One night stand with my daddy's best friend
76

Bridget

I was trying not to skip into the office of MacLeod Capital Investment. Afterall, I wasn't a schoolgirl, I was a professional woman. But it was hard because I was so happy to have a great job right out of college. And it didn't hurt that my boss

was sexy and sweet.

I made my way up to the sixtieth floor and to Ms. Eliot's desk.

"I'm here to start work." It took all my effort not to squeal in delight.

Mr. MacLeod's secretary looked and smiled as friendly as the day before. "Welcome to MacLeod Capital Investment. I'm Lane." She stood and shook my hand. "Like in Superman? Ms. Lane?"

She laughed. "No. Lane is my first name." "Oh." Crap. I was being weird.

"Although I wouldn't mind replaceing a Superman." She looked down at my shoes. "Oh. Those are a great color. What is that, fuchsia?"

"It's bright pink whatever it is. I'm sorry to say, I've never grown out of my childhood love of pink. It's terrible, really, as it doesn't go with my coloring."

"If you ever decide you don't like pink, let me know. I'll take them off your hands."

"Everyone is so nice here."

She smiled. "Most everyone. Mr. MacLeod...the elder, can be difficult, but his son is alright."

I bit my lip to keep from saying something inappropriate like, "He's more

than alright."

"How about you and I go to lunch today? My treat. I'll give you all the office gossip."

"I'd love that. Thank you."

Another man stepped up to Lane's desk. "Is this Ms. Franklin?" "It is," Lane said. "Ms. Franklin-❞

"Please call me Bridget."

"Bridget, this is Ethan Wheatly. He'll be your supervisor."

I smiled even though I was disappointed that Mr. MacLeod wasn't going to be my supervisor. Then again, it would be hard to do a good job if I was constantly swooning over my boss. "Nice to meet you," I said, shaking his hand. "You too. How about I show you your office?"

"I have an office?" I gaped until I remembered I was a professional. "I mean...that would be lovely."

He laughed.

"Come replace me at lunch," Lane said as I walked down the hall with Ethan.

"I saw that you're a Berkeley grad but are from Southern California," he said as we made a right turn down another hallway. "Yes."

"You didn't want to attend the local UC?"

"I did for a year, but I was living at home, and I wanted to have more independence. The real college experience."

"Families can be stifling, can't they?" We reached a large room. "This is the workroom. It's a place to get copies made, pick paperclips and other items you might need."

I nodded but wondered about the stifling comment. Then it came to me. "Wheatly. Are you related to Charles Wheatly?" They were a well-known real estate family too.

He stopped short; his brows furrowed. "You know my grandfather?" "Well, not really. I know of him. My father-" I stopped short. I still

didn't want anyone to know that I was Troy Manion's daughter. My father knew the Wheatlys through his construction company. He'd worked with them on several developments. In fact, years ago, I think Mr. Wheatly was upset that my father had made a deal with his friend Ryker Williams when they built a new shipping port. I think Mr. Wheatly would have liked that

deal.

"I've just heard of him," I finished.

"Small world." He continued up the hall taking another turn. How much farther could my office be? I felt like I was off in the boonies.

"This conference room is where the marketing team meets." He opened the door to a large room with an oval table, dry erase board, and a projection system. "Down here is your office."

He led me up the hall until the end. I wasn't sure I'd replace the space again.

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! I wondered if Lane had a map.

He opened the door, and once again, I gaped. The office was average size, but the view was stunning. There were windows on two sides, so there was lots of light.

"Welcome to your office, Ms. Bridget Franklin, Marketing Specialist." Marketing Specialist. It sounded so professional. "Thank you."

"Next I need to take you to HR. If you don't drown in paperwork, you'll have passed the first test."

I laughed. "I can swim in paperwork."

He grinned and then led me back along the hallways and to an elevator.

We went down a floor and then up more hallways.

"Does anyone ever leave breadcrumbs to replace their way?" I asked. "People will steal breadcrumbs. Better to drop paperclips."

I laughed, glad he had a sense of humor.

We arrived at another office that contained even more offices.

Ethan walked me up to a middle-aged woman's desk. "I'm going to leave you in the capable hands of Mrs. Roker."

"Thank you."

"If you need anything, here is my card. My number is on it. Oh and..." He took a few paper clips from Mrs. Roker's desk. "In case you get lost."

I took the clips and laughed. "Thank you."

Mrs. Roker wasn't as engaging as Lane or Ethan, but she wasn't dour. She was simply all about efficiency. I signed papers, had my picture taken for an ID badge, and then was given an office manual to study. "Your benefits will start right away. Paychecks come twice monthly on the first and sixteenth unless it's a weekend." She handed me more paperwork that outlined the benefits package. "Any questions?" "No. Thank you."

She nodded in a way that made me feel dismissed.

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away!

I made my way out and to the elevator. I reached the sixtieth floor and did my best to replace my way to my office. I was making my way up a long hallway that I thought went toward the supply room. I rounded the corner and bumped into a wall of man. "Oh, excuse me."

His hands reached out to steady me. "My fault. I was distracted by a beautiful woman."

I looked up at the man. He was a stunner with inky dark hair and light blue eyes. It made me think of the devil.

"I'm Bran Erickson."

"Bridget Franklin. Do you work here?"

He let out a haughty laugh. "No. I'm here on business with MacLeod junior."

I realized he still had one hand on my arm.

He noticed too. His thumb brushed along the edge of my sweater. "Cashmere. They must pay you well here. Or you just know quality lasts."

"I like the softness."

He tilted his head. "I like soft things too." Was he flirting? He had to be.

"Erickson, when you're done groping my staff, I'm ready for our meeting," Mr. MacLeod's voice growled.

I jumped, surprised by how hard it sounded. I turned to explain, but he'd stalked away.

Bran made an UT-OH face. "I've upset your boss. He must like soft things too."

I didn't know what he meant. I freed my arm. "It's my first day."

"I hope I run into you again the next time I have to meet with Dane." I smiled. "Me too." I said it automatically to be polite.

He winked and walked down the hall toward his meeting.

I watched for a moment and then headed toward my office, or at least where I thought my office was. So far, it had been an interesting day. Hopefully, the rest of the day would be as nice, and the job would turn out to be fulfilling. Today was the first day of my new, grown up, career life.