by T L Osborn
“I’m sure. You’ll start Monday, July 7th. Lara will contact you tomorrow to organise signing the paperwork, but you are allowed to go back to your desk and inform your current boss he’ll need a new secretary as of July the 7th.”
That’s in two weeks. That’s so soon.
“I can’t believe this.” We stand.
“Believe it, Miss Thompson.” He smiles.
“Thank you, once again.”
“We look forward to having you on board,” he says, shaking my hand again.
I do a little happy dance in the elevator. I got the job!
Chapter Two
Simon
I toss the report down on my desk. The words are mashing together on the page. I should be at home with my four-year-old daughter, Charlotte. Not still here at the office. It breaks my heart when I leave for work, hearing her scream at the garage door. She needs her daddy around. I’m just going to have to try harder. Ten minutes, then I’ll go home. I turn my eyes back to the report as my office door bursts open.
“I’ve found your next PA!” James announces triumphantly, as he struts in undoing his tie. “You want to hear about her?” He takes a seat opposite me and tosses his blue folder down on the desk.
I bet she’s young, pretty, and just his type. “My next PA, or your next conquest?” I grin.
“Nah, not my type, though she may be yours,” he replies, and I shake my head at him. “All right, I’ll at least tell you why I think she’d make a fantastic PA. She thought about her answers, and they were honest. She has a sense of humour, and she didn’t even try flirting with me.”
A woman who doesn’t flirt with my brother? That intrigues me. Amused, I lean back in my chair, propping my chin against my thumb and forefinger.
“Come on, bro. Do a background check if you need to,” he begs.
I sigh. I do need a PA at Billington, since I refuse to bring my current one with me. She’s as useless as tits on a bull. “You already hired her,” I say as he stands up.
“Yup.” I’m going to regret this. “See you tomorrow,” he calls, walking towards the door.
“I’ll be in later I’m going to pack up my office and bring all my things there,” I tell him.
“Cool, that means I’m CEO for the morning.” He chuckles.
“Not a chance. Uncle Royce is still in charge until I take over.” As soon as my door clicks, I pick up my phone. I ring Roger Stonewall, my ex-army and well-trained bodyguard. I train with him regularly, and he always kicks my ass.
“Stonewall,” he answers the phone.
“Roger, Simon here. I need you to do a background check on one Miss A J Thompson. Just a basic check will do.”
“Sure, boss.” A click tells me he’s already on the job. As I put my phone down, I look at my watch. Fuck! Is that the time? I promised Charlotte I’d read her a story before bed. I shut my laptop, grab my suit jacket, and head home.
Once inside, I race up the stairs, hoping I’m not too late. Damn! Her door is ajar. Some father I am. I walk into the room, tuck her blankets around her, and kiss her forehead. She looks so peaceful when sleeping. You’d never know at 6:00 am, she’s full of beans, bouncing around the house. I creep out of her room and into my own, showering after changing out of my work gear. As I’m pulling on a sweatshirt, my cell phone rings.
“Billington,” I answer without looking at the caller ID.
“Boss, background check all done. Nothing to report. No criminal convictions. Nothing like that.”
“Thanks, Roger.” I hang up and make my way down to the kitchen. The smell of dinner lingers in the air. I’m not sure what’s been made, and I really don’t care. I open the oven and discover a plate of food, smiling. Thank heavens for my housekeeper and Charlotte’s nanny, Linda. I’d never eat if it wasn’t for her.
I carry the plate of food back to my office and eat while I read. I’m starting to realise perhaps James was right in hiring this woman. I need someone to run my life, since I’m not balancing anything properly and I’m missing out on all the little things with Charlotte.
I hate missing out on all the little things.
Aria
My days of being just another secretary are over. Two days, and I start my new role as PA to the CEO. As I’m leaving the building for the evening, I get in the lift with hope, as I have for the past two weeks, that I’ll meet my mystery lift kisser again. Except, I don’t, and I wonder if he was a figment of my imagination. My sexually frustrated imagination. Everywhere I look, there are businessmen, all in well-tailored black suits, but not a single one of them is him. I sigh, feeling silly for pining after a man like him. Still, he did give me the best kiss of my life.
I make the long journey home by train and bus. My contract stated that I’d finish work at 6:00 pm. Hopefully, the trains won’t be so busy that late at night. I finally get off the bus just down the road from my house. My feet are killing me. I can’t wait to take these high heels off and put on my slippers.
I walk around the exterior of my house, climb the stairs to the balcony outside my room, and unlock the door. Turning on the lights, I immediately take off my shoes. Ahh, relief. The carpet is soft beneath my feet as I close my curtains. I spin to dump some stuff on my bed, only to find items already sitting on it. A large cardboard box, a bunch of my favourite flowers—blue gerberas—and a block of my favourite chocolate.
“Surprise!” Toby shouts from my bedroom door.
I leap out of my skin, not having heard him approach. “Tob, you scared me. I didn’t think anyone was home.”
He chuckles. “That’s half the fun of living with you. I like to scare and surprise you.”
“What’s this for?”
“Congratulations on starting your new job, from Jake and me. Hope you like the books we chose.”
“Thanks, big brother. So thoughtful. Now, what do you want?” I arch an eyebrow.
“You out of the house tomorrow so the guys can come watch the game?”
“Done. I’m meeting Steph at the library anyway.”
“I swear, if you could live at that place, you would. Shall I meet you downstairs for dinner, dessert, and 7days?”
“Give me fifteen minutes to have a shower first.”
“I’ll make it half an hour,” he says, leaving my room.
I’m tempted to open the box before I have my shower, but if I do, I won’t get anything done all weekend. My brother gives me cheek about all the romance books I read, but I know he truly doesn’t mind. I shower, dress, and toss my towel in the hamper on my way downstairs. I find Toby sitting on the couch, pizza waiting, wine poured for me, and he’s swigging a beer. I slump down beside him on the couch and grab a slice of pizza. “I thought you were working tonight?”
“Nah, swapped shifts with Matt so I could celebrate with you,” he explains. I take a bite of the pizza. Meat Lovers, my favourite. “Are you excited to begin your new job?”
“Honestly, I’m a little nervous. What if I mess it up? What if I’m not a great PA?”
He puts a hand on my shoulder. “You’ll be great. You run my life well enough.”
“That’s because you’re never home to do it yourself.”
“You’ll be fantastic at it.”
“Thanks, bro. Didn’t realise you were so affectionate.” I laugh with a playful slap to his arm.
He pretends to wince. “You’re a bully. But seriously, stop doubting yourself. You’ve got this.” I take another bite of pizza and ignore him, though self-doubt creeps in. Have I really got what it takes to be a PA?
Simon
“Daddy, wake up.” A little person shakes me awake.
Yuck, all I taste is whiskey—a lot of whiskey. I open one eye. Phew! At least I’m in my room.
“Daddy,” Charlotte whispers again. My daughter is in my room. I peek under the sheets to discover I managed to put pyjama pants on.
“You okay, princess?” I ask, turning towards her.
“Sowwy, Daddy. I had a bad d
weam.” She sniffles. Poor kid has been having more of these lately.
She shifts into my lap and I wrap my arms around her. “Want to go to the library today, and then this afternoon, we can watch a princess movie?” Two of her favourite things I know will cheer her up.
She stares up at me with bright blue eyes. “Can we get a princess book?”
“We can get as many princess books as you like.”
“Daddy, can we make pancakes for breakfast?”
I shouldn’t operate the oven this morning. “Sure, kiddo.” Anything to make her smile.
“What’s that?” Charlotte points at the now empty bottle of whiskey that rests on the counter as we enter the kitchen.
That was a fucking expensive bottle.
“Adult-only drink.” I place Charlotte down on the seat at the dining room table.
“Why?” she asks, as I clear everything away.
“Because it’s strong-tasting and makes adults do silly things,” I reply.
“Oh. Why?”
“Want chocolate chips in your pancakes?” I ask, as I put the bottle in the bin.
“Yes,” she says, not hiding her duh tone. I swear, she’s four going on fourteen some days.
I make us breakfast and, for the first time in a long time, Charlotte eats more than I do. Though, that’s probably because I have a hangover. I take some pain reliever as she goes upstairs to get dressed. I head to my own room to shower, feeling less tired and grumpy when I get out. I dress as Charlotte walks into my room carrying her hairbrush and hair tie. I do her hair in the tall mirror so she can see what I’m doing. It’s a simple ponytail, the only thing I ever mastered no matter how much my sister tried to teach me.
We head out to the library, listening to some music along the way. She absolutely loves reading and races ahead of me to the children’s section. I glance over at the adult section. There was a time I enjoyed reading too. These days, it’s all reports, business minutes, and contracts. I wouldn’t have a clue what I’d like to read for pleasure anymore.
I make my way to where Charlotte has perched herself on a couch with several books already. The kid is a magpie for anything princess and pretty. I seat myself beside her as she holds up a book for me. Beauty and the Beast. Her favourite. This story seems far-fetched to me. The idea of love being able to turn someone from beast to man is ridiculous, but Charlotte loves it, and I’ll do anything to make her happy.
Chapter Three
Aria
It’s mid-afternoon and I’m at my favourite place, the library, trying to decide what to read next. I really should buy myself a Kindle. Out the corner of my eye, my best friend appears beside me.
“Hey,” I say, not taking my eyes away from the shelves.
“Whatcha doing?”
“Trying to figure out what to read next.”
She passes a book under my nose. “Aria, have you read the latest BDSM book Dominant Boss by Cheryl Evans?”
“No.” I push the book away.
“Why the hell not?”
“Because I don’t like reading BDSM after Lance and I once tried something kinky and… well, it didn’t quite go to plan.”
“I know about Lance and his magic sword.” She laughs as I walk around the shelves. I don’t answer her. “Wait, this is about that night you two broke up?” She follows me.
“Yes, I told him all about what I’d been reading, and he was keen to try it out. The night started out great. Candles, satin red sheets, new toys…
We got hot and heavy. He blindfolded me, handcuffed me to the bed, and begun his sensual assault of my body. My fantasy was coming true.” Steph pulls me down onto a couch in the rear of the library. “As he kissed, licked, and sucked his way down my body, I was on fire. I was burning for him. I didn’t think sex could feel so great. Then just as I was about to orgasm… he bit me.” Steph gasps. “I know. He bit me hard enough he left teeth marks! It hurt. I cried, begging him to stop. It took me a moment to realise he was actually getting off on my pain. I demanded to be released, my wound throbbing in agony. He didn’t release me until he came. I shoved him away from me as I raced into the bathroom. Blood streaming down my legs.” My eyes sting as tears form. Even though she’s my best friend, she never knew the truth.
“Oh, honey!” She wraps an arm around me.
“That’s not the worst bit. The worst thing was he enjoyed it so much he wanted more. Said he loved watching me bleed, that it meant I truly loved him.” I place my head in my hands and sob.
“Had he ever given any sign he was into that before?”
I shake my head. “No. We’d tried blindfolding, which was kinky, but I wanted to try being tied down. I just didn’t realise he’d use it to his advantage.”
“Do your brothers know?”
I shake my head. “No, if they did, he wouldn’t be alive.” Jacob, my twin, would definitely kill him.
“True. You want to have a glass of wine later? You look like you could totally do with one,” Steph offers.
“Actually, that sounds really great.”
“Excellent. Meet at my place at 7:00 pm.”
“I’ll bring the wine.”
With one last hug, she leaves me, and with a little relief, I get off the couch.
After sorting through my mountain of books, I carry them over to the checkout area. In front of the machines, people are lined up like parts on an assembly line, waiting in hushed library silence. The sexy man in front of me is with his daughter, who is helping him load their haul of books to the checkout. The uptight bitch behind me may be impatient, shifting from one foot to the other, but I certainly don’t mind; the man in front of me is scorching.
His firm butt strains against the buttery soft fabric of his dark jeans. The thin white cotton T-shirt clings to his toned torso as if he’d just won a wet T-shirt contest, every muscle visible. I want him to flex a little so I can drool some more.
Please, Mr Greek God?
They finish loading all their books, collect their receipt, and spin around. Thud! His elbow collides with my nose, sending pain radiating through my face. Instinctively, I drop my books all over the floor to hold my throbbing face with my hands. Ouch!
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you standing behind me,” he says. I pull my hands away from my face and look up at him. It’s him! Lift kisser extraordinaire. I can’t move; I just stare helplessly into his eyes. I blush. I haven’t forgotten his kiss, the way his lips felt so good against mine.
“You’re hurt?” he questions. I nod at him, still unable to form a sentence. “I think I should take you to Emergency and get you checked out.”
“I’ll be fine,” I manage to say without looking at his distracting face.
“Correction. I am taking you to the emergency department.”
He begins gathering up my books and placing them by a checkout machine.
“Library card.” He holds out his hand and I give it to him. He checks out my books and places them in my arms, followed by their own pile. He wraps one arm around my waist and bends to scoop me into his arms like I weigh nothing.
“Hey! Put me down!” I demand, but he walks towards the door to exit the library. “I hurt my face, not my feet.”
He chuckles. “I believe I hurt your face.”
“I’m still capable of walking.”
“It’s this way or over my shoulder.”
I fold my arms across my chest as the books rest on my stomach. “Fine! This way, only because over your shoulder implies something else.”
“Really?” He arches an eyebrow and a smirk crosses his face. His features soften into a smile as he leans down. “What exactly does it imply, honey?” he whispers in my ear.
I tingle all over, and I’m damn sure he knows it, because he grips me tighter. I search around for his daughter to discover she’s just ahead of us, dancing out the doors.
“Sex,” I reply.
He chuckles. “I can be a bit more caveman-like if you wish.”
“No, thanks, this whole knight in shining armour thing is just fine.” He carries me all the way out to a car, opens a rear passenger door, and then the front one. “So am I allowed to know the name of my knight?”
“Uhh… Simon and yours?” He lowers me into the passenger seat.
“Aria.”
“Well then, Miss Aria, buckle up. We have a hospital to get to.”
“I’m not going to the emergency department.” My protest goes unheard as he shuts the door. I buckle up, sure of two things: I’m not going to the hospital, and by the end of tonight, I’m going to be naked beneath him.
Simon
I thought I’d never see her again, my hot librarian. Yet, she’s currently sitting in the front seat of my car while I buckle Charlotte in. I haven’t been able to get her out of my head since that kiss. I looked for her every time I had to go into Billington Industries in the last two weeks, hoping to see her again, maybe ask for her phone number. But, it didn’t happen.
Now, of all the places to see her again, it’s at the library. Perhaps I could just take her home and not to the hospital. I shake my head. I can’t do that. What if I broke her nose? The hospital it is, no matter how much my cock protests my decision.
“I’m not going.” Aria pouts as I climb into the car.
“You are and that’s final.” I start the engine.
“Simon, please. I don’t like hospitals.”
I turn to look at her. She’s white as a sheet, wringing her hands together, and biting her lip. She’s scared—no doubt about it. I touch her hands; they’re clammy with sweat and shaking. “You’re really scared.” She nods. “All right, make me a deal, here and now. We won’t go to the hospital, but you agree to come back to my place, where I can keep an eye on you.”
She inhales deeply as she thinks over my offer. I can’t help but notice her flimsy T-shirt clingy to her plump, shapely breasts, making me want to rip it off and kiss my way down her belly. Her jeans, hugging every inch of those curves, make me want to run my hands over them and tug the fabric down her soft legs, followed by her underwear, while I gaze upon her beautiful skin. My mouth waters, wanting to taste every inch of her skin. My cock is throbbing in my pants. She senses it too, because, as she gazes at me, she licks her lips and her cheeks blush.
