Page 20 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

“ I ’m sorry I’m late!”

Everleigh glanced up from Mount Paperwork, as she’d deemed her endless piles of work, as documents scattered in the breeze of Chloe’s rushed entrance.

She pushed back the brand-new executive chair and braced the huge cherrywood desk Alexander commissioned from an expensive interior designer.

The luxurious navy and gold office dripped in haute couture, and matched his business suite, which was separated by a single door.

“I’m so sorry.” Chloe grabbed the papers from the floor, crumpling them into a messy pile as she shoved them back on the desk.

The young assistant was smiling, but her normally perfect hair was askew, her makeup uneven.

It was an unusual miscue for someone who proclaimed to never leave the house without a full hour of pampering. “Traffic was brutal.”

Everleigh frowned. Today’s traffic had been particularly light, and she came from the same direction as Chloe. “Is everything all right?”

“Of course!” Chloe chirped. “You know me. I’m a klu–”

“Ladies.” Alexander strode from his office, dressed in a crisp Armani suit.

As usual, he was temptation defined, his gorgeous visage torn from the magazine covers he’d graced in real life.

They still hadn’t talked about that night – or the kiss – but its consequences, ramifications and meaning loomed like an impending storm.

Now his chiseled features hardened. “Miss Pendleton, I’d like to see you in my office immediately.”

Chloe paled. “I-I–” she stammered.

Everleigh stepped forward. “Can I help you, Alexander?”

Alexander turned to her, and she nearly stepped back at the raw fury blazing in his expression. “This is personal.” He gestured the assistant toward his office. “Miss Pendleton?” With one last wary glance, Chloe obeyed. The door closed.

Everleigh returned to her work, yet the words blurred into a blotted, angry cloud.

Five minutes passed, then fifteen, thirty and an hour as frustration melted to anger, and anger to fury.

A full two hours later, the door opened.

Alexander was cool and collected as always, but Chloe’s cheeks were tinged pink and her eyes bright as she gazed at Alexander with pure adoration.

“Thank you so much,” she whispered to Alexander.

She needed something to throw.

“You were wonderful.”

It would have to be heavy.

“I can’t believe how long you spent.”

And big.

Alexander put a hand on Chloe’s back. “You know what to do?”

Like a bookcase.

Chloe nodded. “How will I find the reservation in Puerto Vallarta?”

An entire row of bookcases.

“Just look for A. Stone,” Alexander replied.

Everleigh gaped. They were taking a vacation? To a resort? Together?

There had to be something heavier than a row of bookcases.

Chloe walked out with a soft wave, and Alexander turned to her. “Chloe is taking a little time off.”

“I see.” Do not scream. Do not yell. Do not throw furniture.

“She deserves it, don’t you think?”

Actually, why not? “Would you mind removing the books from the bookcase? I have to throw it at someone.”

He smiled widely. “In the interest of self-preservation, I’m going to deny that request.” He strode back to his office. “I have to attend to a few business matters, but I’ll see you soon.”

I’ll see you soon!? Her fingers twitched, but she managed not to commit assault by bookcase. If he wasn’t going to explain, she wouldn’t go chasing after him.

She returned to work, yet accomplished little as the hours passed. Why had Alexander called the secretary into his office? What had they discussed – or done? Why were they going on vacation together? The last question and its almost certain answer had her clenching everything .

“Good afternoon.”

Everleigh looked up from the page she had read and reread four times.

She relaxed, even managed a slight smile for Tony Collins, sales manager and all-around nice guy.

With an Ivy League degree, excellent work ethic and never-ending charm, he was considered quite the catch.

Yet somehow, he didn’t inspire a spark compared to the inferno of the man next door. “How are you?” she greeted warmly.

“I’m great.” His voice was deep and sultry, and it used to give her tingles every time she heard it. Now, nothing. “And you?”

“I’m doing fi–” Her smartphone beeped. She grasped the silvery device off the desk and frowned. “It shows a meeting with Alexander, but I’m certain it was tomorrow. It must be a mistake.” She deleted the event. “So how was your–”

Her phone beeped again. Same meeting, same time. She cleared it once more. “These things never work.”

“I know.” He paused, stood taller. “This might seem sudden, but I was wondering if you would have dinner with me.”

If she’d received such an offer a month ago, she would’ve said no.

As the company’s owner, she couldn’t date an employee, but now she was technically a consultant.

After what Alexander had done, why shouldn't she say yes? She needed to get over this lust or desire or whatever it was, and what better way than to see someone else? “I’d love to.”

“Great! So, why don't we–”

Her cell phone gave an angry – yes, it actually sounded angry – beep. “What in the world?” She looked down, grimaced. “It's Alexander, asking why I'm late for the meeting.”

So the man thought he could just order her around? She typed furiously. “I told him he could have the meeting with my phone. He could even invite my laptop if he wanted. That'll teach him not to order me abo–” A phone beeped. She lifted her finger to respond, but her phone didn’t show a message.

Tony frowned at his cell. “Alexander has something important to talk to me about.”

Something fluttered in her stomach. But no– She forced a smile. “I'll wait here for you, then we can make plans.”

Tony nodded, his features softening against the concern. “Sounds great.”

For the second time that day, Everleigh waited…

and waited… and waited. Alexander couldn’t have possibly heard their conversation, and his request could have no connection to Tony’s offer, even if the timing seemed suspect.

Still, she tightened as Tony finally walked out of Alexander’s office, relaxed at his lighthearted countenance.

His concern was vanished, replaced by blatant satisfaction.

“You're never going to believe this. Alexander just promoted me.” He grinned widely. “I’m leading the new Orlando office.”

That scheming–

“That’s great,” she choked out. And clearly the mechanisms of a man who thought he owned her.

“I've been waiting for an opportunity like this.” His frowned, held up his hand. “I didn't mean it like that–”

Everleigh forced a smile. “You're an amazing manager, and you should be moving up. I'm truly happy for you.” And she was. No matter how suspect Alexander’s motives, the kind-hearted man deserved a promotion.

He came closer, grasped her hand. “This doesn't mean we can’t see each other. Orlando is only three hours away and–”

His cell phone beeped.

She was going to get Alexander.

“Alaska?!” Everleigh glowered.

Alexander’s expression remained mild. “I've been thinking about expanding there. It really is an untapped market.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” The blasted man wasn’t even bothering to hide his amusement. Or his satisfaction. Why should he? He’d sent the man she was considering dating to a frozen tundra. “Did you hear us talking?” she demanded.

“How could I hear you talking? I was in here, taking inventory.” His gaze turned sly. “Just because I interrupted him asking you on a date–”

“I knew it!” Everleigh pointed an accusing finger. “How did you know he asked me out? Do you have surveillance set up?”

He shook his head.

“Then how?” she demanded. “Wait, let me guess – you can read minds.”

“Yes, but not with you,” he said mildly.

“This isn’t funny!”

His lips quirked up. “Actually, I find it quite amusing.”

“At least admit it. Did you send him away because he asked me out?”

“Absolutely.”

“Tell the tru–” She stopped. “Wait, you’re admitting it?”

“Yes, I am.”

She opened her mouth, closed it. Danger sparked in the air. “But why?”

The powerful man speared her with his gaze, demanding, challenging, claiming . “There’s something between us, something neither of us can explain. Something that needs to be explored.” He leaned forward. “I will not allow another man to interfere.”

“How dare you! Just a few hours ago, you had a private office party with Chloe, and now you’re sabotaging my personal life.

Don’t you have any morals?” The words emerged fast and raw.

“I couldn’t care less about who you seduce outside of work, but you’re at my company, with my employees.

They deserve respect and professionalism. Chloe has a boyfriend.”

“Not anymore,” Alexander said darkly.

Fury thundered. “So you’ve ruined her relationship? Are you proud of yourself?”

“Actually, I am.” Sapphire eyes swirled under sterile lights. “I wasn’t going to tell you this, but clearly I haven’t a choice. Still, I’m only sharing because Chloe gave me permission.”

“There’s nothing to explain,” she whipped out. “The situation is obvious.”

“I was holding Chloe the entire time.”

White. Hot. Fury. “What did you do?” she demanded. “If you did anything, then I’ll–”

“I was holding her because she was hysterical. Her boyfriend abused her.”

Everleigh froze, fury transforming in an instant.

Images flashed, of the sweet, bubbly, tiny woman and her gigantic boyfriend.

All the accidents, the excuses, the injuries.

How could she not have realized? “She said she was a klutz.” She closed her eyes.

“But she never fell at work. Never bumped into anything.” She breathed out.

“How could I have missed it? She put on a brave face, but she was living a nightmare.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself.” Alexander’s voice softened. “She hid the truth beneath that cheerful facade.”