An Executive Decision by Grace Marshall Read Free Book Online Page A

grocery bag. ‘I can see why he’s your hero.’
    Part of Wilderness Vanguard ’s mission was to expose corporations with bad environmental records. That Ellis had been chosen Man of the Year was no small feat.
    Dee flipped to the article, which was prefaced by photos of a nature reserve Ellis’s company had reclaimed on the sight of a derelict paper mill. She glanced at the accompanying caption. In a world of corporate greed and plunder, Ellison Thorne has a refreshing penchant for win-win deals, deals that benefit both corporations and the planet. His progressive policies have made Pneuma Inc. one of the most respected companies in the US.
    Harris began unpacking a grocery bag on the table. ‘Got beer, salad, chips and dip, and half a cow’s worth of T-bones. Hope everyone’s hungry.’
    Kendra gave Dee a quick hug. ‘You look a bit dazed. What’s up?’
    ‘Ellis just offered me the executive assistant position.’
    ‘Are you serious? That’s fantastic!’ Harris grabbed her, and there was a round of rib-crushing bear hugs from both of her friends.
    He nodded to the magazine cover. ‘You’ve been telling us since grad school you’re exactly what the man needs. Looks like he agrees.’
    ‘You do have a bad case of Thorne on the brain, Dee. But when I see pictures of him like this –’ Kendra smiled down at the photo on the cover of the magazine ‘– I can understand why. God, he’s hot! I mean, look at those yummy brown eyes.’
    ‘Kendra, he’s going to be my boss, not my boyfriend.’
    Her friend shrugged. ‘Who’s talking boyfriend? I’m talking hot sex here.’
    Dee knew exactly what Kendra was talking about, and even eight weeks after the fact the thought of writhing on the floor beneath Ellison Thorne made her pulse do a drum roll. In spite of herself, Beverly’s Executive Sex Clause flashed through Dee’s head. Jesus, she hadn’t even thought about that. Would they implement the Executive Sex Clause? They’d already had sex, after all. Or was that something Ellis would rather they both just forgot about?
    ‘Don’t be stupid, Kendra,’ Harris called over his shoulder. ‘It’s not always about sex, you know, and Dee’s not exactly a groupie. If anybody’s the man’s equal, it’s Dee. I’d say he’s damn smart for hiring her.’
    ‘I didn’t say he wasn’t,’ Kendra said. ‘I’m just saying, he’s hot, Dee’s hot.’ She elbowed Dee. ‘Oh, don’t look at me like that, you are hot, trust me. And you’re both single. Nature’ll take its course.’ Kendra grabbed the magazine and studied the image on the cover. ‘Normally I like my men darker, but in his case, I could make an exception and go Celtic.’ She looked closer. ‘How old is he, anyway?’
    ‘Thirty-eight, I think.’ Actually she knew exactly how old he was, and she knew the details of his birth, right down to the fact that he’d been born in the middle of one of the worst storms the Oregon Coast had ever had, born at home because of that.
    ‘Have you told your mom?’ Harris asked.
    Dee shook her head. ‘The way we communicate, I could be retired before she finds out, which is probably just as well. And Dad, he’ll just want to borrow money, like always. I think we’ll all be happier if they don’t know, at least for the present.’
    ‘So, if you’re gonna be working for the big man, why isn’t there dancing in the streets?’ Harris asked.
    Dee turned her attention back to the grill. ‘I’m just a bit shell-shocked. I had no idea he was going to offer me the position. Besides, it’s a big responsibility. Sort of scary when I actually think about it.’
    ‘Come off it, Dee.’ Harris finished unpacking groceries and leaned against the table. ‘You’re not scared of anything. Don’t forget, we’re counting on you to get rich so we can live decadent lives on your money. We’re the Three Musketeers, remember?’
    ‘All for one and one for all.’ Kendra raised a baguette in salute.
    Not for