My Pregnant Stepsister

That was the only possible explanation as to why I couldn't stop thinking about him. There was something about him that I was latching onto, that I was responding to, and that just had to be it. If that wasn't the case, if Joshua was as good as he seemed to be, then I had no idea what was going on in me. I would have no explanation about why he pushed all my buttons.

It all had to come to a head at some point. It had to. And it would during our interview.

This weird tension between us had dragged on long enough. I couldn't take it anymore. He annoyed me so much, but I wanted him. I wanted him bad. I couldn't think straight around him anymore. No man had ever made me act this way. It wasn't love, or anything like that. No, it was just... when I was around him, seeing his smile, smelling his natural scent... he made my body tingle. I had never wanted to open my legs for any guy more than I did for him.

He was so wrong for me. He was the good guy, Mr. Perfect, the apple of his mother's eye, who spent his free time helping others. I was the office rebel, a girl others looked down upon, who spends most of her free time with different partners.

I was convinced that, deep down, he liked me. In my interactions with him, he never looked down on me for my behavior. He always treated me fairly when others didn't. He didn't judge me for my choices. He gave me that same charming smile he gave everyone else. It seems as if perfect Joshua had a soft spot in his heart for the office rebel. I planned to exploit that bit of kindness. Tear him apart, draw out the beast in him, and bring it to the surface. I would make him want me. I would demand it, and like the good guy he may be, he would comply. I would convince him logically that he had no choice but to take me, to get in deep with the office rebel. And once he did, this company would be in the palm of my hand, as would his mind.

I was going to use his words against him. I would use his guide as a weapon, a step-by-step guide on how I would convince him. I had it all planned out and ready to go.

I would make him mine. I would shatter the glass ceiling and convince the office good guy to hire the office rebel. I had to prove to everyone how right I was about perfect Joshua. I wanted to ruin him. I wanted to destroy his seemingly perfect image. I wanted to deface the piece of art that was his charmed life. The thought of doing that, of exposing the truth behind his act... it was intoxicating. I would corrupt the office saint and bring him down. I will make his dad hate him.

The thought of all the bosses seeing this anointed symbol of all that is good and true fall victim to the office rebel made me feel exhilarated.

Joshua would be mine.

The morning of the interview, I looked into the mirror.

My makeup... perfect. My lips, plump and juicy. Lipstick, subtle but sexy. Eyebrows plucked. Manicure and pedicure fresh. My tan... immaculate. My skirt... slim and tight. My high heels... sexy. My bra, extra enticing. Cleavage, exposed. My underwear tiny. My body prepared and ready. My mind, sharp and focused.

My resume was packed in my bag, alongside the USB containing my presentation. That presentation, my guide to getting Joshua, was the key to everything. All my hard work was in that presentation. I was going all in. In twelve hours, I would either be promoted or out of a job. There was no in-between. But in my head, there wasn't any doubt. I was confident my plan would work. Joshua would be mine. That promotion would be mine. And he didn't even see me coming.

I looked at my reflection and blew myself a little kiss.

"Let's get to work."

Joshua's POV

The last interviews of the day always ended up being the memorable ones, without fail. They were never quick and easy. Something always seemed to come up.

And knowing who I was interviewing, I expected that pattern to continue. My executive assistant, Maya, had taken a job at a different company. I had worked with her for some months, and she had grown under my tutelage, learning from me and my style of work. I prided myself on my integrity and honesty, while still being able to be firm and tough when necessary, on doing business the right way.

She was my partner; she opened up to me whenever I was in need of it. She was my office ally, though she knows what she was doing in the office. She's smart, hardworking, and intelligent. She can speak. She had saved me a lot of times. She used to represent me in most meetings as my assistant. My good works that made my dad and other executives love me were because of her. She's my savior, my partner.

She left, taking her talents to another company. I wasn't angry. I was sad. I was very sad to know that she was out there, doing business the way I liked to see it done. Her new job was very lucrative, which made the empty position she left behind very much in demand. Most saw it as a ticket to higher things, the chance to learn some good skills and improve their professional standing.

Many of the applicants were from within the company, some rising young talent who had come highly recommended. We had some applicants from outside the company, but a thorough knowledge of the work we did was going to be required for the job, so more than likely, I would be hiring someone from within.

The job was to basically work alongside me, to shadow me and help me out. I wasn't looking for a secretary. I was looking for something more than that. I needed someone in the boardroom with me, in the thick of it, learning, helping me out, and contributing. I needed someone ready and willing to actively help out and go beyond the call of duty. I didn't need someone good. I needed someone outstanding.

I'm not saying this because I am tough or wanted someone that I could run ragged. Far from it. I needed help! I considered myself a good boss, open to criticism and negotiation. I didn't want to be one of those guys who goes on a power trip once I get the smallest bit of authority and success. I had seen other people do that, and I couldn't stand it. I couldn't stand seeing other people used in that way. When I worked that closely with someone, I didn't see any reason to make that relationship difficult.

Not only was I looking for someone who could do the work, because honestly, there was a lot of work, but I was looking for someone I could imagine myself bonding with. Someone who I could see as a friend. Maya and I were friends. When she told me about her new job, she did so with tears in her eyes. It was I who smiled and told her it was alright. That I was proud of her. Part of me was a bit worried about the uncertainty of having to find someone to fill such a huge role in my professional life. But another part of me was excited for this new adventure.

I had a lot of work on my plate. I traveled the state and negotiated with some of the shrewdest businesspeople in the state. It was tough, it was demanding, but I loved it. I loved the thrill of the negotiation. The feeling of a job well done. The validation of my dad patting me on the back, knowing I got the job done. But, to be the best I could be, I needed someone there with me. I needed someone to have my back. I needed someone I could count on.

I had already interviewed quite a few candidates, all of them extremely well-qualified. I tried to prevent things from feeling too formal since a lot of this job would depend on personal interaction. The candidates were clearly nervous, and I did my best to ease the tension and get them to just breathe. I wanted them to give me their best and not leave with any regrets. For the most part, the interviews went well, and it was going to be a tough choice. I was almost done interviewing, so that big choice would come soon.

But first, I had to interview Tori K.

The fact that she applied for this job was a bit of a surprise for a number of reasons. Looking at her resume... quite frankly, her qualifications didn't really compare to some of the others. Her references weren't nearly as impressive. And honestly, I didn't really even think she liked me that much. Her attitude toward me was icy at best. And most importantly, and most pressingly... she had a bit of a reputation that followed her.