Page 16 of Claimed By the Boss

“Lyra,” he says warmly. “Glad to have you on board. Come on, I’ll show you where you’ll be working.”

I follow him down a long hallway, past glass-walled offices where important-looking people tap at keyboards or talk into headsets. He opens a door and waves me through. The room is large and bright, lined with tall windows overlooking the city. Desks sit in neat rows, each with dual monitors and ergonomic chairs. It buzzes with quiet conversation and the clack of keyboards. Programmers. My people.

Mark gestures to an empty desk near the windows. “That’ll be you. We’ll get your login set up today. I’ll introduce you around.”

He goes through a long list of procedures: who to talk to for HR questions, where the bathroom is, the break room stocked with terrible coffee. I try to pay attention, but it’s hard. I can’t stop wondering where Damien is, or what he’s doing right now. Of course he wouldn’t be here to walk me through my orientation. He’s much too busy for that.

Mark finishes by handing me a small stack of paperwork. “Sign those when you get a chance. Welcome to Integrated Solutions.”

He claps me on the shoulder like I’m an old friend and strides away. I sink into my chair, blowing out a breath. It’s so strange. After so long behind a bar, faking smiles for guys who think they’re charming, I’m in an office where people nod politely and leave me alone.

I glance around. Everyone’s busy and focused. Except for one guy across the aisle.

He’s got to be in his early thirties, with dark hair pulled back in a small ponytail. He has a thin frame, and his black hoodie is slung over his chair like it lives there.

He catches me looking and stands.

Shit.

He strolls over, and I can’t help comparing him to the sleazeballs at the restaurant. He has the same air of entitlement.

“Hey. New girl.”

I swallow. “Hi.”

He extends a hand. “I’m Rick.”

I take it briefly. “Lyra.”

“Cool,” he says, leaning against my desk. Too close. “So, welcome to the dungeon. Hope you don’t mind working your ass off.”

I stare back at him, trying desperately not to roll my eyes.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine,” I deadpan.

He smirks. “We’ll see.”

His eyes travel down to my blouse, lingering a second too long. My skin crawls.

I keep my voice even. “Can I help you with something?”

He blinks back at me, surprised.

Then he chuckles.

“Nah. I’m just being friendly.”

I force a tight smile. “Great. Well, I’d love to get started here, so if you don’t mind.” I gesture for him to leave.

He holds up his hands in mock surrender. “Sure. Sure. Don’t let me distract you.”

He wanders back to his desk, shooting me a grin over his shoulder.Asshole.I exhale slowly.

It’s fine. I’ve dealt with worse. At least he left without much fuss. I pull the keyboard toward me and start reading through the orientation documents on the screen. It’s dense but familiar.

This is what I’m here for. This is what I’m good at.

I get lost in it for a while, highlighting key sections, making notes about procedures, trying to memorize login credentials. The spell breaks when the door at the end of the room opens.