Not Your Secretary Tonight

Seraphina stared at herself in the mirror for the third time.

The black dress was elegant.

Simple.

Professional enough for a corporate dinner.

Yet somehow, it didn't feel professional anymore.

Not after Caelric's words from the previous evening.

Don't come as my secretary.

My choice.

She had replayed those words far too many times.

A knock sounded on her door.

She turned.

Zephyr stood outside.

He was wearing a tiny black suit.

Again.

“You look pretty.”

Seraphina smiled.

“So do you.”

“I know.”

She laughed.

“You're very confident.”

“Daddy says confidence is important.”

“Your father says a lot of things.”

“Not about you.”

Her smile faded.

“What does that mean?”

Zephyr walked closer.

“He talks about you.”

Seraphina's heart skipped.

“What does he say?”

“He says you're good at your job.”

She relaxed.

“That's all?”

“No.”

She waited.

“He says you're different.”

Her fingers tightened around her purse.

“Different how?”

Zephyr shrugged.

“He doesn't explain things.”

“That sounds like him.”

A deep voice came from behind the boy.

“Zephyr.”

The child turned.

Caelric stood at the end of the hallway.

Seraphina's breath caught.

He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, but tonight there was something different about him.

Perhaps it was the way he looked at her.

His eyes moved slowly over her dress before returning to her face.

“You're ready.”

“So are you.”

His gaze remained on her.

“You look beautiful.”

Seraphina wasn't prepared for the compliment.

“Thank you.”

Zephyr looked between them.

“Daddy, you forgot something.”

Caelric frowned.

“What?”

“Your smile.”

Seraphina laughed.

Caelric gave his son an unimpressed look.

“Get in the car.”

Zephyr grinned.

“Okay.”

He ran ahead.

Caelric approached Seraphina.

For a moment, neither spoke.

“You don't have to be nervous,” he said.

“I'm not.”

“You're holding your purse too tightly.”

She looked down.

He was right.

She loosened her fingers.

“I'm fine.”

“I know.”

His voice was softer.

“I just wanted you to know that tonight isn't an interview.”

She looked into his eyes.

“Then what is it?”

He held her gaze.

“A chance for me to show you why I asked you to come.”

Her heart beat faster.

“That's a dangerous thing to say to your secretary.”

His mouth curved.

“Good thing you're not coming as my secretary.”

Before she could answer, Zephyr called from outside.

“Daddy!”

Caelric sighed.

“We should go.”

They arrived at the charity dinner just before seven.

The event was held in an elegant hotel ballroom filled with wealthy investors and business leaders.

Seraphina immediately felt several eyes turn toward them.

Not because of her.

Because of Caelric.

He was the kind of man people noticed.

But tonight, there was another reason.

His hand rested lightly against the small of her back as they entered.

Seraphina looked at him.

He leaned closer.

“Relax.”

“I am relaxed.”

“You're lying.”

“Maybe.”

He smiled.

“There it is.”

“What?”

“That smile.”

She realized she was smiling.

“You're keeping count?”

“Apparently.”

Zephyr walked between them.

“I told you.”

Caelric looked down.

“Told me what?”

“You smile more when she's here.”

Seraphina laughed.

“You're going to embarrass your father.”

“I know.”

Caelric shook his head.

They reached their table.

Zephyr sat beside Seraphina.

Caelric took the chair on her other side.

For the first few minutes, conversation remained business-related.

Investments.

Expansion.

Company projects.

Seraphina listened carefully.

Then Zephyr leaned toward her.

“Daddy hates these dinners.”

She whispered back.

“I know.”

“He pretends he doesn't.”

“I know.”

“He only comes because people expect him to.”

She glanced at Caelric.

He was speaking to one of the guests.

His expression was composed.

Untouchable.

Yet she had already seen the man behind that mask.

The father.

The man who smiled when his son wasn't looking.

The man who had trusted her after knowing her for only a few days.

Suddenly, Caelric turned toward her.

“You've been quiet.”

“I'm listening.”

“To me?”

“To the conversation.”

“Good answer.”

Zephyr looked at both of them.

Then he smiled.

Seraphina knew that smile.

It meant trouble.

A few minutes later, Zephyr reached across the table and placed his small hand over Caelric's.

“Daddy.”

“Yes?”

“Can I ask something?”

Caelric looked suspicious.

“What?”

“Why don't you marry Seraphina?”

Seraphina nearly choked.

Caelric slowly closed his eyes.

“Zephyr.”

“What?”

“Not here.”

“But everyone already knows.”

Seraphina's face burned.

“Knows what?”

Zephyr looked around the table.

“That you're going to be my new mommy.”

The table suddenly felt too quiet.

Seraphina looked at Caelric.

He looked back at her.

Then, unexpectedly, he laughed.

It was a real laugh.

Warm.

Unrestrained.

Seraphina had never heard it before.

She couldn't help smiling.

Zephyr looked pleased.

“See?”

Caelric shook his head.

“You're impossible.”

“But you love me.”

“I do.”

“And you like her.”

Caelric's laughter faded.

His gaze moved to Seraphina.

“Yes.”

One word.

Quiet.

Certain.

Seraphina's heart stopped for a beat.

Zephyr grinned.

“I knew it.”

Caelric leaned closer to Seraphina.

“I'm sorry.”

“For what?”

“My son has no filter.”

She smiled.

“I've noticed.”

“He says whatever he's thinking.”

“Sometimes that's a good thing.”

Caelric's eyes stayed on hers.

“Sometimes.”

The rest of the evening passed quickly.

When they finally left the ballroom, Zephyr was asleep in Caelric's arms.

Seraphina walked beside them.

The hotel corridor was quiet.

She looked at the sleeping child.

“He really trusts you.”

Caelric glanced down at his son.

“He's everything to me.”

“I can see that.”

Caelric looked at her.

“That's why I need to be careful.”

“About what?”

“You.”

Her steps slowed.

“Me?”

He nodded.

“You work for me.”

“I know.”

“I don't want you to feel pressured.”

“I don't.”

“I don't want you to think that because my son likes you, you owe us anything.”

Seraphina looked at him.

“You've made that very clear.”

“Good.”

They stopped near the elevator.

Caelric adjusted Zephyr in his arms.

Then he looked at her.

“But I want you to know something.”

“What?”

His voice dropped.

“If you weren't my employee…”

He paused.

Seraphina waited.

“I would already be asking you out.”

Her heart began pounding.

The elevator doors opened.

Neither moved.

Then Zephyr stirred in his father's arms.

“Daddy?”

“Yes?”

“Don't let her leave.”

Caelric looked at Seraphina.

She looked back.

The elevator doors began to close.

Caelric reached out and stopped them.

He held her gaze.

“I don't think I want her to.”

Seraphina's breath caught.

The doors closed behind them.

And for the first time, she realized the danger wasn't that Caelric Veyron might fall for her.

It was that she might already be falling for him.