"Ahhhh you had a look at your new contract." He says as he leans backwards in his chair and then slowly crosses his arms in front of his stomach. A stomach I am sure is firm and hard with muscles. Stop it, Grace, not now, you're here to tell the idiot what for.

"New contract?" I take a breath.

"What makes you think I will take this said contract?" Try not to give yourself away, Grace, don't give the b.a.s.t.a.r.d the satisfaction I keep repeating to myself, but it does nothing as the handsome G.o.d in front of me just watches me, undressing me once again with those beautiful grey eyes that just seem to entrap me as soon as I look at them. I shake my head trying not to let his bewitching good looks distract me from my real purpose, but it is so hard when every one of my senses is awoken to this man's presence. My lips remember the touch of his kiss, the feel of his fingers when they made contact with my skin. My sense of smell only breathes in the musky scent he empowers around me, leaving me weak in the knees. I could go on and on, how Samuel seems to imprison my very being just being him, but I am distracted by his words and c.o.c.ky answer.

What a jerk but, oh G.o.d, a handsome jerk.

"They normally do," he says, with a shrug of his shoulders and with that one action I am given a new lease of life and I am ready to fight again.

"Oh my G.o.d, I can't believe you." I say, as I step away from his desk and start pacing up and down the floor trying not to look at him.

"You really expect me to sign it?"

"Yes."

"Oh G.o.d, Samuel where are you from? This is so ridiculous." I stop in front of him so he actually sees the seriousness in my face, but all he does is shrug his shoulders at me again. I can feel the hatred I hold for him at this exact moment grow as I watch him just look at me like he expects me to just give in, to give way to him. If he thinks that's what I will do then he will be sorely disappointed. I do not give way to anyone. I should say that, that would take that look right off his smug face, but man it's such a handsome face, a face I could look at till the end of time.

"s.h.i.t." s.h.i.t, did I just say that out loud, oh G.o.d, another wonderful moment in this man's presence. Please world can't you just do as I ask and eat me whole before I make another fool of myself. I take a glance at him through my lashes. I can tell from his look that I did say s.h.i.t out loud and then just to confirm it he says.

"Did you say something, Miss Ford?"

"You know I did." I whisper just barely as I continue to walk across his office again, as I go to h.e.l.l with the pulling and releasing of my band, but the burn does nothing to relieve the hate I can feel just brewing, gaining closer to its boiling point. And then just like that it's reached and I stop dead in the middle of the floor and tell him exactly what I think of him and his stupid contract.

"You know what, Mr. Harding, you may be used to people doing exactly what you want them to when you want but I, sir, am not one of them. I do not follow the rules of a rich boy." As soon as I say the word rich boy I can see his whole face turn into disdain and I can't get rid of the feeling of badness that takes over my whole body. I'm the worst person in the world.

"Don't call me that."

"I'm sorry." I say as I step towards his desk.

"Take a seat, Grace, I think we need to talk." Oh gosh, well done Grace, you've really done it now you idiot, the first chance of a real job and you blow it.

"O...ok." I say as I pull out the chair and take a seat, trying not to give away the fear I have as I watch his p.i.s.sed off look devour me.

"What don't you like?"

"All of it, Samuel. You may be used to getting your own way, but this" And I place a finger over the envelope so he knows I'm definitely talking about it "is so stupid it's ridiculous." He raises his head with his arm still over his stomach.

"Ridiculous." He says with such coolness it's unnerving.

"I'm used to getting my own way, Miss Grace, and I go to all means to get what I want." He drops his arms, stands up and then leans forward over his desk, with his face mere inches from my own so that I can taste the coffee on his breath. He has a forceful look in his eyes that is focused solely on me and all I can do is swallow the nerves that threaten to surface.

"Tell me what you don't like?" And with that he moves away from my personal s.p.a.ce back to sitting in his chair and it's as if I can breathe again. I take in quick breaths as if I have been starved of the oxygen my body needs to survive and it burns as my lungs take in the much-needed air.

Why oh why does he affect me so? As I look at him he knows exactly what he does to me and the smile that he bestows on me tells me he likes the effect he has. That's it, I have to just get my big-girl knickers on and give him what for, and he thinks the whole thing is funny.

"Oh right, rich boy. Number one the amount of money is too high. Number two give up my home, are you crazy?" I look over and he's still wearing that smile. The man is completely unaffected by what I'm saying, he doesn't care as long as he gets his own way and it makes me so angry that I can feel it erupt around me and I can't help the words that come out of my mouth.

"Oh my G.o.d, Samuel I'm being serious. For once can you take the smile off your stupidly handsome face and stop looking at me like you want to eat me whole. I am trying to negotiate, dammit." There, you told him and as I look he's trying to hold in his laughter and I slump back into my chair feeling completely deflated at the whole situation. I don't even look at him as I hold my face in my hands as I control the need I have to cry and just let all my mixed-up emotions out.

"Grace, I meant what I said. I really do think you are the best for the job. I need someone I can trust to tell me what they think without getting scared of the repercussions. You and I both know you have no fears there." I look up through my lashes and I can see he is still in his chair, but the smile has disappeared to be replaced by a serious look I have never seen on him before.

"The money stands, believe me when I say you will earn it and, besides, I think you will be worth it." I look up to him ready to say something, but he places a finger over his lips to quiet me. It drops as quickly as it was placed and he continues to talk.

"Over the next couple of months we will be working all the time whether here in the office or at my hotel room; it makes sense to have you there so we can crash when we need it." I attempt to say something, but he doesn't give me a chance.

"Besides, I had the pleasure of seeing where you live and to say it concerns me, would be an understatement."

"Excuse me Mr. Rich boy, but that's what I can afford." He gives me that look again that he's not impressed.

"Not any more sweet cheeks. As I was saying, after we sort this company out we will be doing some traveling around to find some new properties. You won't have the chance to sleep in that old place." He picks up the envelope and pulls out the sheets of paper and places them right out in front of me.

"As we both know I'm a man that gets what he wants, I want you and I will not rest until I have you sign this and work directly for me." I roll my eyes at his words.

"You're so sure of yourself, aren't you?"

"Of course I am, now do us both a favor and sign it already. I won't rest till you do and as you know I always get what I want, no matter what." Arrogant b.a.s.t.a.r.d. I pick the doc.u.ment up and look quickly through all the words.

"If I don't like how this goes. I give in my resignation."

"Of course. But you won't."

"Arghhh. Hand me a pen." He reaches to his side and picks up a pen which he hands to me. It's black with gold lettering that states Harding Inc and as I sign my name it glides across the paper with such pa.s.sion I can only tut when I think only he can have such a pen. The best of everything in the market and he wants me. I know I can do the job, I've been waiting for this kind of opportunity for so long that the least I can do for myself is give it a go even if it means working for the devil himself. He doesn't even wait for the ink to dry before he takes the signed contract from the table and puts it in his drawer. He places his hands on top of the table and leans forward ever so slightly.

"Now that's all done I want you to go home and pack up some essentials and come in bright and early tomorrow morning."

"You're just going to boss me around?" He doesn't answer me, just gives me a nod of the head as he reaches for his phone and I take that as my dismissal.

CHAPTER TEN.

GRACE.

Oh my G.o.d what have I done?

I must be completely insane to have signed that contract.

I'm mad, that's the only explanation. The fact that he used his good looks and charming personality on me is neither here or there.

I gave in to the devil, plain and simple, but the thought of spending more time with him is compelling.

As I had been told I make my way back to my pathetic home and pack my clothes and the few belongings I have in a bag. I have just signed my life away to a man that is every woman's dream and the devil all in one. For some strange reason, though, I am actually quite excited by the prospect. I mean, hopefully it will mean that I will be that much closer to my dreams of actually doing something meaningful with my life. I have gone through so many years just waiting and holding my breath that my hard work will be finally recognized and now it has been, but I have the feeling that maybe Samuel has another motive entirely. Should I be concerned by that? A part of me thinks I should, but then the man just reeks of s.e.x appeal like it's going out of fashion. Maybe for once I can just allow myself this little bit of fun.

For the first time in what feels like ages I actually sleep like a baby. When I awaken the following morning I feel so refreshed and ready for the amazing challenge ahead. I can't wait. I walk to work with a spring in my step that I have never had before. Is this amazing feeling due to Samuel and the job or is it just me? No, it is the job. I am finally being recognized and I am going to seize it with both hands.

The building is quiet as I step through the doors and make my way as normal to the elevators and I can't help, but smile as I ride the elevator up to my floor. The doors open with a ping and Samuel is there waiting for me, looking like sin just as normal. He wears a dark grey suit that fits his manly curves to perfection, with a crisp white shirt and black tie and there I stand with my tatty coat and badly-shaped trousers that leave nothing to the imagination. I force myself to remember that Samuel sees something in me that made him choose me for this position, and it has nothing to do with the way I look. It couldn't anyway I think, as I look at Samuel and then down at myself. I take in a deep breath as I step out of the elevator.

"All ready, boss." He looks at me with a smile.

"Come on, Miss Grace." He turns around and I have to force myself not to watch his bottom and hips sway with his movements as he leads me to his office. He opens the door and allows me to walk through first as he holds it open for me. I can smell his musky smell that drives me mad as I step past him and I am faced with Samuel's desk, as well as a second directly opposite. Samuel gestures to the chair at the second desk.

"Take a seat; we have a lot to do." I do as I am told and Samuel moves one of his chairs so that he is seated close to me.

"As you know, we have this building that we use ourselves and hire out to other firms. We have the main hotel in the heart of the city and there is a smaller one just on the outskirts. Both hotels are doing very well and with that being said, there should be more investments being made into the company."

"But there aren't" I say and am greeted with a nod of the head.

"We need to work through all doc.u.ments and find out how much the company has earned in all sectors in the last few years and find out what's happening to the company's money and why it's not being invested and making more." He stops for a moment to gauge my mood at the little bomb he has just dropped into my world. I digest it as best as I can. I have the small realization that he wasn't joking when he said about spending so much time together.

"I got here quite early and started doing some printing before anyone else got here, Grace. I don't want anyone else knowing about this."

"Of course," is all I can manage to say?

"Thank-you. The printing should almost be done so I will go and collect them and you can go down to the coffee shop downstairs and get me a strong coffee and whatever you'd like." As if he has completely forgotten he reaches into his suit pocket and pulls something out. He hands me a gold card which I can't help, but look at and then look back at him with confusion. Why is he handing it to me?

"Your company credit card. Anything for the business, drinks, food, clothes etc., you put on that, OK?"

"W....what?"

"You heard me, Grace; now go get my coffee so we can get to work." I leave Samuel's office in a daze and make my way back to the elevator. I step in and as it makes its way back to the ground floor I look at the card and can't help, but think this is utter madness. I am being paid a yearly rate that few dream of and he then hands me a b.l.o.o.d.y company card. It's too much, I can't even think clearly as I make my way through the ground floor to the coffee house. I place our orders and am surprised when the card actually goes through without a problem. I am half-expecting it to bleep and shout thief as the a.s.sistant swipes it through their machine, but it doesn't. Go figure. When I get back to the office I am all ready to hand the card back, but once the drinks are down Samuel takes one look at it in my hand and then at my face and says with as much force as he can muster "Don't even think about it, it's yours and you will use it. That's the end of it." Just like that, he reaches over to the many piles of papers on his desk and puts a pile onto mine.

"We both need to work out how much was made and what went out over the last few years. You have 2011 and I have 2010." And with that said we both put our heads down and work.

And that is how the two of us spend the remainder of the week and well into the weekend.

We go through years of doc.u.mentation, adding up the numbers to see how much was earned in comparison with the company outgoings, and things aren't adding up. I can sense that as time goes by, with as little sleep as the two of us are having, Samuel is getting more stressed by the minute. We work all day and well into the night, Samuel orders food to come up to us and as one continues to work well into the early hours of the morning the other sleeps on the large sofa that resides in the corner of the room. A few hours go by and we switch places.

I can hear the partygoers go by our building drunk and happy as car horns beep the strangers outside on this Sat.u.r.day/early Sunday morning. Samuel is asleep on the sofa and I can't help, but notice how peaceful and angelic he looks. Even in sleep the man is something to look at and goggle over, but I don't have time to think about that. I am looking back over the paper doc.u.mentation and on the screen in front of me, when I realize what could have been happening. I let Samuel sleep longer than I meant to as I go back over the figures that are in front of me, and just as the sun is starting to make its journey into the sky I step toward Samuel to wake him.

"Samuel." I whisper, as I gently shake his shoulder.

"Samuel."

"Samuel."

I watch and I slowly see his eyes open and I am greeted by the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. It's as if stars shine from within the depths of the deep grey and I am mesmerized by the sparkle that hypnotizes me.

"W...What time is it?" He asks while he rubs his eyes.

"Just before six." And before I can say anything else I watch as Samuel jumps from his place on the sofa like he has been possessed "Why didn't you wake me? We still have so much s.h.i.t to get through"

"I think I've found out what's been going on. Have a look at this," I say as I make my way back to the doc.u.ments and computer on his desk. I point at the relevant figures.

"I've been going back over these numbers. What they have been doing is transferring money to this account which takes out wages and then doing the same here. When you look at it, it looks fine, but when you take a closer look you can see that the figures don't match." I point towards the computer screen.

"Now look at this." Samuel leans forward and I can tell when he sees what I have been staring at for the last few hours.

"Can we take a closer look into this account?" He asks, as he looks back at me with so much hope.

"Already done it." I press a couple of b.u.t.tons and we both watch as the screen comes alive with an array of different figures and I jump with shock.

"The f.u.c.kers."

We spend the next few hours going through all the evidence and printing it all off so we have as much evidence as we need. I hear Samuel talk on his mobile as he informs his father and uncle of what we have found out and as I arrange the many printed doc.u.ments into folders I look up to watch him cancel the call to only start another so he can ask his family's lawyer to fly over from the States. Just as I finish off the folders I can hear Samuel end his call and then he steps towards me and takes hold of my hands.

"Thank-you. I knew you would figure it out." I can't do anything, but watch as he leans in and places a kiss on my lips and as he does I can feel my legs grow weak. He seems to be unaffected by my response and I try to steady myself as I slowly pull away from him. I brush away the loose strands of hair and don't look at him as I try to right myself. I look up at Samuel as he moves away from me and stands by his desk looking out the window. I feel confused as I watch his back and the way the rays of light highlight certain features of his face. Why he has to affect me the way he does is beyond me, he sees nothing in me, wouldn't really in his right mind, but still I allow myself to go all giddy when he gets too close or shows even the smallest amount of affection. I'm so stupid, why do I do it to myself? I keep saying I am a professional and, dammit, I should really start working as such. I begin to finish off the folders just as I hear Samuel cough and as I look up towards him I see him turn around. Both his hands are in his pockets and he looks relieved as he watches me.

"Are you nearly done?"

"Pardon?" I say, trying to control the shakes that attempt to corrupt my voice.

"We've both worked so hard over the last few days, now we have what we need I thought we could go out for lunch before going back to the hotel."

"Haaaaa." He begins to laugh at me as he steps forward, getting a little too close for comfort now I have managed to regain control of my thoughts again.

"Lunch. Where would you like to go?"

"Ummm, I'm not really dressed for lunch, Samuel." I can't go out with him. If I do, it would be like we were on a date and I don't do things like that. That would be like letting someone get too close to me and I can't do that, not again.

"I can see your brain working overtime, Grace." He steps even closer until he is mere inches from me and I can see the shine from his shoes as I continue to look down. If I just keep looking down I won't get lost in those eyes and I won't give in to Samuel's way. I feel fingers at my chin as they slowly force my head up and then those eyes are staring into my own just as my legs wobble from underneath me. He places both hands on my arms to steady me.

"You've not eaten and neither have I. We're going to eat and then we can go back to the hotel where we're both going to bed." I suddenly stop at his words as I look up at him with what I can only a.s.sume looks like horror.

"Separate, Grace, but it's nice to know where your thoughts go" And he gives me a wink as he looks down at me before taking a hold of my hand and pulling me towards the elevator. We step into the metal cage and I force my hand out of his hold as my heart races against another cage, holding me into something I don't think I want to do. I reach to my band and start to play with it as I feel Samuel watch me.

"Samuel, I'm really not in a position for lunch. I must smell and look awful."

"Grace, you could never look awful." I begin to shake my head as his words melt into my brain and I can't believe he would say it, not about me.

"If you would feel better we will go back to the hotel and order food in." I release a deep breath that would be so much better; I'll feel happier doing that.

"Thank-you." He takes hold of my hand again and once the elevator comes to a stop Samuel marches me past the security desk.

"Mr. Samuel, do you need a car, sir?" I hear the guard shout at us.

"No, thank-you, David we'll be walking." He marches me through the doors and the cold air hits me as soon as we step foot outside the building. We walk past Parliament and the London Eye and as we round a corner I b.u.mp into Samuel when he just stops dead in front of me.

"Now we're talking."

"What's the matter?" I say as I watch where his eyes are focused and it's then that I see the McDonalds right in front of us.

"You said we were going back to the hotel."

"Changed my mind. Come on, sweet cheeks." And Samuel pulls me down the road and to the McDonalds. As with the last time I was out with him, he opens the door for me and he leads me over to the back of the restaurant where it is pretty secluded.