Red Hourglass by Scarlet Risqué Page B

behind a large glass and chrome desk in front of floor-to-ceiling windows. He was wearing a sharp black suit with a navy-blue tie. Judging by the cut of his suit, he looked like the kind of man who checked himself in the mirror and liked what he saw. With his well-defined features, narrow eyes, and neatly groomed dark-brown hair, he was even more appealing in person that he was in his pictures.
    He glanced up from his computer and looked at me from head to toe. “Sit.” He pointed to a chair in front of his desk. “Name?”
    “Scarlet Walters.” I sat down and crossed my legs. There was something unsettling about him. I discreetly tugged the hem of my skirt over my knees.
    “I need to pull up your résumé.” He looked like a wolf gazing at a dangling bone as he read my fake qualifications and work history. “You’re twenty-four and a fresh grad. Well, on paper, I suppose you meet my basic requirements. Tell me why you want to work for Wilmar.”
    “Wilmar’s an impressive organization, a forerunner in its many fields.” I clasped my hands over my knee and felt the cold sweat on my palms. “You’re expanding rapidly, and I’d like to be part of that growth. I believe I’d be an asset to the company, I …”
    “Enough.” He sounded like he was growling and he waved his hand.
    I jerked back in my seat, surprised by his tone.
    “Why do you want to work for me? What has Conan Casey done to catch your attention?”
    I took a breath and sat forward. I was determined to get the job, and I wasn’t going to let him intimidate me.
    “I want to work in security because I’m a keen observer of people … and I want to work for you because you’re clearly a man of taste. For instance, take your Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watch.” I nodded my head at his left wrist. “It’s an elegant yet understated piece that can be worn in the boardroom or at the gym. The reversible case can be turned around to protect the face should the situation call for it. It suits your position and your personality. I commend your choice.”
    “Go on.” Mr. Casey smiled and joined the tips of his fingers in an arch. He leaned forward and put his elbows on the desk.
    “I realize this is an office position, but I like intense situations.” I caught a whiff of his fresh cologne as I tucked my hair behind my ear.
    “Intense situations?” he said suggestively as he scrutinized me. “You have quite a figure. I’d say you’re five foot six and weigh one hundred eight pounds.”
    “That’s inappropriate,” I instinctively blurted out. Damn, why did I say that ? I felt like he was weighing me up as a potential meal, but I had to recover somehow. “However, you are correct. You must have a scale in your head.”
    He chuckled. I can make him laugh. This is a good sign .
    “Sizing people up is part of my job,” he said, looking me straight in the eye. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
    “It’s quite all right.” I gave him a tight smile but I didn’t believe him. I knew it was bullshit.
    “The bad news,” he said, looking at his computer, “is that you have no real experience to speak of.” His eyes darted back and forth between me and the computer. “I need a secretary who can do this job with her eyesclosed.”
    “I interned as a secretary for six months, and I’m a fast learner. If you just give me a chance, I’ll prove that I’m up to it.”
    “Anyone can be a secretary, but my secretary,” he said, jabbing his finger on the desk, “can’t be just anyone. She needs to know how to keep her mouth shut for starters.” He leaned back in his chair and stared at me. “I demand complete confidentiality.”
    “Mr. Casey, I assure you that you can count on my discretion. I know how to keep secrets.” His intense stare was making me nervous. I was beginning to wonder if his last secretary quit because of him.
    “Well, Ms. Walters, as you know, Wilmar is expanding. The sitting tenants in our new properties could become