Summary & Preview - The CEO’s Rules
Summary & Preview - The CEO’s Rules
The CEO’s Rules - summary
Maya Chen desperately needs this job. With bills piling up, she takes a temp position as personal assistant to Alexander Steele—the ruthless CEO of Steele Industries who’s already driven away three assistants this month.
Alexander built his empire on control and doesn’t tolerate weakness. But when Maya refuses to be intimidated and matches his intensity, the rules he’s lived by begin to crumble. What starts as a professional arrangement becomes a battle of wills charged with undeniable attraction.
Can a temp with nothing to lose tame a CEO who has everything to protect?
A steamy contemporary romance about power, control, and breaking all the rules.
Chapter 1 preview
Chapter 1: First Impressions
The elevator climbed toward the forty-second floor, and Maya Chen’s stomach dropped with each passing number.
Her reflection in the polished steel doors showed a woman trying too hard—pencil skirt smoothed for the hundredth time, blouse tucked with military precision, hair pulled back so tightly it made her eyes water.
“You sure you want this assignment?” Linda from the temp agency had asked yesterday.
“Alexander Steele’s assistant just quit. Third one this month.”
Maya needed the money. Her art degree wasn’t paying the bills, and her savings account had been gasping for air since her gallery internship ended. How hard could it be to fetch coffee and answer phones?
The elevator dinged, and Maya stepped into what could only be described as corporate heaven—or hell, depending on your perspective. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city, while modern art that probably cost more than her annual rent adorned the walls. Everything was sleek, minimalist, and intimidatingly expensive.
“You must be the new temp.” A woman with kind eyes and graying hair approached. “I’m Patricia, Mr. Steele’s executive assistant. Well, one of them. You’ll be handling his personal schedule.”
“Maya Chen. Nice to meet you.”
Patricia’s smile faltered slightly. “A word of advice, dear. Keep your head down, do exactly what he says, and whatever you do, don’t take his… intensity personally. He’s brilliant, but—”
“Patricia.” The voice cut through the air like a blade, deep and commanding. “Is that my new assistant?”
Maya turned and forgot how to breathe.
Alexander Steele stood in the doorway of what had to be his office, and every rumor about him was an understatement. He was tall, probably six-foot-three, with dark hair that looked like he’d run his fingers through it and sharp features that belonged on a magazine cover. His suit was definitely custom—charcoal gray that fit him like it was painted on his muscled frame. But it was his eyes that made her pulse stutter. Cold, calculating gray eyes that seemed to see right through her.
And right now, those eyes were looking at her like she was a problem to be solved.
“Mr. Steele.” Patricia’s voice held a warning. “This is Maya Chen from—”
“I can introduce myself, Patricia.” He stepped closer, and Maya caught a hint of expensive cologne mixed with something distinctly masculine. “Miss Chen. I hope you’re more competent than your predecessors.”
His voice was like aged whiskey—smooth but with a burn that lingered. Maya found her voice somewhere in her throat. “I’ll do my best, sir.”
One dark eyebrow arched. “Your best?” He moved closer, close enough that she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. “Miss Chen, your best is the minimum expectation. I don’t deal in participation trophies or moral victories. I deal in results. Are we understood?”
Heat crept up Maya’s neck, part embarrassment, part something else she didn’t want to name. “Perfectly, Mr. Steele.”
“Good.” He turned away, dismissing her as easily as he’d dismissed her predecessors, no doubt. “Patricia will show you to your desk. I want the Yamamoto contracts reviewed and the Henderson meeting moved to Thursday. And for God’s sake, make sure whoever answers my phone can speak proper English this time.”
Maya’s jaw clenched. She’d been here five minutes and he was already treating her like an incompetent child. “Of course, sir.”
He paused at his office door. “Oh, and Miss Chen? I like my coffee black, no sugar, no cream, and hot enough to strip paint. Think you can manage that?”
The condescension in his voice made her want to throw something at his perfectly sculpted head. Instead, she smiled sweetly. “I think I can handle coffee, Mr. Steele.”
Something flickered in his eyes—surprise? Amusement? Before she could tell, he disappeared into his office, leaving her alone with Patricia, who was looking at her with something like admiration.
“Well,” Patricia murmured, “that was… interesting. He didn’t make you cry.”
Great start! 😊