That afternoon, Mia was sitting at her desk, watching a movie. She would've felt bad about it, except, Mr. Whitaker had sent it to her and insisted that she watch it. The movie was one she'd never heard of before, and at first she was hesitant to open it for fear it would be something completely pornographic. Confusion had washed over her as she started watching. Why did he want her to watch this? But as she continued to watch the movie, she started to get an idea. Especially when the lead actress was being interrogated by the police.
A knock on her door brought her out of the storyline. Wondering who it might be, she called, "Yes?"
Beau opened the door and popped his head in. "Hi."
A smile took her face over. She couldn't help it. "Hi."
"Mind if I come in?"
"No, not at all." She definitely hadn't been expecting him but was glad to see him. "How are you?"
"Good, good." Rather than sitting in one of the chairs across from her desk, he came and perched on the corner of it. "What are you up to?"
"Oh, I'm just watching this movie Mr. Whitaker-the other Mr. Whitaker-asked me to watch."
Beau smirked at her. "You can call me Beau, Mia. I'm not your boss."
"Right." She knew her cheeks were turning red. He smelled so good-sort of like the ocean. Fresh and light, not like his brother who smelled almost as dark and brooding as he looked.
"What movie are you watching? Do I even want to know?"
"It's not what I was expecting," she said with a shrug. She'd paused the movie when he came in. "It's called Basic Instinct."
A chuckle escaped his lips. "Basic Instinct? Have you seen the interrogation scene yet, Mia?"
She nodded. "Yes. That scene... concerned me a little."
He stared at her for a few seconds before he ran a hand through his hair and looked away. "You know, Mia, you don't have to do any of-that."
Raising an eyebrow, she asked, "What do you mean?"
"That stuff Sam asks you to do. You don't have to."
"It's in my contract," she reminded him. "And I don't have the money to pay him back if I quit."
"He did that shit again?" he asked shaking his head. "Mia, you can't let him blackmail you for sexual favors."
"It hasn't been anything... sexual," she said, not sure if that was exactly true.
"Hasn't it been though?" he countered.
Uncomfortable, Mia shifted in her chair. "I appreciate your concern, Beau, but I'm fine."
He didn't buy that, but he also didn't seem to think it was his place to say more about that particular topic. "You know, Mia, I feel like this is my fault."
"What do you mean?" She leaned in closer, trying to discern what he was talking about.
Hesitantly, Beau shrugged and said, "I asked Sam to hire you."
That had her attention. Mia's mouth dropped open. "You did?"
He nodded. "Yes. When I ran into you that day, I was intrigued. Without thinking it through, I went to him and asked him to make you his secretary so I could see you. I didn't really consider exactly what he asks his secretaries to do. I know right now it's probably uncomfortable and... odd. It'll get worse, Mia. If you don't consider it sexual now, you will. You saw that scene, right? He'll want you to do that. And more."
She swallowed hard, thinking back to the scene she'd watched where the actress spread her legs for the men watching her. Could Mia do something like that? Sitting here, looking at Beau's brilliant blue eyes, it seemed more like her to just throw herself into his arms and ask him to protect her.
But when she was in Sam's office, she felt differently, and she knew it. She'd wanted him to look at her. She'd wanted him to touch her-though he hadn't done that yet. Beau seemed to be implying he would, eventually. Would she like it? Maybe not, but then, if it took him enough time, she'd have the money saved up to quit, wouldn't she?
She'd have to find a new job, though, and that would be problematic.
"Come to dinner with me."
So lost in her thoughts was she, Mia almost didn't realize Beau was speaking to her again. "What's that?'
"Come to dinner with me. Tonight."
Again, she found herself staring at him, mouth agape. "I, uh... dinner? With you?"
"Yes. Why not?"
"Will Mr. Whitaker mind?"
Beau shrugged. "I don't think so. Who cares? He doesn't own you outside of work, Mia. Do you want to go to dinner with me?"
"Of course I do."
"Good. I'll pick you up at 7:30." He was up now. "Text me your address."
"But I don't have your phone number."
"Yes, you do. It's in that rolodex on your desk." He smiled at her at the door and then disappeared.
Mia continued to stare at the door for several seconds after he disappeared, eyes bulging. Her life had suddenly become very complicated.