Her hands are almost white from how tight she has them clasped. “A home, yes, of course. As far as children, while we do want them, neither of us are ready for them. I’m also more of a cat person, as is my husband.”

I’m not sure I believe what she is saying, there’s something in her tone of voice that’s off. Was she already trying for children? It would be an inconvenience to establish her in the position only to have her gone for a three-month maternity leave. Then she will have available a further six months leave in the form of a thirty-two hour work week at the same rate of pay. While I am proud of the leave and how it enables my firm to attract and keep talent, the idea of it leaving me short an assistant I just trained is not appealing.

I also do not like the idea of her lying to me. Even if I understand why as the question is one Natalie would be angry at me for asking. “What made you speak to Victoria?”

She is less tense now; her eyes meet mine for a moment. Just like Natalie said, Alexa was married, and unlike the other women who have taken the position, she has no interest in me. “To know what the position really entailed between the lines of the job description.”

“What did she tell that set your mind at rest?”

“You aren’t nearly as scary as I thought. I’ll regret not working for you.”

Hmm...I like the idea of people thinking I am scary, it usually worked to my advantage. I will have to take Victoria to task for divulging my secrets. Alexa is easier to read than she wants to be, her lips are thin, to keep something in. “What else did she say?”

She blushes. “I’m exactly what you need. You’ll regret not hiring me.”

Damn Victoria, after more than thirteen years I trust her. “Fine. You start on Monday. Take this week to wrap up what you have going for Lynch.”

Her eyes are wide, I have looked into blue eyes before, only none have seemed as endless as hers. For a long minute, she stares back. Then she springs up as if the chair was on fire. “Yes, okay. Monday. Thank you. My husband, I’ll tell him. He’ll be so happy.”

The mention of her husband stings against the pleasure of seeing her not quite as cool as she was when she walked in. When she walks out her hand is flat against her stomach. Fuck, is she pregnant already? My mouth is sour at the thought, only because of the inconvenience it would cause me. Not because the idea of her long legs wrapped around someone else begging to be fucked leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

4

Alexa

––––––––