FALLING FOR MY BOSS'S BROTHER

SEVEN

Maeve Thompson

I like Artemis, or I think I did until it dawned on me that he had made me complicit in his affair. I felt stupid because I couldn’t have known but it wasn’t my fault that he didn’t feel the need to tell me the truth. I was happy that I had gotten the job, I didn’t know whether it was because I was qualified like he said or he didn’t want to have a scandal like I threatened. Either way we both got what we wanted and it was probably for the best that we kept our interaction to the minimum. I was trying to have a relationship with Maverick, he was a good man but also a bad boy, I wasn’t complaining as I got to get the best of both worlds.

I was working on the designs and schematics that Artemis asked me to work on. I had seen the designs he had made and I have to admit he really needed me for this. My work was almost done, I had time to do about two designs and I was working on completing another one.

There was a knock on my door, “come in.” I said without bothering to ask who was at the door.

“The board of directors want to meet later on in the afternoon. How far are you with your designs?” Artemis asked.

“I completed one a day or two ago, now I’m completing the second one.” I replied without looking at him, I kept my eyes on my work.

I could hear his footsteps approaching me, he was about to touch something when I smacked his hand, “one rule, don’t touch my work unless I’ve give it to you.” I said as I looked at him.

He smiled as he rubbed his hand, “you would have been a bad mother, smacking your children when you find their hands in a cookie jar.” He joked.

“There hands wouldn’t be in a cookie jar because I wouldn’t have a cookie jar.” I responded with a smirk.

“Touché.” He said with a nod.

I took the design, I thought he was looking for and laid it out on my work table, “this is the design I came up with.”

“Whoa! You are really talented.” He commented as he looked at my work. “It looks a bit complex, doesn’t it?” He asked.

“It’s not complex, it’s sophisticated.” I replied, “I did a research and my research showed that half the younger population do not use your product as it is considered ‘old material’. But with this design it could make you reach a whole need demographic.”

He nodded his head. “I have to admit you have a point.” He looked at his watch, “the meeting is in about three hours would you be done by then?” He asked.

I looked at my incomplete work, “I will be done with about an hour. If I’m not interrupted.” I clarified.

He chuckled, raised his hands as he backed away from my work table, “as you wish, madam.” He walked out and closed the door behind him.

The interaction we just had made think that maybe he was not such a bad guy, I mean he was intoxicated the night we met, I know that’s not an excuse but I guess it did corrupt his judgement and he made a mistake. I have made my fair share of mistakes and if I was judged by them, I don’t think I ever would have a good relationship with anyone. I guess I owe him a second chance.

I was done with my work, it looked good enough for me to present it to the board of directors. Artemis walked in as if on cue, “it’s almost been two hours, are you done?” He asked.

“I am.” I replied.

“Take me through them.” He said as he took a seat.

I chuckled, “why would I do that when it’s less than an hour until the meeting?” I asked, “you’ll just seat and listen while I present it to the board of directors.”

“You won’t be doing that. The head of the company is the one to present it to the board of directors.” Artemis said.

I smirked, “where was that written?” I asked.

“It’s general company knowledge.” Artemis said.

“You presented because the plans were yours and they were so confusing I’m guessing that’s why you had to hire me. Because no one understood your plans.” I said narrowing my eyes.

Artemis smirked, “you think your ideas are good enough to impress the board of directors?”

“Like you said, I’m very talented.” I replied.

Artemis smirked, “you’re a lady in a male dominated world. Let’s wait and see if the men in the board of directors would even want to hear what you say.”

I smirked as I walked up to him, “I guess your true colours are out. You are a misogynistic, never would have pegged you as one though.”

Artemis stood up, he was inches away from me, “I doubt you are in a position to judge me considering you barely know me.”

“I don’t need to know you, to know that you are misogynistic. Your words speak volumes.” I said, not backing down.

He looked at me then at my lips, his eyes seem to change, he pulled me closer to him. I was pressed against his chest, “your mouth is saying one thing but your eyes are saying something else.” He said in a low husky voice.

“Oh yeah?” I asked, my voice lower than before, “what are they saying?”

He moved in closer as if to kiss me but stopped, “you want me to claim your lips with mine.” He said in a whisper, “you want my hands to explore your body, to feel every inch.”

I didn’t like how accurate his words were. Being this close to him made me want him so badly. I could feel my core get wet.

He moved as he brushed his lips on my neck, I let out a soft groan. “Do you want me to claim your body, right here?” He asked as he nibbled on my ear.

I could feel his warm breath in my ear, “right now?” he whispered in my ear.

I was to enveloped in his light embrace on my arm, I couldn’t utter a word. I stood there as he continued to tease me, and I hated that I liked it so much.

“I guess you don’t.” He said as he took a step back creating a distance between us. I was flushed and flustered, the smirk on his face showed that he knew it and he was enjoying seeing in this state. “I better let you get ready for the meeting.” He walked out with a smug smile on his face.

He was playing me, he was getting into my head to try and mess with my presentation to the board of directors. I scoffed, I guess I walked right into that one but I will have my revenge I thought as I got my things together for the meeting.

There was a knock on my door, I don’t think I was in the mood to talk to someone but it was an office not my house. “Come in.” I said.

“Ms. Thompson, the board of directors are here. We set them at conference room three.” Gemma Baker, my assistant said.

Gemma had been lucky. She was working as a temp when I got here, it was actually her last day and when I encountered her I liked her so much that I wanted her to be my assistant. She was so grateful to have the job, she was supporting her two sibling through school and also paying her mother’s medicine. The job was a big step up, not only in her career but also in her pay check.

I walked into the conference room, everyone looked at me as if I didn’t belong. Artemis walked in behind me, “gentlemen, this is our new COO, Maeve Thompson. She made the new designs and she will be taking us through it this afternoon.” He introduced me, he took a seat and gestured for me to start.

I was determined to prove him wrong so I gave the presentation all I had. If I impressed the board of directors, there was a possibility that I will not be in the company on probation basis but I might get hired full time.

“The designs do seem a slightly complex but they are definitely what we were looking for. Something that would set us apart.” One of the board members said.

“Where did you get her Gray? She is the perfect addition to the team.” Another one said.

I looked at Artemis who had a frown on his face, suck on that Artemis I thought with a smirk.

“How long do you estimate production would be?” One asked.

“Considering the production team isn’t used to making such kind of a product, I will work with them to ensure that the product comes out great. I estimate by the end of the week we’ll have enough copies for all of you to test it over a period of one week, if you like the product then it would be made for the general public.” I explained.

They looked amongst each other and they agreed that it was a great idea. The meeting was adjourned. A few of the board of directors came to greet me, we exchanged a word or two, some even gave me their numbers. I guess it was good to have connections in the business world. I was so happy that the meeting went great.

“Maeve.” Artemis said.

“Artemis.” I said.

“I guess I was wrong. The board did like you and your idea.” Artemis said begrudgingly.

“I guess you are misogynistic. You were trying to assume everyone is like you.” I said with a smirk.

“I’m not!” He barked, he took a deep breath, I’m assuming to calm himself down, “I’m not. I’m just not used to having the COO as a lady that’s all.”

I smirked, “if you say so.” I said as I walked past him and out of the conference room. He tried to sabotage me, now let the games begin.