Boss (5 page)

“You’ve given me access?”

He tapped his watch. The annoying hologram of Julien Bonds popped up. Nathan swiped it away.

“What the heck is that?”

“A product I’m beta testing,” he replied without looking up.

“Was that Julien Bonds? How did he do that?” she went on without waiting for a reply to her first question.

“Some sort of electronic wizardry. If it weren’t so irritating, this would be the most useful tool I’ve ever worked with.” Since he’d already entered her name and company email address, granting her permission to his files and calendar took only two taps on an icon.

A message scrawled across the screen.

Would you like to add a picture of Ms. Lane? For yes, upload now, or tap button to take a photo. Or we can find a picture of her on social media. That could be interesting.

How the hell did Julien’s program do that? Freaky as hell.

Nathan tapped a button, tilted the watch toward her and said, “Smile for the camera.”

She didn’t.

Nathan took the picture anyway.

With her mouth set in a stern line and a slight furrow between her brows, she was quite appealing.

Upload complete.

He glanced at the picture and the beating heart returned to float above the screen. Irritated, he swiped it away then glowered when it moved to the upper right hand corner rather than vanishing as he wanted.

Would you like to notify Ms. Lane of her accessibility, Mr. Donovan?

“Yes,” he replied.

Message sent.

Her phone dinged. Good to know that her work email went to her phone.

“You can talk to that thing?” she asked.

“It’s intuitive enough that it interacts however you want.” Except for the damn glitchy heart-rate monitor.

She glanced at her phone. “My email address has already been changed to Donovan Logistics,” she said, sounding incredulous.

“Handled yesterday.” Or sometime early this morning. After Friday evening, everything was blurred.

“You move fast.”

Over the hands he’d pressed together, he regarded her. “It may seem that way to you. And I’m sorry for that. But it’s been in the works for quite some time.”

She sat back, as if the air had left her lungs.

“As a rule, in business, I seize good opportunities, but I’m never reckless. I’m methodical, ensuring everything is in order.” He tapped his index fingers together. “The timeline was accelerated because Samuel was hoping a change in ownership would allow him the opportunity to defer or decrease fines and penalties. If you’d look at it objectively, you might realize it was a hell of a good decision. And that I’m not the bastard you called me.”

“
That
, Mr. Donovan, remains to be seen.”

Chapter Two

“There’s a limit to how much I’ll tolerate, Ms. Lane. Even from you.
Especially
from you. Are we clear?”

A chill raced down her spine. The way he looked at her, with his stern green eyes focused narrowly on her, made her squirm. No man had ever gotten to her this way before. She didn’t like overbearing men. In fact, she did everything possible to get away from them. So this—whatever it was that she experienced with Nathan Donovan—disoriented her. Disturbed her. Left her shaken. Made her want to test him to find out his limits. It was crazy, exciting, scary.

“As I’ve mentioned, this will all go much better with your support. But I do have people at Donovan Worldwide who I can bring over as an assistant on a temporary basis,” he continued. “As for the actual mechanics of this job, I’m willing to bet that, for the right price, I can hire Ted Ramirez.”

The name of one of the VPs from North Star Marine startled her, though it shouldn’t. Donovan clearly knew the industry and had studied it. North Star was Newman’s largest competitor, and no doubt Nathan was correct. Ted Ramirez was ambitious. Ingratiating himself with the Donovans would be a perfect play.

Nathan’s voice was relentless, his gaze uncompromising, as he finished, “This discussion is over. You either work for me—with me—or I will happily accept your resignation. I’ll see you get a decent severance package.”

The threatening tick in his jaw warned her not to push him.

Being fired from this job wouldn’t look good on her résumé. Even if she said she was terminated during the transition, she doubted Donovan would give her a good letter of recommendation. Her choice was no choice. She owed it to the employees, as well as the Newmans, to work with Donovan.

Her entire life, she’d stood up to powerful males…her father and grandfather who had rigid expectations about a woman’s role. After her mother’s death when she was thirteen, Kelsey had instinctively rebelled against what she saw as oppression.

Even though she’d cared for her younger sister while her father was at the office, Kelsey had diligently fought for scholarships and worked her way through college.

Ironically, Kelsey had chosen to work in a male-dominated industry. Still, nothing in her experience had prepared her to deal with a man like Nathan Donovan.

“I’m waiting.”

Pretending her heart wasn’t racing, she nodded. “Understood, Mr. Donovan. But I’m not apologizing for anything I’ve said.”

“Noted.”

She realized he hadn’t agreed with her, only that he’d heard what she said.

“So a truce?” he asked.

From her perspective, it was an uneasy one. After several more seconds, she managed to tear her gaze away from his.

Purposefully ignoring the Donovan Logistics logo that was bouncing across her screen, she moved her mouse to wake up the computer.

After entering her password, she opened a few documents, including an organizational chart. She printed it off and handed it to him.

He glanced at it, put it down then grabbed a pen. “Who needs to be at this morning’s meeting?”

She blocked out the image of him, the rakishly long hair and strong jawline that she would find appealing in any other man, and determinedly read off names. He put checkmarks next to them with precise, quick strokes.

“Give me the name of someone who’s a maven.”

She tipped her head to one side. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Every company has someone. A person who seems to know everyone and their personal business. Always knows what’s going on. Keeper of information.”

“A gossip?” she asked.

He shrugged. “But one who people generally like.”

“Martha Leone. She’s the receptionist for the HR department.” Kelsey nodded, understanding where he was going. More and more, she recognized how astute he was.

He scanned the organizational chart.

“She’s not on there, but maybe she should be. Martha’s been with Mr. Newman since the beginning. In fact, she held this job before I did. When she was ready to retire, we created a position for her with less demanding hours. Martha’s the grandmotherly type, and she knows everyone’s secrets.” Including one or two of Kelsey’s own. “Martha gets invited to baby showers and weddings.”

“I’ll make sure I spend a few minutes with her.”

“We should also bring in a few people via video. I’ll arrange for it. What time?”

He looked at the watch that she was sure most of the people on the planet coveted.

“I’d like to stick with my original schedule. Eight o’clock?”

It would take a small miracle. Fortunately, having worked for Mr. Newman full-time for four years with a couple more summers where she interned, Kelsey specialized in miracles. “I’ll get out a group text and give the IT department a heads-up.”

He nodded brusquely before standing. “This isn’t the way I’d imagined this morning happening,” he said.

“Me either.” She’d expected Mr. Newman to arrive, walk into the office suite with a smile, point at the coffee cup and ask, “Is that for me? You’re an angel, Kelsey.” Instead, he was in the hospital, he’d lost his business, and now she worked for Donovan Logistics and had to call Nathan
boss
.

He extended his hand. “Welcome to Donovan Logistics, Ms. Lane.”

She couldn’t force herself to respond in kind. But she did stand and accept his hand. Then she wished she hadn’t. His grip was sure and strong. She realized how much he towered over her. She was tall, and the heels she always chose put her at or above eye-level with most men, but she stood several intimidating inches shorter than he did.

This close, she breathed in the scent of him. Power and the subtle scent of citrus. It was as alluring as it was potent.

Refusing to succumb to the intimidation and the raw sensation of feminine vulnerability that threatened to engulf her, she tipped back her chin. “I’ll meet you in the conference room in thirty-five minutes. We should be early. Down the hall, past the elevators, on the right.”

“We’ll arrive together,” he contradicted as he released her hand.

She’d met a number of powerful, obstinate men in her life. He was light years ahead of all of them.

With a crisp, silent nod, he returned to his office.

Once he’d shut the door, she allowed her shoulders to slump.

The man’s vortex consumed her and part of her wondered how she’d survive it, and whether or not she could.

Though she no longer needed it, she took a big drink of the coffee before making the meeting arrangements.

Within two minutes, she’d received a handful of curious replies. A couple of people said they’d be late but they’d be there. The IT manager predictably sent back a message complaining about the short timeline, especially since it was so early on a Monday morning.

She heard the sound of Donovan’s voice, and though she couldn’t make out the words, his tone was firm and reassuring. Leadership qualities, she noted begrudgingly.

Precisely thirty minutes later, she put her card key badge around her neck and knocked on Donovan’s closed door. That was another thing that was different. Mr. Newman prided himself on accessibility to the staff. Unless he was in a rare private meeting, his office was open.

“Enter.”

She turned the knob and popped her head inside the door. “Ready when you are.”

Nathan stood then turned down his shirtsleeves. He grabbed silver cufflinks from his desk and threaded them through the small holes.

Despite herself, she watched, fascinated. Although she’d had a couple of fairly long-term relationships, Kelsey had never been with a man who wore cufflinks.

After adjusting his tie, he grabbed his suit coat and shrugged into it before giving a tight nod. “After you.” He picked up a manila folder and a silver pen.

He followed her from the office, and the fact that he was behind her made her a little more nervous. Aware.

As they walked down the hall, he fell in step next to her.

“Anything I need to know?”

She purposefully redirected her mind to work. “We’ve got a couple of people who will be arriving late. Other than that, IT should have the video communication system ready when we get there.”

They reached the door and she waved her card key in front of the sensor. When it didn’t work, she tried again.

“Allow me,” he said.

Skeptically, she stepped aside. Nathan put his hand on the pad and she heard the snick of the lock releasing.

She stared, part in shock, part in awe.

He opened the door, and she went inside and turned on the lights.

“Tell me there’s a coffee pot in here,” he said.

“One of those individual cup thing brewers, yes.” She pointed toward the corner. “You’ll find everything you need over there.”

He regarded her for a moment, and she squirmed a little uncomfortably. He stood close, too close. But she refused to let him know just how badly he affected her.

Nathan put down his manila folder at the head of the table. He placed the pen atop it at a jaunty angle. “Can I make you a cup?” he asked as he walked away, giving her some much-needed space and simultaneously leaving her uncomfortable that she hadn’t offered to make his.

“I’ve had enough, thanks.” Kelsey took her customary place, first chair to his right, and she experienced an unwelcome awkwardness as she watched him try to figure out how to work the coffeemaker.

Then, just because she didn’t have it in her to get any satisfaction from watching him struggle any longer, she sighed and stood. “Let me help.” She joined him and pointed to the pods. “The ones on the top row are regular. We keep the decaf ones beneath them.”

He plucked a pod from the top row. “Don’t suppose it can hold two of them?”

“What time did you get up?”

“Three,” he replied.

“Seriously?”

“It’s a big day.”

“For all of us.” She poured water into the machine and showed him which button to press.

“We’ll need to order new mugs, pens, pads,” he said, as he picked up a cup emblazoned with the Newman company logo.

Kelsey nodded. “I’ll see to it when I order the corporate giveaways for the party.”

“These need to be gone today.”

“I’ll handle it. Where can I find camera-ready art?”

He tapped his watch and entered a reminder. “I’ll have them to you five minutes after we’re done in here.”

As she started to turn away, he touched her elbow. Kelsey froze as white-hot lightning seared a jagged path through her.

“We don’t have to be enemies.” His voice was lower than it had been before.

Unconsciously, she moved in closer in order to hear him better. Then, realizing what she had done, she took a step back. “Sugar is in there.” She pointed to a glass jar. “And creamer is in the fridge.” Needing to escape, she hurried back to the table.

“Please take the chair at the far end,” he said.

She blinked. “Mr. Newman preferred I sit next to him.” He relied on her to jot reminders on his pad, keep the meeting moving along and to ensure he covered everything he wanted to talk about.

“And I’d prefer you do as I ask.”

Her temper started to simmer.

It had been less than a minute since they’d each offered a peace token, and the very next time they spoke, they were at odds. It wasn’t just his words, it was his implacable, immovable tone. The man was obviously accustomed to being obeyed. In all things.