“Not.” She didn’t even have to think twice. He’d asked her out for what seemed like a hundred times and her answer was always the same. “I don’t date co-workers.”
“Well, it’s not really a date,” he said, pleading his case as he always did. “I’m hosting a reception there, to celebrate the acquisition of a brand new client. A major one.” He turned his eyes to Claire as if for support. “Make her understand this is a business event and not a date.”
“Oh, no, you don’t,” Claire said with a chuckle. “Leave me out of this.” She dropped her eyes to her plate and tucked into her meal, effectively dismissing him.
With no help coming from that end, Jason had no choice but to turn back to the object of his interest. “Dana-”
“No,” she said, her voice cold. “And don’t ask me again.” So she was being a bitch, but anybody who knew the whole story would totally understand. Jason had been pursuing her since he’d joined the firm seven months earlier and he just would not let up. Within a few weeks of meeting her he’d asked her out maybe five times and she’d finally given in. It was only a lunch invitation and she was tired of the cafeteria food, anyway.
Big mistake. Once they got back to the office he’d begun gloating all over the place, dropping hints to his work buddies that they were an item. She’d had to nip that rumor in the bud real fast and after that she’d avoided him like the Black Death. But, little by little, as the months passed, he tried to worm his way back into her good graces. Well, it wasn’t going to work.
He fell silent and Dana almost sighed in relief. She knew it was a temporary reprieve because, before the week was out, he’d be asking again. But for now she was grateful she’d deflated him enough where he’d leave her alone, at least for the rest of her meal.
Quickly, she finished her salad then tackled the small bowl of soup. She could feel Jason’s eyes on her even though she was deliberately avoiding looking in his direction. As he ate he made small talk with Claire but that didn’t fool Dana one bit. He wanted to continue the conversation with her but he wasn’t stupid enough to do it in front of Claire who would gladly be her witness if she charged him with harassment.
All done, she placed her spoon on the tray. “See you later, guys,” she said brightly. “Got to get back to work.”
Jason jerked his head up, a look of disappointment flashing across his face. “What’s your rush? St. Stephens isn’t even in today.”
“No matter,” she said with a shrug as she stood up. “I’ve got work to do.”
“I’ll swing by-”
“Don’t bother,” she said, cutting him off.
“Will you just listen?” His voice was sharp, clear evidence of his exasperation. “There’s something I need to discuss with you, about Finson and Sons. That’s the new client I wanted you to meet at the reception.”
Dana tightened her lips but then she sighed. She couldn’t very well keep avoiding Jason. He was part of her work team, after all. No matter how annoying he was, she couldn’t let her personal peeve prevent her from providing him with whatever professional support he needed.
“Okay, you can stop by for a short while,” she said grudgingly. “Come by at two. I’ll see if I can help you then.”
With a quick smile and a nod to Claire she turned and headed to the front of the cafeteria where she deposited her tray on the counter. Then she hurried out of there before Jason thought of an excuse to call out to her.
Back in the executive suite Dana soon forgot all about Jason Blake and absorbed herself in her work. Rock had left more than enough assignments to keep her busy for the rest of the week and it was only Tuesday. He’d come in the day before, met with her for over two hours, trying to get up to speed on all aspects of the business, and then he’d given her a long list of things he needed done. He’d even told her to prepare a profile on each of the thirty-eight employees of Premier Holdings, including herself – from their roles and responsibilities, to their number of years with the company, to their previous employment history. Why he didn’t just speak to the human resources manager, she had no idea. She’d hinted that Sylvia would be able to provide him with the information but it was like talking to a stone. Or, in this case, a Rock. He’d insisted that the briefing should come from her…as if she didn’t have lots of other work to get done.
He’d left again that afternoon, not even showing her the courtesy of telling her when he’d be back in office. He was an ‘in again, out again’ boss and it was beginning to get on her nerves. She’d almost told him that some semblance of a schedule would be appreciated but then she’d held her tongue. She hadn’t started the job search yet so now was not the time to be cheeky.
She was busy typing the profile on Sean Johnson, the financial controller – a real sourpuss and a bore – when there was a knock at the door. She glanced at the clock on the computer screen. Two o’clock on the dot. Well, Jason was nothing if not punctual.
“Come in,” she called out.
At her invitation the door opened and Jason pushed his head around the door. “Ready for me?”
She swiveled round in her chair. “I’m all yours.”
Jason grinned. “I like the sound of that.”
Dana almost scowled but then she caught herself. She’d walked right into that one. She couldn’t blame Jason for taking advantage of her slip.
“Have a seat.” She jerked her head toward the vacant chair and watched as he stepped into the room and began to pull the door shut behind him.
“Leave it open,” she said quickly. “It’s a little bit stuffy in here.” That was what she told him but she had an entirely different reason for giving him that instruction. An open door would discourage Jason from getting too comfortable in the intimate enclosure of the executive office. And with a man like Jason, the less encouragement he got, the better. He shrugged and approached her desk but Dana didn’t miss the way the sparkle in his eyes dimmed at her words. Well, it served him right for yearning for something that wasn’t ever going to happen.