Scandal

Chapter 5-3

THE FIRST FEW WEEKS with Sasha were brilliant. She was a quick study, and I really didn’t have to worry at all when she was left to work alone. I couldn’t be happier about her work, which was a significant relief because my initial hiring of her terrified me. I had never hired someone that I had such strong chemistry with—it was too risky for a guy like me—and I didn't need to get involved in anything that would have my father on my back.

Her work was exquisite, but that was because she was a professional. We had a few issues, however, and I probably had only myself to blame for them due to our bathroom seduction scene. Although she was a great worker, we didn't get along very well. Whether or not she was testing her boundaries with me, she was argumentative and sarcastic at almost every turn. When I showed the smallest sign of irritation, she smiled sweetly at me, and it was if all had been forgotten on my end. Women were very good at making men feel foolish at the drop of a hat, and although I could sense Sasha was not as experienced, she had the same tricks up her sleeve as the best of them.

I think the only things that saved our working relationship were our abilities on the job and the fact that we shared a mutual respect for one another where that was concerned. Sasha was easily one of the best assistants I’d ever had, and her brainstorming abilities were unmatched. She could solve a problem before I even realized I had one. And I think she was starting to realize that although I was young and rich, I also knew how to run a company, and I was damn good at it.

Sasha was true to her word—she worked incredibly hard and always arrived early and stayed late when I needed her. When she walked into the room, I sighed with relief because she wasn’t the problem I had worried she would be. She was amazing, actually, and I was grateful for her help.

I looked up from my computer screen when Sasha entered my office. She was wearing a fitted knee-length skirt with a blue blouse buttoned all the way to the top—a completely conservative outfit, and yet she still managed to look smoking hot and cause me to do a double take. She carried in coffee and set it down on my desk. I caught the scent of her perfume, and I had a hard time looking away from her. I willed myself to break contact and picked up my coffee cup as a distraction. Black as night is how I liked my coffee. Just like me, it was tough and strong. I didn’t have a need for extra sweeteners.

“Thank you, Sasha. How are things going for you today?”

“Umm . . . I love my job.” She giggled. I rarely heard her giggle, and sometimes it even seemed like she might hate me.

“Really? You’re not stressed out at all?”

“No, of course not. I thrive on a challenge, and working for you is like a dream come true is that respect. But please don't let that go to your head or anything.

“Oh, well, I’m glad to hear that.”

“You don’t need to worry about me being stressed. I’ve had far worse jobs than this and, believe me, they were the stressful ones. Yes, your environment is high pressure, but it's exactly what I want. I just love it.”

“You look quite nice today Sasha, I do like that . . . skirt you’re wearing.” I couldn’t help but give her another once over.

She blushed. “Thanks. But when the checks start rolling in, I plan on doing some big time clothes shopping. But this will do for now.”

I nodded, unsure of what to say to her. Her life, again, was something I didn't understand. She had a trust fund—I knew she did—and yet she refused to use it. It was baffling.

A call came in to my office, and I excused myself to take it.

“What do you mean you don't have it? I’m sure I had it sent over today.”

I glanced briefly at Sasha, and she shifted nervously in her seat

“Let me get back to you.”

I hung up the phone and looked at Sasha. “Did you hand in the Donahan report like I asked you to?”

“Yeah . . . about that. It was a mess, and I wanted to straighten it out before sending it. But then I got a little backed up with your other requests and forgot about it. I’ll send it right away.”

“For Christ's sake, Sasha, I don’t need you to proof things. I’ve been doing this a lot longer than you have. I just needed it sent—that was all. So do me a favor, and just do what I ask next time. No questions.”

She stood up, and I could see her nostrils flaring. “Excuse me?” she said. “I know you’re used to having things your way, but the minute you start talking to me as if I'm something you stepped in on the street, I'm out of here. So how about you do me a favor and let me know if that's what you want me to do.”

I was sure I looked like a stunned i***t. I was fairly certain that no one had ever talked that way to me once in my entire life. And here Sasha was, my assistant, putting me in my place. What was worse, she was absolutely right. I was being a d**k.

“Sasha, I'm sorry. Sometimes I can seem overly strict. I just don't like mistakes. At all. You’ve been doing a great job here. It's just that people expect a lot from me, and I don't want them to think I can't handle things.”

“Who is 'them'? Because I can assure you none of your minions think of you that way.”

“No, probably not. I was speaking mainly about my dad. He can be a really tough guy to deal with. The guy has made a zillion mistakes—he’s on his 6thmarriage, after all—but he still won't tolerate mistakes from anyone else, especially me.”

“Oh . . . I see.”

“Yeah, so again, I'm sorry. If I seem like I'm being a jerk, it's only because I don't have the best relationship with my father, and I'm always determined to be the best and do the best for him. But those are my issues, not yours.”

“Well, you're also right—I dropped the ball, and it won’t happen again.”

When she turned to leave my office, I couldn't help but watch her ass as she walked out.

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