Chapter 1
Zoey
I did not move across the country to be late on my first day.
But my watch begs to differ as it reads five minutes past eight. I’m supposed to start at nine A.M. sharp, and one would think I had plenty of time to get downtown. But, I’m not a native New Yorker. And getting around town was proving to be a difficult concept to grasp from a born and raised Angelino. I mean it’s practically my last name.
Zoey Angelo...the Angelino.
I chuckle to myself. If any of my new co-workers make the connection, I am more than doomed as it will most likely become my new nickname.
I went from casual and relaxed Los Angeles to the hustle and bustle of New York, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Frederick and Sons is where I'm supposed to be. They were the biggest advertising company in the city, and they were the only one with a division based back home. If I played my cards right and worked hard, I could lead the marketing division in Los Angeles in a year tops.
On top of that, their ‘About Us’ on the company's website states that Frederick and Sons pride themselves in a professional work environment and family values. Marco Frederick was the founder and CEO and it was widely known he would pass on his company to one of his sons. I found it quite unusual how three sons were mentioned, but their names or photos were nowhere to be found on the company's website.
Plus the internship program was stellar. Firstly, it was a paid program which meant it was actually an apprenticeship, and getting a steady paycheck allows me to be fully present at work, thus dissolving any worries I had about seeking out side jobs to earn a living. I know how lucky I am to have this position, and I made a promise to myself to keep my head down and work hard.
No distraction will get between me and my goals. No social life, no night life, and especially no dating life.
That I promise.
It was close to eight thirty so I decided to stick to what I know and get an Uber instead of trying to hail down a taxi. That is definitely on my bucket list to do though, if I'm going to be living and working here, I better learn this artform quickly.
On my way out, I give myself one last glance in my full length mirror to double check that not single hair is out of place. The program said business casual, which meant I got to wear my favorite pair of black cigarette pants, paired with a white ribbed tank top that I tucked in, a light gray fitted blazer, and my version of a top-knot with my long bangs framing my face. I finished my outfit with the most comfortable heels I have for any occasion, my Avani Black heels by Steve Madden.
If I wasn't completely passionate about marketing and advertisement, I would be working in fashion no doubt. Those two worlds are not the far apart if you really think about it.
I exit my front door not a second later and am pleasantly surprised my Uber got to my building on time.
But it was this traffic that I didn't anticipate. This was either really naïve of me or really stupid of me.
My leg is bouncing uncontrollably as my watch indicates that it's getting closer to nine. Every single second counts and I know for a fact, I still need to find an elevator to the the the top floor. Frederick and Sons comes closer into view and with a quick thanks to the driver the moment we arrive, I speed walk to the front lobby.
The receptionist up front is on a call and I pray that she hangs up when I reach her. I look down at my watch and I only have ten minutes to check in, get to the elevator and then check in again once I reach the top floor.
"Hi!" I greet the receptionist with a little too much excitement.
She must be on hold, since she still has the phone pinned to her ear. Green eyes meet mine and her smile is so warm. I smile right back.
"Name?" She asks. The phone not leaving her ear side.
"Zoey."
"Last name?"
"Angelo"
She slips through her log book and confirms my name on her computer screen.
"Okay, honey. So you'll want to go down this corridor and make a left, and the take the elevator to forty-ninth floor. Then you have to check in again and they will give you a new badge with a personal ID number." She gestures to the corridor behind her desk.
Wait, what?
"The forty-ninth floor? I thought the top floor was the fiftieth?"
"It is, but only the Frederick family can reach that floor since it requires special clearance."
Interesting. I guess they also value privacy here as well.
A quick thank you and a turn on my heel and I dash to the elevator. My heels are clicking loudly as I pick up the pace the minute I make the left turn.
"Oh please no."
My eyes widened as I see the elevator doors closing.
This is bad.
I cannot afford to wait for the next one. I count my lucky stars as I can make out someone already inside.
"Hold the door please!" The words come out too loud for my liking. But it seemed to do the trick.
Whomever was already inside placed their hand on the steel frame and waited for me.
In just a few seconds, I reached the elevator and not a moment later, I was feeling breathless.
The most gorgeous pair of gray eyes are staring back at me. It’s a color I’ve never seen before. So deep, so silver, like clouds on a stormy day.
I couldn’t look away from them. I felt captivated by them.
How could I? Their owner was staring at me with such intensity. His silver eyes scanning me slowly up and down.
The sound of the elevator door closing shut startled me and I backed closer to the corner. But I didn’t look away from him. For some reason, I kept his gaze.
He was handsome.
Striking, really.
A strong jawline, narrow nose, and high cheekbones. He had dark black hair that was short and a little shaggy, but kept nice and combed.
His presence was magnetizing and I felt so small in comparison. He was tall and his build was strong like an athlete. And although he was wearing a perfectly tailored navy suit, I was able to tell that he had a wide chest and toned arms.
He had a movie star quality about him.
But it was his lips that really captured me. They looked soft and plump, and dear god, they looked like they were ready to be kissed.
I wonder how they felt. Where they as velvety as I imagined they were. Did he taste as good as he looked?
How can I be having these thoughts about an absolute stranger…fuck…I have to get a grip of myself.
And yet, I didn’t stop gazing at him. He was too alluring, it was as though seeing a Da Vinci masterpiece for the first time. You just had to stand back and appreciate how stunning it was.
That’s when saw a shift in his eyes. They were morphing into a deep dark gray, full of hidden depths. They made me quiver like a small animal cornered by its prey.
About to be pounced on.
I couldn’t help the pressure building between my legs either. As much as I tried to ignore the feeling, it wouldn’t let up.
Look away damn it.
And if I wasn’t feeling nervous already, I definitely was feeling anxious when he took a step closer to the elevator panel and pushed the emergency button, controlling the steel room to come to a stop.
My mouth felt dry suddenly, and I licked my lips trying to bring some lubrication back.
Our eyes never leaving each other and with one more step, he closes the space between us.
Before I can react or think, he dipped his head down and captured my lips with his.
Any respectable woman would swat him away. Rest their hands on his chest and push him off. Yet, here I was. Enthralled by this mysterious man.
His strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me even closer to him. My breasts crushed against his chest and a small whimper escaped my throat and he took the opportunity to slip his tongue inside and find my own.
I was right. His lips were soft and velvety, but his tongue was something else, it was sweet and delectable and it was sending electric jolts down my body. Down to my very core.
He slipped his free hand behind my neck and pulled me closer. Deepening the kiss.
I could feel every hard inch of him as he leaned in and I arched my body against his. The movement conjured a low groan from him.
And it was sexy as hell.
I did it again.
And yet another groan from this handsome stranger.
Our kiss was no longer sweet or gentle, but urgent and intense. How can I be doing this right now? This isn’t me. But all rational thinking is out the door when he captures my thighs and lifts me up. Instinctively, I wrap my legs around his waist and he slams my back against the elevator wall.
My hands cup the back of his head as if to keep him from escaping, and my tongue hungrily seeks his. I work my mouth against his mouth and allow myself to taste him…to feel him.
And he kisses me back. Hard and feverishly. Matching my eagerness and my intensity.
Who is this man and why am I letting him touch me this way? Why am I letting myself sink into him? Letting him devour me on my first day on the job.
Job?
Oh no! I’m late!
“Stop, plea…please..” my words came out shaky as I break our lips apart.
“I can’t.” The stranger admits to me and finds my mouth again.
“Hmph.” Another whimper from me.
What spell has he casted over me?
“Please. It’s my first day and I’m late. I want to make a good impression on my boss.”
I felt him still at my words and as though something clicked within him, he peels himself from me and presses the red emergency button again. And the elevator begins to ascend.
The doors open as it reaches the next floor above us and he leaves in haste. Leaving me in the corner still quivering and recovering from our encounter.
I take a deep breath and try to relax. I’m about to reach my floor as well and I need to enter as composed as possible. After a few deep breaths, I can feel myself relax.
What just happened?
I shake my head, there is no use trying to dissect this right now, besides… whatever occurred between me and this man is probably a one time thing. It’s a big building and the chances of running into him were almost nonexistent. I cannot afford any distractions whatsoever.
Whomever he was, he better steer clear of me.
No matter how gorgeous those gray eyes were.
