Executive Seduction
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H L Wampler
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34
The Beginning
PIPER
I hunched over my computer in the dim office, eyes locked on the blue screen. The spreadsheet, due this morning, was barely halfway done, thanks to another last-minute project from our sadistic CEO. Exhaustion hit me harder than I’d expected. He thrived on chaos, and I was left to sift through the wreckage.
I reached for my empty coffee mug, sighed, and dragged myself to the only lit room on the floor. I refilled my cup, leaning against the counter, watching the sun’s first light cast a serene predawn glow. It was a fleeting moment of peace before the storm.
“Come on, Piper. Get motivated! Get back to it,” I muttered, shaking off the weight of impending deadlines.
Silence enveloped me as I returned to my desk. My colleagues would be arriving soon, and Bryce O’Connell would expect that report. The soft sound of my heels on the carpet echoed in the empty office, amplifying my sense of solitude. It felt like I wasn’t supposed to be there.
You’re not supposed to be here this early, Piper, I scoffed at my own thoughts.
I picked up the gold-plated wooden placard that sat on the edge of my desk, a bittersweet reminder of my six-month tenure at the company.
Executive Administrative Assistant to Bryce O’Connell.
A title that felt more like a gilded cage than a badge of honor. As I sank back into my squeaky chair, I took a long sip of my coffee, staring at the spreadsheet and hoping for a miracle. A notification pinged on my screen. I’d been waiting for an email from James, my colleague in compliance, and the subject sent a chill down my spine: URGENT: Sandpepper Contract.
I clicked it open, my pulse quickening.
The language in the contract doesn’t properly reflect the latest compliance regulations. If it goes through as it is, we’re exposed to potential litigation…
My eyes widened. I had caught it. This wasn’t just another work problem; it was a potential crisis that could be absolutely devastating to the company. I pushed my chair back, the squeak punctuating the growing urgency. My team’s messages popped up from James:
Good catch on the Sandpepper contract! We need to address it before it goes public. Hopefully, boss man is in a good mood today. Good luck with that convo.
A rush of pride surged through me. “I can fix this,” I whispered, determination settling in. “I think.”
The office was about to wake up, and I was ready to turn this potential disaster into a victory.
“How long have you been here?” a soft voice asked from across the aisle.
“Since early this morning,” I replied, yawning as I turned toward Alyssa, the tall brunette who worked across the aisle from me.
“In the morning?” Alyssa asked, her eyes wide.
“No, yesterday afternoon.” I rolled my eyes. “Yes, this morning.”
“Why on earth did you come in so early?”
“That report he decided last night he had to have today,” I grumbled, turning my computer screen toward her.
“Ouch. Sorry.”
“Yeah, me too. Every day of my life.”
If I’d known what Bryce O’Connell was really like, I wouldn’t have begged my professor for that recommendation letter. His voice made my heart race and my stomach churn. Though handsome and enigmatic, he was utterly detestable. I couldn’t understand why the other women in the office swooned over him; he made me want to hurl.
I’d been the same when I first started. He’d built a top tech business and looked like he’d stepped out of a GQ magazine daily. But once I got to know him, his personality killed any lingering attraction.
“Troy!”
God, he’s already here.
“Troy! Where are you?” His deep voice echoed from beyond the office doors.
“Coming, Mr. O’Connell.” I took a few deep breaths and pushed myself up from the desk. I smoothed down my skirt and straightened my jacket.
God forbid the boss saw a sloppy assistant. All right, Piper. Just go in and get it over with. What could the jerk possibly have to yell at you about today?
I forced a smile as I pushed open his office door and walked toward his massive, mahogany desk.
“Miss Troy.”
“Yes, Mr. O’Connell?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“What time is it?”
“I believe it’s early, Mr. O’Connell.”
“You believe it is?” He folded his hands under his chin and looked up at me with his piercing green eyes. He blinked slowly, tilting his head to the side. He was irritated, and I could almost hear him counting to ten in his head.
“It is early, Mr. O’Connell.” I clenched my teeth and balled my hands into fists at my sides. I wanted to punch him in his perfect teeth. Instead, I forced a smile.
“Is there anything missing from my desk, Piper?”
I shuddered at the sound of my name coming from his lips. It was as smooth as melted chocolate flowing over caramel. I could eat him up. I bit my lip, pushing the thoughts away.
I scanned his desk for anything he could possibly be missing. Everything he needed was right in front of him. “No. I’m sorry, Mr. O’Connell.”
“Coffee, Piper. Where is my coffee?” He arched his eyebrows, extending his arms in front of me. “And my new report?”
Six years of college to be his coffee bitch? I’m fifty thousand dollars in debt to get that bastard coffee? I have two master’s degrees.
“Please forgive me, Mr. O’Connell. It must have slipped my mind.”
“It must have. Cynthia never forgot.”
Seriously? “Cynthia also had a mental breakdown after working for you for three months.”
“Yes, well, not everyone can handle the stress of working for a genius,” he grumbled.
“Not everyone can handle working for a jerk,” I muttered under my breath.
“What was that?”
“What kind of creamer would you like in your coffee?” I asked, forcing a smile.
“I don’t care,” he snapped.
“Absolutely, sir.” I closed the door and stood there for a moment.
“Geez, Pipes,” Alyssa said quietly.
“I forgot His Lordship’s coffee.”
“Uh-oh. Did he give you the third degree?” Alyssa asked.
“No. He so kindly reminded me that Cynthia never forgot.”
“Cynthia went crazy—because of him.” Alyssa crossed her arms.
“Apparently it wasn’t his fault. She just couldn’t handle his genius.” I rubbed my eyes and headed toward the kitchen.
“Use his favorite mug.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
The office kitchen was a mess, but at least it was empty. I rummaged through the cabinets, but of course, Bryce’s favorite mug was missing.
“Oh, come on. Why? Of all days for someone to be a total jerk and take that stupid, fucking mug!”
“You’re talking to yourself, Piper,” a familiar voice said from the side.
“Robby! Do you know where that dumb blue Harvard mug is?”
“Um, I think John from accounting has it.”
“What? He didn’t go to Harvard. God, Mr. O’Connell is in one of his moods, and I need that mug.”
“Sit down. I’ll make the coffee.” He led me to a small round table and handed me a stale donut that had been sitting out for who knew how long.
“Thanks, Robby.” I picked at the donut, watching the crumbs fall onto the dirty floor below.
“Don’t mention it. Just let me buy you a drink sometime.”
I sighed and wished I’d just gone to the coffee shop down the street. “I don’t know. I really try not to mix work and pleasure. I hope you understand.”
“Yeah.”
I sat there watching as he scooped the coffee into the pot. My morning was already turning into a disaster. I glanced up and saw John from accounting walk by with the blue Harvard mug in hand.
“John!” I yelled, jumping up.
I ran across the room and into the hall. He was nowhere in sight. I ran down the hallway, peering into cubicles.
“John!” I whispered loudly, hoping he’d hear and look up.
Damn it, John.
I power-walked up and down the aisles of the cubicles, poking my head in. In the last row nearest Bryce’s office, I spotted John. I ran up to him, glancing over the cheap cloth walls at the massive doors at the end of the hallway that led to Bryce’s office. I snuck up to him and snatched the mug out of his hands.
I shook the thankfully clean and empty mug in his face. “Not your mug!”
I ran back to the kitchen and shoved the mug at Robby.
“This,” I said between gasps, “use this.”
“All right. Here you go,” Robby said, handing me the mug.
“Thanks, Robby. Hopefully, he’ll be happy now.” I took the cup, added sugar and almond creamer, and hurried back to Bryce’s office.
I knocked, opened the door, and froze.
Bryce was mid-change, wearing only his dress shirt and boxer briefs. I blinked, my brain struggling to process the scene.
“Uh, Mr. O’Connell,” I stammered, my voice catching in my throat. “I didn’t realize…you were…”
