CHAPTER 2

I slipped into my office, my thoughts still wandering around this sinfully attractive soon-to-be boss, and the curiosity stirred something in me. Yes, I was naturally curious—and even more when it came to hot men.

I took my seat and plastered on that million-dollar, practiced, professional smile that said: Yes, I’m a responsible adult who definitely didn’t come to work feeling a tad bit horny because of a faceless stranger.

“Good morning, everyone,” I called out, still smiling like a totally functioning adult.

“Nice of you to actually join us, Miss Aria,” my manager, Mr. Frank, spoke up, giving me a look like I had personally offended him. “Any later and I would’ve assumed you resigned.”

“Would’ve saved you the trouble of staring at me all day,” I muttered under my breath before flashing another perfect smile. “Good morning once again, Mr. Frank.”

I felt his lingering gaze, and as usual it lasted a lot longer than it should. He looked at me like I was a piece of meat and he was a starving dog. Too bad he was married… and also an exhausting human being in general. Shame—if I wasn’t sexually frustrated, I might’ve welcomed the distraction.

The moment he took his seat, I let out a sigh and grabbed a pen.

Focus, Aria. Work now, horny delusions later.

With that thought, I turned to the intern beside me. “Agnes, can you pass me the TrueHeart Insurance files?”

“I simplified them for you already, ma’am,” she said as she stretched the document toward me, polite as always.

I gave her a grateful smile as I placed the file on my desk. If only we had twenty more workers like her. We were basically the youngest in this entire team.

By the time I finished filing, walking documents across different departments, nearly tripping at least four times in the hallways, and contemplating my life choices, lunch time finally arrived—the only time apart from closing hour that came like an answered prayer.

Jean would be waiting for me, so I was ready to bolt out of my seat when Frank’s voice suddenly boomed:

“MEETING!”

Followed by a chorus of well-deserved groans.

Damn it.

We gathered anyway, and Frank clapped dramatically.

“I’m not going to take much of your time, but it’s important you all hear this,” he started.

I sighed.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors about new management. If you haven’t, I’m here to confirm it. Those rumors are true.”

My eyes widened. So this was what the meeting was about.

“The new CEO will be introduced before the end of the day, and I want everyone on their best behavior.” His eyes stayed on me. I frowned.

“Wow. Thanks for singling me out,” I said dryly.

He ignored that. “The new CEO will be working directly with our team during the transition, and he’ll be using that office.” He pointed to a glass office that had been empty for months.

“Please keep whatever comments you have to yourselves and try not to lose your job. He’s a rich guy with powerful parents, so don’t do anything that’ll get you noticed.”

I rolled my eyes.

Like I’d throw away a paycheck right before the holidays. Even I wasn’t that reckless. But still… I was curious to see this man—more than I’d been earlier.

The moment he dismissed us, I gave a lazy salute and fished out my phone as I stepped out the door.

Shit. I’ve got just twenty minutes left.

I almost cursed as I sprinted toward the elevator. Frank was slowly becoming the villain of my day.

“Yes, elevator!” I nearly screamed when I saw the doors open from afar.

I broke into a tiny run, hands outstretched—and just when my fingers were about to slip between the metal—

BAM!

Something slammed into me hard enough to knock the soul out of my body. The elevator doors shut in my face.

Fuck.

I’d have to wait another five minutes for the next one. Whoever ran into me better have a damn good excuse.

I turned around, fists clenched and prepared to fight—but froze when my eyes landed on the culprit.

My eyes softened as I took in his features… and thankfully i wasn’t the only one staring. His gaze scanned me from head to toe before settling on my chest.

And oh, I wasn’t done staring either.

He stood there in a fitted oh my God—custom made suit that looked like it was tailored by God Himself. His broad shoulders only made it more unfair. He looked like he owned something. Anything. Everything.

“You can stop staring now,” he said, voice low and annoyingly self-assured. “I know I’m hot. You don’t have to stare. You don’t look too bad yourself,” he added, checking me out again.

My smile instantly fell into a frown.

Who the hell was this man?

“Aren’t you planning to apologize?” I snapped.

His lips curved into a smirk—an irritating one.

“I don’t apologize, love,” he said, confidence dripping from every word. “But for you…” He stepped closer. “I think I can make an exception. You look a lot like my type.”

“Your type?” I blinked, unable to understand how we even got here.

His eyes lingered on my chest a moment too long before he leaned in slightly.

“I know a few ways to make you happy. I don’t mind getting on my knees for you.”

I stepped back and let out a dry chuckle. “Motherfucker,” I muttered under my breath, running a hand through my hair.

“I don’t think this is how you start a conversation with a stranger, you pervert,” I said, meeting his still-smiling face. How was he so calm in this situation? Curse my luck.

“I’ll refrain from talking to me that way, Miss Aria,” he said—hands in his pockets like he was my boss.

“And I’ll refrain from talking to me that way too,” I shot back. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

He took another step toward me and flashed a smile.

“You looked like you were submissive at first glance,” he started, taking yet another step. “But you’ve got a bit of bite to you.” He chuckled. “I love them that way.”

“What the fuck are you blabbing about?” I muttered just as the elevator opened. I slipped inside immediately, and he just stood there like he’d won something.

“Pervert,” I said as the doors shut in his face.

Of course.

Of course I had to meet an attractive but psychopathic stranger on a Monday morning.

I might need to find out what department he’s in… because who the hell hired such a person?

God had jokes today. Big ones.