying to get me fired and trying to marry me.”
“You really are a jerk.”
“Just trying to live up to the name you already gave me.” I smiled at her and her face flushed. “Also, do me a favor.” I leaned into her face and whispered.
“What favor?” She frowned and took a step back.
“Walk over to the desk and bend over.” I winked at her. “Pull your skirt up and let me see your tight little ass. I want to see if it’s as tight as your…”
“Excuse me.” She gasped, her eyes widening. “That’s sexual harassment. I could get you fired for that.”
“Then we’re even.” I laughed as I pulled away from her, even though I was slightly turned on from thinking about her bent over the desk.
“Even about what?” She frowned.
“We both have tales that can get the other person fired if they went to HR.” I walked over to the main desk and sat down in the leather swivel chair. I stared at her as she looked over at me and I cocked my head and spoke slowly. “I suggest that you get your act together and stop acting like an entitled brat. I don’t know why you think this job should have been yours, but it’s mine and as long as you’re my assistant, I expect the respect my title deserves. Do you understand me?” I sat back and waited for her response. She stared at me for a few seconds and then I watched as she walked out of the room and slammed the door behind her. I guess that was her response. I laughed as I stared at the closed door. Hannah was going to be a handful, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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