“No. He cleared his commitment by forty-three days.”
“Darn.” Chloe sighed inwardly as she worked hard to inject gratitude and enthusiasm into her voice. “I’ll rearrange my schedule so I can take the interview. Thanks so much for giving me such a great opportunity.”
She glanced down at her outfit of a slim navy skirt, high-heeled black pumps, and a peach silk blouse. She’d dressed up more than usual because she was meeting Nathan, so her clothing would work for an interview.
“It’s pure self-interest,” Judith said. “You’ll make me a nice finder’s fee when you get the job. I’ll text you the address and contact information. Knock ’em dead!”
Chloe hung up and sagged in the chair. She was a little nervous about calling Nathan. A man like him was used to getting what he wanted when he wanted it. He might understand her decision to take the interview, but he wouldn’t be happy about it. She wasn’t happy about it either.
She had to think long-term, though. This thing with Nathan would burn out sooner rather than later, while the job was a more permanent proposition.
She hit his speed-dial button and waited, her grip so tight the edges of the phone cut into her fingers.
“Chloe.” His voice was warm with pleasure. “Have you eaten lunch already?”
“No. I got another call. I have an unexpected job interview right after work. It’s for a great permanent position, so I couldn’t turn it down. I’m sorry.”
There was a long moment of silence and she held her breath. Then his voice came through, sounding calm and matter-of-fact. “Not a problem. I can use the extra time to finish the work from last week. Call me as soon as you’re done.”
“I, um, thank you for understanding.”
“Delay will make our encounter all the more . . . satisfying.”
The pause before his last word was loaded with the promise of mind-bending sex. Chloe felt the build of desire begin again. “You’re a more patient man than I thought.”
“Only when the end result is worth waiting for.”
Focusing on the interview was going to take every ounce of mental discipline she possessed.
Nathan hung up the phone and let loose a string of profanity. It wasn’t the postponement of his sexual gratification that had him cursing like a Marine. It was the damned job interview. He had hoped to handle the offer of the position at Trainor Electronics subtly so no one—and especially Chloe—suspected that he had set it in motion. This new development would force him to cut corners for the sake of speed. He would also have to make sure the offer from his company was so much better than the other one that she would have a hard time turning it down.
He swiveled around to his computer and began to type a private message to Roberta.
There was no point in being the CEO if you couldn’t use your power for a friend.
CHAPTER 19
“We’ll be in touch.” The interviewer stood and shook Chloe’s hand.
Chloe gave him her best professional smile. “It was a pleasure talking with you.” She walked out the door and straight to the ladies’ room.
The adrenaline surging through her was making her jittery, but the interview had gone well. The HR fellow hadn’t commented on the fact that the last three companies she’d worked for had folded, so maybe he hadn’t noticed the Russell jinx. However, she had found the catch: the job was dull and unchallenging, and the upside that Judith had mentioned didn’t sound much better. However, she couldn’t overlook the salary and benefits at this point, so she had given the meeting her best.
Yet part of her mind had been on Nathan the entire time.
“He’s just a man,” she told herself in the mirror. “And a temporary one. You have to focus on Grandmillie and your future.”
She wished she could splash cold water on her face to snap herself out of the spell Nathan exerted on her, but she didn’t want to ruin her makeup. She took three deep breaths and felt more in control.
Sitting down on a chrome stool in front of a vanity mirror, she fired off a text to Judith, telling her she felt she would be in the running for the job. Her friend responded with a thumbs-up and the promise to let Chloe know as soon as she heard something further.
She brought up a text box under Nathan’s cell number and stared at the blinking cursor. Nothing clever came to mind, so she went with the facts. “Interview completed. Will be at the front entrance in ten minutes.”
“Already there,” was the near-instant response.