Chapter Three-Blaire

I blinked my eyes several times, trying to determine if I'd walked into some kinky hot dream or really opened my door to Mr. Luther Reed of the Alpha Inc. The impeccable hunky grump that looked impossibly perfect for eight something in the morning.

Once I gathered my thoughts, I crossed my arms over my chest. "What are you doing here? How do you know where I live—you stalker—and again, why are you here?"

His gaze lingered on my clothes—or lack thereof. I'd been snoozing when he so rudely pounded on the door to wake me. Couldn't he have got my number from my application and called me like a normal pushy boss? Or got the hint that I didn't want to work with him? Either or would have sufficed. 

Luther licked his thick lips and dragged his eyes away from my legs to my gaze. "You're late for work, Ms. Summers. Get dressed. We're leaving."

A bubble of laughter slipped from deep in my chest. I was sure Mr. Luther Reed was used to getting what he wanted—especially if he wore that stupid drool-worthy cologne, and brought those icy blue eyes everywhere—but I didn't show up because I didn't want to work for him. I didn't care how much he looked like a real-life Marvel character. 

"Actually," I said raising my index finger to make a point. "I'm not late for anything other than a morning to sleep in with my big downy comforter in there. I told you yesterday that I'm not working for you or Alpha Inc., period."

Luther seemed unfazed, and didn't budge from his obnoxious place in my doorway. If his boot hadn't been partly in the doorframe, and in the way of me shutting the door in his face, I would have slammed it.

"You're going to work for me, Blaire Summers. I've already started the paperwork," he said, his gaze lingered over into my apartment in a curious way.

Which struck me as odd since I knew he lived in some upscale penthouse that cost more than my entire apartment building, and my dingy one-bedroom didn't compare.

Sighing, I tried to the shut the door, ignoring that I didn't hear it close behind me, and walked to my kitchen to start a cup of coffee. I pulled down a coffee mug and placed my pod into the maker, and pressed the icon of the largest cup. I'd need three at the rate we were going. 

When I turned around, Luther stood at the entrance to my kitchen, his hands shoved down into a pair of slacks that looked delicious on him. "I should be scared that you invited yourself into my apartment, and won't take no for an answer. Maybe after my coffee I'll come to my senses, and call the police," I said.

His gaze shifted toward something sitting on my kitchen counter, and he reached for it, bringing the eviction notice toward him. Heat crawled up my neck and darkened my cheeks. It wasn't like me to be embarrassed, but this came close. 

"Go right ahead," I said, grabbing my creamer and sugar. "Make yourself at home. Do you want a cup?"

"No," he said bluntly. "And if I'm being honest, I'm being very lenient on you. After that cup, get dressed and meet me down stairs. You obviously need the work."

Before I could protest, he turned on his heel, and marched out of my apartment, shutting the door behind him. I sighed heavily and took a drink of my coffee. Luther wasn't wrong, I did need the work, because I had two weeks to come up with two months worth of rent, or they were kicking my dying plants and me out of there.

It didn't take long to conclude that I needed the job. If I didn't like it, in the meantime, I could look for something else. Part of me wanted to be near Luther, a deep part of me, that was irrational, probably just wanted to ogle the man. The other part told me that something felt off about him. What boss come to your house after you don't show up to a job that you said you weren't coming to and demand you come?

A lunatic most likely. 

The red eviction notice taunted me from the counter where he left it. I had no one to reach out to for help.

My grandmother raised me, and she died a few years before. I was alone. 

Luther Reed was my best option at the moment, and like I said, I could always find another job if this one didn't work out. And something told me working with Luther Reed would be … difficult.

Thirty minutes later, I walked down the stairs of my apartment, and toward my car. My heels clicked-clacked against the concrete as I hummed underneath my breath. I reached for my door when an engine revved and startled me. A Bugatti pulled up beside me, and when the window rolled down. Luther stared daggers at me.

"Hurry up. I don't like to be late."

"Well, aren't we pushy, Mr. Reed. My car doesn't go as fast as yours; you might have to take it slow for me."

Luther seemed to be a real stick in the mud, and my innuendo did little to him as I sat down and started my engine. I must be rusty. 

We made it to Alpha Inc., within thirty minutes, and I followed him into the building, hardly keeping up with his long strides as my pencil skirt kept my leg span small.

The receptionist looked confused as I entered the elevator—in hardly enough time—before it shut behind us. The close proximity sent my senses into overdrive.

"What is that cologne?" I asked. "It's delicious."

Luther's gaze dropped to mine, his icy blue eyes, electric against me. "I'm not wearing any cologne."

The elevator door opened, my confusion crawled up my face, and I furrowed my brows. There was no way he just naturally smelled like that, but I wasn't in the position to argue with him about his hygiene.

Luther led me toward his office, and I noticed a desk sitting to the side of his, but the red head standing in the middle of the floor startled me the most. She eyed me as I walked toward my desk and sat down my purse.

"Stephanie, what do you need?" Luther asked, irritation laced his voice. She seemed angry at his tone, and I wondered quickly if they dated. It would explain the up and down she currently gave me.

"I’m here to remind you about the meeting in twenty minutes—,"

"I haven't forgotten," he snapped.

Her dark gaze narrowed to slits, and she slowly glanced over at me as if I was out of place in his office.

"I'm Blaire," I said, sticking my hand out for her.

She shook it hesitantly before turning and hurrying out of his office.

"Wow, Mr. Reed. Are you this nice to all of your employees?"

Luther turned his eyes toward me, an unimpressed look on his handsome face. His jaw was covered in a dark scruff that I loved on a man, but I wouldn't let his good looks run over me—that was for sure.

"We have twenty minutes before our first meeting. I wanted to go over everything with you earlier, but since you weren't here—,"

"Because I wasn't going to take this job," I interjected, gesturing toward where Stephanie just left the room.

"Can you blame me? You're Mr. Ice Cube over there. Would it hurt you to crack a smile? Will the sun burn out if you do?"

"Yes."

I slid my tongue over my teeth, trying to come up with a snarky comeback when his office door opened again. This time a man stood in the doorway, the completely opposite of Luther Reed, with dark hair, and an actual smile.

"Well, well, who do we have here? Is this Blaire Summers?"

I straightened my shoulders, thrilled to have a natural conversation with someone that didn't included frowns and a snarled lip. "That'd be me," I said, stepping forward to take his hand.

"I'm Scott Reed, Luther's brother. I'm so glad you're here. I thought you weren't going to show up."

I glanced at Luther, going to give him a look when I noticed his gaze interlocked on our hands. A low noise vibrated from Luther's chest, and it made Scott laugh. "Oh brother, don't be dramatic. Are we ready for the meeting?"

"I was just explaining everything to Blaire. We'll meet you there."

Scott nodded his head at Luther before leaving us alone. I turned to face Luther when he stepped around his desk and came very close to me. "We need to get a few things straight, Blaire Summers. I'm the CEO of Alpha Inc.—not my brother, not any other person in this office—and you work for me. You do as I say.

We're going to go to this meeting, and you're going to take notes for me. If anyone here flirts with you—you tell me immediately. Even if it's my brother. I don't tolerate interoffice romances, they are against the rules, and I don't want anyone touching my assistant."

I stared at his blue eyes, my own narrowed to slits, and I took a step toward him. His even breaths stalled as I neared, and I didn't understand his resistance. Luther Reed had women—I was sure of it. How could he not?

"Mr. Reed," I said in a low voice. "If I didn't know any better, I would say you didn't want anyone touching me for other reasons."

Luther swallowed hard, his broad chest lifted in a deep breath, but when he stepped closer and that ungodly scent took over, I expected his restraint to break.

It didn't.

"That's why I don't pay you to think, Mrs. Summers. Get your laptop on your desk and follow me. I'm not patient, and I'm not in the mood."

Luther turned toward the door, leaving me with a determination to knock this man off his ivory tower, and into reality.