Chapter 12 – My Flaw

Chapter 12 – My Flaw

Noah Blake

I spent all Sunday buried in documents. The club was still under inspection, and even if it had reopened, I wouldn’t have gone. Reed was right—I need an assistant yesterday, especially with the France trip looming. But between one page and the next, she kept slipping into my head.

Juliet.

Her kiss still burned on my lips like it had happened five minutes ago. What burned even more was the way she pushed me away. I want that woman more than I’ve wanted anyone in years, but making her surrender to my particular tastes was going to be… complicated. After what happened in the locker room, and especially after what Samantha told me— “When he used to hurt her, she’d hide in the dark basement so he wouldn’t find her”— Juliet is covered in scars that haven’t fully healed. A woman with that many triggers won’t survive the things I do in the bedroom.

And the worst part? Even knowing all of that, even remembering how she panicked under my hands… I can’t think of anything except her. The need to have her in my arms, beneath me, mine and only mine, only grows stronger.

I got to the office earlier than usual on Monday. Reed and HR had lined up interviews. All four candidates were men. All four canceled. But Jenny told Reed there was one last woman with an “impressive résumé.” I’m against having women on my floor, but I agreed to see her anyway.

The second I opened the door and saw her standing there, I knew luck had finally found me. She was the woman who had taken over my thoughts without even trying. For a split second I doubted my own eyes. Then she said, “Good morning, Mr. Noah,” and gave herself away completely. But Juliet kept the act up, pretending we were perfect strangers.

I ran the interview exactly like I would with anyone else: professional questions, neutral tone. Even shaking like a leaf, she never once faltered. Her résumé was genuinely impressive, which only confused me more. Why the hell was someone with her qualifications working as a waitress?

Knock knock.

Jenny walked in.

“Excuse me, Mr. Blake. Mr. Reed asked me to bring Juliet’s file.”

The second Jenny said her name, Juliet’s face went white. She really thought I hadn’t recognized her. Now there was no room for doubt.

“Thank you, Jenny.” I took the papers. “Tell Reed to handle my next meeting. I’ll finish my conversation with Miss Pierce, then take her to HR myself to finalize her hiring.”

Jenny’s smile was huge. Juliet just blinked, stunned, like she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

Jenny whispered a quick “congratulations” on her way out. Juliet managed a faint “thank you.”

The door closed.

Juliet turned to me, a thousand questions in her eyes.

“Something you want to say, Miss Pierce?”

“You’re really going to hire me? We haven’t even finished the interview.”

“I need an assistant urgently. Deadlines are breathing down my neck. And so far, you seem more than qualified.”

I kept my tone strictly professional. If she wanted to play strangers, I’d play along.

“Let’s finish before we go to HR.” She nodded silently.

I glanced at the file—everything she’d told me checked out. Then I saw something else.

“You speak Spanish and French?”

“Yes, sir. Fluently.”

“That’s perfect. Actually, it’s excellent. I have an important trip to France coming up. Your French will be very useful.”

“Trip? France?” She looked genuinely confused.

“You do remember you applied to be my personal assistant, right?”

“Yes… it’s just… I didn’t realize travel was part of the job.”

“Well, if that’s a problem, we won’t be able to move forward with the hiring. Which would be a real shame, because you’d be an outstanding addition to the company.”

She bit her lip. That single gesture nearly undid me. All I could think about was throwing her on this desk and finishing what we started at the club.

“I work weekends,” she said quickly. “I already made a commitment.”

“If that’s your only concern, relax. We only travel during the week. And the trips are short—two, three days max.”

She was responsible. I could see it. She wanted to honor her promise to Atlas. But something told me there was more beneath the surface than just duty.

“I think your professional skills are more than enough.” I leaned back, still holding the file. “Now let’s move to the personal section.”

“Yes, sir…” Her voice was small. Nervous.

I flipped to the personal information. Divorced. Lives in Brooklyn. Then I saw the last line.

And it hit me like a punch I wasn’t ready for.

“You have children?” I tried to keep my tone neutral, but it came out sharper than intended.

Her shoulders curled inward like I’d struck her.

“Yes. Two.”

I leaned back in my chair. Everything changed in that moment.

Juliet read my reaction instantly. She slipped her arm through her bag strap, took a deep breath, and forced a sad little smile. Then she stood.

“Thank you for your time, Mr. Blake. I hope you find an assistant who meets your expectations.”

She turned to leave.

But before she reached the door, she stopped and looked back at me.

“You asked what my flaw was. Why I keep getting rejected.”

She straightened her posture, lifted her chin, and met my eyes with pure steel.

“For men like you, and every other interviewer who turned me down, my flaw is my children. But they’re wrong. My children are my greatest strength.”

She adjusted her bag on her shoulder.

“My real flaw is caring what people like you think.”

With those final words, she walked out.