Doukakis's Apprentice Page 15

  Nothing happened.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  ‘THE budget is how much?’ Debbie plopped down on the chair and fanned herself with her hand. ‘That’s incredible. You’re a genius.’

  ‘Gérard liked my ideas.’

  ‘And Demon Damon can’t fail to be impressed. I hope he comes crawling back with an apology.’

  Careful not to look up, Polly scrolled through her ‘to do’ list. ‘He isn’t really Demon Damon. He’s pretty decent, really. He just cares about his sister.’ When Debbie didn’t respond, Polly lifted her head. ‘What?’

  ‘Sorry, but isn’t this rather an abrupt turnaround? Just two weeks ago he was the Big Bad Wolf poised to eat everyone in one gulp.’

  Polly felt the fire burn in her cheeks and quickly turned back to her desk. ‘He’s guaranteed everyone’s jobs. That wins my vote.’

  ‘Mmm … So are you ever going to tell me what really happened in Paris? It’s been two weeks and you’ve said virtually nothing.’

  ‘I told you it was a very successful business meeting.’

  ‘Obviously. But I wasn’t talking about the meeting.’

  ‘The Eiffel Tower looked pretty at night.’

  ‘All right—let’s stop messing around here and get straight to the point.’ Debbie folded her arms and strolled round the desk so that she could see Polly’s face. ‘Did he kiss you?’

  Polly felt the breath catch in her lungs. For two weeks she’d been trying not to think about Paris. And she’d tried especially hard not to think about the way Damon kissed. ‘Will you leave it alone? What is the matter with you?’

  ‘Oh, my God, he did kiss you.’

  ‘Did you feed Romeo and Juliet while I was away?’

  ‘You think I’ve put them on a diet?’

  ‘Polly, I’ve just managed to agree a fantastic rate for those primetime ad slots.’ Kim came scurrying across the office, the baby tucked against her shoulder and her BlackBerry in her other hand. ‘I’ve sent you an e-mail.’

  Relieved to be rescued from Debbie, Polly stretched out her arms and took the baby for a cuddle. ‘I gather your child minder has let you down again? I can’t believe how much he’s grown in just two weeks.’

  ‘Sorry I had to bring him in. I would have worked from home but I have to finish those magazine tie-ins for the Run, Breathe, Live campaign. Sam doesn’t mind.’

  Polly kissed Sam’s downy head. ‘Maybe not, but I have a feeling that the boss might. We have to introduce him to these things gradually or he’ll have a heart attack. The plants and the fish almost finished him off. If he sees that you’ve brought Sam to work I think it might test his new found patience.’

  ‘He isn’t going to see. Damon flew to New York two weeks ago and hasn’t been seen since.’

  New York?

  Falling on that crumb of news like a starving bird, Polly wanted to ask how Kim knew but she could see Debbie’s foot tapping impatiently as she waited to be able to continue her interrogation. It would be asking for trouble to show too much interest in Damon’s whereabouts.

  She wished she’d known he wasn’t even in the country.

  Apparently she hadn’t needed to spend the past two weeks watching the door in case he walked in.

  ‘Maybe he was in New York,’ Debbie murmured, ‘but he’s not now. He just walked through the door. And you are holding a baby.’

  Polly’s heart pounded against her chest and she knew she was blushing. ‘OK, this is not good. Why did he have to pick this particular moment to check on us? Kim, take Sam into one of the meeting rooms quickly. When Damon has gone, we’ll come and get you. Move.’ She gave the baby back to Kim and went to head Damon off.

  Underneath the panic, she felt absurdly excited at the prospect of seeing him and that feeling horrified her. She was like a puppy, wagging its tail. As she walked up to him all she wanted to do was fling her arms round his neck. ‘Hi there. Good trip? Did you hear back from Gérard? He called me this morning. Great news.’ She tried to urge him back towards the door and away from Kim and the baby, but he stood fast, clearly happy to conduct the conversation in the middle of the office.

  ‘He rang me five minutes ago. Congratulations. I gather he accepted your—how did you describe it?—“shockingly massive” budget’. And he wants to talk to us about pitching for more of their brands. Congratulations. You just landed the biggest marketing fish in the pond. The only stipulation is that he wants you to lead the team.’ His eyes were dark. Unfathomable. ‘With that in mind I thought it was time to discuss your position in the company. I don’t think we can have an executive assistant advising a vice president.’

  ‘You’d better make me president, then. Then I can boss you around.’ Not for anything was she going to reveal how pleased she was to see him again. She was about to ask him more about his call with Gérard when a faint cry came from the other side of the office. Polly froze in horror. ‘So what position were you thinking of?’ She raised her voice. ‘Whatever you think is fine by me.’

  Damon flinched. ‘Why are you shouting?’

  ‘Because I’m really, really excited. I’m excited that Gérard went with the bigger programme.’ Behind her she could hear the baby’s muffled yells and sweat broke out on the back of her neck. ‘Could we discuss it in your office? I really think this conversation is something we should have in private.’

  ‘You want to go somewhere more private?’

  Realising that she was now trapped into the position of having to be alone with him, Polly felt her heart-rate double. But what choice did she have? She didn’t want him finding out that Kim had brought her baby into the office. He’d go into meltdown. ‘Absolutely. There are some things that should be confidential.’ Without giving him a chance to respond, she strode towards the stairs furthest from the crying baby.

  When she realised that he was following her, she sighed with relief.

  As they reached his office, she smiled at his personal assistant. ‘Hi, Janey, your plants are looking lovely.’

  ‘They do cheer the place up. Thanks for the recommendations. Can I bring you coffee, Mr Doukakis?’

  Damon was staring at the plants in disbelief. ‘Where did those come from?’

  ‘I ordered them and they just arrived.’ Janey smiled calmly. ‘I admired the ones on Polly’s floor and she advised me on which to buy. The plants need to be quite tolerant.’

  ‘I know the feeling,’ Damon breathed, and Polly grinned and nudged him towards the office.

  ‘A few little plants aren’t going to destroy your mega-efficient office atmosphere. Relax.’

  ‘Polly, that plant was at least six foot. Not by anyone’s standards could it be described as “little”.’

  ‘They create a very healthy working environment.’

  ‘Next you will be asking me to provide fish as standard office equipment.’

  ‘No, I don’t think so.’ Polly wondered whether he was finding the conversation as hard as she was. They were talking about plants and fish but what she really wanted to say was Why are you back? and Did you miss me? ‘Fish are very different. They need very specific care. They wouldn’t be any good for people who aren’t interested.’

  ‘I was being ironic.’

  ‘I know, but you take yourself far too seriously so I thought I’d play along. The plants aren’t going to hurt you, Damon. They’re not flesh-eating ones. Now, about this promotion—’ Trying not to look at the width of his shoulders or the sexy curve of his mouth, she flopped down in the chair next to his desk. ‘I hope I’m going to get a huge glass office and lots of fawning secretaries?’

  ‘You’d be miserable in an office. You have to be surrounded by people and noise to function.’

  The fact that he was starting to understand her so well was more than a little unsettling. ‘OK, so no office and no fawning secretaries. You wanted to talk about my job?’

  ‘I’ve been thinking about how best to use your skills. You seem to have been doing everything single-h
anded. You’re undoubtedly creative, but you’re also an organiser so I don’t want to limit you.’ He sprawled in the chair on the other side of his desk, watching her through those eyes that could make a woman’s pulse rate accelerate like a racehorse at the finish line.

  Remembering how he’d looked when he’d made love to her, Polly shifted in her chair and tried to concentrate. ‘Whatever you think is fine by me. I’m really not that into titles and that sort of thing. I’m happy just doing the job.’ She wished he’d stop looking at her as if he were contemplating pouncing from across the table.

  Now that she was in front of him she couldn’t stop thinking about sex, and she had a feeling he was having the same problem.

  ‘You need to be client-facing, because you clearly have a gift for communication. So I propose to make you an account director, with full responsibility for the High Kick Hosiery account. Any creative work can be farmed out to my in-house team, but you can join them whenever they’re brainstorming for new brands. And it’s time you earned a decent salary.’ He named a figure that made Polly feel faint.

  ‘Gosh. That’s a lot.’

  ‘It’s slightly above market rate,’ he drawled. ‘I never lose anyone for money.’

  ‘Right. Well, that’s great. But you’re not going to lose me.’ The moment he said the words she realised how they could be interpreted. ‘At work, I mean. Obviously.’

  A frown touched his dark brows, as if she’d said something that hadn’t occurred to him before. ‘I also wanted you to take a look at this.’ He pushed a file across his desk. ‘I thought you might be interested.’

  Puzzled, Polly opened the file cautiously. Inside were materials on an MBA course. For a moment she couldn’t breathe. Her hands shaking, she flicked through the pages. ‘I—I sent off for this—’

  ‘Every year for the past four years. I know. They told me when I requested the information.’

  ‘Y-you spoke to them?’

  ‘I wanted to be sure they’d take you if you wanted to go.’

  ‘You’re asking if I want to do an MBA?’ Delight mingled with consternation. ‘You don’t want me to work for you any more?’

  ‘I just said I don’t want to lose you. You’d be doing both—working and studying. This way you still work for me and take time off when you need it.’

  There was a loud buzzing in her ears. ‘You’re saying I could study and carry on at DMG?’

  ‘It would be hard work. You might want to refuse.’

  ‘Why? Because I’m generally lazy?’ She kept it light to try and stifle the lump in her throat that had come from nowhere. He knew how badly she wanted a formal business qualification. He’d taken the time to research courses for her. ‘I don’t have a first degree.’

  ‘They’d take into account your experience working in the business. You might have to take a couple of exams in order to qualify.’

  It felt too good to be true. ‘I wouldn’t be able to afford it.’

  ‘The company would pay. We’d be the beneficiaries of all that expertise.’

  The lump in her throat grew. ‘Why? Why would you do this for me?’

  ‘If you’re going to be working here long term and embarking on a proper career path with DMG then it’s right that you should have a career plan.’

  Polly didn’t know whether to laugh or sob. ‘I always thought you were a traditional Greek male. A woman’s place is barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen and all that.’

  ‘I am traditional. I have no problem with a woman being pregnant and barefoot in the kitchen if that’s where she wants to be. But I’m also an astute businessman. I employ the best person for the job. I want you in my company. I’m happy to have you as you are, but you’ve always wanted to do this and I believe that if there’s something you really want to do you should do it.’

  Afraid she really was going to cry, Polly stood up quickly, clutching the file like a lifebelt. ‘If it’s OK with you I’m going to take this away and read it.’

  ‘Sit down. I haven’t finished.’

  Polly sat, still overwhelmed by what he was offering.

  He was silent for a moment, his long fingers tapping a rhythm on his desk as he watched her. ‘You and I are going out tonight.’

  ‘Oh?’ She tried to concentrate and behave professionally. ‘We have a business dinner?’

  ‘Not business. A date. You can leave your notebook behind.’

  Date? Suddenly Polly forgot the file in her hand. ‘You—you’re asking me out?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Her heart pounded. ‘I work for you.’

  ‘I don’t care,’ he said testily. ‘For once I’m going to do what I want to do just because I want to do it.’

  ‘Oh.’ If she’d thought she was happy before it was nothing to how she felt now, as her eyes met his. ‘So—not for business or anything? Just for the hell of it?’

  He gave a wry smile. ‘Just for the sheer hell of it. You’re always telling me I take myself too seriously.’

  ‘Well—wow.’

  ‘Does “wow” mean yes?’

  She was grinning like an idiot, ridiculously pleased. ‘Yes. Where are we going?’

  ‘Somewhere special.’

  ‘Ah, so no flamingo-pink tights.’

  ‘You’ll be dancing. I’ll pick you up at ten.’

  ‘Dancing?’ Polly stood up again and this time she virtually floated towards the door, her mind already occupied by what she was going to wear.

  ‘Oh and Polly—’ his deep sexy drawl stopped her as she reached the door ‘—about the baby you’re hiding in the office—’

  Polly froze. ‘Baby?’ Her voice was a squeak. ‘Er—what baby?’

  ‘I don’t want to give Health and Safety a heart attack so you can tell Kim we’re looking into providing crèche facilities so that she can give the boot to that unreliable child-minder of hers.’

  Polly clutched the door. ‘How do you know about Kim’s problem with the baby?’

  ‘He was in your offices the day I came in and fired the board.’

  ‘You knew the baby was in the office? And you didn’t say anything?’

  ‘There’s a limit to how much disaster a man can absorb in one session. I’m told Kim is excellent at what she does so I’m going to use her in my media department. She needs good childcare.’

  Polly gaped at him. ‘Are you feeling all right?’

  ‘Never better. Why?’

  ‘Because you’re being worryingly reasonable. A couple of weeks ago you would have fired the lot of us for bringing a baby into the office.’

  ‘Kim is extremely productive and that to fire her would jeopardise the accounts you’ve won. On top of that, I know when I’m beaten.’

  But he didn’t look beaten. He looked sleek and in control. Far more in control than she was. She was fast discovering that it was possible to feel terrified, elated and panicky all at the same time.

  ‘That’s—great. Thanks. We have quite a few mothers on the team and childcare is always a nightmare.’

  ‘So I understand. I’ll fix it. And while we’re at it you can stop giving Mr Foster lessons in spreadsheets. He’s going on a proper training course starting tomorrow. Now, go. And don’t buy my PA any more plants. The place is turning into a bloody jungle.’

  ‘It’s hard getting ready for an evening when you don’t know where you’re going.’ Polly kept her coat tucked round her as she slid into the back seat of his chauffeur-driven car. ‘What if I’m wearing the wrong thing?’ She was hyper-aware of him—of his arm stretched across the back of the seat and the proximity of his thigh to hers.

  He eyed her coat with one eyebrow raised. ‘Take your coat off and I’ll tell you.’

  ‘I’m wearing the coat so that you can’t tell me I’m wearing the wrong thing. You have a habit of freaking out over my clothes choice so I decided it was safer not to show you until we arrive. I don’t want you to dent my confidence.’

  ‘Fine, but promise me you are wearing so
mething under the coat.’

  ‘Sort of.’

  With a groan and a sexy smile, he leaned his head back against the seat. ‘I have a feeling I should have made you dinner in the apartment instead of taking you out in public.’ He hesitated a moment and then closed his hand over hers, his fingers warm and strong.

  Suddenly her insides felt jittery. She wanted to ask what tonight was all about.

  Her impression was that he was as rubbish at relationships as she was.

  For two weeks she’d heard nothing from him. And she’d told herself that was a good thing.

  ‘I’m sorry that lead on my father and Arianna being in Paris turned out to be useless. She really is so lucky to have you.’ Polly curled her fingers around his. ‘That day at school—I really envied her.’

  ‘For having a brother who came and yelled at her?’

  ‘For having a brother who cared enough to come down to the school and tell her off.’

  ‘I had no idea she was being bullied. I didn’t ask the right questions. You have no idea how much I regret that now.’

  ‘You were always there for her. That was the most important thing.’ Feeling disloyal to her father, she gave a quick smile and pulled her hand out of his. ‘So, where are we going tonight?’

  ‘It’s the opening of a nightclub. Invited guests only.’

  As they drew up outside, Polly looked out of the window. ‘The Firebird? Oh—I read about this place. It’s seriously cool. It has a glass dance floor, or something, and the interior looks as though there are flames going up the walls. There’s a waiting list of celebrities who want to hire it. And you’re invited?’

  He gave her a strange look. ‘Yes.’

  ‘That’s impressive. I read it’s almost impossible to get on the guest list. We really wanted to pitch for their advertising just so that we could sneak in and have a look.’ Smiling, Polly gave a shiver of excitement and leaned forward in her seat as she saw the crowd gathered. ‘I can’t wait to tell the others. They’re going to be so jealous. I had no idea you were a nightclub sort of person. I’m discovering all sorts of things about you. Are those photographers?’ She shrank slightly. ‘Last time I went near a photographer I knocked myself unconscious on his stupid camera.’