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Chapter 1

I woke up knowing that the day would be a mess. I had a new assistant coming in, which meant spending the day training her to do simple tasks while I got no actual work done. I’d gone through so many assistants lately that I didn’t even know why I even had one anymore. After training them to get accustomed to my style and schedule, they were gone. It wasn’t worth the effort, but I really couldn’t do everything on my own, no matter how much I tried.

All I expected from them was to do their best and give me a solid effort. The only time I got a solid effort out of them was when they were trying to seduce me. Then I refused them and was forced to let them go. The staffing agency had told my human resources director that not many men were looking for positions as executive assistants, so despite my wishes, I was stuck with the opposite sex.

It was too early to head out to the office, so I popped open my laptop to check emails while I made coffee. My coffee fix was a must, especially today. I needed the pick-me-up before I headed into the office to the new bimbo.

Browsing through my emails, I saw one from my competitor, John Moriarty. We were both contractors for building projects and often got into bidding wars. I needed the caffeine before I dealt with him and his bullshit, so I ignored that email. I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say. This morning wasn’t shaping up to be a good one. New assistant, then an email from that asshole.

After I drank half a cup, I decided to open Moriarty’s message.

Subject: Wow. Just Wow.

“Hendricks. Another assistant tossed aside like garbage. Nice. One day you’re going to run through all the assistants in the city. Keep fucking with the pussy. I’ll gladly take the clients you’re going to lose.”

Check out the latest: www.goo.li.hendricksfix

I clicked on the link, and sure enough, there was a whole blog about me.

Nate Hendricks is a typical playboy boss, firing his assistants after he fucks them. Disgusting. He should be sued. I wonder when the women will finally speak up for themselves.

I couldn’t believe that someone was blogging such stupid rumors. This wasn’t the first time I’d heard these rumors, but I’d just ignored the idle gossip because I knew it wasn’t true and not one of my former assistants had dared to accuse me outright. After the first one flirted with me, I made sure to keep security cameras in my office, stay on my guard, and take precautions around them. I’d worked too hard to make myself a success, giving up a life outside of work—except for raising Layla. There was no way I’d let some woman steal that from me.

I sent an email back to the fuck.

Moriarty,

If I was you, I wouldn’t believe the rumors. Just know that if you’re involved in this attack on me, I will have you buried in lawsuits until you’re bankrupt.

—Nate Hendricks.

I searched the blog and found another three articles about me. It was like the website was dedicated to libelously blasting me. My anger grew. After reading another bullshit lie about me, I slammed my laptop closed. This shit needed to end. I was ready for a lawsuit. Someone was defaming my character without justification, and while my reputation didn’t matter to me, it had a huge impact on my clientele. Everyone believed everything they read on the internet, so pretty soon my name would be as good as dirt. It wasn’t that far-fetched to think that a high-level entrepreneur had been doing all his assistants. It wasn’t the best way to start a day, and it truly pissed me off. I had to get my lawyer to deal with the blog before it spread around.

After opening my laptop back up, I sent my lawyer a copy of the link with a note to let him know I’d be calling him in two minutes.

“Lancaster here,” he said when I called.

“This is Hendricks. I’ve got a problem. Check your email.” I filled my mug back up while I waited for him to read the email.

“Damn, Nate. This doesn’t look good. I know you, so I know this is total bullshit, but I’ll have to look into where this is coming from and get back to you. This could be a problem if it gets into the wrong hands.”

“It already has. Moriarty has it.”

“Let me get my IT guy on this so we can figure out who is writing this blog.”

“Okay. Thanks, Lancaster.”

“Just doing my job. It’s about time I was actually useful. You’re too clean for your own good.”

“Let me know what happens as soon as possible. I don’t want Moriarty stealing jobs from my company. The lousy bastard has been a thorn in my side for the past two years.”

I hung up with him and deleted a lot of spam emails. Finishing my coffee, I rinsed out my cup and threw it in the dishwasher. Grabbing my computer bag, I stuffed my laptop inside, then I left the house. I had to get some air, so I walked to work.

The potential ramifications of these rumors were huge. I wished I’d dealt with them sooner. This kind of shit could damage my business dealings, and no matter how wealthy I was now, I never wanted to be poor again.

It took me twenty minutes to get to work, but I managed to calm down during that time. Walking into my office building, I was stunned by the woman standing at the security desk. Her face was hidden from me, but the curves on her body were mesmerizing. Something about her spoke to me. Maybe it was that she was sexy as fuck, and it had been so long since I’d even looked at a woman.

I bit my lip and eyed her backside. Dirty-ass thoughts crossed my mind that, considering the bullshit I was going through, shouldn’t be even considered. The idea of her bent over my desk as I fucked her ran laps around my brain. She was wearing a tight black pencil skirt and a matching black blouse. Her brown hair with blond highlights fell in waves. As she stood there talking to security, she impatiently tapped her foot. I groaned to myself as my eyes stared at her legs, which must have echoed because she turned back to look at me.

I gulped. She was prettier than I’d expected. My eyes scoped out her body as if she was there for my viewing pleasure. When my inspection was complete, I lifted my eyes to her face and was greeted with a bright pink blush. Unable to walk away without learning her name and if she worked here or as a contractor for one of the companies we did business with, I made my way to her.

“Hello,” I whispered, inspecting her pale blue eyes and parted plump, glossy lips.

“Hello,” she whispered back, looking at me with a dazed expression before nipping at her lip.

The sexual tension between us was strong as hell. Her body practically demanded I have my way.

But just as I inched closer, she shook the desire off. “Excuse me, I’m going to be late.”

Before she could get too far, the security guard called out to her, “Ms. McNeil, please use that elevator and take it to the fourth floor for human resources.”

“Oh, thank you. I completely forgot that I had no clue where I was going. Not a good way to start out the first day.” She gave him a smile I didn’t care for, then she scurried off to the elevators, catching one as the doors were just about to close.

Did she say her first day?
Please don’t tell me she’s my new assistant.
That would put me in deep shit. I turned back to security. “Who was that?”

“That’s your new assistant, Jessica McNeil.” He smiled at me knowingly.

How this could work out was beyond me. I didn’t have relationships, I didn’t fuck, but I knew that our instant attraction was only the beginning. I had to tell myself to stay away from her before I became my father.

I rushed to my office, hoping to get so busy that I would forget the beautiful assistant I was sure to meet today. Ten minutes into my work, I was drawn back into the vision of her flushed expression. I wanted her. That was a fact. How I could pursue her was beyond me. She was going to be my new assistant, something I knew wouldn’t work out well. Unlike the others, Jessica McNeil would be welcomed to flirt, touch, and tempt me into bed.

Erin, my HR director, escorted Jessica up to my office. I’d hoped Erin would send her assistant. I had a feeling Erin thought I was a prick, and I didn't want Jessica to pick up on that vibe. The second they stepped off the elevator, my heartbeat sped up.

The instant Jessica looked at me, I was done. My brain suddenly forgot the lesson I’d learned from my father's selfish decision. Loving her felt inevitable. It was truly only a matter of time before I caved to the obsession I felt brewing in me.

“Good morning, Mr. Hendricks,” Erin said. “This is your new assistant, Jessica McNeil.”

"Yes, we met briefly downstairs. How are you, Jessica?" I smiled at her.

She responded with a smile that sealed her fate. "I'm well."

“So I’d like to get started right away. I’m behind schedule, and I have a business trip in a week. So thank you, Ms. Rouse, for escorting Ms. McNeil up here. We’ll see you later.”

I wanted Erin out of my face. If she wasn’t kissing my ass, she was being extremely disrespectful. I’ve caught her glaring and scoffing at me several times over the years, but I let it go because she did her job. Lately not very well, but if I was any other owner, she would have been fired. It took her a few minutes to get on the elevator and head downstairs.

“Come along, Jessica. I’m going to show you what I need you to do.”

I directed her to the desk just outside my office. With my office door open, I would be able to see her doing even the most mundane tasks. I might have to keep my door closed so I could actually get some work done.

“This will be your desk. I’m just right through that door,” I said, pointing at the open door. My desk could be seen from there, and I wondered if seeing me would give her as much satisfaction as seeing her would do for me.

“Thanks, Mr. Hendricks. I’m looking forward to getting straight to work.”

Her smile was contagious, and I grinned right back. If that happened every time we spoke, my face was going to hurt.

“Yes, so how long have you being working as an executive assistant?” I asked, making idle conversation to help calm my desire.

She hesitated, which told me not much experience. “This is my first job since I graduated.”

I tried not to freak out because even though she didn’t belong in this position, I wanted her here. I didn’t care if she couldn’t type or spell for shit as long as she was within my sight. Working with her was going to be a trial and a half, but for some reason, I truly didn’t give a shit. “Wow. I wasn’t expecting that. Most don’t get picked up for this position without at least five years of experience as an assistant.”

“Are you going to let me go then?”

I could hear the panic in her voice, and I felt like a bastard for putting it there. Her body language told me she was super uncomfortable now, and not in the good way that I wanted her to be in.

“No, not at all. I don’t know why they chose you, but I don’t mind as long as you can do your job.” I smiled to offset her unease.

It worked because she smiled back at me. I liked that. Immediately, I ached to kiss that smile until we were breathless. I wondered what she would do if I did try to taste her lips.

Instead of going with my lusty thoughts, I shook them off and asked her to step into my office. “Please take a seat. There are some things I’d like to go over with you before we get started.”

“Okay,” she said hesitatingly.

I watched her slender fingers, with their pink nail polish, glide effortlessly through her curled tips. The sunlight peeking through my window shone onto her blond highlights, illuminating her face. I bit back the urge to touch her hair myself.

I tried to ignore the ever-present need to claim her as she sat there like a skittish little thing. “Please don’t be shy. I didn’t mean anything about your lack of experience. It’s just the norm.”

“Well, the lady at the agency said that your staff selected me,” she offered as an excuse for her getting the job.

I didn’t give a shit. Had she been anyone else, I would have sent her packing, but her? Nope. I had every intention of spending every moment with her that I could. As I stared at her, I became almost completely absorbed in watching her twirl her fingers through her locks.

“Do you always play with your hair when you’re nervous?” I asked, sitting on my desk in front of her.

“Oh, I didn’t realize I was doing that. I usually don’t get nervous.” She started to fiddle with it again before catching herself and tucking her hair behind her ears. Damn, even her ears were sexy. I wanted to sink my teeth into them while she moaned.

“Am I that intimidating?” I tried to look tough and stern, but I really didn’t have it in me where she was concerned.

“A bit. You didn’t seem to be too friendly when the HR lady was up here.”

“Well, she’s a different story. You don’t need to be intimidated. Let’s just get to know each other for a few minutes.” I moved around to my chair to make her a little more comfortable, and so I could actually hide my ever-growing erection. I intertwined my fingers then leaned down on my elbows. “So, tell me about you, Jessica.”

She started with the hair again then dropped her hands to mess with the hem of her skirt. She looked back up at me. “I’m from here. I grew up on the south side of the city with my mother, until she died two years ago.”

“I’m sorry about that. Losing your parents is never easy. My parents died a long time ago.”

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