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Early on Friday morning, Nicole stands as I walk past reception. She still makes me nervous, even though I’ve been working here for a full week already; I can’t figure out if she likes me or not. She doesn’t seem to like anyone, not even Nico. But at least she’s polite to him.

I’ve never seen someone stand up so straight before. She always looks uncomfortable.

I’m supposed to ask her whenever I want coffee, but I’m too terrified to ask her for anything.

Yesterday, I wasted an hour after work looking for contact details when it would have taken Nicole two seconds to e-mail them to me if I’d been brave enough to ask her .

She’s terrifying. I tell myself it’s nothing personal and do my best to pretend not to notice her abruptness when I interact with her.

“Serafina,” she snaps, rigid and cold. As though my name was an insult.

“Hi, Nicole. How are you this morning?” I greet her with a wide smile, shifting the weight of my laptop bag from one hand to the other.

“Fine. Yes. Your office is officially ready. Do not disturb Mr. Andreev. Go directly to your own office,” she demands.

“That’s great news. Thanks so much. I’m looking forward to seeing it.”

“Yes.”

She stares at me. Yes what? I don’t bother asking. I shoot her one last smile and make my way towards the small office right next to Nico’s. It’s freshly painted and still has the slightest hint of paint smell. They’ve cracked one of the sliding windows open a bit, and cold air is blasting inside.

I’d rather put the air filter on instead of freezing to death. It’s literally snowing outside, and my office is an icebox.

I hurry over to the window and tug it closed. A cold shiver runs through me.

The smell is so faint it’ll probably be gone by lunchtime.

I put my laptop bag onto the dark wooden desk and reach out to brush my fingers over the bright green leaves of a gorgeous monstera I chose for the corner.

Because they were still setting up when I started working here, Nico let me choose the decor.

My eyes roam the room, and the smile on my face spreads wider.

It’s gorgeous and modern and neat—warm brown and green tones against white walls create a minimalist vibe with hints of nature.

On the far wall opposite the massive window, Nico had them put a giant painting of a monstera leaf—it’s gorgeous, and it makes me smile that he would do that.

I tell myself it was just a design element and not a personal gift, nothing I should read into, although it was clearly put there to match the plants I chose.

I can’t believe I’m working as an executive assistant to the CEO, right on the top floor with views that most people would kill for—and, according to Time magazine, my boss is one of the sexiest, most eligible bachelors in the city.

They’re not wrong. He’s fucking gorgeous. His dark hair and bright amber eyes are a deadly combination. His rugged, masculine strength makes me want to blush every time I’m in the same room as him, because it floods me with desire.

It’s a challenge to work with such a gorgeous man, but I have to push those thoughts aside because this job is incredible.

When I dreamed of my first job straight after graduation, this is exactly what I would have envisioned, but never believed possible.

I’m the luckiest girl in the world.

Twenty-one and about to establish myself in the corporate world of business. I accelerated my accomplishments by adding extra college courses during high school. It paid off. Now I am ahead of the game.

My first week on the job has been eye opening and fantastically challenging for a number of reasons; the work is freaking incredible, I love being pushed out of my comfort zone and given chances to prove myself.

There is a challenge every hour because everything is new, and I’m still getting the hang of it all.

I’m managing things for this office and for the other office being set up in town at Baker Street.

I’ve been working my ass off every hour of every day, and I think I’m proving myself to be an invaluable asset for Mr. Andreev.

Nico .

My heart flutters just thinking of his name.

Every night since I started working here, I’ve gone to bed fantasizing about him until I fall asleep.

It’s pathetic, I’m fully aware.

But a girl can dream.

There’s no harm in a little late-night imagination.

I grin, remembering all the things I let him do to me in my mind last night. Okay, maybe it’s getting a bit out of hand, and I should probably put a stop to my own thoughts, but he’s beyond gorgeous. In fact, I’ve never seen a man, in my entire life, who could compare to him.

He’s sexy. Dangerously sexy. Stupidly good-looking.

I sigh, rolling my eyes at myself.

My hands brush self-consciously over my hips, and I glance down at the black bodycon dress I’m wearing.

Dream all you want, Serafina. Guys like that don ’ t go for girls like you.

I’m smart.

Clever enough to know better.

I might let my mind wander a bit on my own free time, but when I’m in the office, I need to focus on the work. And it’s easier said than done.

Because this wandering mind of mine isn’t exactly in my control when I’m around him.

Stupid hormones.

Thank goodness I don’t have to share an office with him anymore. At first, I loved the idea of being right next to him all day, but I quickly learned how distracting it was.

Now I have my own beautiful space.

“Serafina, can you come into my office, please?” His voice is deep, even though the speakerphone on my desk.

Nicole has already told me how it works.

I lean forward and press my finger against the dark red button. “I’ll be right in, Mr. Andreev,” I respond quickly.

“Nico.”

“Sorry.” My heart flips. He keeps insisting I call him by his first name, but it doesn’t feel right.

It’s too familiar. Too comfortable. And whenever his name touches my lips, I get all giggly and shy, which is not like me at all. It’s embarrassing.

Actually, what would I know about how to act around men?

I’ve had one boyfriend, who turned out to be a complete asshole, and all my life I’ve been taunted about how inexperienced I am with relationships.

I don’t know anything about guys, to be honest. But I do know that they don’t make me nervous. Not like he does.

Whatever.

It hardly matters when I have such an incredible career opportunity to focus on.

Gathering my notebook and my favorite pen with glitter inside that floats up and down when I flip it, I take a deep breath and head to Nico’s office. My stomach tightens with tension as I push his door open and step inside, knocking lightly on the wood as I enter.

“Good morning, Mr. Andreev,” I say, smiling.

“This is the last time I’m going to tell you, Serafina. Call me Nico . Next time, I’ll give you a written warning. Or punishment.” He’s grinning at me, but I take note of the flash of authority in his amber eyes. Eyes I could so easily get lost in, piercing and commanding attention.

“Sorry,” I say, over-enthused.

He stands up from behind his desk and walks towards me.

His suit, pitch-black and crisp, is perfectly molded to his muscular form, made for him, accentuating each bulge in his body, taunting me as I watch his movements.

His strong face and dark shadow of stubble make him look wild and dangerous, yet his eyes are kind and calm, as though he’s in control of everything.

I turn away and hurry towards the sofas where we usually have our morning meeting to go over the things we’ll be doing that day.

He follows me, but as he walks close to me, he reaches out and brushes his hand over my lower back. I stop, completely frozen by his touch. My heart is racing so fast, I’m convinced he’ll be able to hear it.

His hand leaves my body as quickly as it brushed over me, but the effect of his touch lingers, like fire on my skin, a feverish desire in my thoughts.

“Do you like your office, Serafina? Is there anything you want to change?” he asks as he settles into the sofa with the confidence and ease that I wish I had whenever I was around him.

Oh, I’m confident in my ability to do my job. I’m confident I can perform all of the duties required of me as his executive assistant. But I am not confident that I won’t trip over my own tongue and say or do something embarrassing.

He unbalances me in strange ways that I’ve never felt before.

“I love my office. I wouldn’t want them to change anything. It’s so gorgeous. Thank you so much for letting me choose the decor. The view is breathtaking and I’m just—I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.” I smile with genuine excitement.

“I’m glad to hear it. I want you to be happy here with me, Sera.

I’m not letting you escape any time soon.

You belong to me now,” he grins, and his eyes flare with suggestion.

My body sparks with desire and I sit down, quickly pulling my notebook onto my lap and staring down at the pages to hide my blushing cheeks.

Obviously, I’m misreading the meaning in his words. Nico isn’t flirting with me, no matter how much I would love for that to be happening.

Nico clears his throat gruffly and picks up the leather folder he takes his notes. “Alright, let’s get straight to it.” His voice is all business and zero flirtation now. His face has gone stern, and while I’m not the best at reading him, he looks embarrassed.

Why would he be embarrassed? Maybe he realized that it sounded like he might have been flirting, and that horrified him. The idea of flirting with me.

I bite my lip. Dammit. Work. Think about work. “We have a lot to do today. There is a delivery of office equipment at Baker Street, and I was hoping to find time to clean up the filing system in your office. It’s a bit of a disaster.”

“A disaster . Is that so?” When I look up, expecting him to be offended, his amber eyes are locked on me, and his smile is dangerously sexy.

My words are stuck in my throat, but my lips part as though I’m going to say something—

He laughs, and I quickly press them back together.

My cheeks are burning hotter now, and all I can think about is that I’m making the biggest fool of myself ever .

Thank goodness I have my own office now.

“Um,” I murmur, looking at the blank page of my notepad and scribbling something useless on there as though I'm writing important things down. “What else did you want me to do today?”

“Set up another meeting with Swan and Associates.

Maybe Wednesday afternoon, next week? I need to go over that proposal again and make sure my presentation notes are on point.

We only get one chance with them. They are apparently ruthless in the industry.

Then Jacksonville Properties wanted to show me an investment opportunity.

Please call that woman back—what was her name again? The lady with the really sharp face?"

“Camilla,” I confirm, wondering how he would describe me to other people.

“Yes, her, that’s the one. Tell her I’ll come to see the place on Saturday. Oh, and for Wednesday’s presentation, I’m going to send you the file. Go over it and make sure it’s perfect. Then, what else…right, mm…“

He’s looking down at his leather folder, running the silver fountain pen over notes he’s made. I watch him, fascinated by his expression, his masculine energy and authoritative voice. My heart is getting wild again as I picture him taking control of me, pushing me up against a wall—

“Shit, did you send that e-mail to—"

“I did,” I confirm, one step ahead of him.

“My brother?”

“Yes, I sent it.” I smile.

“You’re a star. I can’t believe I forgot again.”

We work through the list of tasks, and it takes everything in my power to stay focused and not let him distract me.

When the morning meeting is over, I hurry out of the office, careful not to trip over my own feet, and it’s only when I settle down at my own desk in my own space that I take a deep breath and relax.

Holy shit, that man is affecting me in ridiculous ways, and I need to find a solution—to block out these thoughts I’m having.

This is my job .

I can’t have feelings like that towards my boss . If there is one sure way to fuck this whole thing up, it would be to blurt out some unprofessional comment that makes him uncomfortable.

Ugh.

Get a grip, Sera.