Chapter 1 Night Shift
Book two :) First book is My Arrogant CEO Boss. I’ll update at least once a week :)
Chapter 1
“Night Shift”
POV Meredith
I step off the elevator onto the 11th floor to start my night shift.
Josh is just off his day shift and locks eyes with mine as he hands me a coffee. “Have a good shift, Meredith,” he smiles.
I turn around to admire his devilishly handsome blue eyes and chiseled jawline. His red hair dangles in his eyes, his tux jacket is slung over his shoulder, and his shirt’s first two buttons are undone, his tie loose from a long day.
I blow him a kiss as the doors start to close, and he pretends to catch it.
I walk to my desk and start to settle in when Tracey leans over from her desk and hands me a note.
“Big man wants you upstairs, Meredith.”
“Crap.”
“This is a starting position. You’ve been here three years. Are you really surprised?” Tracey asks.
“I like the nights. It’s peaceful. No office drama, no fights, just pure bliss.”
I guzzle my coffee, walk back to the elevator, hit the 46th floor, and try to remember how to breathe.
The elevator beeps every time it moves up a floor, like a ticking time bomb.
I ran away from my life. I don’t want to be found in the daylight hours and dragged back.
I play with my blonde bob wig, which I carefully picked out along with the oversized glasses to keep men’s eyes off me.
The elevator dings louder than normal, startling me.
I’ve reached the top floor.
The doors open, and I place my hands at my sides to stop myself from fidgeting.
I walk to the biggest office at the back of the floor with Desmond Cage’s name on the door.
“I’m here to see Mr. Cage,” I tell the receptionist.
“Do you have an appointment?”
“Yes, Meredith Jones.”
“I don’t see you on his appointment list.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I turn around and start walking back to the elevator as fast as my legs will carry me.
“Miss Jones,” the receptionist bellows across the office. “Mr. Cage will see you now.”
“Damn it, I was so close.”
All eyes are on me when I turn around.
Why are so many people working this late? What kind of boss is he?
I walk slowly back to the office, like I’m about to be fired. I reach his door and take a deep breath.
“Stop being dramatic and just go in,” the receptionist says.
I open the door and see a tall, broad shoulder man sitting in a chair, staring out at the city.
I take a seat and say nothing.
“You’ve been here three years, Miss Jones.”
“That’s correct.”
“I didn’t ask for a response,” he growls, turning around with a scowl on his face.
He’s stunningly handsome and gives off an aura of power and dominance. He’s clearly royalty. His deep teal eyes burn through me. His curly hair is slicked back, and if I weren’t so terrified, I would leap across the desk and kiss him or at least mess up his perfect hair a little.
“Hubba hubba,” my wolf, Alice, says.
“Take off that ridiculous wig!” he orders.
I rip it off like it’s a rat’s nest.
“Now the glasses.”
I place them on his desk.
“Don’t wear them again,” he orders.
“Yes, sir.”
“That’s better. What is a beauty like you hiding on the night shift? Did you kill the wrong person? Did you sleep with a king, and now his wife wants you dead? Explain yourself, Miss Jones.”
“I don’t like attention. I’m a single mom, and I’m just looking to live my life without drama.”
“Single mom? I could use a beautiful mistress such as yourself. Your child would be taken care of, and whatever you’re running from, you would be protected.”
“No, thank you.”
“Most women would beg me for such an offer. Life has a way of catching up to you, Miss Jones. You can only hide for so long. Reconsider my offer. In the meantime, you’re being moved to the day shift starting tomorrow. Go home, sleep, and be here at eleven a.m. for your first day.”
“Listen…”
“I’ve lost five employees in the last four weeks to Kraven Lockwood’s company. A lot of employees have quit Kraven’s company in the past year, and he’s desperate to replace them.”
The name sends a shiver down my spine. It’s a name I haven’t heard in over three years.
“Can I have a bit more time?”
“No, you’ve had plenty of time. Night shift is over!”
Desmond leans across his desk, and grabs my hand, and practically inhales it.
“You smell divine, Meredith. What perfume do you wear? It’s like a vanilla and cinnamon scent.”
“I don’t wear perfume,” I say, yanking my hand back and almost falling off my chair.
I grab my wig and glasses and go to open his door.
“Amy will teach you the ropes tomorrow. Have a good sleep, Miss Jones.”
I open the door.
“Oh, and Miss Jones.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll be watching you.”
Shit.
I fly across the floor, hoping no one notices my appearance has change.
The elevator opens, and I step in while others get out.
No, this can’t be happening. Everything was perfect. I don’t want to move again. I don’t want to start over. I like it here.
I pace inside the elevator and storm out onto the main floor, slamming into a wall of muscle, dumping coffee all over him and myself.
“I’m so sorry.” I start to sob, trying to clean the coffee off with my sleeve in a panic.
