EXCERPT FROM CONFLICTED​

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A couple days later, my cell phone rang. It was F. F. Sweeney, showing interest in me. I took the first time slot they had open and set the interview for Thursday morning. Bri helped me put together an elegant outfit. We coupled my gray pencil skirt with a black, pleated, sleeveless shirt. She assured me it looked professional enough and I left the house embracing the start of my new path.

 

I could get to my old neighborhood while stumbling drunk with my eyes closed, so I was on autopilot during my commute. The office was impossible to miss. It was the most prominent building in a crumbling community. Parking my car in the back of their lot, I tried to ease my jittery nerves on my way toward the building. After being buzzed inside, I confirmed my appointment with the receptionist. Ten minutes later, she appeared in the lobby and raised a finger for me to proceed with her. We went down a long hallway that ended at a huge office. She opened the door, but left me to announce my arrival.

 

“Mr. Fitzgerald?” I asked tentatively.

 

The man nodded and pointed to the seat in front of him. He didn't seem like he wanted to be giving this interview and didn’t hide it. I scurried from the door to sit down.

 

“Ms. Ryan, I presume,” he said, his deep voice terse, keeping his head down.

 

He was definitely on the agitated side. 

 

“Yes, Mia Ryan. Thank you for your time today.”

 

When he looked up, it stunned me. His eyes ran along my body, causing his expression to change somewhat and the scowl on his face gradually transformed to a timid smile. As if he were trying to piece something together, his brows wrinkled together as he continued to stare at me. I didn't have much brain space to think about what went through his mind. I was too busy attempting to contain my own impure thoughts. My body reacted in ways I'd never experienced on the first encounter with someone, flaming to attention as I soaked him in. Heat rushed to my cheeks while my heart hammered in my chest. I had never felt anything this strong—it was potent.

 

Sweet Baby Jesus! He is beyond gorgeous!

 

Giving God-like and beautiful a whole new definition, his appearance rendered me speechless. His detailed body alone would be enough to reduce artists and photographers to sobs as they prayed to the heavens for such an attractive creature to be amongst them. All of his prior irritation seemed to be gone as he sat up in his chair. Every inch of his body was within my view to devour. Raking his eyes over me again, he brought them into my direct line of sight to linger with an inquisitive stare. Tingling sensations trekked in waves throughout me, making the draw to him more intense.

 

The things his appearance is doing to me right now should be illegal.

 

“We interview the best, and your resume is flawless, so it should be me thanking you for your time today.”

His voice was commanding and my stomach tied into one large knot as I imagined what he sounded like in bed. A fiery burn coursed between my legs and I hastily crossed them.

 

Get it together, Mia!

 

His black hair was amazing. Short, but not too short, it was a messy style, almost like he ran his hands through it a few times without putting in too much effort. The longer hair spiked up in all the right ways. I couldn't stop staring at his face. His cheekbones were prominent with his ears and nose annoyingly perfect upon his sculpted face. He had to be at least six-foot-two, if not taller. His shoulders were broad, but muscular. If I unbuttoned his pressed dress shirt, I was willing to bet a defined six-pack would be staring back at me with the delectable ‘V’ running deeper. It was like an unspoken message to run for the door now because this could only end in trouble. He had my body revved up and I had no doubt he was the kind of guy who could teach a girl a thing or two in the bedroom.

 

Jesus, focus, Mia!

 

Readjusting my eyes from the area leading to his pant line, I focused on his dark brown eyes. They begged you to keep staring at them so he could tell you all of life's secrets. He had one of those faces that made you want to promise every possession you own just to have a chance at kissing his luscious lips. They were full and led to dimples on each side when he smiled. So far, I'd gotten him to do that a few times.

 

This interview has to go fast without any challenging questions because I'm not sure I can even spell my own name right now.

 

Knowing I had to get my thoughts out of the gutter they currently wanted to hang out in, I straightened and set my palms on his desk. It hit me that he paid me a compliment. Perhaps, I should say something in response instead of frothing at the mouth. 

 

“I'm honored for the consideration. It's a great opportunity,” I murmured.

 

He tapped his fingers together. “Your resume indicated you were studying journalism. I can't help but wonder why you would apply for a position with a finance company. It doesn't seem like an industry you'd have interest in if you were serious with your studies.”

 

I gulped. “I took my studies in journalism very seriously. However, I've come to realize in order to succeed it is important to have a wide range of knowledge and expertise. Since I had such a narrow focus, I wanted to expand into other areas.”

 

“Why do you think this position is the best fit for you?” 

 

His eyes burned into me, completely unreadable. My stomach fluttered at the intensity exuding from him. I prayed my heartbeat would slow down a little. It was beating so loud, it sounded like someone was hammering a board right next to us.

 

“I believe it's an opportunity to learn about this industry. It offers possibilities to learn skills that will benefit me in any business.”

 

He cocked his head to the side and his long fingers went to his chiseled chin where they lingered above his mouth. My body temperature rose several more degrees as I watched his fingers trace his lips. It took everything in my power not to let my body stray to his or allow my tongue to replace his fingers.

 

God—focus, Mia!

 

“Why are you interested in working for our company?” 

 

“It's well known throughout the financial industry that this company is the most successful privately-owned finance company this city has ever seen. I strive to perform at my best in everything I do and your company can give me the opportunity to learn from the best.”

 

“I don't need to ask you what your major achievements are to date. It's obvious you climb to the top in all you do. You were the editor-in-chief of one of the most renowned college newspapers in circulation. Your work history confirms you've held a variety of positions that have given you diverse skills. The 4.0 GPA is an excellent attribute. What I can't overlook is the gap from your enrollment last fall to you sitting here. Can you please clarify why you're not finishing your degree?”

 

His question jolted me out of the electric trance his body had me in. “There was a misunderstanding that led to my dismissal from Eckman. The entire experience brings me back to my first answer. It's imperative to have as much knowledge as you can in a variety of areas. It was an unfortunate blemish for me, but I've learned from it,” I replied, not showing any sign of weakness.

 

“What has it taught you?” 

 

“It's led me to believe we can learn just as much by firsthand experience in the workforce than in a lecture hall. I've elected to take time away from academics to test the skills and knowledge I've acquired thus far.”

 

His fingers drummed on the desk. After a short pause, his eyes connected with mine. There was a hint of understanding from him as he stared at me. “I appreciate your honesty. Most people lie to cover up their downfalls. You've chosen to embrace it as well as learn from it. That's impressive. Have you decided against pursuing journalism? What I'd like to confirm is your long term goal here.”

 

“If I'm going to pursue a career as a journalist, there's a lot I need to learn that books can't teach me,” I clarified.

 

“Why move toward the finance industry?” he inquired.

 

The fingers tapping his desk now ran back and forth across his perfect jaw line. He was so unreadable, but definitely intrigued by everything I had to say…which made sense since this was an interview.

 

Really, Mia, has your basic reasoning left the building?

 

“The driving force in our economy is business and, ultimately, the financial industry. The financial crisis is a painfully obvious indicator of that fact. Knowledge in this industry will give me invaluable experience.”

 

His eyes creased together as he asked, “Why switch focuses now?” 

 

“I'm at an age in my life where I should be exploring as many opportunities as possible. If I'm going to become a successful professional, I want to create a resume that will allow me to assimilate myself into any field or occupation. The depth in the financial industry can do just that. If my path leads me back to journalism, I'll have gained a wealth of knowledge through this industry. It will allow me to write about a variety of subjects.”

 

His tongue made an appearance as it licked along his lower lip. My mouth went dry and I inhaled a ragged breath. The burning sensation traveling through me was close to boiling over. I hoped he wrapped this up soon. I couldn't handle being here for much longer without doing something stupid.

 

“Why should we pick you out of the pool of candidates? What makes you exemplary?”

 

I squirmed before focusing my eyes on his with my last shred of seriousness. “I'm a fast learner, which I believe is an asset for any company. I'm a team player who can bring a lot to any project. I know how to multi-task and operate well under deadlines. I don't intimidate easily, so dealing with difficult people and situations isn't hard for me. I'm never satisfied with learning the basics. I like to be challenged. It pushes me to perform at my best.”

 

His face crept into a dimpled grin as he relaxed into his chair. He wasn't holding back a bit as he absorbed every feature of me. It was exhilarating and nauseating at the same time. We stared at each other for a few moments before breaking the heated connection.

 

“Well, I think that about does it. We'll be in touch.”

 

He rose from his chair to walk with me to the door. I collected my purse and remained a step behind him. As I had suspected, he was about six-foot-two with long legs covered in black slacks that showed every amazing detail of his fine ass. Thank God this was over. It was even better that this position was entry-level. The less time I spent around him, the better. I liked having control over my body and as I learned in this brief meeting, maintaining control around him would be problematic.

 

When we reached the door, he paused before turning the handle and his eyes trailed across my body. My breathing sped up at the passion behind them as my brain worked overtime to keep from moving closer to him. He opened the door and leaned against the frame as he extended a hand. I placed my hand into his and almost moaned from the pleasure my body experienced from his touch. The mass of emotions I had been feeling for the last twenty minutes bubbled over. Sparks went throughout my entire body and my heart was ready to leap out of my chest. I barely noticed his breathing faltered as he closed his eyes. Pulling my hand out of his, I cleared my throat, hoping to get a fraction of control over myself. I was close to panting like a dog on a hot summer's day.

 

“Uh, thank you again, sir. I'll wait to hear from your office, Mr. Fitzgerald,” I stammered.

 

He laughed. “Mr. Fitzgerald was my father and sir makes me feel like a fifty-year-old man. I'm Ethan.”

 

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Ethan,” I stuttered.

 

After hearing his laugh, my stomach and everything south clenched, demanding satisfaction for the dull ache that rose to the surface. Every five minutes he was finding a new way to unleash some reaction in me.

 

“The pleasure was mine.”

 

I exited his office as fast as my legs could take me without running. When I was outside, I stopped moving to take in a solid breath. Harsh humidity pressed against my face as I hunched over to gather myself. Once my heart rate slowed and my breathing evened out, I began walking again. Approaching my car, I grabbed my keys from my purse, slipped into the driver's seat, and tossed my purse behind me. My head fell to the steering wheel where I banged it for clarity.

 

I had not experienced anything like that in my entire life. When I was with Micah, it was nothing like what I just went through with Ethan. I didn't know it was possible to feel this in tune to the universe. I had been using men for months in an attempt to feel anything other than the hollowness inside me. Just looking at Ethan, my entire body had come out of hibernation, feeling anything but broken. I had been compartmentalizing every person in my life with precision by refusing to open up or show any real emotion and he unraveled every part of me in a matter of minutes.

 

How is that even possible? What the hell just happened to me in there?

~

I was happy to see Bri's Audi convertible was the only car in the driveway. I made my way up the front steps of the porch and let myself into the house. Bri had sprawled out her sociology books between the couch and end table for what appeared to be a long night. She was in her gray fleece yoga pants and a red off-the-shoulder top with a pencil holding her hair brown back. 

 

Glancing up from her textbook, she said, “Hey, Mia, how did it go?”

 

I dropped my purse at the door on my way into the living room and took a seat across from her. “Ohmigod, Bri! I'm not sure I can even figure out the right words to describe what happened.”

 

She set the book in her hands down. “Do you think you got the job? I think Harrison is pulling some puppet strings behind the scenes and you'll get it anyway. Did you at least present yourself well?” 

 

I flashed a wide smile and Bri raised an eyebrow at my good mood. “I had an interview with by far the most gorgeous man to grace this earth.”

 

“Oh. My. God. Please tell me you haven't fallen to the point where you're moving on from screwing college guys to fifty-year-old businessmen,” Bri chastised.

 

“Hell no! The man who interviewed me couldn't have been more than a few years older than us. He was the hottest guy I've ever seen in my life,” I exclaimed.

 

“You didn't do anything stupid like offer to blow him to get the job, did you?”

 

“Jesus, Bri. I didn't do anything that stupid. As far as the interview, I'm satisfied with how it went—more than satisfied since his appearance practically had me catatonic,” I admitted.

 

She rested her legs up on the coffee table. “What exactly happened to you?”

 

I couldn't prevent the grin that spread across my face. “I've never had a reaction to a man like that. When I saw his face, one part of my body or another went haywire. It only increased throughout the interview. It took great physical strength not to lose control.”

 

Bri perked up at my confession, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “So, you're saying the guy made you horny as hell? Nice, Mia. It's about time you started feeling something for men beyond using them.”

 

I rolled my eyes. “This is way different. I don't know how to describe it. The longer I spent with him, the harder it was for me to control myself. When I shook his hand at the end of the interview, it nearly made me convulse.”

 

Seriousness settled upon her face. “Mia, whatever happened today, you've got to let it go. If you're going to get what you need for Harrison, you can't connect with this guy.”

 

“I know. The universe sure has a wicked sense of humor,” I grumbled.

 

Bri sighed. “This whole thing just got a lot more interesting. When do you find out if the job is yours?

 

“Tomorrow afternoon,” I answered with a faint smile.

~

 

I lounged around the house, waiting for the phone to ring about the job. After finishing the entertainment and world sections of the paper, I looked at the clock on the microwave to confirm the time when my phone rang with an unknown number. I quickly picked up.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Is this Mia Ryan?” Ethan asked in a husky tone.

 

His voice was even sexier over the phone. The sound of it had my stomach somersaulting all over itself as my heart took off.

 

I inhaled slowly, and answered, “Yes, this is Mia.”

 

“Mia, it’s Ethan Fitzgerald. We've made our decision. We would like you to fill the position. Can you start Monday morning at eight?” 

 

“Yes, Monday is perfect.”

 

“We're looking forward to having you join our team. When you arrive, have the receptionist put you through to my office.”

 

“Yes, sir. I mean, Ethan. Ah, thanks again,” I stammered.

 

Shit. Please tell me I'm not going to be working directly under him. Not that it would be a bad scenario—gah! Head out of the gutter, Mia!

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Reading Order ​

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Complicated

Concealed

Secrets & Lies Box Set

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