Read Online Hypnotic Seduction (The Seduction Series) by Laurie Kellogg, L. L. Kellogg - Free Book Online

keyboard.”
    “And don’t listen to the rumors she’s spread. Renee is an itch with a capital B .”
    Regardless of the woman’s less than noble character, Hannah couldn’t blame Renee for her lack of restraint when it came to Jordan. Hannah had only been working for him a month, and she’d already done her fair share of lusting.
    Wendy Carson, the assistant to the director of Regulatory Affairs, breezed past their table and glared at Hannah.
    “What’s her problem?” Hannah whispered. “Ever since I started here, she’s been giving me nasty looks.”
    “She’s just one of Renee’s friends. She’ll warm up once she gets to know you.”
    “Let’s hope so. I don’t need any enemies.”
    “Oh, you acquired plenty of those when you accepted your job. Every female employee under the age of forty wants to work in JC’s office—Wendy included. She’s just pissed your boss turned down her application. He cited her poor attendance as his reason, but she thinks it had more to do with her being tight with Renee.”
    “So you think Wendy’s holding it against me that I got the position she wanted?”
    “Who knows?” Callie shrugged, taking a sip of her iced tea. “But if she is, welcome to Club Pariah. Ever since Bryce made me coordinator of administrative standards—which is just a fancy name for office watchdog—I’ve been an outcast. The secretaries all hate the quality evaluations I have to do on their work every few months.”
    Which explained why only a few other women ever sat with them.
    The security guard who’d signed Hannah in the first day stopped next to her chair and smiled down at her. “Hello, Miss Oliver. I never had a chance to congratulate you on getting the job.”
    For some reason, every time the guy spoke to her, he gave her the willies.
    “Thanks.”
    “How about I take you to lunch sometime to celebrate?” He flashed his tarter-stained teeth at her. “You name the day.”
    She glanced at Callie who gave a nearly imperceptible shake of her head, suggesting he might be an adult version of one of those nerdy stalker boys from high school.
    “That’s sweet of you,”—Hannah glanced at the nametag on his uniform—“Chuck. But I really need to eat with Callie for the next few weeks. I still have a lot to learn about my new job.”
    His ghostly complexion flushed to a shade just short of his spiked red hair. He crept off toward the cafeteria line, muttering, “Right.”
    Callie grabbed Hannah’s arm, sputtering with laughter. “Smart girl. I guess you figured out Chuck is our corporate creep.”
    Even though the guy’s breath smelled as if a small animal had crawled into his mouth and died, Hannah felt bad about hurting his feelings.
    “So anyway,” she said, returning to the conversation Chuck had interrupted. “If so many employees wanted to work for Jordan, why’d he have so much trouble finding a replacement? Isn’t it the company’s policy to promote from within? Or did Pulaski lie to me about that?”
    “No, it’s the truth. Except most internal applicants didn’t have the experience or administrative skills JC needs.”
    “Some must have had as much as I do.” Which she prayed would be enough.
    “A few. But the only qualified candidates were either close to retirement, married, or they had kids. They weren’t available for the amount of travel or overtime your position requires.”
    “I can understand that. I’ve been late for class so many times in the last month I’ve decided to skip registering for the summer semester.” Fortunately, she only had a week to go until her final exams.” Hannah nibbled on a piece of cheese from her salad. “What about you? Didn’t you want a promotion?”
    “And give up working for Bryce? No way.”
    “Ahhh, so you have a thing for your boss, too.”
    “I wish it were just a thing.” Callie’s eyes rolled. “I’ve been in love with him since I was twelve.”
    “Twelve? I though the company frowned on