Read Online Conflict of Interest (Employee Relations Book 1) by Teresa Michaels - Free Book Online

solid.”
    “Rachael.”
    “Yes,” he says, tossing the ball again. “Take her. She’s a rock star.”
    Feeling slightly better I tick off the last name. “Tony.”
    His head drops back and he barks out a thunderous laugh. “Son-of-a-bitch,” he says, straightening in his chair and points at me. “You tell him ‘thanks, but no thanks.’”
    “Why’s that?” I take a seat on the arms of a chair.
    Cocking his head to the side he eyes me hard. “You talk to Gabby about this yet?”
    “I’d rather get your perspective.”
    Mike smirks. “Let’s call her in now. It kind of ties into our next meeting anyway.”
    “The staff meeting?”
    “Didn’t you see Gabby’s note? Jack wanted to use the first half of this week’s staff meeting for workforce planning.”
    I stare at him blankly. This sounds vaguely familiar despite not having read her note.
    Mike shakes his head. “You’re gonna have to get over your issues with HR, my friend. Jack leans on her pretty heavily. This’ll end up looking bad for you, not her.” He’s right and it pisses me off. “Like I said, she’s good at her job and she’s a good person.”
    Last week over drinks Mike claimed he sensed tension between Gabriella and me, and wanted to know the deal. I couldn’t exactly tell him about my attraction for her, so I went with the next best thing—my distaste for HR. Not the full truth, but also not a lie.
    Gabriella enters Mike’s office moments later. Her good mood radiates to the point of being contagious. That is until she clocks me and her smile immediately drops. I quickly school my own expression, trading the grin that had appeared as if on autopilot just from seeing her, to one of disinterest.
    “Lucas,” she primly utters my name as if it pains her.
    I nod curtly. She narrows her eyes and quickly looks away. I take the opportunity to appreciate the snug pale pink cowl-neck sweater and form fitting black skirt she’s wearing. Both must have been tailored specifically for her body.
    I inwardly groan. Going without sex isn’t working as planned and missing Dara isn’t the issue.
    It’s her .
    On a daily basis Gabriella sashays past my office in her form fitted dresses and skirts, driving me insane. I’m convinced she does it to torment me. Hip hugging and feminine, showing off her trim waist and accentuating the swells of her breasts. No wonder everyone lines up for her advice. If I let my dick set the agenda I’d be doing the same. For fuck’s sake, what’s she have against pants and bulky sweaters?
    “We only have a few minutes, what’s going on?” she asks Mike.
    Mike explains the situation and Gabriella advises me to ask Stan for more information on Tony’s performance. I get the impression Stan’s trying to pass a problem my way and I’m not having it. At the same time, I don’t like the idea of Gabriella dictating how I should manage this. Or keeping information from me. She’s clearly holding back.
    I cross my arms over my chest. “What if I decide to take him anyway?” I challenge.
    She blinks, silently eyeing me for several beats. I can’t help but enjoy knowing that I’m getting under her skin. Does she know she’s been under mine since I laid eyes on her?
    “That’s your decision.”
    My head jerks back in disbelief. “That’s it? It’s that simple?”
    Nothing in life is that simple.
    “It’s your organization, not mine,” she lifts one shoulder. “If you want to go forward despite the recommendation I’ve made, go for it. Just make sure you have all your facts straight before you decide.”
    Her indifferent response has me reeling. Bullshit, I want to scream. In my experience Human Resources is the gatekeeper, equivalent to a workplace cock-blocker, not an impartial council. I watch her, waiting for the punch line or ultimatum. It doesn’t come.
    She returns my stare, raising an eyebrow. Daring me, I think. “And if it backfires I’ll be there—”
    “To say ‘I told you