Chapter 4 4

I looked again, there he was still standing right in front of me, watching me. That's when reality smacked me: here, he was my boss, and whatever had happened between us before meant absolutely nothing now.

And this is why I don't like Mondays.

I straightened my posture, pulling on a professional mask.

"Good morning, sir," I greeted, forcing my feet to carry me deeper into the office instead of staying frozen at the doorway.

"Miss Norman?" His voice was calm, measured.

"Yes, sir," I nodded, confirming my name.

"Sit."

I slid into the chair opposite him, my gaze fixed anywhere but on his face, though I could feel the weight of his eyes on me. What was going through his mind?

"I assume they explained how this arrangement works?" he asked.

"Yes, sir. I know the procedures."

"You're aware you'll occasionally have to accompany me home for work purposes?"

My throat tightened. That hadn't been part of the briefing, but considering the salary, it wasn't something I was going to protest. "No, sir. But I understand."

"Good. You'll also be required to travel with me for business trips and, when necessary, act as my date for certain functions."

Date? My brain tripped over the word. But I kept my face neutral. "Understood, sir."

"That's all for now, Miss Norman."

I left his office and went straight to mine, settling into the mountain of paperwork left behind by my predecessor. I'd barely gotten through a stack when the phone rang.

"Yes, sir?"

"Come to my office," he said, and the line went dead.

I stepped inside to find him absorbed in his work, glasses perched on his nose, looking effortlessly magnetic. I caught myself staring at his lips-lips I'd kissed-before quickly snapping my thoughts back to reality. My chest tightened when I realized he'd caught me looking.

"I need you to review some documents," he said. "They're at my place, so you'll be coming with me."

Day one, and already I'd be in his house again. After what had happened between us, it was... unsettling. Still, I kept my voice steady. "Of course, sir. Anything else?"

His eyes lingered on me, dark with an unspoken memory. "No. That's all."

I returned to my desk, pressing a hand to my chest to calm the racing beat. This job was going to be... complicated.

While sending out invitations for an upcoming event, I noticed a woman heading straight toward his office.

"Excuse me, do you have an appointment?" I asked.

She looked me over like I was beneath her. "And you are?"

"I'm his secretary. You can't go in without clearance."

Her lip curled. "Who do you think you are?"

"I told you. His secretary. Please, have a seat while I check."

"Veronica," she spat, giving her name like it was supposed to mean something.

Before I could make the call, she bolted toward the office. "Ma'am, you can't-" I hurried after her, but she'd already flung the door open.

Inside, she was kneeling at his feet, clutching his leg. His jaw was tight, his eyes sharp-he clearly hadn't invited her.

"Please, I can't stop thinking about you since that night," she begged. "Love me. Just love me."

"Ma'am, you need to leave before I call security," I said firmly, trying to free his leg from her grip. She shoved me away.

Heat flared in my cheeks. First day or not, she was making me look incompetent. I picked up the phone. "Send security to the CEO's office. We have an intruder."

Two guards dragged her out, still protesting. I turned to him, breathless. "I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again."

He said nothing, so I returned to my work.

By lunchtime, I decided to extend a peace offering. I booked a table at his favorite restaurant and knocked on his door.

"Cancel it," he said without looking up.

I brought lunch to his office ten minutes later anyway.

"I told you-"

"I know," I cut in, "but my grandmother always said it's a crime against nature to skip a meal. As your secretary, I'm making it my duty to make sure you eat."

A low chuckle escaped him, softening his expression.

"Your lunch is on the table, sir," I said, heading for the door.

"What about yours?"

"It's on my desk."

Hours passed, and by the time eight o'clock rolled around, he emerged with his bag. I grabbed it before he could ask, mine already slung over my shoulder.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Yes, sir."

When we reached his car, I mentioned I'd brought mine.

"Give Mark your keys," he instructed, meaning his driver. "You're riding with me."

The ride was silent, thick with unspoken tension. And then-his house. The same place where he'd once devoured me without restraint.

Inside, he led me to his home office. He'd loosened his tie, undone a few buttons, and looked maddeningly relaxed.

We got to work, but after about an hour, he spoke.

"Miss Norman," he said, eyes glinting. "There's a file labeled B11 on that shelf. Bring it here."

I went to fetch it, but it was just out of reach. Standing on tiptoe didn't help. Then I felt him behind me, his presence like heat against my skin.

"Trying to seduce me?" he murmured, his hand sliding up my thigh beneath my skirt. I should have pushed him away. I didn't.

He spun me to face him, my back pressed to the shelf. "Do you have any idea the things I want to do to you? Wicked, filthy things. I've tried to behave, but then you walk in here with those legs on display..." His gaze darkened. "All I can think about is them wrapped around me while I drive into you."

Every nerve in my body lit up. I opened my mouth to remind him he was my boss, but his lips crashed onto mine, swallowing the protest.

And I knew then-I was in for trouble. The kind that wasn't going to be friendly.