The Billionaire’s Stripper

CHAPTER 8

I stepped into the office and I might have as well stepped into heaven for all I know. This place was divine.

I had never seen a room look so good all my life, and not even on the Internet. And I mean, it was only sensible because, well, he was the Michael McAllister. The man was a well renowned billionaire and oh my, a notorious one at that, so it only made sense that, well, his office was luxury and magnificence personified.

"Sit, Miss Kelly." He gave an order.

His voice was bold and assertive, yet gentle. Formal. It was not disrespectful. I did not know how a man could know how to command this much respect from talking without forcing it out of people.

Michael McAllister appealed to me like the kind of man that would walk into a room, seize breaths, raise goosebumps on skin, and command adherence without even having to lift a finger. Talk more of his voice.

"It's nice seeing you again, Mr McAllister," I greeted warmly, and I could not hide the bubbly energy of my voice and from behind me, I watched him chuckle so slightly.

It reminded me of the other day, when he had laughed after I had called him beautiful. That chuckle was sweet music to my ears. Sweet enough to make any woman swoon over him and I knew I was beet red. I couldn't even stop it.

Boy, Rachel, it's your first day and you're already checking out the hot CEO instead of being serious, I mentally scolded myself.

But I couldn't help it. The man was simply gorgeous. He looked better than he even looked yesterday, and all those wonderful features of him: pale white skin that glossed and shimmered like he was dropped from heaven and dipped in fine wine, lips as red as roses, beautiful and full, and hair, dark and lovely, just like him.

He was beautiful. He was simply beautiful. And anyone could have easily thought so too.

"Do you know why I called you here, Miss Kelly?" He said to me, as he cornered around from behind, to the table to have his seat. Curtly, he took it, placed his hands on the table in a formal manner and looked ahead to me, peered wonderful brown eyes into mine, a heated seriousness oozing off him as he did. "Do you?"

"No, sir," I shook my head, the corner of my lips lifted subtly in a little teasing smile, "But believe me, I don't even mind being here all day."

His look on me stayed as his eyes narrowed down to decipher what I meant, a playfully suspicious air was around him as he stared at me.

"Elaborate what you mean, Miss Kelly," He spoke, and my God, I simply could not get over how authoritative and sexy this man could make his voice sound at the same time.

How did Michael McAllister pull off this powerful demeanour of his?

"What I mean," I answered, a sly smile tugging at my lips, "Is that I could stare all day at you and not get tired at all."

I had long decided that I may have lost a screw or two along the way or course of my life, but damn it, it had pulled me through A LOT of things.

I mean, two days ago, it made a man like Michael McAllister laugh, just because I flirted with him. If getting on his good side was going to up my game here, then I was all for it.

Michael seemed taken aback by my words and I knew that he was thinking of himself, what kind of woman I was. But with that lingering smile that grew on his face, I knew that I was threading the right course.

I was not messing up my second encounter with the man.

"You know why I hired you so easily?" He said to me in question.

"I will pretend not to," I flipped my hair, feigning confidence and he laughed at that. I humoured him.

"That," He said to me, "That was the reason I hired you, Miss Kelly. Your confidence stands out like no other."

He called me confident. Score! Fake it till you make it, Kelly!

"I like a woman who is bold and upfront, never stuttering," He said to me, looked me in the eyes and something about how he said that made me feel like there was more to it. Was there? Do I push it?

"Really," I said, feigning more of that confidence, exactly what he liked, "Why, if I may ask?"

"For one you had the audacity to flirt with the CEO of Ciel on your interview —" He started off.

I did flirt. I did. I hoped that was not a problem. With the looks of things, it was part of what got me recognized by him, enough to hire me.

"— That shows the length you could go to get what you want. Risk it all. It shows how much you are willing to play smart and get things done easily and promptly. Sort of, in a way, shows how good you are at selling yourself for the price." He said to me.

It's a good thing, I hope. It is a good thing, right?

"That was why I made up my mind that you would be an impeccable Marketer for Ciel," He said to me with a smile and I had to force myself not to squeal.

This was all too exciting. I was on the verge of screaming and squealing like a five year old little girl.

"And that was why I further made up my mind that I needed a woman like you, working occasionally, side by side with me," He went on and I lost him at that. I was lost, but I was still so excited.

"What do you mean, sir?" I asked him.

"Business related, Miss Kelly," He affirmed for me, "I will need you by my side from time to time. Sort of like a bonus to my side. Or an assistant, if you prefer the term." He explained.

"Assistant?" I blinked in excitement.

"Of course, it's occasional," He said to me. "In all honesty, I am desperate to have a woman like you by my side, giving some tips here and there on what would help to boost up sales. You look like you're a woman in your early twenties; you could assist me to know more of what other women like you would want from Ciel."

"You are f*****g Michael McAllister!" I actually screamed at him, he backed up slightly at me having the audacity to curse in his face, but I couldn't care less, "And you want me to assist you in your world of business?!"

"It'd be a pleasure, Ms Kelly," He nodded.

"You've been running this business for years. What on earth do I know?!" I exclaimed.

"Enough to know that you have the potential," He said to me. "But of course, if you aren't up for it, then I can't force you, Miss Rachel."

"I am," I said in a heartbeat. I mean, more work meant more pay, yeah? "I am. I am. It's just that I am so shocked at how fast all these opportunities are opening up for me!"

"A woman like you shouldn't have had to have waited so long for opportunities to come your way," Michael said to me and I was blushing so hard again.

Wow. The CEO of Ciel was asking me to work hand in hand with him for business, and be his right hand woman? His bonus. This was insane!

"When do I start?" I asked him in a hurry, and I hoped I did not sound too desperate than I should have, but this was so exciting as hell.

"Of course, after you gain my trust," He made that clear.

I looked at him and blinked. What did he mean?

"I mean, my father had entrusted this business into my hands with his entire heart and soul, and as much as it's tempting to hire you for this on the spot, I barely know a thing about you, Miss Kelly."

Disappointment made my shoulders drop instantly.

"But you know all you need to know about me on my Resume," I said to him and he laughed. He actually laughed. It was rich with my listening, but I wondered what I said that was so funny.

"What do you suggest, Miss Kelly? A formal meet-and-get-to-know or something out of work, something more fun, like a date?" He asked for my opinion and I had to hold myself together, lest I exploded.

He noticed my shock.

"I mean, I am not that boring, believe me. Everything doesn't have to be bound by the circle of work, so what do you say?" He asked again.

"I am just so surprised that you would want to go on a date with me," I said to him, and I forced myself not to stutter.

"Why?" He said to me with a warm smile, "You are a beautiful woman."

"I know," I smiled at him, my mannerism teasing, and he chuckled at that, "This is just all too fast."

"Think of it as a business meeting," He said to me, "Only a bit more dramatic and loose. More fun."

"That could work," I agreed.

"Excellent," He quipped, "I have your phone details registered already, so after work, I will give you a call so we can discuss the necessary arrangements. That is good by you, Miss Kelly?"

"Great!" I answered.

"Perfect," He said to me, "Good talking business with you, Miss Rachel Kelly." With that, he stuck out his hand for a handshake and I pulled in mine, taking it promptly.

It was a second. The handshake lasted a second, but with the dramatic tingling sensations and the shock waves that transmitted into me from it, it felt like it might have as well lasted for an entire lifetime.

I felt like I was dreaming, but I didn't want to wake up. Quinn always told me that one day, all my dreams would come true.

Well, would you look at that, that day had finally come!