The mix of stress and joy of seeing my dad at the hospital was overwhelming. I had missed him so much.
Dad was in bed, watching TV. He looked frail and pale and so different without his hair. It had all fallen out during treatments. He didn’t look like the man I knew, just a shell of who he used to be.
I was concerned Dad would be upset that my job was keeping me from visiting. I didn’t even manage to bring him orchids, his favorite flower.
But I would do anything for him, even work as the personal assistant for the Devil in Armani. Mason Campbell could be the death of me so long as my dad could live.
The woman who birthed me should be at his side, but who knew where she was or if she even thought about us. I couldn’t bring that baggage with me today.
I wanted to cry, but I wiped away the tears before they could spill.
I would put on the fake smile he wanted. I would be strong for him.
For both of us.
“Hi, Daddy!”
“Laurie!” he said, a big smile spreading across his face.
He stretched out his arms, and I hugged him. I rested my head on his chest and took a deep breath. I had missed hugging him. He felt so much like home.
My dad was my anchor. Without him, I would be lost in a sea of loneliness and sadness.
“How are you doing today?” I asked.
“I’m wonderful now that you’re here.”
The smile on my face faded, and he took my hands.
“Don’t look like that. You should always wear a beautiful smile on your face,” he said.
“But Dad…” I should have been here sooner, visited more often, but work…
He smiled knowingly. “I know, darling. The job means a lot to you, and you’re doing it for both of us. I’m really proud of the person you’ve become, Lauren.”
I hugged him again, trying to look cheerful.
“I’m happy you’re at least enjoying your life.” He hugged me tighter. “I wouldn’t want you to be sad all the time.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I wasn’t really enjoying my life. I was terrorized and overworked by my annoyingly handsome boss. And replacing my recurring nightmares with sexy dreams of my boss was a tricky trade-off.
Just because Mason Campbell had money and looks, he thought he could get away with anything. But if a fraction of the rumors about him were true, he probably could.
He was just as ruthless in deals as he was in every other part of his life. Dreams of Mason kissing fire down my neck, tearing off my clothes, and pinning me to the wall were one thing. I was grateful enough to just be his assistant. I could barely imagine being anything more to a man like that.
“Hey, you came.” Becky walked in, holding a tray of food.
“Yeah, I did. How are you?”
She smiled and pulled me into a hug. Becky was a warm person. I thought of her as a big sister and a second mother in addition to her being my dad’s nurse.
“I’m great. Hey, Vincent, I’ve got you some food.”
We all chatted a bit while Dad ate, and then he fell asleep.
I leaned over to Becky, whispering, “I’m sorry I haven’t come by as often. When will we know how the treatment is working?”
Becky took in a breath, and I bit my lip, waiting for her answer.
“It’s too soon to know anything for sure,” she said softly. “The doctor will know more in the next couple rounds.” She placed her hand over mine with a small smile.
I swallowed my fear. We sat together a little while longer, watching my dad sleep, but the sadness in her eyes had me worried.
I was late to work, breaking rule five of the stupid handbook. Jade glared at me as I breezed past her to my desk, but I moved quickly enough to avoid her petty judgments. I didn’t need her trying to start something with me for the millionth time.
Aaron and Athena were good friends and had offered to help me catch up, but they had their own work to do. If the interruptions died down a bit, which was wishful thinking, I could manage.
I was one file away from completing all that week’s expense reports when my phone rang. I knew it was Mr. Campbell.
“Yes, sir?” I answered politely, my heart pounding.
“Come here,” he commanded and hung up.
I glared at the phone, muttering under my breath as my stomach tumbled with butterflies. I had dreams of that voice whispering sinful things to me.
I shook my head clear of my traitorous thoughts. I knocked on the door, entered at his call, and closed the door behind me.
Mr. Campbell leaned back in his chair behind his desk and crossed his arms. His white shirt clung to him, highlighting the definition of his arms and chest.
I swallowed hard, my cheeks growing hot.
It felt like I should say something or maybe greet him. That realization slapped me in the face.
“Good morning, sir,” I finally said, glancing at him.
He checked his expensive watch.
“One minute, thirty seconds.” He met my gaze, his eyes revealing nothing. “That’s how long it took your brain to start working properly. I was beginning to think you’d forgotten what an assistant is supposed to do when she sees her boss.”
I clenched my jaw, trying to stay calm.
“Why do you always insult my intelligence?” I asked. “I happen to be smart.”
“Smart people don’t call themselves smart. They let people think they’re not and show it when others least expect it.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Is that how you became one of the most powerful men in England? By pretending you’re not smart?”
Dad always said I had a habit of being nosy and didn’t know when to shut up.
“One? Ms. Hart, I am the most powerful man in England. Something you’ve clearly failed to realize.”
“I haven’t failed to realize anything. I’m just being rational here, sir. I’d agree with you being one of the most powerful men, but the most powerful in all of England? Have you forgotten we have a queen and a prime minister?” My eyes went wide.
His sliver eyes flashed dangerously. “Careful that I count that as a strike rather than your tardiness this morning or your late reports.”
I wrung my hands together and sucked in a deep breath, fighting down my rising panic.
“There is no tenure for this position, Ms. Hart, and your time is not your own. It’s mine. And I expect it to be used properly.”
“The r-reports are nearly done,” I stammered. “I can get them to you soon. And I’m sorry for being late. It won’t happen again.”
The silence stretched between us as he pinned me with his gaze. My heart beat so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
Finally, Mr. Campbell dismissed me with a flick of his wrist as he turned back to his computer.
I let out a shaky sigh as I turned for the door.
“Oh, and Ms. Hart?”
I froze, my back to him.
“Make a reservation at the best restaurant tonight. Seven o’clock. I have a business meeting. And remember, the best restaurant. I’m sure you’ve never heard of one because of your status, so feel free to ask for help.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Yes, sir. Anything else?”
“You’ll be there.”
I turned back to him and opened my mouth to protest. “But…”
His silver eyes locked onto mine, and a shiver traced down my spine.
“This is an order, Ms. Hart. Not a request.”
I clenched the doorknob.
“Got anything better to do, Ms. Hart?”
I was planning on visiting my dad. I desperately needed to put my nightmares to rest.
I was too scared to argue, too entranced by those eyes.
I shook my head. “I don’t have any plans.”
I wanted to scream, to tell him my dad was more important than his damn business meeting.
He turned back to his computer.
“Don’t slam the door on your way out. No need to take your anger out on it just because you didn’t have the guts to say you had plans. I’ll be waiting,” he said dismissively.
I clenched my fists and returned to my desk, my heart aching.
I fought back tears. I didn’t want to give Jade anything to tease me about.
It wasn’t until I got home that I realized I didn’t have anything elegant enough for Seasons Restaurant or my boss’s standards.
“Beth, I’m screwed!” I yelled, yanking out dress after dress and tossing them onto my bed.
“Relax! You’ll find something,” my best friend said.
I spun around and glared at her.
“We’ve gone through my dresses three times.” I kicked a dress.
“It’s not my fault, Laurie, that you haven’t been shopping in a year.”
“But all my money goes to medical bills. Ugh, I don’t know what to do!” I groaned, flopping back onto the bed.
After a moment, Beth suggested we go to Melt’s for a dress. I gawked at her. We couldn’t afford earrings from there, let alone a whole dress.
Beth swatted me and suggested I keep the tag on and return it after tonight. It was a brilliant solution. I just had to keep Mr. Campbell from spotting the tag.
After we got back from Melt’s, Beth offered to do my makeup.
She gave me a more natural look. When she was done, I looked different in a good way, and I loved it.
I decided to let my hair down, but I curled it a bit.
At exactly 6:55 p.m., I arrived at Seasons Restaurant and waited outside for Mr. Campbell. There was no way I was going inside without my boss.
At 7:05 p.m., a black Escalade pulled up next to me. The driver got out and opened the backseat door.
A polished shoe appeared, and I was hit with the most intoxicating scent of mint and fresh clothes.
Mason Campbell stepped out of that car, and my toes curled. His presence commanded the space. The sleek lines of his body were perfectly accentuated by the tailoring of his suit. The top button of his shirt was undone, revealing just a sliver of his hard chest.
My mouth went dry. I couldn’t help myself.
Mason Campbell was beyond handsome in his black Armani suit, his face perfectly shaven and his hair slicked back.
He didn’t just have looks, money, power, and everyone’s adoration. There was something mysterious about him. Something dangerous that called and tempted you closer.
“What the hell are you wearing?” The words from his perfect lips knocked me back to reality.
I looked down, no idea why he sounded both surprised and annoyed. I was wearing a black strapless dress with a tasteful slit and Beth’s silver heels.
My hand went to the back of my dress, making sure the tag was well hidden.
“Never mind that now.” He looked toward the car. “Prince.”
Four tiny legs jumped out of the car, and a dog launched itself at me.
I shrieked.
“Prince, down, boy. She’s harmless. Can’t do a damn thing.”
Mr. Campbell pulled Prince back. I held a hand to my chest, my heart pounding in my ears.
I could have been imagining it, but Mr. Campbell’s mouth twitched a little bit.
I finally found my voice. “Is that…is that a dog?”
He rolled his eyes. “Five points to you.”
“But there’s a policy that says no dogs or any animals allowed. Why are you bringing a dog?”
He raised a brow at my tone.
I gulped. “Sir.”
“That’s why you’re here, Ms. Hart. To walk my dog.”
