A Matter of Trust: London Calling Book One Read Online Free

seen Bennett pressing his own hand to his chest too, before leaning back in his chair with a bitter smile.

CHAPTER THREE

    A FTER SEVERAL WEEKS , Devon began to relax. Aidan had a way about him that made her feel like a peer rather than a subordinate. In fact, he cleared up any misconceptions regarding her status early on.
    “Devon, I’m the Chief Financial Economist and one of Bennett’s senior directors here. As your supervising manager, I’ll assign projects and oversee your work. But this isn’t an old-fashioned hierarchy. You’ll be part of a team that operates as equals. We’re all excited to have you come on board.”
    She gifted him with a broad smile, which seemingly robbed him of speech. While aware of her beauty, she was largely oblivious to its impact.  
    “That’s so nice of you to say. And such a wonderful way to lead. I’m very happy to be here.”
    He stared back at her, blankly. Her smile slipped, replaced by puzzlement. Finally, he shook his head, squared his shoulders.  
    “Right. Let’s get you started.”
    That had been the beginning. Aidan was everything he promised to be, assigning projects that met her expertise then stretched her knowledge. She was autonomous, which signaled trust. She couldn’t have asked for more.
    Meanwhile, Bennett Sterling became a ghost. He drifted somewhere near the peripheries of her existence. If she entered a meeting, he’d leave. If she exited, she’d later hear that he came in after. Occasionally, she stepped into the elevator and caught his scent. It was darkly spicy, the woods after a rain. And always, always , she was catapulted back into the navy abyss of his eyes.  
    She caught herself looking for him, straining to hear the deep bass of his voice. Seeking him. If she didn’t know better, she’d think she missed him. Of course, that was ridiculous. She didn’t know him. But all in all, it was stretching her nerves.
    Devon Sinclair was never nervous.
    She nearly shot out of her skin when she looked up one day to find him seated across from her. “You scared the life out of me!” Breathing hard, she placed a hand on her chest and nervously laughed. “What can I do for you?”
    “Well that’s one way to bring some color to your cheeks,” he said blandly. Devon could feel her face getting even hotter as his gaze slipped down, following the line of her neck. Unconsciously, she glanced down, checking to see that her buttons were all done up. She looked up to see his eyes creased with suppressed laughter.
    Was he flirting with her?
    Flustered, she snapped, “Is there something you actually want? Or did you just stop by to scare me, or toy with me?” Horrified, she clapped a hand to her mouth, dropping her eyes. She’d overreacted, caught off guard by seeing him after weeks of absence.  
    “Really, Devon, I had no idea you had such a mouth on you.” Steepling his fingers, he stared while she fidgeted in the uncomfortable silence. She was never unprofessional, no matter how provoked. Until today.  
    Finally, he spoke. Tapping the papers in front of her, he said, “That report you’re working on? Be ready to present it by 8 a.m. tomorrow. My team needs the data to make decisions on an investment I’m considering. They’ll meet with you in the boardroom. Don’t be late.”  
    At that, he rose to walk out of her office, leaving her to consult the watch on her arm to see that it was already late afternoon. Picking up the phone, she dialed Aidan. They were in for a long night.
    ***
    Bennett took the private elevator back to his office suite. It was reserved for his use and that of special clients, those requiring high levels of privacy and security. He rarely used it himself, preferring the same services and facilities as those of his team.  
    But he needed a moment.
    It had been a tense few weeks since Devon came to work for him. He’d avoided her, congratulating and telling himself it was for the best. Then, he realized it was unnecessary.