Chapter One
I sat, hunched over the computer, in the still darkened office staring at the blue screen. The spreadsheet was due at 8 am and I wasn’t even half way done. Another last-minute project that the ever-gracious CEO decided to dump in my lap last night. He knew there was no way I’d be able to finish yesterday. He was a sadist who enjoyed seeing me squirm and say yes sir. My eyes seemed to grow heavier and heavier as the minutes ticked by. Only getting three hours of sleep affected me more than I thought.
Picking up my coffee mug, I sighed in disgust at the fact it was empty already. Looking around my computer, I longed for the kitchen to be closer. Climbing out of my chair, I trudged down the hallway to the only lit room on the entire floor. I poured another cup of the delicious, dark nectar into my mug and leaned against the counter, staring out the window. The sun began to creep over the horizon, changing the darkness of night to the beautiful pre-dawn.
“Come on, Piper. Motivated! Get back to it,” I said to myself.
Pulling away from the window, I went back to my desk. To the quiet. To the solitude. My colleagues would be showing up for work in just a few short hours and he would be expecting this newest report. The soft sound my heels made on the carpet sounded eerie in the emptiness of the office. Almost like I wasn’t supposed to be there.
You’re not supposed to be here so early, Piper. I scoffed to myself.
I picked up the gold plated wooden placard that sat precariously on the edge of my desk. I didn’t get it until I’d been with the company for six months. Six very long months.
Executive Administrative Assistant to Bryce O’Connell.
That’s what my placard says. That is what my life was reduced to, nothing but a placard and a desk in front of an office.
I’m the glorified secretary to the country’s youngest, richest, and most gorgeous asshole.
I plopped back into my squeaky chair and sipped my coffee while looking over the spreadsheet hoping for some sort of miracle on how I’d be able to finish it in the next two hours. I went to work though. I typed away until the lights were turned on and the murmurings of everyone who had just woken up flooded the office.
“How long have you been here?” a soft, melodic voice asked from across the walkway.
“Since 4.”
“In the morning?” she asked, aghast.
“No, yesterday afternoon.” I rolled my eyes. “Yes, this morning.”
“Why the hell did you come in so early?”
“That report he decided last night he had to have today,” I grumbled, turning my computer toward her.
“Ouch. Sorry.”
“Yeah, me too. Every day of my life.”
If I had known just what Bryce O’Connell was like I never would have begged my professor to write that letter of recommendation for her brother. My heart stopped and my stomach heaved at the sound of his voice. He was gorgeous, mysterious, and utterly despicable. I don’t know how the other women in the office didn’t see it. I don’t know why they all swooned at the sight of him. He makes me want to vomit in the nearest wastebasket.
Okay, I did understand. I behaved the same way when I first started. He single handedly built one of the most successful importing businesses on the East Coast. He looked like he stepped out of a GQ magazine every day. Then you get to know him. His personality killed whatever sexual attraction there was at one point.
“Troy!”
God, he’s already here?
“Troy! Where are you?” His baritone voice thundered from beyond the office doors.
“Be right there, Mr. O’Connell.” I took a few deep breaths and dragged myself up from the desk. I tugged at the bottom of my skirt and straightened my jacket.
Heaven forbid Master see a sloppy slave. Alright, Piper. Just go in and get it over with. What could the jackass possibly have to yell at you about today? You still have another 5 minutes before the report is due.
I forced a smile as I pushed his office door open and walked to the front of his massive, mahogany desk.
“Piper.”
“Yes, Mr. O’Connell?” I asked as calmly as I could.
“What time is it?”
“I believe it is eight o’clock, Mr. O’Connell.”
“You believe it is?” He folded his deliciously soft hands under his chin and peered up at me with piercing green eyes. He blinked slowly, cocking his head to the side. He was irritated, and I could hear that voice counting to ten inside his head.
“It is eight o’clock, Mr. O’Connell.” I clenched my teeth and balled my hands into tight fists at my sides. I wanted to deck him in his perfect veneered teeth. Instead I forced my best smile.
“Is there anything missing off my desk, Piper?”
I shuddered at the sound of my first name coming from his mouth. It was smooth as melted chocolate flowing over a conveyor belt of caramel. I could eat him up. I bit my lip banishing the thoughts from my mind.
I quickly scanned his desk for anything the horrible bastard could 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? I need to know the input and output of operations at my New York branch.”
I closed my eyes slowly and took a deep breath before opening them again. Six fucking years of college to be his coffee bitch? I’m fifty thousand dollars in debt to get that bastard fucking coffee? What the fuck? I have my master’s degree.
“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 dick,” I muttered under my breath.
“What was that?”
“What kind of creamer would you like in your coffee?” I asked, faking my best smile.
“Almond,” he snapped.
“Absolutely, Sir.”
I closed the door and stood there for a long minute.
“Geez, Pipes.”
“I forgot his Lord’s coffee.”
“Uh oh. Did he give you the third degree?” Alyssa, the tall brunette who worked across the aisle from me, asked.
“No. He so pleasantly reminded me that Cynthia never forgot.”
“Cynthia went crazy. Because of him. In three months.”
“Apparently it wasn’t his fault. She just couldn’t handle his genius.” I rubbed my eyes and walked toward the kitchen.
“Use his favorite mug.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
The office kitchen was empty. A mess but empty. I dug 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 prick and take that stupid, fucking mug!”
“You’re talking to yourself, Piper,” a familiar voice said off to the side.
“Robby! Do you know where that dumb, blue Harvard mug is?”
“Um, I think John from accounting has it.”
“What? He did not go to Harvard. God, Mr. O’Connell is in one of his moods and I need that mug.”
“Use his number one boss mug. He’ll get over it.” He smirked.
“I doubt it.”
“Did you forget his coffee again?” he asked.
“Yes,” I replied, letting my head fall into my hands. “Today sucks.”
“Sit down. I’ll make the coffee.” He grabbed my hand and led me to a small round table and handed me a stale donut that had been sitting out for who knows how long.
“Thanks, Robby.” I picked it apart, watching the crumbs fall through the cracks to the filthy floor below.
“Don’t think anything of 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, continuing to pick at the stale donut. My mind was full of everything that needed done. My morning was turning into such a wreck already and it was only eight. I glanced up and watched as the brown liquid slowly dripped down into the pot below. Bryce was going to be pissed that it was taking so long.
At least he’s getting fresh coffee.
“Why do you let him treat you like shit?”
“It’ll look awesome on my resume,” I said.
“It’s not healthy,” he replied.
“He’s a career maker.”
“He causes mental breakdowns.” Robby arched his eyebrows as he turned to the hissing coffee pot.
The man has a point.
I lost track of what Robby was talking about as I stared out the door, into the hallway. My heart leapt to my throat when fucking John from accounting walked by with the mug in hand.
“John!” I screeched, jumping up.
I ran across the room and into the hall. He was nowhere in sight.
I know he’s up here somewhere. He is!
I started running down the walkaway, peering into cubicles.
“John!” I whispered loudly, hoping he’d hear and look up.
No such luck.
Damnit, John.
I power walked up and down the aisles of the cubicles, poking my head in. The last row nearest Bryce’s office I saw John’s ass. You couldn’t miss those khaki pants. I ran up to him, peering near over the cheap, cloth walls at the massive doors at the end of the hallway that lead to his office. I snuck up to him and snatched the mug out of his hands.
“What the fuck!” He jumped up and yelled a bit too loud.
I shook the thankfully 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.”
“A dirty mug?”
“No! Wash it. It’s his mug.”
I sat and thanked my lucky stars John decided he wanted to visit and flirt with Diane in sales. Otherwise, there would be no mug and that would probably mean the end of my tenure with the company. As much as I detested that incorrigible man, he was my ticket to a better job down the road.
Just endure, Piper.
“Alright. Here you go,” Robby said, handing me the mug.
“Thanks, Robby. Hopefully he’ll be happy now.” I took the cup, dumped sugar, and almond creamer in it and high tailed it back to the expansive office.
The walk back to Bryce felt like a ten-mile hike. My stomach was in knots and I felt like I was going to vomit. He’s giving me an ulcer. I know it. One morning I’m going to wake up vomiting blood.
“Did you have to grow the coffee beans yourself? What the hell took so long?”
“No. There was no coffee. I had to make it,” I mumbled, making my way through the door.
“It’s fresh. At least you’ve done something right today, Miss Troy.”
Asshole.
I reached for the door knob but stopped. I looked over my shoulder at him. He was antagonizing me. His arms were folded in front of him on his desk around his cup of coffee. He looked at me over the rim of his glasses. I could have sworn he was smirking at me.
Over a cup of coffee?
“I won’t forget your coffee again,” I said through clenched teeth.
“I know you won’t.” His stern reply sent a shiver down my spine.
I wasn’t sure if it was a threat.
I often fantasized about tying him to his chair and whipping him. Not hard, just enough to make him shut up and listen to someone else for a change. That website I was on last night had a nice selection of whips. Don’t even start thinking about it, Piper.
How was it possible to hate someone so much yet want to do such naughty things to them as well? The thoughts were confusing. Hot. Tempting. Totally off limits.
“If you need anything else…” I started.
“You’re not going just yet, Miss Troy.”
Of course not.
“What else can I do for you, Mr. O’Connell?”
“The board room needs set up for this afternoon’s luncheon with Sandpepper’s Ceo and her board.”
“Of course it does.”
“Is that attitude?”
“No, Mr. O’Connell.”
“The spreadsheets need to be copied and bound.”
“Of course.”
“And I need the caterer called.”
“When does this need to be done by?”
“One.”
“I never got a memo or email about all of this yesterday.”
“It wasn’t decided until this morning,” he replied.
I managed to get my hand on the handle this time. “Oh, and Piper?”
“Yes, Mr. O’Connell?”
“Let’s not forget the coffee this time? And not the shit from the office kitchen?”
Bastard.
