Elle

Chapter Six

The next morning came round in a flash. Elle had spent some of their well needed money on a few smart but inexpensive outfits for work, casting aside worries that plagued her mind about money. Bills would have to wait.

Standing outside the building Dean had given her directions to, she was struck suddenly by crippling fear. Regarding the place with the sort of awe-struck look usually reserved by tourists, Elle's legs shook lightly, teetering in her 3 inch heels. Nerves were something she was frequently privy to, but never with work. She usually faced her clients with a quiet confidence, but this was different - this was an honest days work for an established company, and a boss she didn't want to let down.

The building's lift was largely ignored by her as she opted to walk the 5 flights of stairs, wanting to avoid becoming stuck again. With every step she felt her legs would give out beneath her. When she arrived at the highest floor, reserved for the private offices of the management and executives of Investian, she opened the door with a clammy hand.

Just inside awaited a smart reception area. The large, oak desk was manned by a chirpy receptionist who welcomed Elle.

"Good morning. Do you have an appointment?" The receptionist asked, her heavily lashed eyes crinkled with a smile.

"Oh, no I don't, I'm here to--"

"She's here for me."

The smooth as silk voice of Dean came from behind her. It drifted towards her along with the unmistakable smell of his cologne, the clean, earthy smell swamping her in a haze. She unconsciously breathed in, savouring his scent as he strode past her and beckoned her towards his office.

Elle didn't miss the sudden change in attitude from the receptionist, whose lips had dropped quickly into a deep frown. Disregarding the feeling of unease settling her stomach at the contempt in the other woman's eyes, Elle followed swiftly after her new boss.

As the door closed after them, she took the time to survey her new surroundings. The room gave clear view to the rest of the floor, the furthest wall made entirely of glass. A desk with a laptop and stationary sat in the corner opposite a homely seating area, consisting of 2 leather love seats. Magazines were scattered over a coffee table sat between the two, with a coffee machine nestled beside it.

"This is where you'll work," Dean said, noting her interest. "Any clients or investors will come here after being greeted at reception, either to see myself or arrange so with you. My office is just through here."

Gesturing towards the door behind her desk, he led her through into a larger, less furnished room. As he sat behind the desk, looking entirely edible in a tailored charcoal suit, Elle tried to swallow down the images swirling in her mind. Oh, how she wouldn't mind being bent over that desk...

"Are you okay? You look a little flushed."

With pursed lips that did nothing to quell the desire growing in her stomach, Dean's brows creased with concern. She waved him off as she took a seat.

"I'm a little nervous, that's all," she said. It wasn't a complete lie; she was nervous.

"Well I assure you, you have no need to be," he said, baring his pearly whites in a gut-wrenching smile. "Today is your induction so you'll spent it simply following me around and getting a taste of the company."

There's something else I'd rather get a taste of, she thought, before casting the thought from her mind with a subtle shake of her head.

A welcome pack was her first task, containing a guide to Investian and its history along with her contract and the usual forms to complete for employment. Dean had kindly gotten her a tea from the machine, knowing just how she liked it after having seen her order it twice. A warm tingle of appreciation spread through her every nerve at the fact he'd remembered.

"You filled those out much faster than I thought," Dean said as he took back the completed forms. "Most new employees take at least an hour to read through everything."

"Perhaps you should hire quicker staff."

Her quick rebuttal made Dean laugh, a low, rumbling sound that was over all too soon.

Once they'd finished with the first half of their day, Dean showed Elle to the staff canteen, the receptionist's eager eyes watching them as they left. The canteen was packed full of Investian employees who recognised Dean and greeted him, although none called him by his name. 'Sir' and 'Mr Wallace' sounded strange after having spent all morning using his first name. They'd been allowed to the front of the queue, much like they had at the Charity Ball they'd attended.

"One of the perks of being management," Dean said with a smirk, before noticing Elle glancing anxiously around. "What's the matter?"

"No-one from the ball is going to be here, are they?" She asked.

"It was mainly investors, who aren't usually in the building other than meetings, and management, who're usually tucked away in the comfort of their offices. Why?"

"Because as far as they're concerned, I'm your hotshot accountant 'girlfriend'."

"That could make for quite the awkward rumour to add to the mill on your first day," he said, coughing conspicuously to cover his laugh. "Perhaps we'll change your title to 'Personal Assistant s***h Personal Accountant' just in case one of them swings by the office sometime."

"That's not going to solve the issue of them thinking I'm your girlfriend, though. Maybe we should stage a civil break-up."

"That's a good idea. We'll cross that bridge when it comes to it," he said.

Dean shot her a wink that made her stomach clench. She gave him a weak smile in return as they picked out their food and found a table. A part of Elle wanted one of the investors to swing by so that they'd have to keep up their charade from the other night.

It was strange to her that she already felt so comfortable in his presence - like they were friends rather than boss and employee or ex escort and ex client.

Their relationship was supposed to be entirely professional though, and Elle knew she'd do well to remember that.