Chapter 1 Built on Lies

Mae's POV

"Mae, you're a queen, you should get yourself a man... to feed on this hot body of sweetness," Joel flirted as I walked past him towards my desk.

Joel has his ways with words, he compliments me a lot. As I smiled and adjusted my seat, I noticed a sudden silence. Joel's compliments were followed by jokes from other employees, but right now it was awkwardly quiet..

"Joel Kevin." A familiar deep, baritone voice made me flinch. I turned and saw him.

Lucian Sterling, CEO of Sterling groups of companies, standing behind Joel with his usual grump on his face. He commanded so much fear, his voice sent shivers down my spine, his gaze made me hot under my skin.

I knew there was trouble. Joel had his head down, other employees stared at us wide eyed. Lucian's eyes shifted to me and I blinked back at him.

His hazel brown eyes, boring into my soul, his long blond hair, almost covering one of his eyes. His well cut out jawline was clenched as he scrutinized me.

I'm his PA, but I was still nervous about this side of him. I tugged down my tight skirt as his eyes met mine again.

"Joel get your stuff, you're..."

I threw my hand to my agape mouth. Is he going to fire Joel? Oh no.

"Being transferred," Lucian finished. He tugged at his blue suit heading to the elevator. "Mae, be in my office in two seconds."

Thank goodness, Joel wasn't fired but why was he being transferred?

I threw Joel a puzzled look before I rushed after Lucian. I got in his office, he sat behind his desk with his head down.

"Lock the door."

My heart skipped a beat as I locked the door with shaky hands. "Why are you transferring Joel?" I asked with a pout, as I placed my hands on my hips.

He gazed at me, his hazel brown eyes, burning with passion. "Come to daddy."

I obeyed, as always. He got up and he peeled off his suit, his eyes on me. As I reached where he was, I placed my hands softly on his chest, playing with his buttons. "Sir... Joel didn't do..."

"Shhh." he grabbed the back of my neck. "If you mention his name again, I will get him fired."

I pressed my lips into a thin line. "Why?"

"Because, you are mine... Mae. Mine." He pressed his lips on me, kissing me hungrily, with his shoulders raised.

"Urhhh, Lucian," I moaned as he bit my bottom lip softly. I wish I was yours. But, all this was a game, it was not real.

"You have five years to make Lucian Sterling, the youngest, most successful CEO in New York fall in love with you, then break his heart, and you'll get the money you need to release your father from jail, and all his debts paid."

Three years ago, Lucian thought I had come for a normal job interview, but I was sent. I'd seduced him and though he resisted for three months, he didn't fire me. That was a good sign, the hardened and serious Lucian permitted me to touch and flirt with him, until one day, he lost control and took over.

Slowly, I saw more of his cold demeanor. It was a charade, a mask to the hopeless romantic he truly was. He was misunderstood by many, he yearned for care and affection, and I gave these to him. Until I realized I was no longer faking it, I did it wholeheartedly.

Was it a coping mechanism? From the guilt that clawed at my insides? I don't know.

He pulled back from the kiss and held my waist. "I have a surprise for you tonight... I'll wait for you in the parking lot, Eight PM."

I smiled, and gave him a nod, before I pushed back from him. "Joel only gave me a harmless compliment, Lucian."

His eyes darkened. "I don't like what he said, you have a man, why would he ask you to get another?"

I rolled my eyes. "He doesn't know about us, remember? Nobody does."

He stared into space. "Not for long."

I swallowed. What does he mean by that? I was about to ask, but a knock intruded. I turned to Lucian and I quickly ran my hand over his hair, arranging it. He caught my hand and kissed it.

"Hey, we will be caught," I groaned, and pulled my hand away before rushing to the door.

I tensed up when I met those cute hazel brown eyes, just like Lucian's, but this one was a bit larger and brighter.

"Hey, pretty," Ryker Sterling, Lucian's younger brother, greeted as he glanced over at me, licking his lips.

I stepped aside for him after I took a short bow. My expression was blank though. He chuckled as he walked into the office. "Hey bro... what's up?"

Ryker was the second in command in the company, he is jovial, unlike Lucian. I closed the door and I followed him. He sat on the chair and placed his legs on Lucian's desk.

Lucian flared up and pushed his leg off. "Keep your shit off my desk, Ryk."

Ryker burst out in laughter as he got up and walked behind Lucian, he held Lucian's shoulder as he made a play of a massage. "Chill bro, there's a pretty lady in the room, what if she loses her crush on me because of how you behave with me?"

Lucian's brows furrowed as he shrugged Ryker's hands off his shoulder. "I promise, she has no crush on you."

"Then who do you think she is likely to crush on... I mean, I am the ladies spec, but you and your grumpy ass, she would never."

"We'll see about that," Lucian growled. I had my eyes down, but I could feel his burning gaze on me.

Ryker chuckled.

"Leave, Mae."

"Yes sir." I rushed towards the door at Lucian's command.

*** *** ***

Eight PM, I entered the front seat of Lucian's car. He drove off without saying a word. I felt my throat itch as I struggled to talk to him.

"Good evening." I had my eyes on him in the rear view mirror and his brows arched slightly.

"Was Ryker right? Would you ever want something more from me, other than office sex and pleasure?"

I swallowed, looking out the other side of the window. "It's fun the way it is, why want more?"

I noticed a change in his breathing pattern and he didn't say anything more. He stopped the car on the highway and he took my hand, and he led me to the empty beach.

I sat on the shore next to him, watching the stars, with a smile. "Beautiful."

"Yes, you are very beautiful," he replied. I raised my brows and turned to see his gaze on me.

My heart raced as he wet his lips and he leaned in, our lips met. He pulled back, took my hand and pecked it. "Close your eyes." I did, grinning.

I noticed something strange, I opened my eyes to see a gleaming diamond ring, on my ring finger. "Marry me, Mae."

My eyes grew large as my heart stopped.