by Holly Rayner
Most of the time, anyway. There were still people, like Patricia Sanders, who held no respect for him or his company. They couldn’t see past his former lifestyle. And so, he worked harder at building a reputation as someone who only cared about his business.
There were still stories in the tabloids, but now they told of a billionaire with a heart of ice. The chronicles of his dating life were more like polished advertisements: if you were this brilliant and this ruthless, you too could have beautiful women, hot cars, and a mansion in southern California.
Hakim was tired of that, too. The publicity was nice, but he wanted something more. An actual connection with someone, maybe. Or at least someone who understood what his life was like.
But finding a connection wasn’t why he was at the BingeWatch party. Not that kind of connection, anyway. One of his clients had mentioned the charity auction Ms. Sanders planned to host, and had laughed about the top prize being offered.
Hakim knew winning that prize was his opportunity. Having Lauren Sanders do his bidding for a whole week would not only embarrass her famously proud mother, it would give him an invaluable opportunity to learn more about his greatest business opponent.
He already had a plan for Lauren. He was certain she’d never cleaned a bathroom in her life, or cooked a meal. A day of that and she’d ask her mother to bail her out. And Hakim intended to use that as a negotiating opportunity.
After he’d learned of the auction, Hakim had gone through his contacts until he found someone who owed him a favor, someone who just happened to work at BingeWatch Media. After a little gentle twisting of his contact’s arm, he’d gotten an invitation to the party.
Hakim was pretty certain that Lauren Sanders didn’t know who he was. To be honest, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to pick her out of a room, either. She would be an ice queen, like her mother—of that he was sure. She kept to herself outside of work and her social media profiles were locked down tightly, only her work accounts being public, and those were carefully curated.
Still, he could imagine the type. Cool blond hair always twisted up tightly, dressed in expensive suits that never wrinkled—even at her own party, she wouldn’t be able to cut loose.
He knew that he would win the auction; he planned to bid whatever it took to do so. And until then, he intended to enjoy the party.
After listening to a truly bad joke from one of BingeWatch’s account managers, Hakim dragged him to the bar. The guy was obviously nice, even if he couldn’t tell a joke to save his life, and they both deserved a drink for surviving his comedy attempt.
Hakim’s eye was caught by a lovely woman across the room. She was by herself, but Hakim couldn’t imagine she wasn’t here with someone. Even from the distance, he saw that her hazel eyes sparkled with life and her purple dress hugged her hips in just the right way. She was watching him, a look of curiosity on her face. He was used to women staring at him, but something about this woman piqued his curiosity.
He smiled, and the woman blushed, and Hakim couldn’t resist winking at her too. She ducked her head, and then her attention was pulled away by her phone. Hakim smiled to himself. Maybe after the auction was over, he’d seek her out and ask for her number.
A few people were talking about the auction, and Hakim asked if they were looking forward to the big prize. One of the women laughed, and said that she wasn’t sure if she was rooting for the accounting team or if she hoped that the interns banded together so that the CEO would have to get coffee and deliver mail for everyone.
They were so nice about it, Hakim actually started to feel bad. It was obvious that BingeWatch’s employees were looking forward to having the CEO be one of them for a week, in the best way possible. They talked as if they knew Lauren Sanders would have fun toiling away for whoever “bought” her.
He got another drink, then continued to move around the room, chatting with people. He found himself talking some business, but also asking genuine questions to learn more about the television production field. Of course, there was some overlap with advertising, but he always liked learning more about an adjacent industry.
He’d almost forgotten about his quest when BingeWatch’s vice president announced the auction. The DJ switched from playing music to calling the auction, and Hakim waited patiently as the first few lots were auctioned off. They went through a number of items—a weekend getaway outside the city, season tickets for the local professional football team, a luxury spa package—but the closer they got to the end of the auction, the more Hakim could feel the anticipation build.
When the DJ introduced the final prize of the night, several people in the room whooped loudly and everyone applauded with enthusiasm. The DJ held out a hand to someone just off the stage, and it was all Hakim could do to keep his jaw from dropping when the woman in purple took the DJ’s hand and walked out.
She waved to the crowd, and then wagged a playful finger at a group in front of the stage.
“You can make me file your expense reports, but you may not like the results,” she said, teasing the group. “Trust me, I’m much better at making coffee.”
They laughed and one young woman called, “We’ll take our chances, boss!”
Hakim couldn’t believe it. This was Lauren Sanders?
He took a closer look at her. From across the room, he’d felt a stir of attraction for her, but now that he had a chance to really see her, he was stunned. This woman wasn’t an ice queen at all. Her dazzling smile lit up the room and she looked at ease on the stage as she teased her employees and laughed along with them. She didn’t look hard enough to be a CEO. Right then, all soft curves and pretty hair, she looked like someone who knew how to have fun.
He was impressed by her attitude. It couldn’t be easy for her to willingly give up control of her life for a week, but up on that stage, she looked like she thought it was the best idea in the world.
Hakim definitely wasn’t going to mind having her at his command for a week. Maybe it would even be fun.
An opening bid was called out, a laughably small sum from the interns in the corner, and Lauren pointed at them.
“I think that’s a fantastic price. Sold, to the awesome interns of BingeWatch!” she called.
The DJ laughed and shook his head. “Nice try, Lauren. Do I hear another offer?”
More numbers were called out, along with more jokes and teasing from both the stage and the floor. The bidding whittled down to three different competitors, but they were all raising in such tiny amounts. At this rate, Hakim thought, they’d be there all night.
He raised his hand and called out over the din in the room. “A hundred thousand dollars.”
The whole room turned to look at him. He looked calmly back and smiled genially.
From the stage, the DJ said, “Now that’s what I’m talking about. This is for charity, folks, so open your wallets and dig deep.”
Hakim watched as Lauren struggled not to say something. She’d kept the expression on her face tranquil, but he could tell he’d shocked her. A frisson of electricity ran through him, and Hakim couldn’t tell if it was anticipation at winning or disappointment in himself for what he was doing.
“Any other bids?” the DJ called from the stage. “Going once, going twice… Sold! To the gentleman who obviously has money to burn. Congratulations, sir.”
Hakim watched as Lauren shook the DJ’s hand. He wondered if anyone else could see that her hands were trembling just slightly as she reached out.
One of the guys he’d been talking with clapped him on the back.
“I’m impressed, man. That was one hell of a bid.”
Hakim shrugged. “It’s for charity, right? All for a good cause.”
The man nodded. “Well, you certainly will be the talk of the office. Just be kind to the boss—she’s a good woman.”
Hakim gave him what he hoped was a reassuring smile. When he’d walked into the party, he hadn’t cared what anyone there thought of him. After spending some t
ime talking with BingeWatch’s staff, he found he didn’t want them to think poorly of him.
So much for the cold, uncaring attitude.
“I promise,” Hakim said, shaking the man’s hand, “I won’t be too hard on her.”
The guy moved away and Hakim went to make his payment and sign the contract. As he moved throughout the crowd, he noticed a few people staring at him. More than one person came up to him and echoed the feeling that they hoped he wouldn’t be too hard on their CEO. It wasn’t that Lauren couldn’t take it, one fierce woman explained, but they’d hate to have to come after him if he mistreated her. The implication was clear, and Hakim promised her that Lauren would be fine.
After all, he thought to himself, it wasn’t really Lauren he was after.
Chapter 3
Lauren
Lauren barely remembered to thank the DJ for running the auction. She wasn’t entirely sure how she made it off the stage, but she must have done so, since she was met by a flustered vice president.
Kayla Williams was a force of nature, and Lauren had never seen her this upset. Her face wore a worried expression, which matched the more than slightly panicked tone in her voice.
“I should never have encouraged you to do this stupid auction,” Kayla said as she pulled Lauren off to the side of the room.
“It’s fine,” Lauren replied, somehow surprised that she was calmer than her friend.
“No, it’s not. It wasn’t supposed to be someone from outside the company. Even the clients who wanted to bid knew that the winner was supposed to be one of our people. It’s only fair.”
Lauren couldn’t help but laugh at her logic. “It was an auction, Kayla. Fair means whoever bids the most wins. That’s how it works.”
“Yeah, well, I’m having legal rewrite the rules first thing tomorrow morning.”
“I am sorry that one of our employees didn’t win the auction. I know how much everyone was looking forward to the possibility of bossing me around. Maybe we can do some kind of trade just for them later on?”
“Yeah, if you think I’m letting you do anything like this ever again, that would be a no.”
Lauren let the idea go, knowing that Kayla would follow through; the chances of BingeWatch ever holding another charity auction had just dropped to below zero.
“What do we know about the…” Lauren really didn’t like using the word, especially since she didn’t know who it was, but she bit her tongue and said it. “…buyer? Who is he?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t leave any information except an address, which he said was his office. I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet. You’re supposed to be there at noon tomorrow, which counts as your first day of servitude.”
Lauren ran a hand over her hair. “Okay. I’ll do some research later tonight.”
“Let me get one of our guys to do it. We can run a background, see who it is.”
Lauren put a hand on Kayla’s arm. “Don’t make anyone leave the party to do that. I’ll look the address up in the morning. Either way, I’ll find out what’s up when I show up at his office.”
“Yeah, that’s not making me feel any better,” Kayla sighed, then added, “I can tell you he’s not one of our clients. I’m not sure how he even got an invite.”
Lauren waved a hand. “We sent invites to some prospective clients, too. He’s probably one of those.”
Kayla shrugged. “Maybe, but I’d feel better if I knew who he was. I was going to cancel the sale, actually, not allow him to pay. I asked one of the lawyers to come with me, to say that we were not letting the sale go through. But he paid—in cash, no less—and was gone before I could get to him.”
Lauren sighed and leaned against the wall. “So, he came ready. Which means he knows me, maybe?”
“Or he’s just heard of you? Could be a potential client who wants a better deal?” Kayla asked, pacing a few steps in one direction, then whirling and pacing a few steps back. It was enough to make Lauren dizzy.
“Or a competitor, though I didn’t recognize him,” Lauren said, closing her eyes so that she didn’t have to watch Kayla.
“Someone new to the area? Or to the industry?”
“Could be,” Lauren thought about it. She usually kept up to date with current and prospective competitors, but she had no idea where this guy had come from.
“Look, we can still get you out of it,” Kayla put a hand on Lauren’s arm, trying, and failing, to comfort her.
Lauren opened her eyes. “No, we can’t. I signed a contract, remember?”
“You can get out of the contract.”
“No, really, I can’t. There’s no way I can pay a hundred grand to the charity, and that was the only loophole we put in there.”
Kayla thought for a long moment. “You could ask your…”
Before she could finish the sentence, Lauren held up a hand. “No.”
Kayla shrugged. “I’m just saying.”
“We’re not bringing my mother into this. In fact, now I’m actually glad she didn’t make it tonight.”
“She would hate that you were bought by someone outside the company. You know she’d give the money to charity for you.”
“Yes, and I’d never hear the end of it. It’s fine, Kayla, really. The contract says exactly what I won’t do. If he’s a competitor, it doesn’t allow me to override any other legally binding agreements, so the business will be fine.”
Lauren thumped her head gently against the wall. She was so glad someone had had the foresight to add that little clause; she couldn’t disclose anything or do anything to put the business in jeopardy, like reveal the contents of another client’s contract or sell part of the business.
“And if it’s not business he’s interested in?” Kayla asked after a pause.
Lauren laughed mirthlessly. “Pretty sure that’s not legal, either. Plus, the contract also limits my working hours,” she put air quotes around the phrase, “to normal office hours, so no evenings, no overnights.”
“Like that’s ever stopped a creep from being a creep?”
“True, but at least it sets expectations. And if it comes to that, then yes, I will find a way to buy myself out of the contract.”
Kayla leaned next to Lauren against the wall. “How are we going to stay on top of work while you’re gone? You weren’t actually supposed to be out of the office.”
“It’s not like I haven’t been out of the office before,” Lauren said in her most reassuring tone.
Kayla snorted. “Not for an entire week, you haven’t. What if you can’t get online?”
“I’ll get online. I’ll check in early in the morning, and then when I get home. Plus, I’ll work out some way to check email and messages through the day. Think of it as a way to practice our continuity of operations plan.”
Kayla only raised an eyebrow at Lauren’s way to find the silver lining. “Okay. I’ll keep a running track of things you need to respond to, and send them to you in a big package at the end of the day. You can get them back to me that night, and I’ll deal with them first thing in the morning.”
“You’ll handle all my meetings?”
Kayla nodded. “Or postpone them, if necessary. There are a few things that aren’t time critical.”
“I’ll keep my phone with me, so if it’s an emergency, text me.”
“And if you’re not allowed to have a phone?”
Lauren gave her a rare grin that showed why she had been so successful in a cut-throat industry. “It’s in the contract. He can’t take away my phone.”
Kayla studied her for a moment. “You know, I could have one of the security guys stay with you for the next week.”
“Are you suggesting I need a bodyguard?”
Kayla tilted her head and grimaced. “Maybe?”
Lauren laughed again, this time genuinely. “Thanks, but I’ve got this.”
“If you change your mind…”
“I will let you know. Promise. Now, come on,” Lauren t
ugged Kayla’s arm, “let’s go back to our party.”
Chapter 4
Lauren
Lauren woke up the next morning with just a hint of a headache. She wasn’t sure if it was left over from the party or simply tension caused by anticipation of the week ahead. Either way, she definitely needed a couple of aspirin.
She checked the clock and realized that there wasn’t much of the morning left. The party had run late—which Lauren had been more than happy to encourage, since her employees had been having such a great time. Even though the event had been held on a Sunday night, and they all knew they had to be at work the next morning, Lauren had spread the word before the party that a relaxed start on Monday would be expected. That way, no one had to feel guilty for staying until the early hours.
So, Lauren hadn’t felt guilty for staying late, even though she wasn’t sure what her next few days at work were going to be like. It was possible she wouldn’t be in the office at all.
Kayla had continued to send her worried looks for the rest of the night, until Lauren finally hid from her vice president by hanging out with the interns, who were amused that the boss ended the party with them.
Between a long day of work, rehearsals, and the party, Lauren was in no mood to do any research by the time she returned home. She had to get some sleep, and looking into her mysterious buyer would just have to wait.
Lauren sighed and rolled out of bed. She had no idea what she was going to walk into that afternoon. She thought about doing a quick search on the address, but after looking at the clock, she decided against it; she needed to check in with the office, and then get ready. Better to face the day looking calm and put together instead of ruffled and with messy hair.
She rushed through her shower, but took her time picking out something to wear. She wanted to project control, to make it clear she didn’t intend to be taken advantage of no matter the circumstances.
