Taken by the Gang: The Billionaire's Assistant by Kendra Claire Page A

there. If I didn’t need the job so badly I might have complained, but as I examine myself in the mirror I have to admit I look damned good. Maybe too good. Would a man like West even be paying attention to my presentation with my cleavage just barely peeking out of my ruffle top and my tight, gray, pencil skirt just barely reaching below my ass? Maybe it doesn’t matter. The trip is booked; I’m just supposed to put a pretty face on the company and encourage repeat service.
    I take a deep breath, fuss with my meticulously tied bun of hair, and open the conference room door.
    Thank God for all the practice I’ve had concealing my true emotions at work, because the scene that greets me inside could have made me drop my paperwork. Not one, but eight impeccably dressed men sit around a mahogany meeting table. They turn to me all at once, and while I am vaguely aware that all of them are young, rich, and powerful, only one pair of eyes captures me. The icy blue stare of Alexander West reaches into me just as it did from the photograph, only this time it’s a real, living, breathing man that makes me feel hot under the collar. He smiles at me, and I think my legs might be turning to Jello.  I desperately reach for control of the situation.
    “Hello, gentlemen,” I say with a smile. It’s genuine this time. With Alexander looking at me, I can’t help it.
    “Well, hello there, Miss…” Alexander starts.
    “Amanda,” I blurt out a little too quickly. “You can just call me Amanda. I’ll be your tour advisor for the evening.”
    Alexander cocks his head and smiles mischievously at me, his eyes shining.  “We certainly hope you’ll be more than that, Amanda,” he says, leaning back in his chair and folding his hands in his lap.
    I swallow hard as the men in the room chuckle softly. I feel my face turning red and curse my body for betraying me. Still, I can’t deny that being alone with these powerful men thrills me a little. I tuck a stray lock behind my ear and look down at my briefcase before laying it on the table and opening it to retrieve my laptop. I hook it up to the digital projector in silence, my hands shaking as I feel everyone's eyes on my body. I can feel my skirt riding up too high, but I don’t dare reach down to adjust it for fear of attracting more attention.
    When I look up, I nearly jump out of skin as Alexander is now standing on the other side of the projector, watching me and wearing his stunning smile.
    “Are you nervous, Amanda?” he asks, his voice smooth like silk but with a hint of dark longing.
    “Should I be?” I say, my voice barely audible. I realize I’m holding my breath and let out a shaky sigh, trying to stifle the sound as best I can.
    “You’re too beautiful to be nervous,” he replies, coming around the projector and flipping it on as he reaches me. A pristine white-sand beach with majestic rocky cliffs in the background lights up the wall behind us. Alexander reaches out with one finger and gingerly strokes the hair near my temple. I shiver and pull away a little, and then try to wrestle back some control of the situation.
    “Mr. West, I—”
    “You will call me ‘sir,’” he says, interrupting me.
    “I beg your pardon?” I sputter.
    “Isn’t that what you came here to do? To serve me? You’re being paid handsomely to do so. Your boss assured me you were quite eager.”
    I don’t know what to say, but his words speak to a darker side of me, a side I didn’t know was there. I can’t believe what he’s saying. I should be outraged. I should walk out right then and there.
    But you won’t, the dark voice from inside me whispers. Because you wanted him the moment you saw his picture. You can’t believe your luck.
    “I…don’t know…” I stutter, feeling my body and mind fight for control.
    “You don’t have to know, baby,” Alexander says, taking me roughly by the arm and pushing me against the wall where the beach scene still glows static. He’s