Thanks to my dear Peter for the inspiration.
This work and all other works by YourLittleAngelle are property of the author and not for publication, whole or in part, anywhere else without the author's express written permission.
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"As a result of our massive screw up by not accepting their generous terms," Ashley Williams continued from the plush leather office chair at the head of the boardroom table. "Williams Bank and Trust lost the Trent-Miller account."
A unified sigh of disappointment escaped every Williams's employee, though none was louder than that which Jack let out. The reason for his exasperated exhalation sat in that chair, clad in a pink and white Karan business suit with her delicate hands carefully folded on the marbled tabletop.
For all her thinly veiled attempts at discretion, Ms. Williams may as well have been pointing one French-manicure tipped finger at the young man slouched unprofessionally in his chair.
"I've been forced to make some adjustments to shore up our loss." Ashley carried on with the efficiency of a well-disciplined general surveying the carnage of their battle worn troupes. There was no doubt she was gifted with the ability to command a room's attention despite her young age and what most of the bank employees thought of as her unrealistic yet endearing optimism. "Our quarterly bonuses will be slightly affected, and we're launching a more aggressive ad campaign. But it's my hope that if we all work hard enough, we can continue to make Williams the bank of choice in our area. Our friendly atmosphere and family of employees are what makes us such an appealing option. We're a competitive and locally owned bank people can trust, and I won't let this latest stumble change that fact."
Almost everyone did their best to look elsewhere, hoping the boss didn't notice their uncomfortable glances. Well almost everyone that is... except Jack, who refused to give the woman the impression of remorse. With great relish, he took a bite of his bagel and allowed his smoldering brown eyes to meet Ashley's ice blue stare. Once again, the attractive blonde attempted to make him squirm like a worm on the piercing hook of her well-made point. And though the unpleasant feeling gnawed at his insides, today he refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing his discomfort.
"Well I think we're through for now, ladies and gentleman. Let's get back to work and make this a really productive morning." Ashley got to her feet, sweeping charts and notes into a leather binder with one brisk brush of her delicate fingertips. "Oh Mr. Dayton? May I have a word with you before you go?"
Jack held her gaze as he acknowledged the request with a slight nod. Standing to his full height, which was considerable, he approached the petite blonde with his usual casual stride.
"Yes, Ms. Williams? What can I do for you?"
"Have a seat, Jack." Ashley's eyes belied her perfunctory smile. "We've got some issues to discuss."
Jack straightened his tie and brushed his dark hair away from his face, easing into the chair to Ashley's left in the hopes that being so close might give her pause and calm the storm lurking beneath her porcelain surface. Maybe even be a bit intimidating, which is what the young woman had coming, boss or not.
"Close the doors please." Ashley instructed, her attention now focused on a stack of papers on the table before her. Jack leaned toward the heavy oak conference room doors to try and close them without leaving his chair. Ashley frowned. "Get up out of that chair and close the doors properly, Mr. Dayton."
Surprised at Ashley's sudden clipped tone, Jack got up, carefully closing the heavy doors to the large room with its ambient lighting and costly furniture. He returned to his seat, watching as she reclined in hers, crossing her shapely legs in their sheer stockings.
"You do understand that your attitude and behavior are the main factors behind the loss of the Trent-Miller account?" Jack rolled his eyes.
"Ms. Williams, you can't blame that entire mess of a situation on me. I was willing to offer attractive incentives. Their financier was less than cooperative and asked for a ridiculous annual interest rate and impossible terms."
"When an account as important as that one asks for ridiculous terms, Jack, you give them what they want. I could let you go right now and be perfectly justified in doing so. It would be quite nice to see that infuriating smirk of yours wiped away for once."
Taken aback, Jack's eyes widened, but he stood his ground.
"If you want me to screw the bank out of thousands of dollars to please one client, then we can kiss our bonuses and perks good-bye. I know that's irrelevant to you being the ridiculously wealthy founder's daughter and all, but for the working stiffs like myself, that's a very big deal."
"Of course it's a big deal to me, Mr. Dayton. I'd not be so quick to presume if I were in your position. For the most part, happy employees benefit the business. But there's always that one employee. The one who doesn't understand their place in the team? The one who's smug and arrogant? The one who might need a little reminder of who's in charge in this office."
With a knowing smile, Ashley turned her chair to face Jack, the subtle cloud of her musky perfume invading his senses and the soft press of her pert breasts against her blouse beckoning his eyes.
"When you think of me, Mr. Dayton, what word comes to mind?"