She's Out of Control by Kristin Billerbeck Read Free Book Online Page B

each his own, I guess. Plus, we gals think you have more of a German facial structure, so maybe he finds that attractive.”
    â€œA German facial structure?” I’m thinking this isn’t necessarily a compliment.
    â€œYou know, not ugly or anything, but just . . .” She holds her fists out in front of her. “You know, squarer. Solid.” Tracy obviously sees my dismay. “Not that that’s a bad thing. I mean, it’s sexy to a lot of guys.”
    â€œCan you get these patents filed for me?” I hand Tracy a bundle of folders. “Cross reference them by their product name and their category, which is on the side of the folders.” That ought to keep you out of trouble for a while. I pick up the patent I worked all night on. “I’ll be in Hands’s, I mean Hans’s, office if you need anything.”
    I make my way across the office floor, and I can feel that all eyes are on me. It’s like my skirt is in my pantyhose. It’s an ominous moment for me, because I’m never thought to be “that” kind of a girl. I’m a thirty-one-year-old virgin, for crying out loud. The fact that I’m being seen as seductress would be comical if it wasn’t so eerily creepy. I knock on Hans’s door, and he opens it, lifting his wheat-colored eye-brows at the sight of me.
    â€œAshley,” he oozes. “Here’s your coat.” I turn around and see the admins huddled in a knowing circle. “You girls get to work!” Hans yells, and they scatter like cockroaches in the light.
    You know, I have a theory, and why I was too desperate to notice it here before I took this job is beyond me at the moment. When a company hires half-dressed secretaries, it’s usually a good sign that the CEO has issues. A “normal” CEO doesn’t allow his company to give off that kind of a message, which really says, our company can be bought for a price, so name it. Sweeping my gaze across the room, I realize that Gainnet’s image reminds me of bad politicians vying for the gaming lobby: guilty and sleazy.
    â€œThanks for my coat.” I look Hans dead in the eye, hoping to tell him that I’m not afraid and that I’m not available. But inside I’m just praying, Help me, Lord. Help me, Lord. I’m in way over my head. All the while I suspect my lies are probably keeping me from any divine protection that might have been otherwise available.
    â€œDon’t rush off now. I want to talk to you about the patent. What I’ve seen so far, just last night, is genius. I know you started here as a simple patent attorney, but it’s clear you’re general counsel material, and I don’t want to let another company figure that out first.”
    I let my guard down a bit and sit in the proffered chair in Hans’s office. “Yes, I was offered the position of general counsel before I left Selectech. I didn’t take the job for personal reasons.”
    â€œWe haven’t had a general counsel here at Gainnet, but with our revenue growing by such leaps and bounds, I think it’s time we brought counsel in-house. Would you be interested in the job if the board approved such a position?”
    I can feel the blood rising in my cheeks. “Absolutely!” By now my face is hot and red. “I’m just about to purchase half my room-mate’s house, and the title would help immensely on my loan apps.”
    â€œIt’s more than a title I’m offering. It’s an increase in your stock options, which would also help financially.” He pauses for a moment. “Did you say you’re purchasing half your fiancé’s house?”
    â€œNot my fiancé, my roommate.” Okay, major blunder. Lying seems so easy on TV. They don’t show all the other lies that have to accompany the first one.
    â€œBut I thought you were getting married.”
    â€œWell, I am, but just not