chapter 5

Mr. Reed simply grew to become again to me with a very last smile. And then he grew to become and walked away.

Once he turned into across the nook and out of sight, I glanced again to the stockroom clerk, who turned into nevertheless staring down the hallway as though in shock. "Those compounds are not going to get themselves off the shelves, Teddy."

The negative child simply blinked and glanced again at me, "Oh proper, E-Beth. Sorry."

****

"And so ultimately, what compound 327 offers is the equal ADHD capability of Ritalin, however with out the insomnia aspect effects." I waved my hand on the very last slide. "Any questions?"It took some seconds earlier than the primary fingers had been raised. I usually misplaced my target target market withinside the center segment while speaking approximately numerous chemical substances and the manner they interacted, and I knew it usually took them a 2d to awaken as soon as I were given to the cease results. I, personally, determined the chemical reactions to be honestly fascinating. But my target target market turned into made of the Sales and Marketing teams, individuals who honestly failed to care HOW it labored so long as they knew that it labored.

"What's the uncooked cloth fee in comparison to Ritalin?" turned into the primary question.

"Raw cloth fee is 50% better," I admitted. "But primarily based totally at the manner Ambelose ran at the brand new facility, I suppose we are able to get a comparable gross margin. Honestly, you will need to ask the Production Department on that one."

"What's the felony status?" turned into any other question.

"I do not know yet. But I could suppose it might fall beneathneath Schedule II like Ritalin. I'm drafting the class file to put up to the DEA." Further questions took about twenty minutes. Then we wrapped and several people came up to offer their congratulations. Alfred was the last one, and when it was all over, I tottered in my heels while gathering up my materials. I absolutely couldn`t WAIT to sit down.

But before I could actually head back to my office to collapse, one man hung back and approached me. of course*.

"Advice", he started with a charming smile. "Our" Salesy "type doesn't like the word" feature ". We like "privileges". Customers may be interested in features that you may or may not have. But they are definitely interested in what benefits you can give them.

I smirked and nodded. "I think I'll do better next time."

"Oh, I haven't criticized it," Grant said lightly. "You are a natural moderator."

Yes, that's right. I'm a chemist, not a public speaker. "Thank you" I answered politely. I noticed a pain in my leg, but I was still almost magnetic and kept talking to the handsome guy. "I've been working on it for years."

"Year?" Grant laughed. "You just graduated from college? How many years have you been here?"

I grinned. "Why don't you ask a woman about her age? Tsk, tsk."

Grant giggled and shook his head. "I didn't mean to offend you, wife. Can an old bastard like me praise a young woman with her wonderful presentation?"

"Flatulence" I close my bag I snorted while hanging it on my shoulder. I felt the urge to keep joking with the man, but the angel on my right shoulder reminded me to leave a man like him. Also, I was tired and wanted to sit down. So I shook my head and nodded to Grant and went out.

And of course he went straight with me. I turned left in the hall and he followed me even though the marketing department was on the right.

"Are there any plans?" Grant asked in his voice in the same warm and welcoming tone. He sounded like honey.

"For now, all my plans revolve around going back to the office and taking off my shoes. I feel like I'm standing all day long.

"If I feel better, I was told to do a * excellent * foot massage."

My eyebrows rose. "Now, Grant," I said in a funny, slightly frivolous voice. "I don't think it's the right thing to do at work."

"So maybe I'll give you it * after work *." He gave me a big smile. I smirked. "I am a chemist. I sleep here on weekdays. I did not know?

Grant laughed and shook his head. "Hard-working type. Okay, then maybe Friday. I know you were in Monaghan at least * once * at 5pm on Friday night. "

" It was a coincidence. Stella felt sorry for me that day, so she dragged me out. "Something tells me something. I don't need any help to find a company, Grant."

He gave me another perfect smile. "And what if you were the only company I wanted?"

It stopped me in the hallway. Grant stopped and began to pay me his complete, undivided attention. "Excuse me?" I asked, my voice is a breathtaking whisper.

He immediately raised his hand. "I'm sorry. It's just coming out. But I admit you're intrigued by me, EBeth. You are beautiful and very smart. And I really want the opportunity to get to know you better.

"Would you like to ask me?"

"Do you say" yes "if I do it?" The corridor ran around the whole body, feeling trembling. * No more * I reminded myself. I made a decision that my best friends around the world had already endorsed. Then he apologized and looked back, "Grant, I don't want to offend you. I just got out of a bad relationship and I don't think so.

"Hey, hey ..." He got in the way and reached out for his hand and put his hand on my shoulder. "I don't ask you anything. I want to know you better. And I pointed to the hallway with even more peace of mind and started walking.

I relaxed when he left and at the same time I felt the urge to fill the gap. I liked being around him, without knowing why, and I hurriedly chased him. And in relatively silence, Grant took me back to my office all the time.

In a cube just outside my door, Stella raised her head and opened her eyes as she saw Grant walking beside me. I gave her a stern look, and she soon disappeared.

Then Grant stayed in my office at my door while I came in and sank in a chair with peace of mind. I immediately put my foot back on my heel and wiggle to start the circulation.

Grant nodded at my feet. "Remember that foot massage offer," he said with a charming smile. "Seriously, when I'm done with you, I * promise * you're on your toes." This little spark went through my kidneys again, sending me a tingling sensation between my legs. I feel my skin turn red. And I glanced over to see the handsome man's strong jaws and blue-black eyes looking at me with intense fascination. Grant's voice dripped with allusion and the thought of flying away, walking through the air after he was "done with me" made my heart feel like it would explode in my chest.

And then before I could say anything, Grant gave me that perfect smile, saying plainly, “Friday after work. by Monahan. Not presure. Just a few drinks with a colleague, okay? "

Blinking, I was surprised to see my head nod, giving my silent assent.

Grant sneered even more, his eyes twinkling." And then he turned and walked away.

With a sigh, I sink deeper into the chair as he disappears. I closed my eyes and silently cursed myself for not eliminating Grant completely. I've made a decision and I know I have to stick to it. I was smarter than that. I had a Geniuslevel I.Q. I had all the best test scores. But around a hot guy, my brain turns jello. Why?

I like hot guys flirting with me. I really, really like it. I mean, out of all the girls in this company, a handsome guy like Grant could choose, he would choose me. It's really flattering. It means he saw me as a trap. It means he finds me attractive and desirable.

I sighed. That's why I always end up with bad boys? Not because I think they're good for me, but because they make ME more attractive just by being with them? That they make me feel like I'm not that simple Jane?

A girl giggled from the door opening my eyes. And it was Stella, leaning against the door, arms crossed over her chest and a smirk on her lips. "So did he ask you out?"

"Stella ..."

"Really?"

"Wow..."

"Oh!" The cheerful blonde quickly turned around and closed the door to my study, shutting the world off. And as she slid into the wing chair across from my desk, she excitedly asked, "Give me all the details!"

****

"By the bar. Second stool. It says"

"I know what Grant looks like," I hissed under my breath. I tried to control my breath and forced a smile when I realized that Grant had seen us too and was toasting while giving me that perfect smile. He was alone, with no other Argen colleagues around him. He was waiting for me.

"You're with me, aren't you?" I asked out of the corner of my mouth.

"Absolutely," Stella replied warmly, just before nudging me in the back and immediately turning the other way. “Hi Audrey! Hi Paula! And then my dog, who betrayed a friend deliberately walked away from me.

The nudge threw me forward and toward the bar. I glanced to the right and tried to scream, 'STELLA!' I kept my composure… barely… then I turned around and went where it was obvious Grant was waiting for me.

"Can I buy you a drink?" He greeted warmly.

"Oh, is that how the game is played?" I raised my eyebrows and asked. "I prostitute a few minutes of my time in exchange for a six dollar cocktail?"

"Oh, she doth wound me!" Grant mimed as if I'd stabbed him through the heart, a comical expression on his face. And then as he sat up straight, he gave me an honest look and asked, "Are you really so jaded?"

I sighed, thinking of how all the bad boys I'd known had hurt me over the years. "Maybe," I moaned morosely.

"Ahhh..." Grant sighed. "Beautiful, intelligent, AND vulnerable. Now you've got me *really* intrigued."

That got me to crack a smile and sit at the bar. One look at my cleavage and the male bartender was right in front of me. "Tanq & Tonic," I told him. The guy glanced at Grant, who nodded, and then he was off to mix my drink.

 By the time the goblet arrived, Grant and I exchanged some flirty words. I have to admit I'm still a bit defensive, and when he finds a clever way to miss another compliment about my looks, I raise my eyebrows and scowl: "That kind of comment usually makes you have a crush on a girl". Her panties? "

His eyes narrowed and I immediately felt bad for my reaction. As patient as Grant was, he didn't deserve my contempt. I sighed and apologized," I apologize. I don't want to meet like a bitch. I'm "

" Don't worry about it, "he soothed her, leaning forward." I understand. You're about to have a bad breakup with an insensitive boyfriend. Then, girls have the right to be extra careful.”

My eyebrows shot up and I looked down at where he put his hand on my knee

He took the cue and withdrew his hand. "Sorry. I didn't mean that."

"You just talked about 'caution' ..."

"Very good." He leaned against the bar and rested his elbow on it, taking a sip of his beer. "Like I said, I'm not here to pressure you or anything. I just want to get to know you better."

I shook my head. “But in the end what? I thought I wouldn't date people like you anymore. "

" Guys like me? "He asked curiously.

I sighed and gave a faint smile." Handsome. Charming. Sensual. ”

He couldn't help but smile, with sparkling eyes. ""Sexy" ?

"Shut up. You know you're hot." I exhaled again and frowned. "People like you, always end up hurting me."

Slowly, deliberately, and with an intention clear enough that I could see him getting to the bottom, he put his hand on my back and gave me a gentle rub. "Not all guys are the same. Will you at least give me a chance to prove it to you?"

I embossed.

"Now, are you really going to resent me for *my looks*? If I were short, fat, and bald, would that make you happier? Can you tell me you *then*?" "