First Love Read online

  “I’m Jake,” he said, extending his hand toward her. “From IT. They sent me down to look at your computer.”

  She hesitated for a millisecond before slipping her softer hand into his. “Sabrina. Thanks for coming.” She suddenly released a soft laugh, and he smiled. The sound was enchanting. “Had I known you would be here so quickly, I wouldn’t have tried to pretend to know what I was doing.”

  Jake didn’t immediately let go of her hand, enjoying the feel of her soft, smooth palm against his rough one. He could imagine those hands running across his chest, and his body reacted. His grip involuntarily tightened and she glanced up at him, her eyes wide. He immediately released her.

  “First day?” Of course it was. Despite the obviousness of it from the almost empty cubicle space, his department also kept a list of new hires for security and access purposes. He remembered seeing a Sabrina Monroe on the list.

  “Yeah,” she muttered, glancing down at the monitors. “But it’s quickly turning into a bad one,”

  He followed her line of vision and realized he should probably get to work now instead of ogling her like some sex-starved creep.

  “So what’s the problem?” He tried again for a relaxed tone, though he felt anything but.

  “I think the monitor died. I came in, pressed the power button, the screen flickered, and then went black.” She shrugged when he stared pointedly at the other computer screen. “I figured I could just swap it out for another and solve my own problem.”

  Jake looked at the old computer monitors. The company had recently installed new, up-to-date computer equipment in all of the essential departments, including marketing. He didn’t mention that to her, since not only was she placed in an area of the office where almost no one ventured, she was also working with ancient hardware. There was even a loud, consistent humming coming from the computer tower. That wasn’t a good sign.

  “From the sound of that buzzing, I would say the tower is not far from giving out, too.”

  She frowned. “Really? It’s not supposed to sound like that?”

  Jake shook his head, trying hard not to chuckle at her sincere expression. The noise coming from the computer was loud and continuous. It literally sounded like it was on its last legs. “No, that loud whining is not normal.”

  It was a small, involuntary action, but her lips formed a perfect pout and he was mesmerized again, more focused on her than the work at hand. He couldn’t look away from that soft, sensual mouth. Didn’t she realize how sexy she was?

  “Does that mean I wasted my time carrying that monitor over here?”

  Jake’s attention snapped back to the situation. “Maybe not.” He looked down at both monitors. “Let’s see what’s going on first.” Jake connected the monitor with the computer tower, and after a few steps, he was able to get the computer to flare back to life. But from what he could tell, it really was on its last leg.

  “I’m surprised they set you up with this piece of junk,” he muttered. “This is an old model that should have been replaced weeks ago.”

  “But it’s still usable, right?” She peered over his shoulder as he navigated through the software to be sure everything was working properly. The warmth of her nearness had his mind wandering again, and her sweet scent was not helping.

  “It probably has a few days of life left, but that’s it. It should hold you over until we can get you set up with a replacement, though.”

  Her sigh of resignation was distinct. “I’ll take what I can get at this point. Thanks, Jake.”

  She probably didn’t realize her hand rested lightly on his arm when she thanked him, but he noticed, and his arm involuntarily flexed in response to her simple touch.

  “How soon can I get a replacement?”

  “Not long.” Jake turned to face her. “Maybe by the end of next week.”

  Her eyes widened then she frowned. “Next week? I can’t afford to wait that long. What if it gives out before then?”

  Jake stifled a grin. Even annoyed, she was pretty. “You won’t have to. I can set you up with a loaner laptop in the meantime.” She visibly relaxed.

  “But,” he added, “that might take a few hours if not days.” Her crestfallen expression didn’t sit well with him. He’d much rather have her smiling than disappointed.

  “Of course.” She shook her head, the corner of her full lips curving slightly. “Shame on me for thinking things would actually go my way today.”

  “Why don’t you relax for a few hours, and I’ll see what I can do about getting a loaner over to you sooner.”

  She shook her head. “I wish I could, but I have an urgent request to fulfill for my supervisor, and this morning is the only time I’ll have to do it. I’ll be in orientation for the rest of the day.”

  Jake raised a brow. “Wow, they waste no time in this department.”

  She shrugged. “It’s marketing. Everything’s always urgent.”

  A thought suddenly occurred to him. “Where did you get this monitor, again?”

  She pointed behind her. “That cubicle. It was empty, so I thought it would be okay.” She paused. “It’s okay, right?”

  “Actually, moving computers around without authorization violates some kind of company policy.” At her worried look, he added with a grin, “But I won’t tell if you don’t.”

  She smiled back. “Will you help me move it back?”

  “Actually, I have a better idea.” He would be violating company policy, but he didn’t see the harm in getting her set up with a working machine.

  Jake proceeded to move her dead monitor to the unoccupied cubicle and hooked up the “borrowed” monitor to her desktop. He was used to maneuvering through computer systems and, in a short time, had her set up with a temporary workstation. It wasn’t the ideal situation, but it would allow her to get back to work.

  “You’re all set.”

  “Are you sure this is okay?” she asked again, standing just behind him as he began shutting down all the network windows. “I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

  Jake turned to her. She really was the best thing he’d seen all morning. Even with the deep frown that creased her shapely eyebrows and the small strands of hair still sticking out of place, she was stunning. And to know that her worry was on his behalf made him want to kiss her. Actually, any excuse to feel those pouty lips against his would do.

  Instead, he winked at her. “Don’t worry about me. I won’t tell, if you don’t.”

  Chapter Two

  “Hey Mack, how’s the work order coming for Sabrina Monroe?”

  Jake waited for the young Latino to look away from his wide computer monitor. For a large company, the IT department wasn’t as spacious as it should have been. Nine full-timers and three freelancers, including Jake, currently sat together in the medium-sized room. Crowded around them were tall cabinets and old computer equipment, crowding the room even more to accommodate them all.

  “Which one is that again?” Mack asked with a frown.

  “It’s for the PC replacement in marketing,” Jake reminded him. “I put in the order a few days ago.”

  Mack shrugged. “Don’t know. You’ll have to ask Ray. All equipment orders go through him now.”

  Jake clenched his jaw in frustration. Though he liked Mack, Jake was getting tired of the man not fulfilling his managerial duties. Everything that was ordered had to go up the ladder, and Jake was getting fed up with the bureaucracy. He didn’t understand why the IT director had to deal with something as petty as replacing a bummed out computer system. A ton of new equipment had come in and, so far, all they had been good for was sitting in the storage room down the hall.

  Jake was also getting frustrated with the politics at this company. The familiar agitation began to prickle at the back of his neck, and he knew it was time he left this place. If he hadn’t needed the money, he would have taken the pay cut and accepted the job offer he’d received last week. He was trying to hold out for something better, but w
ell-paying freelance gigs in his field were coming few and far between lately. He couldn’t just pick up and leave like he’d done so many times before.

  But damn if he wasn’t over the bull.

  Getting things done at this marketing firm required cutting through so much red tape it was a wonder they managed to get anything done. It had been four days now since he’d put in the request for Sabrina’s new computer, and it looked like he wouldn’t be able to come through for her. Jake really wanted to help the pretty, new Marketing Assistant. He hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind, and he was hoping the computer would be his chance to see her again.

  He typically didn’t go after the corporate types—they were always all business, and he usually found it hard to relate to them. With Sabrina, however, there was something about her that was different from the other women he’d met at this firm. He wanted to get to know more about her, but he needed an excuse to go back to the marketing department—and finding one was proving a bit more difficult than he’d thought.

  A new work order popped up on his screen and Jake’s interest piqued. It was from Dale Connors. The Art Director in marketing. Jake attached his name to the ticket and got up from his seat. Maybe he would run into Sabrina while he was up there. If not, he would just make a quick visit to her desk, to check on her current equipment. He scoffed at himself. Checking on that old system was a waste of time—the computer was junk—but at least it would give him as good an excuse as any to go see her.

  The soft vibration of his cell phone drew him to a halt as he entered the elevator bank. He dug the phone out of his pocket and stifled a curse when he saw the name on the screen. The only times his father’s nurse called him was when Matt Landon was being difficult and Jake wouldn’t be surprised if his father were being a pain in her ass. Pushing the answer button, he brought the phone to his ear.

  “Renee, I’m at work.”

  “I know, Jacob,” came the Caribbean-accented voice. “And I’m sorry for bothering you, but this is an urgent problem you need to take care of.”

  Jake frowned. “What is it?”

  “Your father’s payment to the agency didn’t clear. Now they’re telling me to end my shift early. I can’t return until the payment comes in.”

  Jake stifled another curse. The home health care agency he’d hired for his father’s private care was quickly becoming another pain in his ass.

  “How much?”

  “I don’t know, dear. You’ll need to call the agency. Even if it’s just to cover my shift for tonight.”

  “Okay. I’ll call the agency today.” Jake wasn’t surprised that his father hadn’t called him about the missed payment. Matt Landon was a proud man, never the one to willingly reach out for help, not even to his son. Jake propped his shoulder against the wall and sighed. “How’s he doing?”

  “Not very well.” She paused. “Today was not a good day for him, but I’ll tell him you called.”

  Jake ran his free hand across the back of his neck, trying to ease the tension building there. He didn’t know what good telling his father that would do, but Renee believed he liked hearing from his only son even if he never admitted to it.

  “Make sure he goes out for a bit and stretches his legs some. He might not like it, but he needs it.”

  “Of course, dear. I know how to handle the old bulldog.” They shared a laugh, both very familiar with his father’s stubbornness and temper. “You just make sure you call the agency.”

  “I will right now.” Jake paused before adding, “Thanks, Renee.”

  She made a sympathetic sound before hanging up. Jake scrolled through his phone until he found the number to the agency. His father’s private nurse was familiar with their strained relationship though she never said anything about it directly. Occasionally, however, she would make subtle references about family being important, that they should always come first, and it took a lot out of Jake not to retort that he wasn’t the one who needed her little lecture. Of course, Jake understood the importance of family. He’d put his plans to leave for New York on hold when his father had gotten sick. Now that Matt was recovering, thoughts of leaving Chicago and starting a new life elsewhere were starting to spring back up in Jake’s mind again.

  First, he would need to work out the issues with his father’s health insurance and be sure that they would cover his home health care needs. Jake made the call to the agency, paid his father’s balance, and then headed to the marketing department. He walked through the halls, but to his disappointment, he realized the conference room he was heading to was in the opposite direction from where Sabrina’s desk was. He walked into the small conference room to find Dale Connors sitting at the small, round table. The man looked up at him, obvious annoyance in his dark eyes, and then returned his gaze to his computer screen.

  “Did you get lost?”

  Jake ignored the snide comment. “What’s the problem?”

  The ticket had said something about connectivity issues with the video streaming program on his laptop, but Jake had no qualms about feigning ignorance and having Dale explain the problem again. The guy was a dick. In the six months Jake had been at the company, he’d seen Dale do nothing but undercut and talk down to those he thought were there just to serve his needs and nothing else. And where Dale was concerned those in IT fell largely into that category.

  “I need to have my presentation up on this thing in two minutes.” Dale slid his laptop toward Jake.

  Jake took a seat at the small table and pulled the computer closer to him. “I’ll see what I can do in five,” he said noncommittally.

  Dale frowned but returned his attention to his cell phone.

  Jake ignored the other man as he worked through the complicated system. It wasn’t until someone came to the door that his focus was temporarily diverted.

  “Hey, Dale. How long is your meeting going to take? We really need you to sit with someone in GS to work through your revisions.”

  Jake recognized the short, stout man from the production department. He couldn’t quite place his name, but he was another one Jake didn’t care too much for. The short man was another ass who tended to talk too much.

  “I’ll be down there in an hour.” Dale looked down at his phone again. “Sabrina and I have another meeting in a few.”

  Jake tensed at the mention of Sabrina’s name. He was suddenly in less of a hurry to leave the conference room. Maybe he would finally get a chance to see her again before he left.

  “Sabrina?” the other guy asked, confused.

  “You know, the new Marketing Assistant on the team,” Dale explained.

  “Oh, right. I think I saw her speaking with Toni earlier. You’re right, man. She’s hot.”

  Jake kept his focus on the computer screen, but he felt Dale’s quick gaze on him. Dale, however, wisely ignored the comment, and once again confirmed to the other man that he would be down in his department after his meeting.

  Jake continued to ignore Dale once they were alone again. He wasn’t surprised that the other men had noticed the “hot” new Marketing Assistant. It did, however, annoy the hell out of him and he didn’t know why. Sabrina Monroe was certainly a looker, and it wasn’t as if they were dating. Even if they were, she wouldn’t be the first good looking girl he’d gone out with who had drawn attention from other men. Those men, however, hadn’t mattered before, because Jake had never looked at them as competition.

  Now…it mattered a lot.

  Jake sighed and concentrated on his task. Who was he kidding? Sabrina Monroe was probably out of his league and a beautiful distraction he couldn’t afford to have right now. After today, once he’d satisfied whatever this need was to see her again, Jake would start taking his plans to leave Chicago a bit more seriously. He’d waited long enough to make this move, and the last thing he needed was any more distractions.

  ****

  Sabrina stared at the blinking cursor on her computer screen and forced herself to concentrate. />
  She was having a hard time getting Jake-the-IT-Guy out of her head and it didn’t help that he would spring to her mind every ten minutes. She had hoped to run into him around the office, just to see him again, but since the IT department was on another floor, she rarely did. She had caught a quick glimpse of him during a coffee run for her team yesterday, but that hadn’t been enough.

  Now it was almost the end of the week, and she still didn’t know when she’d see him again. Not that it would have accomplished anything, she thought with a sigh. She would only turn into some shy, awkward girl around him again. She cringed, thinking about the morning they’d met. All she’d managed to do the first five minutes of meeting him was avoid eye contact and act as if she’d never spoken to a guy before. Which was a bit of the truth.

  She’d never spoken to a guy like him before. A guy who literally made her super self-aware of her body and his. Just the way he looked at her left her breathless and flustered. The first sign that her attraction to him was getting bad should have been when she seriously contemplated dumping coffee all over her keyboard just so he could come and replace it for her.

  She shook her head at herself. Maybe it was a good thing that she hadn’t seen him again. She’d vowed against starting any sort of office romance, and she needed to stick with it. She had tried it once, with regrettable consequences, and she didn’t need to go down that path again. Not to mention that it was the last thing she needed to get involve in at her new job.

  A meeting reminder flashed on her screen, and she glanced at the time. She’d set the notice for a ten-minute reminder, and yet it was just now coming up, five minutes before the meeting was to start. Sabrina groaned. She couldn’t wait for her new computer system. Since she hadn’t received the loaner, she figured there may not be any available, leaving her stuck with her current relic. Maybe if she stopped by IT to ask for a status update on her replacement, she would see Jake. Sabrina quickly shook her head. Don’t even, she chided herself.