Finally A Real Job

POV: Sienna.

"Who needs an apartment when you could just live in the office," I murmured aloud. My voice echoed against the pristine marble tile as I slowly stepped out of the massive, luxurious private bathroom. The sheer opulence of the space still had my head spinning.

Evander, who was leaning casually against the polished doorframe, let out a rich, throaty chuckle that vibrated through the quiet room. He crossed his arms over his broad chest, the expensive fabric of his suit pulling tight against his muscles.

"We put in a lot of late nights here," he explained, his deep voice smooth and resonant. "It was nice when we moved into this building to get the office set up like this for the partners. We do not strictly require overtime for all our employees, but partners like to make sure things are in perfect order. We provide high-end amenities to make the hours bearable. There is a dedicated weekend laundry service that comes and picks up linens specifically for the partners who end up putting in late, exhausting nights. For an extra fee, they take care of personal clothes as well."

I stayed quiet, absorbing his words. I was no stranger to pulling brutal overnights studying for my degree, surviving on sheer willpower. But Evander and I were not friends yet. I did not want to expose my personal life or my current desperate living situation right out of the gate.

"A lady of few words?" he asked curiously, tilting his head to the side. The motion sent a stray lock of dark hair falling across his forehead.

I quickly glanced up from the floor to find him intensely studying my posture. His piercing blue eyes flickered down my frame, lingering on the curve of my hips before dragging back up to my chest. I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. He was shamelessly staring at my body again. The heat in his gaze made my skin prickle with a strange, undeniable awareness.

"Sorry, all of this is just a lot to take in. I really was not expecting this today," I admitted. My voice wavered with residual shock. "I have been flat-out turned down for even the most basic, entry-level jobs because I have spent significantly more years sitting in school than actually working in the field. Everyone wants someone with years of practical experience, not just degrees."

Evander shifted his weight, pulling his hands from his pockets to rest them on his hips. "You have to start somewhere," he assured me. His tone dropped into a comforting, steady cadence that wrapped around me like a warm blanket. "We do not expect absolute perfection during the first year. That is exactly why there is a designated trial period. If after that period you are not up for the job, we can always reassess."

He paused his explanation. His gaze once again deliberately and hotly eyed me up and down, taking in every curve of my body with raw, unfiltered hunger. "However, I am sure with your intense drive that you will easily overcome any challenges thrown your way."

"Let us go to my office, and we can discuss some more details. You can make your decision from there," he suggested, turning on his heel.

I gave him a silent nod and followed him out of my new suite. We walked down the wide, illuminated hallway toward his personal office. My eyes uncontrollably wandered down the hard lines of his broad back. The tailored suit jacket accentuated the sheer width of his shoulders, tapering down to a narrow waist. My gaze dragged lower, tracing the firm muscles of his thighs and legs moving in a confident, predatory stride.

A sudden, fierce, and overwhelming urge to climb his body like a tree raced through my mind. I wanted to wrap my legs around his waist, grip his broad shoulders, and feel the hard planes of his chest pressed flush against mine. I panicked internally. My breath hitched in my throat, and I forced my eyes to stare straight ahead. How on earth would I be able to professionally work side-by-side with such a physically gorgeous, distracting specimen of a man?

It was a foreign feeling for someone like me. I had spent my youth buried in textbooks, far too busy trying to academically improve myself to ever feel genuine, raw physical attraction toward a man. But now, the primal pull tightening my lower belly was immediate and undeniable.

We stepped into his office. It mirrored the layout of my new suite but featured personal touches and a much larger, imposing desk chair. He gestured toward the plush seating. Taking a seat in one of the oversized chairs positioned in front of his massive mahogany desk, I crossed my legs, trying to project a calm exterior.

"So, I am assuming you know all about the company," he began, leaning back into his leather chair. I nodded.

I listened in stunned silence as he calmly rattled off a lengthy, mind-boggling list of intricate details. He laid out a starting salary that made my eyes widen in disbelief, generous paid vacation time, sick leave, comprehensive medical benefits, and high-level corporate responsibilities. The numbers he casually dropped were life-changing. He outlined the travel expectancy and the sheer scope of the role. It was a massive position with heavy demands.

He finally paused, letting the sheer magnitude of the offer sink in. My throat felt like sandpaper.

"Hmmm, will I get all of this in writing?" I finally managed to croak out, gripping the armrests.

Evander grinned, his dimples flashing, softening his sharp jawline. "I am just giving you a brief verbal summary right now. The official onboarding packets will have all the detailed information typed out, as well as the standard legal forms you will need to sign. Our accountants are notaries, so they can handle all the legal aspects right here in the building."

He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the polished surface of the desk. "Right now, four equal partners currently run the firm. This includes Derrick and Kaelen Voss, who act more as the overarching CEOs. They will all be physically present in the office tomorrow morning to formally greet you if you decide to accept the job."

I tightened my grip on the armrests, my knuckles turning white. "How long exactly do I have to officially accept the position?"

Evander raised a dark eyebrow. He leaned back and studied my face. "We would ask that you give us a final answer within the week," he stated. His tone shifted into a measured, controlled register. He clearly assumed it would take me at least a couple of weeks to thoroughly tie up my loose affairs and relocate to the city.

A strange, dark, heavy energy momentarily washed over his demeanor. It was a sudden shift in aura that threw me off guard and sent a cold shiver down my spine. The air in the room grew thick, suffused with an undeniable, possessive edge. It felt as though a predator had just realized its prey might try to wander off.

"Everything I own is already packed in my truck," I replied quickly, desperate to match his sudden intense energy. I needed him to know I was ready to start my life. "I would just strictly like to read over all the official paperwork before I can firmly accept it. But once I do, can I start as soon as I am legally allowed?"

His regular, charming, smiling persona instantly snapped back into place. It was as if the dark energy had never existed. He opened a sleek drawer, reaching across the wide desk to hand me a small metallic flash drive.

"This contains all the information you need," he smoothly revealed. "We have actually already secured and paid for a luxury hotel room for you to comfortably stay in while you review the documents. I sincerely hope to see you again right here tomorrow morning by nine o'clock."

My fingers wrapped around the cold metal of the drive. The brush of his fingertips against mine sent a jolt of heat up my arm.

"So there is no formal interview?" I asked, pulling my hand back and clutching the drive.

"There was not a need. We personally called all your previous references and internship supervisors, and we were nothing but impressed," he smirked, settling deep into his chair. "Derrick and Kaelen are very busy men. They trust the vetting process."

Curiosity burned a hole in my chest. If they were offering me this massive role so easily, they must be desperate to fill the seat. "How long did the previous person actually hold this specific position?"

Evander’s jaw suddenly ticked. The playful smirk vanished from his lips. "One year," he responded, his voice dipping low and turning cold. "He was promoted from within. He was good at his job. He just ultimately abused it and violated strict company policies."

I nodded curtly. I desperately tried not to show the intense burning curiosity written all over my face. There was no need to ask any more probing questions, at least not today. The sheer volume of information was already far too much for my brain to process in one afternoon.

I stood up, slipping the flash drive into my bag. Against all odds, I had been officially offered a real, high-paying job. The suffocating weight that had been crushing my chest for months finally began to lift. I could pack my bags and move out of my overbearing brother's house.

The thought of spending another week under that roof made my stomach turn. His terrible wife's constant, screeching tantrums were becoming physically unbearable. She made it clear every day that I was a burden. Now, I finally had the means to leave her toxic presence behind forever.

A massive wave of relief washed over me. I was stepping into a brand new life. Tomorrow morning, I would return here to meet Derrick and Kaelen Voss.