"Well, this just got awkward."
He smiled. "Please, have a seat."
He pointed to the deep read arm chair that was positioned in front of his desk.
I forced one leg in front of the other over to the desk and sat down. The chair was possibly the most comfortable chair I had ever had the pleasure of sitting in. I placed my handbag on the ground by my feet and I tapped the tip of my finger against my knee. Please just hurry up. I wanted to get out of this awkward situation.
"You're shy all of a sudden?" He chuckled.
"Not shy. Regretful." I replied.
He raised an eyebrow and I melted. Fuck he was sexy. Sitting behind that big glass top desk made him look powerful, like he ran the world. Dimitri watched me intently making me relive every embarrassing moment in the elevator. I had the feeling he want me to squirm under his stare. He knew I was uncomfortable after my little performance in the elevator. Ugh. What was I thinking?
"So, are we going to start the interview or are we just going to stare at each other?"
"Feisty. I like that."
I rolled my eyes. His cocky arrogance made me want to use my brain instead of my body to get the job. I began doing up the top two buttons of my blouse and he watched in amusement.
"The interview, please."
He bit his lip, "Right, the interview. Let's get started."
The interview was quicker than I expected. Once the business talk started a mask fell over him face and he became intense and professional which I admired. Before long the interview was over.
"Okay, we're done." He stated.
"Thank you."
I grasped the handle of my bag and rose from my chair. I turned my back to him and headed for the door. It was a shame that he was my boss (if I get the job, that is.) There was something about him that I just couldn't ignore. He was over-confident, arrogant and cheeky… he was like me.
"We could continue discussions over dinner tonight?"
I stopped in my tracks unable to fight the smile that spread over my face.
"I would like to keep our relationship professional, thank you."
"That's not the message you painted in the elevator." He retorted, slightly bitter about my rejection.
"I gave you the wrong message and I apologize. My plans were never to sleep with the boss or go out to dinner with him. Just because you are a million miles above my first expectation, doesn't mean I am going to abandon my morals. Yes I undid two buttons on my blouse, yes I was going to use sex appeal to get me the job but that was only because I thought my competition was you. Now that it isn't, I have nothing to worry about. Please call me by Monday with the job offer. Thank you."
"So that's a no for tonight?"
"I have plans, sorry."
I exited his office, strutted past the secretary and into the elevator. Before the doors closed I glanced up and saw him leaning against his door, watching me and as the elevator doors closed I inhaled deeply, I hadn't realised I was holding my breath. God Mr Dimitri Belikov had such presence. It was hard just sitting there and not throwing myself at him. Something deep in my chest wanted him to respect me. I didn't want to come across as a slut, not to him.
I stepped out of the building and into the fresh air and as I walked across town, I couldn't help but to feel his eyes on me. Like he was analysing me with those gorgeous eyes.
Ring Ring. I jumped as my phone rang.
"Lissa? Hey."
"Hi Rose! How did the interview go?"
I thought about the interview and how Mr Belikov had unnerved me so much. Why was I still thinking about him and his full, tantalizing, lips? My stomach knotted and I tried hard not to think about ripping his suit off and licking every inch of flesh that he had or running my fingers through his long hair.
"Rose?" Lissa's voice called through the phone.
"Oh, right." I cleared my throat. "It went well."
"Do you think you got the job?"
"I think I am in with a good chance."
"Great! Are we still on for tonight? Diamond's Nightclub?"
"Sounds prefect, I need to blow off some steam."