Romance: Duplicity (Duplicity New Adult Romance Book 1) by K.T. Knight Page A
Authors: K.T. Knight
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straight to it. As some of you know, Eve will not be returning. We are very grateful to Holly for the wonderful job she's been doing covering for Eve in the interim."
Cue another smarmy smile from Bill, and this time it's especially for yours truly. I don't like the way this is going.
Bill continues, "I'm delighted to introduce you all to Eve's successor who is joining us today on secondment from our New York office. Please welcome Nicholas Van Hoogen to the team. I'm sure you will all make him feel at home. Cathwell London are very lucky to have him on board."
There's silence in the room. Ever the showman, Bill shakes Van Hoogen's hand with vigour and slaps him on the back. Van Hoogen surveys the room.
We are blindsided by the announcement and that's the way Bill likes it. Across the table, Louise is trying to catch my attention, her eyes popping out of her head. I look away, purposely not meeting her gaze. She's not the only one staring my way. I can feel the pitying glances turned on me, not all sympathetic. But there's one pair of eyes boring into me harder than anyone else's, and they belong to Van Hoogen.
You didn't see that one coming, did you? Did he?
"So," Bill continues, "I'll leave you in Nick's very capable hands."
My tummy flips. I didn't expect to be in Nick's very capable hands quite so soon. Reaching for my water, I take a sip. I can feel the heat in my cheeks and rising up the back of my neck.
Steady, Holly, steady.
My mind's a blur of surprise, confusion and dismay. One thing's clear though. Cute, horny bastard from the lift just got my job.
CHAPTER TWO
Nicholas Van Hoogen sits at the top of the table. All eyes are now on him. I study him intently as he goes through the usual intro. How excited he is to be taking on this role, how much he's looking forward to working with our team, blah, blah, blah. He is assured, well spoken, and his delivery smooth and professional. He asks us all to introduce ourselves in turn.
I didn't get a proper look at him in the lift. He's very good-looking. Fair hair, grey-blue eyes, chiselled features. Not my usual type at all. His dark grey suit is understated but the cloth is expensive and it is exquisitely cut. He speaks with a slight Dutch accent, but there's an American twang there too. For some reason I'm drawn to his strong, tanned, hands, which are lightly drumming the table.
Big hands, big feet, you know what they say.
He catches me off guard, as if he's reading my mind. "OK then, let's start with you." He's staring straight at me. I hesitate. He raises an eyebrow.
"Me?" I hear my voice stammer. Get a grip.
"Yes, you. Unless of course you're too shy to go first." He's teasing me with the same smirk he gave me in the lift.
"No, not at all, I'd be delighted." I rise to the challenge, and to my feet. I rub my clammy hands on my skirt.
He slowly looks me up and down, his smirk becoming a full smile. I note the neat, white teeth. My head whirrs into overdrive. What do I say? I hate these ice-breakers.
Keep it simple, stupid.
I muster my strongest voice, addressing Van Hoogen, "My name is Holly Martin. I joined Cathwell two years ago on the Graduate Fast Track. I love my job."
Van Hoogen looks at me blankly. Is that the best you can do?
I quickly add, "I'll be Senior VP by the time I'm thirty."
His eyes stare at me intently, his smile curling the corners of his mouth. "Thank you for the elevator pitch, Holly. I'm sure I can count on your support while I'm finding my feet."
This prick thinks he can waltz in here with a twinkle in his eye, take my job, and count on my support. How dare he condescend to me like that in front of everyone.
Maybe you should watch your back Van Hoogen. Just wait, big dick. It's only a matter of time before I'm sitting in your chair.
He's already moved on and it's Trevor's turn and then the next, each one of us desperately attempting to sell ourselves to the new boss. Nicholas Van Hoogen is polite throughout, thanking each of
Cue another smarmy smile from Bill, and this time it's especially for yours truly. I don't like the way this is going.
Bill continues, "I'm delighted to introduce you all to Eve's successor who is joining us today on secondment from our New York office. Please welcome Nicholas Van Hoogen to the team. I'm sure you will all make him feel at home. Cathwell London are very lucky to have him on board."
There's silence in the room. Ever the showman, Bill shakes Van Hoogen's hand with vigour and slaps him on the back. Van Hoogen surveys the room.
We are blindsided by the announcement and that's the way Bill likes it. Across the table, Louise is trying to catch my attention, her eyes popping out of her head. I look away, purposely not meeting her gaze. She's not the only one staring my way. I can feel the pitying glances turned on me, not all sympathetic. But there's one pair of eyes boring into me harder than anyone else's, and they belong to Van Hoogen.
You didn't see that one coming, did you? Did he?
"So," Bill continues, "I'll leave you in Nick's very capable hands."
My tummy flips. I didn't expect to be in Nick's very capable hands quite so soon. Reaching for my water, I take a sip. I can feel the heat in my cheeks and rising up the back of my neck.
Steady, Holly, steady.
My mind's a blur of surprise, confusion and dismay. One thing's clear though. Cute, horny bastard from the lift just got my job.
CHAPTER TWO
Nicholas Van Hoogen sits at the top of the table. All eyes are now on him. I study him intently as he goes through the usual intro. How excited he is to be taking on this role, how much he's looking forward to working with our team, blah, blah, blah. He is assured, well spoken, and his delivery smooth and professional. He asks us all to introduce ourselves in turn.
I didn't get a proper look at him in the lift. He's very good-looking. Fair hair, grey-blue eyes, chiselled features. Not my usual type at all. His dark grey suit is understated but the cloth is expensive and it is exquisitely cut. He speaks with a slight Dutch accent, but there's an American twang there too. For some reason I'm drawn to his strong, tanned, hands, which are lightly drumming the table.
Big hands, big feet, you know what they say.
He catches me off guard, as if he's reading my mind. "OK then, let's start with you." He's staring straight at me. I hesitate. He raises an eyebrow.
"Me?" I hear my voice stammer. Get a grip.
"Yes, you. Unless of course you're too shy to go first." He's teasing me with the same smirk he gave me in the lift.
"No, not at all, I'd be delighted." I rise to the challenge, and to my feet. I rub my clammy hands on my skirt.
He slowly looks me up and down, his smirk becoming a full smile. I note the neat, white teeth. My head whirrs into overdrive. What do I say? I hate these ice-breakers.
Keep it simple, stupid.
I muster my strongest voice, addressing Van Hoogen, "My name is Holly Martin. I joined Cathwell two years ago on the Graduate Fast Track. I love my job."
Van Hoogen looks at me blankly. Is that the best you can do?
I quickly add, "I'll be Senior VP by the time I'm thirty."
His eyes stare at me intently, his smile curling the corners of his mouth. "Thank you for the elevator pitch, Holly. I'm sure I can count on your support while I'm finding my feet."
This prick thinks he can waltz in here with a twinkle in his eye, take my job, and count on my support. How dare he condescend to me like that in front of everyone.
Maybe you should watch your back Van Hoogen. Just wait, big dick. It's only a matter of time before I'm sitting in your chair.
He's already moved on and it's Trevor's turn and then the next, each one of us desperately attempting to sell ourselves to the new boss. Nicholas Van Hoogen is polite throughout, thanking each of
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