Six.

“Can I at least think about it?” I asked. My voice trembled slightly, but I prayed it didn’t come across as rude or weak.

Derick leaned back in his leather chair, tapping a heavy gold pen against his mahogany desk. The sound was like a clock ticking down to my execution.

“What’s there to think about? Absolutely nothing,” he said, his deep voice carrying a sharp edge. “In fact, it is a simple yes or no question. And you only have a few seconds before I make the decision for you.”

I clenched my fists at my sides, my short nails digging into my palms. “You already have an executive assistant. What do you possibly need me for?”

Derick stopped tapping his pen. He stood up slowly, unbuttoning the front button of his suit jacket. He walked around the massive desk, his dark leather shoes making no sound on the plush carpet.

The closer he got, the more my blood boiled. The air around him felt heavy and suffocating, thick with the scent of his expensive sandalwood cologne. There was absolutely no way I wanted to work beside him every single day. I didn't think I would be able to survive it without losing my mind. Or my dignity.

“Like I said before,” Derick purred, stopping just two feet away from me, “I need an assistant I can monitor closely.”

“Monitor closely?” I challenged, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. “Or do you mean someone you can order around to stroke your fragile ego?”

I folded my arms hard, trying to control the urge to slap the arrogant smirk right off his handsome face. But the sudden movement only ended up pushing my breasts upward, pulling the fabric of my silk blouse tight against my chest.

Derick’s dark eyes dropped instantly. His gaze followed the movement, lingering on my exposed collarbone and the swell of my chest for a long, dangerous second. I felt a sudden spike of heat shoot through my body, making my skin flush hot.

Reluctantly, as if pulling himself away from a magnet, Derick dragged his eyes back up to meet mine. A predatory flicker flashed in his eyes before he masked it with cold indifference.

“I don’t have all day to wait for your answer,” he grunted, his voice a notch deeper than before.

Every bone in my body screamed at me to say no. My answer should have been a straight, ringing rejection. I wanted to throw his offer in his face and walk out of this glass tower forever.

But then the crushing weight of reality hit me.

I needed this job. More importantly, I desperately needed the tripled salary. Without this money, the hospital would stop my father’s daily treatments. They would turn off his machines and move him to a cold state facility to die slowly.

My mother had made everything a hundred times worse. She chose to abandon my father when he needed her the most, completely consumed by her own selfish desires to climb into high society.

She wasn't going to pay a single dollar toward his medical bills. If I didn't swallow my pride right now, my father would pay the ultimate price for my stubbornness.

I sucked in a sharp breath and squeezed my eyes shut for a brief second.

“Fine. I will be your personal assistant,” I murmured, the words feeling like bitter ash in my mouth.

Derick shoved both of his hands into his tailored trouser pockets, leaning his head to the side. “What was that? I couldn't hear you.”

I looked up at him, hating the clear amusement dancing in his dark eyes. He knew he had won this silent war between us. He had backed me into a corner and forced me to surrender, and I hated him so much for it that my throat burned.

“I accept the position... sir,” I forced out, practically spitting the title.

“Good decision, Ms. Michaels.”

With a small, satisfied tilt of his chin, Derick turned his back on me. He walked away, leaving me standing awkwardly in the center of his expansive office.

He headed toward the private wine bar set up in the far corner of the room. The office was massive. It was easily twice the size of my tiny apartment bedroom.

Since he was ignoring me, I took the opportunity to look around the space. The room was decorated with dark wood, brushed steel, and floor to ceiling glass windows that overlooked the entire Manhattan skyline. It was tastefully decorated, aggressively masculine, and practically screamed money and power in a subtle, intimidating way. It suited him perfectly.

Derick poured two fingers of amber whiskey into a crystal glass. He walked back toward me, making a complete show of slowly swirling the liquor in his glass. He lifted the glass to his lips, watching me intently over the rim as he took a slow sip. He was doing it on purpose. He was intentionally trying to push my buttons and push me to my limit.

“Why don’t you go get the rest of your things from your old cubicle on the design floor?” Derick said, setting his glass down on a side table. “We have an executive board meeting at 2:00 PM, and you will definitely be attending as my assistant.”

I didn't say a word. I turned on my heel and headed straight for the heavy double doors, rolling my eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck in the back of my skull.

How annoying could one human being possibly be? How the heck was I supposed to withstand his dark, controlling energy every single day for the rest of my miserable career?

“Oh, and Ms. Michaels?” Derick’s smooth voice called out just as my hand touched the door handle.

I paused, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth. “What now?” I muttered under my breath.

I put on my best professional mask and turned around to face him. “Yes, sir?”

Derick gave me a slow, chilling smile from across the room. “Congratulations on the promotion. Most of your colleagues on the lower floors would do anything for this position. You should consider yourself extremely lucky to be the one I chose.”

I stood there, completely stunned by his audacity. Not only had he practically blackmailed and forced me into this role, but now he was rubbing it in my face like it was a gift. What an utter asshole.

I couldn’t even plaster a fake smile onto my face to save my life at that point. I simply didn't have it in me. I gave him a curt nod and pushed the heavy glass doors open.

The moment I stepped out into the quiet top floor hallway, the doors shut firmly behind me. I leaned my back against the cold wall and let out a long, shuddering breath I hadn't realized I was holding. My hands were trembling violently.

I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the wall. Right now, more than anything in the world, I wanted to scream until all the rage, humiliation, and frustration piling up in my body was gone.

Instead, I pushed off the wall and headed toward the elevator. The battle was over, but the war had just begun.