The New Boss: An Office Romance

It made me more nervous than any audition that I’ve ever been on. Pretending to be someone else? Easy. Selling myself? Hell no.

I’m breathing hard by the time I stumble into the plaza. My feet are already aching in these heels, and I know that I’m going to regret wearing them by the end of the day.

It’s still early enough that there’s a ton of people streaming into the building, but I am officially late. I need to get my badge from security and meet my HR contact at the office so I can get oriented. Then I actually have to meet my new boss. Malcolm Meyer. It’s such a Hollywood name. Like an old-time movie star.

I just hope he’ll be okay with me being late. Maybe I can explain.

“Look out!” A voice calls from my right, and a younger guy in a suit comes barreling toward me from the front doors. He’s carrying way too much coffee and looks like he’s in a state of panic, and in the two seconds that it takes me to think that, he’s almost running into me.

I dive out of the way—and directly into someone else. Instead of falling with me, it feels like I slam into a brick wall. And in these heels, there’s absolutely no chance that I stay upright.

It’s the kind of fall where you’re on the ground before you even realize that you’re falling, and you don’t entirely remember how you got there. All I know is that I’m now on my back staring up at the vaulted ceiling of this lobby, and that there are people looking at me.

Coffee guy is long gone.

That’s definitely not him looking down at me.

The man that’s looking down at me right now is…a god.

I blink. No. That can’t be possible. But that’s the only word that my brain is supplying right now. Because he’s the hottest fucking man that I’ve ever seen in my life.

Even from the way he’s crouching down over me, I can see that his suit is expensive and tailored within an inch of its life. That tailoring shows me a powerful body that’s barely contained by those clothes. He’d look more at home in out-door gear. Or a Roman legionnaire costume.

But it’s his eyes that strike me. An icy, pale blue that sends a shock through me. The good kind of shock. Followed by the shock of a jaw that could cut diamonds and a head of dark hair that I instantly want to run my fingers through.

This man looks like he could be the lead in a film. And I know, I’ve seen enough of them.

“Are you okay?”

I blink. I’ve been staring at him without moving, and now there’s a little crowd gathering around us. “I think so,” I say. “That was just a little unexpected.”

The corner of his mouth turns up into a smile, and my stomach explodes into butterflies. His smile is the very definition of a panty-dropper. I’m shocked there’s not a trail of women following him.

He offers me a hand, and I take it, and he helps me up into a sitting position, a hand on my back. “Did you hit your head?”

“No,” I laugh, “just my ego. I’m late, and I was rushing.”

“I’m sure your boss will understand,” he says with a chuckle.

“I hope so.” My mysterious stranger helps me to my feet, and even in my high heels, he towers over me. “I’m sorry for bumping into you.”

One eyebrow raises. “I’m sure you’ll watch where you’re going next time.”

I bristle at his tone, but I plaster on a smile. It’s my first day. I can’t make people angry on my first day. “I’m sure I will.”

“Where are you headed?”

I brush myself off. “Security. Have to get my badge. First day.”

He flashes me that amazing smile again. “I’ll come with you. Have to make sure you don’t have a concussion.”

“I didn’t hit my head,” I say again, but I don’t protest as he follows me over to the security desk, and I can feel his eyes on me while they check my credentials and give me a badge that will get me into the elevators.

I can’t believe he’s still standing there. Or that he’s actually real. This is like those movies where the plain girl stumbles into the beautiful man’s arms. Except this isn’t a rom-com. Men like that don’t go for women who crash into them and nearly injure themselves.

“You really don’t have to stay with me,” I say, smiling. “I mean, I appreciate it, but I’m okay.”

He chuckles. “I’m going to the elevators anyway. Might as well.”

I fight the blush that rushes up my neck. Working in this building, it’s going to be impossible to forget that he works here. I’ll be sitting at my desk and wondering where he is in the building. How could I not?