Rush

thud.
    “Get out! Are you kidding?”
    “Are you
insane
? Do you know what would have happened if he had caught you? You would have been fired
     on the spot and God only knows what else he would have gone after you for.”
    “How the hell did you get into his office? I know for a fact he keeps it locked.”
    “I, uhm, picked the lock. I’m pretty good at it,” the newer woman admitted.
    “Girl, you’ve got a death wish. I wouldn’t be doing that shit again if I were you.”
    “Shit guys, we need to get back to work. That report’s due at two, and Gabe is not
     as understanding as Ash is about tardiness. I wish Jace and Ash would hurry up and
     get back from wherever it is they are. They’re much easier to work for than Gabe.”
    There was a flurry of activity and the sounds of scurrying feet, paper being pulled
     from the dispenser and then finally the sounds of retreat. The door squeaked shut
     and Mia let out a long sigh of relief.
    She scrambled off the toilet and hurriedly fixed her skirt. She opened the door to
     the stall and peeked out and then fled to the sink, doing a quick wash. At the door,
     she hesitated, cracked it open just an inch and peered down the hall.
    The coast was clear so she bolted out and hurried back to Gabe’s office.
    Oh, the things you learned at work.
    Gabe would be so pissed if he knew his office had been broken into and his personal
     documents had been read. Not that she was going to be a tattletale on her first day
     of work. She didn’t even know which woman was the guilty party. All the names and
     voices had run together during the introductions.
    Thankfully Gabe had not returned from his meeting, and Mia sank into her chair. She
     opened the folder again and the words swam in front of her eyes. It was a lot of information
     to process.
    She jumped when her phone rang. She eyed it nervously and then hesitantly picked up
     the receiver.
    “Mia Crestwell,” she said by way of answering.
Hello
seemedunprofessional, and she didn’t want to come across as a complete idiot.
    Gabe’s voice filled her ear, warm and sensual. “Mia, I’m running a little late. I’d
     intended for us to have lunch together, but I’m going to be delayed. I’m having Eleanor
     order in lunch for you.”
    “Okay. Thank you,” she murmured.
    “Did she take you around the office?”
    “Yes, she did.”
    “And? Everything go well? Was everyone polite to you?”
    “Oh of course. Everyone was great. I’m back in the office, obviously, since I’m talking
     to you. I’m working on the folder of stuff you gave me this morning.”
    “Just don’t forget to eat,” he said, admonishment in his voice. “I’ll see you after
     lunch.”
    Before she could say
bye
, the line went dead. Ruefully, she replaced the receiver and turned her attention
     back to the folder.
    Thirty minutes later, Eleanor popped her head in the door and Mia waved her in. Eleanor
     carried a takeout bag with her and placed it on Mia’s desk.
    “Mr. Hamilton said you like Thai, and there’s a really good place down the block that
     delivers so I ordered you the special. If you’ll give me an idea of your likes and
     dislikes, I’ll make note so that in the future I make sure and get you something to
     your taste.”
    “Thai is perfect,” Mia said. “Thank you. You didn’t need to do this.”
    Eleanor frowned. “Mr. Hamilton was very specific that I was to order in lunch for
     you and also to make certain you eat. Oh, and if he didn’t tell you already, he has
     a stocked minifridge here in his office with an array of drinks, so help yourself.
     It’s over underneath the cabinet.”
    “Thank you, Eleanor. You’ve been very kind.”
    Eleanor nodded and then turned and disappeared from the office.
    So far Mia wasn’t entirely certain this was working out the way it was supposed to.
     She was Gabe’s personal assistant, which meant she assisted. It didn’t mean that other
     employees were supposed to wait on her hand and foot. She hoped he didn’t give others
     in the department the same kind of directive. If he had, her name would be mud and
     no one would believe they weren’t sleeping together and that she wasn’t here merely
     to provide Gabe sexual services.
    Even if that was indeed her primary job duty.
    Gah. It made her sound like a prostitute. And maybe in essence she was. She was contracted
     for sex. If that didn’t make her a call girl, what did it make her?
    The only consolation she could