I move to stand next to her. She smells so sweet, and I’m finding myself addicted after only a moment beside her. This is all new to me. No woman before has drawn me to them like Red has. It’s as if my body remembers her even if my brain doesn’t.
“I took a walk around the building when I came in to get some ideas.” She clicks on her computer screen opening her CAD program which is a full model layout of one of the floors. “I understand you want to bring everything up to date with higher technology across the board. I was told you’re remodeling the floors you have now with tech updates, and expanding some offices. The four new floors you have acquired are being converted to office spaces, conference areas, and we are also re-doing the lobby.”
“That’s correct.”
“And the electricians have already been here and everything is up to date and wired correctly for what you need when it’s time to put all the systems in place, correct?”
“Yes. I've been running 2000s technology on 90s infrastructure and I’ve been dying to do a complete overhaul, updated systems, offices, conference rooms with high tech communications systems, but haven’t been able till now.” I grin, for a moment feeling a burst of pride in my chest. I’ve expanded Morgan Securities; the business is thriving forward and yet my father refuses to see what I have done for our family name. “I have three hundred new employees coming in the upcoming months, so I need this whole place to function as a whole. Be comfortable as well. I don’t want anyone to feel caged in. The last designer was more worried about paint color than busting out walls and expanding.”
“Got it.” She nods and lets out a deep breath.
“What’s wrong?”
“Can I be honest?”
“Of course.”
“This is a big job for me. I did Mrs. Holden’s one floor business and some past office spaces for the last company I worked with, but this is huge. Are you sure about me? You wouldn't want someone with more experience in commercial? Or who works with a firm or at least has a name for their design company.” She laughs nervously.
I do wonder why Jaxson picked her. She did a great job at their house, but little Red here barely has her feet wet enough for this undertaking.
“I should probably say yes, shouldn't I?”
She shrugs. “Probably.”
I hide my grin behind my hand at her blunt honesty. “You don’t think you can do it?”
She bites her lip. “I do. I guess I’m just nervous.
“Why don’t we see what you can do. Jaxson and River seem to think you know what you’re doing. Give me some of your ideas and we will go from there.”
"Alright. Let's start by talking about your newly inherited fifth floor and turning that into one of your open office areas you wanted.” She clicks on her computer and opens another screen. “There's less walls to knock down.”
“Show me.”
"You're staring at her,” Sam says, gripping my shoulder. She's someone that has become my confidant over the last couple years. Also, like Jaxson, she's someone who can quickly see and cut through all my bullshit.
"What?" I remark, while keeping the vision of Holly in the corner of my eye. She’s been chewing on the edge of her pencil for the last few minutes, as she quizzically looks at something on the computer.
“Seriously? You’re doing it now?”
“Doing what?” I turn to Sam and cross my arms.
"Eyeing the new interior designer. You've walked by the conference room like ten times and stopped. You're coming off like a creeper."
"Why do you insist on spying on me?"
"Spying? My office is right there.” She points behind her, and she’s right; it does have a clear view of the conference room. "You told me you wouldn't make the same mistake you made with the last designer."
"I'm not. It's just, I already have. I think. Actually, I don't know."
“Huh?"
I point to her office and walk in, so we can talk more privately. Sam follows. "She swears we have already hooked up before. It was years ago, but I was so messed up then I don't remember anything or anyone. So, I keep looking at her hoping something will pop in my memory. Also, there's just something about her," I say the last part more to myself, but by the way Sam is staring at me, she catches it all.
"Fuck," she groans, rubbing her forehead. “This is going to crash and burn fast.”
"Listen. It'll be fine." I wave her off.
“You say that now, but you do remember Mr. Parsons is now all up in your ass trying to create a lawsuit against you for sexual harassment and for firing Angela.”
“I’m very much aware. Thank you, but it’s not like that.”
Something already tells me I can’t pull my usual games with Red here. For the first time, I want it to be different.
"I'll be on the lookout for new designers for when this burns to the ground."
"Stop the dramatics. She didn't run after she found out who I was; I think we'll be okay. Plus her ideas are amazing and she hasn’t even been here for a day."
“You’ve got it bad.”
“I’ve got nothing,” I growl.
“Seriously.” Sam narrows her eyes at me. “I say this because I’ve never seen you act like this before with any of the women you try to troll.”
“I don’t troll.”
“What do you call it then?”
“I’m not acting
