“Yes, sir.” She tossed him an acid grin. For just an instant, Stephanie thought she caught a flicker of amusement in his electric-blue eyes. But she sincerely doubted that someone as cold as Jonas Lockwood knew how to smile.
As the afternoon progressed, the one word that kept running through Stephanie’s mind was demanding. Jonas Lockwood didn’t ask, he demanded. And when he wanted something, he wanted it that instant, not ten minutes later. He tolerated no excuses and made no allowances for ignorance. If he needed a dossier, she was expected to know what drawer it would be filed in and how to get to it in the most expedient manner. And she was to deliver it to him the instant he asked. If she was a minute late, he didn’t hesitate to let her know about his disapproval.
The phone seemed to ring constantly, and when she wasn’t answering the phone, she was tending to his long list of demands.
Just when she started typing the financial report, the buzzer rang.
“Yes.” If she didn’t get the typing done before the end of the day, he would certainly comment. Jonas Lockwood didn’t want a mere secretary, he required Wonder Woman. Her low estimation of Bertha Westheimer rose quite a lot. “Bring me the Johnson file.”
“Right away.” She moved to the cabinet and groaned as her gaze located three files, all labeled Johnson. Not taking a chance, she pulled all three and set them on his desk. She noted that Jonas was rubbing his thigh, his hand moving up and down his leg in a stroking motion. His brow was marred by thick lines. He seemed to be in such pain that Stephanie paused, not knowing what to say or do.
He glanced up, and the steely look in his eyes grew sharper. “Haven’t I given you enough to do, Miss Coulter? Or would you like a few more tasks that need to be completed before you leave tonight?’’
Rather than state the obvious, she turned and stepped back to her desk. Sitting at the typewriter, Stephanie couldn’t get Jonas out of her mind. There was so much virility in his rugged, dark features, yet for all the emotion he revealed, he could have been cast in bronze. Jonas Lockwood wasn’t a man she would be able to forget.
Five o’clock rolled around, and she still had two short reports to finish. It didn’t matter how much time it required, Stephanie was determined to stay until every last item he’d given her was completed.
“Hi.” Jan stepped off the elevator at five-thirty and greeted her. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Sorry.” Stephanie rested her hands in her lap. “I’ve only got a bit more to do.”
“Leave it. I’m sure Old Stone Face doesn’t expect her desk to be cleared tomorrow morning.”
“It isn’t what she expects, it’s what Mr. Lockwood demands. I’ve never met anyone like him.” She lowered her voice. “Everything is done at his convenience.”
“It’s his company.”
Stephanie shook her head. “Well, listen, I’ll trade you bosses any day of the week.”
“Is that a fact, Miss Coulter?”
Stephanie managed to swallow a strangled breath. She turned and glared at Jonas, despising him for eavesdropping on a private conversation.
“That’ll be all, Miss Coulter. You may leave.”
She opened her mouth to argue with him, but decided she’d be a fool to give up the opportunity to escape when it was presented to her. “Thank you. And may I say it was a memorable experience to work for you, Mr. Lockwood.”
He’d already turned, refusing to acknowledge her statement.
“However—” she raised her voice, determined that he hear her “—I’d prefer working for a more mature male.” She wanted to remind him of his earlier derogatory comments about the fairer sex. “A man over forty is far less demanding, and a thousand times more reasonable and patient.”
“Stephanie...” Jan hissed in warning. “Good day, Miss Coulter.” If possible, the icy front he wore like an impenetrable mask froze all the more. “Goodbye, Mr. Lockwood.” With that, she retrieved her purse and marched out of the office, Jan following in her wake.
“Wow, what happened this afternoon?” Jan asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Nothing.”
“I can tell.”
“He wasn’t any more objectionable after lunch than he was before. Mr. Jonas Lockwood is simply impossible to work with.”
“Well, you two apparently didn’t get off on the right foot.”
“I’m a fairly patient person. I tried to work with the man. But as far as I’m concerned, there’s no excuse for someone to be so outspokenly rude and arrogant. He has no right to take out his ill humor on me or anyone else. There’s simply no call for such behavior.’’
“Right.” But one side of Jan’s mouth twitched as though she were holding in a laugh.
“You find that amusing?”
“No, not really. I was just thinking that you could be just the woman.”
“Just the woman for what?”
“For years the female employees of Lockwood Industries have been waiting for a woman exactly like you, and all the while you were right under our noses.’’
“What are you talking about?”
“Jonas Lockwood needs a woman with nerves of steel who can stand up to him.”