CHAPTER 5

AVA

I stood there frozen in his office doorway, my jaw literally hanging open. Ryan finished buttoning his white shirt slow, those abs disappearing one by one under the fabric. Tattoos peeked out at the edges, dark swirls over hard muscle. His gray eyes met mine calm, like he wasn't half naked seconds ago.

He nodded once.

I snapped my mouth shut quickly and shoved every feeling down deep. No blushing. No staring. This was work. Boss and assistant. Nothing else.

"Good morning, Mr. Hale," I said, voice steady. "I'm Ava Carter. Your new personal assistant. Ready to start."

He looked at me a second longer, then turned to his desk. "Morning, Miss Carter. Close the door."

I stepped in and shut it soft. The click echoed loud in my head.

He grabbed a stack of files and a tablet from his desk. "First, coffee. Black. Two sugars. No cream."

I nodded. "Got it."

"Then these files," he said, handing them over heavy. "Sort by project date. Digitize the old ones. Priority list on top."

"Okay," I said, taking them.

He passed me the tablet next. "My schedule. Emails. Calendar access. Meetings booked here. Confirm all today. No changes without my approval."

"Understood," I replied.

He gave quick instructions. How he liked reports formatted. Phone etiquette. No personal calls on company time. Voice cold. Direct. No warmth.

I took notes mentally. "Anything else?"

"That's all for now," he said. "Get to it."

I turned and left fast, closing the door behind me.

Outside, I leaned against the wall and sighed huge. Wow. This Ryan was different. Boss mode full on. Cold. Commanding. No smiles. No teasing like at home.

But god. I loved it. The authority in his voice. The way he took control. Heat pooled low in my belly just thinking about it.

I headed to my desk and dropped the files carefully.

I pulled out my phone quickly and texted Mike.

Me: Hey! Where's the good coffee machine? Boss wants black, two sugars.

Mike: LOL good luck. Executive break room left of elevators. Fancy machine. Pods in the cabinet. Don't burn it.

Me: Thanks!!

I followed his directions and found it easy. The break room was sleek. All shiny counters and ocean views.

I grabbed a pod, figured the machine out by intuition.

While it brewed, I opened the tablet. His schedule loaded.

He was free till twelve thirty. Then a L

Lunch meeting with BRY.

Coffee done, I carried it carefully back to his office and knocked once.

"Come in," he called.

I entered and set it on his desk. "Your coffee, Mr. Hale."

He took a sip without looking up from his computer.

"Your schedule is clear until twelve thirty," I said professionally. "Then the BRY Companies meeting. The conference room is booked. I'll confirm attendees."

He glanced up briefly. Gray eyes blank. "Good. Thank you, Miss Carter."

I nodded and left. Heart racing weirdly.

Back at my desk, I dove into the files. Sorting. Scanning. Organizing. Time flew.

By noon, my stomach growled. Lunch break.

Sarah and Mike appeared right on time.

"New girl lunch!" Sarah said grinning. "Come on. Cafeteria downstairs."

"Perfect timing," I said standing. "I'm starving."

We took the elevator down chatting light. Food options. Weather.

The cafeteria was busy but nice. Salads, sandwiches, hot line.

I grabbed a turkey wrap and salad. They got burgers.

We found a table corner.

"So," Mike said leaning in. "How's the dragon's lair?"

I laughed. "Intense. Already buried in files."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Told you. He's scary."

"Tell us everything," Mike said. "Did he bark orders yet?"

"Yeah," I said carefully. No personal stuff. "Coffee run. Files. Schedule."

"Classic," Sarah said. "He fired the last PA for cream in his coffee. One drop."

My eyes widened. "Seriously?"

"Dead serious," Mike said. "Guy's a perfectionist. Hot but terrifying."

"So hot," Sarah agreed. "That body. Tattoos. But zero chill."

I sipped my water casually. "Does he seem stressed?"

"Always," Mike said. "His divorce messed him up badly. His ex was crazy. Now he trusts no one."

Sarah nodded. "Dates but nothing serious. Women throw themselves on him. I would, too."

"Wow," I said, playing shocked.

We gossiped more. Office drama. Who hooked up. Who got promoted.

Time flew. Twelve twenty-five.

"Gotta go," I said standing. "Meeting prep."

"Survive!" Sarah called.

Back upstairs, I grabbed my bag, tablet, notes. Everything was ready.

Twelve twenty-nine. I knocked on his door.

No answer.

I waited ten seconds and knocked again.

Still nothing.

I pushed the door open slowly. "Mr. Hale, it's twelve twenty-"

I froze.

A woman with red hair pressed against him. Lips on his. Hands in his shirt.

Ryan's hands on her waist but then he pushed her away.

The woman turned, green eyes narrowing. Smirk sharp.

"Oh look who we have here," she said sweetly, more like poison. "Ava-Lynn Carter."

I clenched my teeth hard. This fucking bitch.

"Ava, Veronica," I said coldly. "Just Ava."