Guarding His Heart

“No.” She muttered and looked at the ground. “Would you quit?” She asked hopefully.

“Do you think you would get this job if I quit because you were making my life a misery?” I laughed. “Do you think I wouldn’t just have you fired?”

“I guess so.” She looked up at me with pursed lips. “So are you going to fire me?”

“What sort of person would I be if I did that?” I pursed my lips. No, I wasn’t going to have her fired. I knew I should, but there was something that told me she was the sort of girl I could have a lot of fun with. I needed something to make this a fun couple of first weeks. I’d keep her for now, but if I thought she was getting too crazy, she’d be out on her ear.

“I didn’t mean for you to hear all that.” She said sullenly.

“How old are you, Hannah?” I changed the subject abruptly.

“Twenty four.”

“Twenty four?”

“That’s what I said.” She spoke up. “Why?”

“Just curious.” I shrugged. “I didn’t know that backstabbing in the corporate world started in those as young as twenty four. I thought it started when folks hit their thirties at least.”

“Nepotism doesn’t start in the thirties, so why should backstabbing?”

“So you admit that you’ve got a plan to backstab me?”

“I don’t have a plan to do anything.”

“I used to be a bodyguard you know, well, more like a bouncer, but I don’t take crap very well.”

“Are you threatening me?” Her lips trembled as she stared at me with narrowed eyes. It took everything I had in me to not laugh. This girl was a spitfire. A real spitfire. She was going to make my first few weeks very interesting.

Knock. Knock. We both turned to look at the front door.

“Leo.” My dad’s voice boomed as he walked into the office. “You made it in.”

“Bright and early.” I said sarcastically as he patted me on the back.

“Good.” He nodded and looked at me with pleased eyes. “That’s what I like to see.”

“Dad, this is my assistant Hannah.” I nodded towards a wide-eyed Hannah. “Hannah, this is my father and the CEO of Maxwell Corp, James Maxwell.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Maxwell.” Hannah’s voice was soft and sweet as she held out her hand, a wide smile on her face. “I can’t tell you how much of an honor it is to work for you.”

“Nice to meet you too, Hannah. Take care of my boy. He’ll be CEO one day.” He shook her hand and then looked back at me. “Shall we get lunch today and chat?”

“I told Zane I’d meet up with him for lunch.” I shook my head. “Maybe tomorrow?”

“I guess so.” He frowned. “How is that boy? I can’t believe he got married and has kids already.”

“He’s doing great dad. He and Lucky are very happy.”

“You’ll be next I suppose.” He grinned. “We’ll be having little feet running around here before we know it.”

“I wouldn’t count on it dad.” I shook my head and frowned. “I have no plans to get married and no plans to have kids.”

“Leo, you have to…” He started and I cut him off.

“Dad, this isn’t the time or the place.” I said angrily. I could see Hannah watching the exchange with a curious expression.

“Fine.” He gave me a stern look. “I want my grandchildren to inherit this business, Leo and you’re my only child.” He paused and then smiled. “But let’s just have you focusing on work for now.” He nodded. “We’ll grab lunch tomorrow. I think Mike is going to come down and talk to you in a few minutes and go over how things work and give you your first assignments.”

“Sounds good.” I nodded.

“Have a great day you two.” My dad walked out of the office and I turned to face a smirking Hannah.

“What’s so funny?” I barked at her, feeling annoyed.

“It’s usually women that have to hear the grandchildren talk. It was funny to hear it directed towards a guy.”

“Whatever.” I shook my head. “I have no plans to get married, so don’t get your hopes up.”

“Excuse me?” She frowned, her jaw dropping. “I couldn’t care less what you do.”

“Good.” I nodded. “I don’t need my assistant trying to get me fired and trying to marry me.”

“You really are a jerk.”

“Just trying to live up to the name you already gave me.” I smiled at her and her face flushed. “Also, do me a favor.” I leaned into her face and whispered.

“What favor?” She frowned and took a step back.

“Walk over to the desk and bend over.” I winked at her. “Pull your skirt up and let me see your tight little ass. I want to see if it’s as tight as your…”

“Excuse me.” She gasped, her eyes widening. “That’s sexual harassment. I could get you fired for that.”

“Then we’re even.” I laughed as I pulled away from her, even though I was slightly turned on from thinking about her bent over the desk.

“Even about what?” She frowned.

“We both have tales that can get the other person fired if they went to HR.” I walked over to the main desk and sat down in the leather swivel chair. I stared at her as she looked over at me and I cocked my head and spoke slowly. “I suggest that you get your act together and stop acting like an entitled brat. I don’t know why you think this job should have been yours, but it’s mine and as long as you’re my assistant, I expect the respect my title deserves. Do you understand me?” I sat back and waited for her response. She stared at me for a few seconds and then I watched as she walked out of the room and slammed the door behind her. I guess that was her response. I laughed as I stared at the closed door. Hannah was going to be a handful, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.