1

"Your Marketer just quit" I stated like that wasn't the reason there was a job opening in the first place.

"You should have a look at my Résumé if you're in search of the best marketer in town"

"And according to our research, you were fired from your last job"

Those words slapped the glee off my entire being, with gaze left gaping on at that figure before me. His grey eyes did so well examining mine, body relaxing back in the black, rewinding chair, while he beheld the fright that had crossed my profile.

"You didn't resign like you stated in the application" He followed.

"You lied to us, Miss Parker"

"And if you haven't been oriented already, Holden Inc. holds honesty as their core value" His utterance was a hit to me.

"Well you guys must think again, cause your father has been dishonest his entire life, stealing from the masses, protected by the government"

That was a blow to him. A real challenge it ought to be.

It worked for my last employer, of course it did, yet, what should have been a frown on that striking face of his was barely made eminent. His lips tugged into a grin, eyes filled with levity while they peered on at my shaken form.

"Give me one reason why I should employ you, Miss Parker" He called in a breath.

I searched around the office, eyes trying to have a go at what kind of person he was.

If he was the calm type, he needed fury, if he was the raging type, he needed understanding and lots of distractions, but I tell you, I was left with not a clue to what I sought.

I couldn't read this man.

I, Janet Marie Parker was very good at reading people, at this point, it was only fair to be considered a gift, but for some reason, this stranger before me had all of that crushed in a second.

Not for a moment, was I given an insight as to who he really was. It was hopeless trying to figure him out.

And only at that moment came the words that stumbled out my mouth.

Those words that would either be the beginning of a new job, or the end of a search.

"Let me please you"

***

"Let me please you"

Those words had his eyes staring blankly at my figure, gaze peering at my awaiting form.

The silence that had broken between us was enough to mock the power of the air conditioner stood at a corner of the room.

The sweat had come gathering around my palms, body agitating, yet I managed to keep my eyes lingering in the ones of the young man away.

"If your Résumé never works, then your charms must!"

I heard the voice of Tara bellowing into my head, telling me to snatch this position no matter what it took.

"Please me in what way?"

That calm voice snapped my gaze back to him.

"Ways you can't possibly imagine"

No that wasn't as convincing as it should have been. That phrase already was overused, if anything.

"Ways that would have you rejecting the rest of those applicants sat out there, and perhaps put an end to the day's work" I followed in a soft voice.

"Miss Parker if you must know—

"Mr. Holden, give me just one chance to please you" I pronounced in a low voice.

"I come across a lot of ladies in my daily life, Miss Parker" His voice was low, chin rested on his hands, while his eyes lingered on me.

"Yet, have you come across one who would plant a kiss on your lips, and have you ruined in a minute"

I heard that low chuckle leave his lips, gaze still held strongly on my form.

"What was your major in College, Miss Parker?"

"Communications and Marketing, advanced, Marketing communications"

"Institution?"

"Columbia"

"Interests?"

"Sailing"

"Age?"

"It's on my résumé, Mr. Holden"

"Indeed, it is. But, I didn't think it right to go through the documents anymore, not after you lied"

A low breath poured out my lips at his utterance, mind already catching on to what he meant.

He was a smart one. Even smarter than they said.

"I'm Twenty Eight, Mr. Holden" 

"Hmm"

"Our Marketing department has always had younger people in it. People who are just fresh out of college"

"Perhaps, that's the reason it's failing" The words poured out my lips without warning

I heard that scoff escape his lips, eyes holding onto my form.

He was breaking every little patience I had left, and he managed to do it so well. He just was intent to having me give in. Give in to the pressure, fumble, and have that secretary out there, come lead me away, but my gaze intent in his, only kept me holding on. If it was a game he was down for, then I was one to play so well.

"How might you please me, Miss Parker?"

"How would you want me, Mr. Holden?"

I should stop. It was only a tease I had mindlessly put up, hoping to get a longer moment with him, listening to whatever I had to say, but apparently, he was a persistent young man, one who would get to the end of every matter started.

"I'm only scared we don't speak of the same thing here" He followed.

"Oh, I very much follow, Mr Holden"

"Here's the thing Miss Parker" He began, figure tearing off the chair, approaching my form.

I fretted at his incoming profile, eyes averted away, not daring to meet that striking gaze of his.

Even in the calming space, I could feel the burn that rushed to my chest.

He had soon pulled up beside my form, eyes peering on at my warded off profile.

"I'd like to see how so well you think can please me" He called.

"If you manage to have me forget how troublesome the morning has been, then I assure you, the position is all yours"

Eyes had snapped up to him at once, gaze beholding the sincerity in those grey eyes.  

"Also—He paused for a long minute, figure inching closer....If you manage to have me aroused...He drew even nearer, breath so close, it fanned against my neck—"Then you, Miss Janet Parker, will be the company's new marketer to be employed"