Chapter 1 - His Name is Blackwood

Maya’s lids snapped open, and the world whirled by as last night returned to her. The booze, the music, and the guy she danced with. Oh, God. Her head was throbbing as she sat up. Lying on the bed, sprawled across the mattress, was the guy she danced with last night. Dark hair spread across his face as he slept peacefully. He was quite a looker. Crap. What did I do? Memories came rushing back. It was one crazy, drunk night. And now she was waking up in a stranger’s bed.

She quietly slid out of bed, picking up her scattered pieces of clothing, as much as she was able to, without making a sound. When she was putting on her dress, the bed also creaked behind her. “You’re already leaving?”

She spun around. When she did, she regretted it. The stranger—good heavens, he was even more gorgeous while he was awake. He sat up, the sheet pulled low over his waistline, exposing a physique that would have been chiseled by the gods—combing his hair with his fingers, his blue eyes fixed on her. Maya gulped. He was a work of art for sure. Of course, any guy she would have slept with couldn’t have been awful.

“Yeah I, uh, have to go to work. Thanks for, you know, last night.” She rummaged through her bag and took out the money, and before she thought, shoved it in his hand. “Here, uh. For your time.”

He didn’t budge for a second. Then his forehead creased. “You’re paying me?” He spoke as his face turned dark, and the air was suddenly quite heavy in the area. Fortunately, Maya was in a rush and was already out the door and didn’t notice his reaction, or she would have been quite surprised.

The club was subdued, the remnants of last night’s overindulgences — discarded beer cans, passed-out patrons, knocked-out couples. She pulled her jacket snugly over herself and hailed a taxi. The ride to work was a blur. Fortunately, she only had enough time to freshen up before work.

Upon arriving in the office, the reception was filled with the employees hovering near the entrance whispering to each other. Rachel was the first to notice, dashing over with a smile. “Girl, you’re late!”

Maya massaged her temples. “You ditched me at the club, Rach. I was stuck getting home by myself.”

Rachel smiled. “I wasn’t going to spoil things for you. You were obviously having a good time dancing with this guy.” She raised an eyebrow. “So go on. Did you…, you know?”

Maya’s eyebrow shot up. “I don’t even want to discuss it. What is going on? Why is everyone standing out here?”

“Oh, you didn’t know that? Mr. Johnson was transferred. There is a new CEO. Apparently he is young and wealthy.”

Maya furrowed her brow in an effort to follow. “Mr. Johnson? Transferred? Why?”

Rachel shrugged. “No idea. But supposedly the new boy is a total catch.”

On cue, a black vehicle pulled over, and suit-wearing men got out, opening the vehicle’s door. Out came a pair of highly polished shoes, accompanied by a dashing man in a navy blue suit.

Maya’s breath caught in her throat. No.

Freaking.

Way.

It couldn’t possibly be. But it was. Last night’s stranger. Gone were his jeans and the casual T-shirt. Now, he was dressed like some kind of powerful CEO—wearing a blue suit that was molded to his physique like a glove.

Oh, God. She slept with the new CEO.

Maya’s legs went weak. Her heart sank and she immediately took shelter behind Rachel. “Something the matter?” Rachel whispered, glancing at Maya’s rosy face.

“That is him. From last night. The… I…we.”

Rachel’s eyes opened wide. “Shut up! New CEO, you slept with him?”

Shh, quiet! Panic coursed through her blood. This couldn’t be happening. Out of all the people in the city, she just had to sleep with him?

Her heartbeat was pounding as she leaned over the shoulder of Rachel. Then she watched as Alexander’s look took in the employees, silently evaluating them. His eyes focused on hers. Slow recognition flickered in their chilly-blue depths.

Maya’s breath caught. He remembered. But unlike her, he did not look embarrassed. If anything, his lips twitched with the slightest glimmer of amusement. His voice broke through the noise of the crowd.

“I am Alexander Blackwood, and you’ll work for me from now on. There’s to be a briefing in five minutes. Everyone must attend.” And with that, he walked in.

“Maya, what are you going to do?” Rachel inquired.

“I don’t know. I simply have to stay away from him for the time being. I need to make preparations for the conference. I’ll see you later.” She replied, hurrying to the conference hall.

Maya arrived in her seat barely in time for the meeting to commence. The conference room was full. The department heads were seated in rigid rows, backs straight, their gaze fixed on the new CEO.

Alexander Blackwood occupied the position of honor at the table, commanding the space with ease. Several of the female co-workers were sneaking glances in his direction and giggling among themselves. Some of them were even audacious enough to make advances.

He glanced up as she walked in, and for an awful flash of time, their gazes met. Maya’s stomach knotted, reliving every step they took together last night. She yanked her eyes away, legs propelling her towards her seat at the center of the table. Her notebook was clenched in her tight fists as she settled gently onto the seat, her attention fixed on the pages before her.

“Okay, let’s get started,” said Alexander

The room was silent as the first department head rose, beginning a detailed sales forecast. Maya attempted to concentrate, but she couldn’t do so. Whenever he moved in his chair, each time he spoke, she felt her heart beat more rapidly.

She summoned courage to look at him. He remained unmoved meanwhile her brain was burning. Maya pressed her jaw together and focused on the meeting.

Each of the departments presented its reports in turn. “The quarter’s results are not as good as we thought,” the CFO admitted. “We were anticipating a ten percent profit increase, but we’ve achieved only a five percent increase.”

There was silence everywhere. Maya observed how everyone stiffened, shoulder blades straightening. Alexander leaned against his chair, tapping his fingers against the sleek surface.

“Unacceptable,” he replied, his tone glacial. “We have to have those numbers up by the next quarter.”

The CFO swallowed. “Yes, sir. We’re already in the process of—”

Alexander interjected. “Expenses have to be reduced. Productivity has to go up. I expect solutions, not explanations.” The air in the room was ten degrees colder.

Maya breathed slowly. This man was not the same as the one last night. He was too overbearing.

Alexander changed the topic. “Marketing, I need a new marketing strategy within a week. Aggressive. Finance, conduct a complete audit. I want to know the cost of every wasted expenditure. I expect effort from each of you.”

They all nodded, others hurriedly writing down action steps.

Before long, the conference was finishing up. “Meeting adjourned,” Alexander stated.

One at a time, the department chairs started to pick up their papers, making whispered remarks to one another. Then, Alexander spoke above the murmur. "Maya Thompson,” he stated, his eyes focused on her.

The room went quiet. Maya’s pen was stuck in the air, her heart racing so heavily that she was positive everyone could hear it. “Yes, sir?” she answered, her voice considerably smaller.

She panicked, wondering how he knew her name. She was positive she didn’t give him her real name when they spoke. His smile creased a fraction further, though his face was impossible to read. “Would you mind staying here for a few minutes after the meeting?”

Crap. She was in deep trouble.