The Little Boy in His Office

Seraphina Vale had been warned about Caelric Veyron.

Cold.

Demanding.

Unforgiving.

Those were the three words everyone in Veyron Enterprises seemed to use whenever his name came up.

Nobody had mentioned the little boy sitting in his executive chair.

Seraphina stopped just inside the CEO's office, her fingers tightening around the folder in her hand.

The five-year-old stared at her.

She stared back.

He was dressed in a miniature black suit, his dark hair neatly combed, his tiny shoes barely touching the floor.

Then he pointed at her.

"You're late."

Seraphina glanced at the expensive watch on her wrist.

"I'm three minutes early."

The boy frowned.

"That's late for Daddy."

A man's voice came from behind the desk.

"Zephyr."

Seraphina finally looked toward the CEO.

Caelric Veyron sat behind an enormous black desk, his attention fixed on a tablet. He looked exactly like the rumors described.

Immaculate suit.

Sharp features.

Calm expression.

The kind of man who could make an entire boardroom go silent without raising his voice.

He lifted his eyes toward her.

"Ms. Vale."

"Mr. Veyron."

His gaze moved briefly over her.

Not inappropriately.

Professionally.

Assessing.

"You applied for the executive secretary position."

"Yes."

"You understand the responsibilities?"

"I do."

"Long hours?"

"I'm prepared."

"Confidential information?"

"I know how to keep information confidential."

"Last-minute changes?"

"I adapt quickly."

Caelric leaned back.

"And difficult employers?"

Seraphina allowed herself a small smile.

"I've handled those before."

Something flickered in his eyes.

Amusement.

Perhaps.

"Good."

Zephyr suddenly climbed down from the chair.

"Daddy."

"What?"

"I like her."

Caelric closed his eyes for half a second.

"You've known her for twenty seconds."

"Twenty-three."

Seraphina pressed her lips together to keep from smiling.

Caelric looked at her.

"Ignore him."

"I wasn't going to say anything."

"You were smiling."

"I smile sometimes."

"So I've noticed."

Their eyes met.

The silence lasted a little too long.

Seraphina looked away first.

She reminded herself why she was there.

A position under one of the country's most successful CEOs.

A significant salary.

A career opportunity.

Nothing more.

Caelric opened the folder containing her résumé.

"You have excellent qualifications."

"Thank you."

"Your previous employer says you are exceptionally organized."

"I am."

"He also says you're difficult to intimidate."

Seraphina raised an eyebrow.

"Is that a problem?"

"No."

Caelric closed the folder.

"It may be useful."

Before she could respond, Zephyr walked directly toward her.

He stopped in front of her and looked up.

"Do you like chocolate?"

Seraphina blinked.

"Yes."

"Good."

He turned toward his father.

"She can stay."

Caelric stared at him.

"I haven't hired her yet."

"You should."

"Why?"

Zephyr looked at Seraphina again.

"Because she smiled at me."

Seraphina's heart softened.

She crouched until they were at eye level.

"What's your name?"

"Zephyr."

"That's a beautiful name."

"My daddy chose it."

Seraphina looked toward Caelric.

He was watching them.

Something about his expression had changed.

The coldness was still there, but underneath it was something quieter.

Protective.

Almost tender.

"How old are you, Zephyr?"

"Five."

"And what are you doing in your father's office?"

"I'm helping."

"Helping with what?"

He lowered his voice.

"Finding Daddy a wife."

Seraphina froze.

Caelric immediately stood.

"Zephyr."

The boy grinned.

"What?"

"Outside."

"But—"

"Now."

Zephyr sighed dramatically.

Then he looked at Seraphina.

"Don't leave."

She laughed softly.

"I'll try."

Caelric's eyes narrowed slightly.

"That wasn't an instruction you need to follow."

Seraphina stood.

"Your son seems very determined."

"Unfortunately."

"He's adorable."

"He knows."

That earned another smile from her.

Caelric noticed.

He seemed to notice everything.

"You're still interested in the position?"

"Very much."

"Even after meeting him?"

"Especially after meeting him."

Zephyr smiled from the doorway.

"I told you."

Caelric gave his son a look.

The boy disappeared.

Caelric returned his attention to Seraphina.

"I'll be direct."

"I prefer that."

"If you take this position, you'll be working closely with me."

"I expected that."

"My schedule is unpredictable."

"I can handle it."

"My standards are high."

"So are mine."

His eyebrow lifted.

"You're confident."

"I'm competent."

For the first time, Caelric smiled.

It was brief.

Barely there.

But it changed his entire face.

Seraphina wasn't prepared for it.

Neither, apparently, was Caelric.

The smile disappeared almost immediately.

"You're hired."

Seraphina blinked.

"Just like that?"

"I've already reviewed your credentials."

"And the interview?"

"I wanted to see whether you could handle me."

She smiled.

"And?"

"I haven't decided."

She extended her hand.

"I'll try not to disappoint you, Mr. Veyron."

Caelric looked at her hand for a moment before taking it.

His palm was warm.

His grip firm.

Neither released immediately.

Seraphina felt an unexpected flutter in her stomach.

Caelric seemed to notice the same strange pause.

He released her hand.

"Your desk is outside my office."

"Understood."

She turned toward the door.

"Seraphina."

She stopped.

It was the first time he'd used her first name.

She looked back.

"Yes?"

Caelric's expression was unreadable.

"My son likes you."

"I like him too."

"That could become a problem."

She frowned.

"Why?"

"Because he gets attached easily."

Before she could answer, Zephyr appeared again.

He walked straight between them and took Seraphina's hand.

"Daddy."

Caelric sighed.

"What now?"

"I chose her."

Seraphina looked down at him.

"Chose me for what?"

Zephyr looked up at his father.

Then back at her.

"For us."

Caelric went completely still.

Seraphina's smile faded.

"What does that mean?"

Zephyr grinned.

"It means you're staying."

Caelric looked at his son.

Then at Seraphina.

And for the first time that morning, the billionaire CEO looked genuinely uncertain.

Because he had hired a secretary.

His son had chosen a future family.

And Caelric Veyron had a feeling that his carefully controlled life had just become dangerously complicated.