I sat in the VP’s office at Decadent Publishing wondering why I had been called in. I had been working for Decadent for the past three years and I enjoyed my job. I considered myself a simple Book Editor. One that worked in an eight by eight cubicle tucked in a far corner. There was no need for me to be here unless something went wrong with a book or an author.

I usually keep my head down and do my work diligently. I was known for meeting my deadlines way ahead of schedule and I was the only Book Editor who worked in other languages and different genres, not just Erotic Romance. In turn, that gave me access to a variety of authors to work with. I always kept to myself which is why being in the VPs office now, was a bit disconcerting.

I looked out the floor to ceiling windows of the Chelsea offices and as always, was mesmerized by the New York City skyline. To say I was in love with my city was putting it lightly. I adored living here, the lights, the convenience, the eclecticism. I moved back just a few years ago and I finally had a place to call my own.

It was home, the city of a million stories, yet I was still trying to find one of my own. If I could only get my head wrapped around finishing one, then maybe I could make my dream come true. I was always hesitating, always second guessing myself. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Being a book editor, you’re constantly helping authors perfect their work. I itched to finally put down my own words on paper. To watch them come to life in the eyes of my own readers.

“Miss Montes!”

The man that walked in was intimidating, to say the least. I’d seen him in pictures and on social media, but being in his presence was an entirely new experience. He oozed confidence in his well-tailored suit, expensive Armani loafers, and with those penetrating blue eyes and that dark hair slicked back, he looked like a model that stepped right out of a fashion magazine. I blinked a few times as he strolled into the room, the smell of his expensive cologne filling the space.

As I stood, he reached for my hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you in person, Miss Montes. I’ve spoken to many of your authors and they have only good things to say about you.”

“Oh?”

His handshake was warm, his eyes kind, and his voice was boastful and cheery. My concern quickly decimated in his presence.

“Please,” he gestured to the chair and I slowly took a seat.

He undid the button of his suit jacket and took a seat in the leather chair next to mine. He smiled at me and I simply sat there staring at him.

“Do you know why I called you in, Miss Montes?”

“Adriana, please. And, no. To be honest I have no clue.”

“Well, I won’t hold you in suspense much longer. I need your help, Miss Mon...Adriana.” He smiled.

“Yes, of course. What can I do for you?”

“I have an author who is in need of some guidance.”

I nodded slowly. “Okay. So do they need me to read through some page proofs?”

“No. He needs help with a storyline, but I find it best if my editors go meet their authors every once in a while. He, especially, needs someone to be there to make sure he gets that… push, he needs.”

“But the Production Editors are the ones who usually get out to see the authors.”

He gave me a warm smile. “I think it’s time that you start getting out there and meeting your authors.”

I blinked up at him trying to assimilate what he just told me. When I spoke he was already chuckling. “A Production Editor?”

He nodded. “I know you’ve worked with this particular author before and have done wonders for him even though he may not be aware of it. He’s stuck on another Book Editor who is not quite as…trustworthy.”

“Oh?” I was a bit confused, but I kept my mouth shut for the moment.

“I think you will be good for him. I’ve seen your edits and you give out excellent constructive criticism. He’ll listen to you even if he doesn’t want to.”

“Well, I’ll do my best, Mr. King.”

“I know you will. So congratulations, Miss Montes. Um, Adriana,” he quickly corrected himself.

“Thank you so much, Sir.”

“I’ll send the details to your office, you’ll be flying out in two days.”

“Two days! Office?” I was trying to wrap my head around it all. It was all so unexpected and for a moment, I panicked.

“Yes, I can’t leave my new Production Editor without an office. I do warn you though, don’t get too comfortable there, you might be staying in Chicago a little longer than expected.”

“Oh,” I nodded still a bit in shock. “Yes, of course.”

“And I warn you, Miss Montes, the author you are going to meet is not going to be easy to handle. He’s a good friend of mine, but he’s also set in his ways and can be a bit of a pain in the ass.”

My eyes widened, and I knew my uncertainty was visible to him. Everything was happening so fast and I wasn’t used to that. I lived life at my own leisure, set my own schedules, deadlines. I lived alone so it was easier for me. I wasn’t very good at meeting new people. It had been a while since I had even gone out, other than to the Supermarket, or for an occasional morning coffee.

I preferred it that way. Not having to talk to anyone, share my life with anyone, get hurt by anyone. But now Samuel King was turning my life upside down and I wasn’t sure what to do with all these changes.

He leaned toward me and placed a hand over my own. “You’re going to be okay, Adriana. Change is good.”

I looked into his kind eyes and a sense of calm came over me. “Yes. Yes, I suppose it could be.”

“Good.”

I stood up and he followed suit, giving me a warm handshake. “Good luck, Miss Montes.”

“Yes, Sir. Thank you. Thank you so much.” I smiled brightly at him, my heart feeling like it might leap out of my chest.

I walked down the hallways of Decadent Publishing, feeling somewhat elated and still bewildered. To actually have been promoted, it was a huge accomplishment. One I wanted to keep to myself. There was too much competition roaming the halls of the company and I didn’t want anyone to know. As soon as word got around, they’d ruin it for me. I wanted to take my things and leave, quickly and quietly before I was on the tongue of everyone around me.

Being a Production Editor was a tedious job. I was glad I was only assigned to one author to start. I needed to get at least half my edits done before I flew out. I couldn’t leave my authors stranded, especially knowing of their upcoming deadlines. Authors and deadlines went hand in hand. I was also in charge of his events and I wasn’t sure if I could handle those just yet. I needed to network, to find areas in Chicago where he could do book signings and readings. But before I could do that, I needed to know who this mysterious author was, and why this was all so hush-hush.

I spotted a manila envelope sitting on my desk, the word Confidential stamped in red ink across it. I got on tiptoes, but it seemed most of the office had gone out to lunch. With no one around I dumped the contents onto my desk and rummaged through them. There was a set of keys, a letter, and an open plane ticket to Chicago, Illinois. It seemed I was going for an indefinite amount of time. The set of keys were to my new office upstairs, and the letter told me that I was to meet Author Michael Knight on Tuesday morning at his Chicago offices.

My hands shook, and I slumped down into my chair. Michael Knight was one of my favorite Dark Romance authors. He was one of the few authors I’d known that used descriptions in such a delicate way, his darkness, the way he enticed the reader with his words. He was an amazing writer and I was completely out of my league here. I had worked with his books twice before when his Book Editor wasn’t able to meet his deadlines. But I was sure he had no clue to that. My fingers trembled as I stared down at his name.

How in the world was I going to be able to help a man like Michael Knight? I turned on my desktop and searched his name. When he popped up I nearly melted into the chair. He was so absolutely handsome, tall and broad-shouldered, and had these amazing hazel eyes, eyes that could melt any heart. And that smile, it was boyish and playful in the picture. At thirty-eight he was a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, always reserved, yet wanted by every woman in the book world.

But I had been privy to his mind and what dark secrets it held. His books were gritty and his storylines full of suspense and eroticism. I heard he was working on a brand new series and I was dying to get my hands on it. It looked like I was about to get first-hand accounts on it. I’d been following his work for years, crawling into bed with his words, as he took me away into his worlds of captivating broken heroes and sultry heroines. His work was dirty and raw, and in a way, he got me through some seriously lonely nights.

I took a deep sigh, my eyes darting around me. The offices were empty on a Friday afternoon. Everyone had a special someone or a special occasion to go to. I had overheard a few of them talking about going out for drinks. I’d been invited once or twice, but after I continuously rejected their invitations, they’d eventually stopped asking. Most of the time I lost myself in the books I was editing and since I lived alone I tended to work after hours with them.

I had become somewhat of a loner, even though I used to be bright and friendly. My only friend was Nicole Lance, a Romance Author for Decadent Publishing. We had connected when I started to edit her work a few years back. We formed a great friendship and she was the only one I truly ever communicated with. We could spend hours on the phone talking about her new ideas, family, and books. She was the only one who knew what I had gone through in recent years, and every once in a while we’d go out to dinner, or to have some drinks. She was only one who could actually get me out of the house.

I was pretty much a homebody and my anxiety had worsened throughout the years, keeping away from things I used to love, like traveling. Mr. King had no clue what he had just done for me. He’d pulled me out of this emptiness and given me a new goal, a new venture, a new challenge.

Lifting the airline ticket, I smiled.

Challenge accepted, Mr. King.