“To love at all is to be vulnerable.”—C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

The buzz of conversation and ringing phones greeted us when the elevator doors slid open to the thirty-fifth floor of The McAllister Group. A few curious faces glanced up from their computers but most ignored us. It was just as well—they’d probably find my awestruck expression comical. I couldn’t help it. I wanted to pinch myself. I’d scored a job at one of the most prestigious real estate brokerage firms in New York City. On Madison fucking Avenue, no less.

Floor-to-ceiling windows lined one side with views overlooking Central Park a couple of blocks away. The unimpeded panorama of Manhattan in full springtime splendor belonged to the top performers and executives lucky enough to score corner offices. However, the open layout with its clean lines and contemporary art gave the entire space a modern vibe that fed the obvious energy in the office. The only thing missing was background music. An upbeat inspirational anthem to pump up the sales force would be perfect.

I hummed Queen’s “We Will Rock You” softly as I trailed after Diego, the somewhat fabulous admin assistant who’d volunteered to escort me to my new desk. He stopped occasionally to introduce me to a few coworkers as he led the way to a corner cubicle located next to a conference room. I gave the workspace a cursory once-over before turning to the glass wall behind me where two men were engaged in a serious-looking conversation.

I set my briefcase on the side credenza and inclined my head toward the action through the fishbowl. My inner soundtrack came to a screeching halt. The idea of someone staring over my shoulder every day was disconcerting, to say the least.

“Is that conference room used very often?” I asked as nonchalantly as possible.

“All the time,” Diego replied matter-of-factly before turning to stare at the action a few feet away. “It’s part of Leo’s office. Damn, it looks like he’s on the warpath. Poor Chuck.”

I leaned against my desk with my arms crossed and studied Diego’s profile. He was a couple of inches shorter than my six one and on the heavier side with olive skin and brown eyes. His black hair was artfully mussed, and his pinstriped suit was a tad on the flashy side. Or perhaps it was the pink oxford shirt and purple tie that pushed the boundaries of taste. Somehow, the wild color combination worked on him. I’d known the guy for twenty minutes, but I could already tell he had the panache to pull off wardrobe choices most men wouldn’t dare. At least not me. My conservative navy suit might not be eye-catching, but it was stylish enough.

“Who’s Chuck?”

“He’s a dumb bunny who ought to know better than to swat at a grumpy lion.”

“And the other guy is the lion, eh?”

“Yep, Leo Rodriguez, your new boss. I’ll introduce you as soon as they finish up. Chuck should come limping out of there any second now.”

“Who’s Leo Rodriguez? I’m an agent. Mr. McAllister should be my boss.”

Diego gave me an “Oh, you silly man” look then opened his arms and motioned animatedly toward the other cubicles. “We all work for McAllister. His name is on the building. But quite a few people here work for Leo too. He’s the tippity-top salesman and he requires a special team. You, my lucky friend, are the newest team member. Congratulations or condolences—you can decide which fits best later.”

“That name sounds familiar,” I commented thoughtfully.

“It should. Leo is our in-house celebrity. He does the Take Ten with Leo segment on the local home network channel. The one where they spotlight the latest multimillion-dollar listing with a quick tour. It airs twice a week now, but there’s talk about making it into a series with one of the bigger cable networks. People love him. That might change if they find out what a prick he is in real life.” Diego threw his hand over his mouth and widened his eyes theatrically. “Oops. You didn’t hear that from me! Come on, it looks like they’re done. Let me introduce you.”

“Hang on.” I grabbed his coat sleeve before he got anywhere. “I don’t get it. What exactly would I be doing with Leo?”

“You’re his new assistant. Or assistant agent. I’m not sure what the official title is but—”

“Whoa. I’m a real estate agent, not an errand boy.”

Diego gave me a quick yet effectively dismissive once-over. “If you want to be a regular ol’ agent, I’m sure we can find you a desk in the basement with the rest of the scrubs but I wouldn’t recommend it. Besides, I overheard McAllister tell Leo that you have experience and potential. E and P. Trust me, you don’t want to waste your E and P mojo being basic. If you have the opportunity to be in Leo’s orbit, take it. He may be difficult, but his star is on the rise. He’s going places. And if you can handle his authoritarian style and his ego, you will too. Now come on, I haven’t got all day.”

Diego clapped his hands then moved toward the doorway just as a middle-aged man emerged with his head down. He grumbled a greeting of sorts, but he didn’t stop when Diego tried to introduce us. I stared after the disgruntled-looking employee and willed my sense of foreboding to subside. I hummed the first line of the Queen classic again, hoping the kickass lyrics would quiet my nerves. Then I straightened my tie and followed Diego into the adjacent executive suite.

I stopped in my tracks the second I stepped into the room and gaped at my surroundings. The office was freaking gigantic. The contemporary space featured streamlined black leather furnishings, modern art, and glass and reclaimed wood accents. It appeared to be broken into three distinct areas: a corner office, a lounge area, and a conference room. Make that two conference rooms, I corrected as I craned my neck and glanced around the corner to my right. This had to be over two thousand square feet of prime New York City real estate. It was crazy to think this office belonged to one man.

“Sorry to disturb you, sir,” Diego said, addressing the figure standing with his back to us. “I wanted to introduce you to your new assistant, Reeve Nelson.”

Diego’s deferential and professional tone was a jarring departure from the flamboyant one he’d used with me. I flashed a sideways glance at him then stepped forward with my hand outstretched to greet my new boss.

“Hi, I’m—” Speechless.

I was woefully unprepared to meet Leo Rodriguez in person. In my defense, I had no clue I’d been assigned to his sales team until now. If I’d known in advance, I would have studied his bio and acclimated myself with his recent sales and current listings. I wasn’t particularly interested in the celebrity angle unless it was someone really freaking cool like Mick Jagger. A local TV real estate personality ran a distant second any day of the week. However, Leo Rodriguez might just be the exception to the rule.

He was six foot four and built like a linebacker. And though I wouldn’t necessarily call him handsome, he was definitely striking. He had short dark hair, intense brown eyes, and full lips. His square jaw, even features, and the perfect fit of his charcoal suit over his broad shoulders catapulted him into the “seriously sexy” realm. But there was an unforgiving air about him that set off warning bells. The “Don’t fuck with me” kind that would make the average person question how the hell they’d found themselves locked in a cage with a hungry lion. No wonder poor Chuck ran out of here with his head down. I was tempted to do the same, and he hadn’t said boo to me yet.

Which reminded me…I still hadn’t finished my sentence. I licked my lips and tried again. “I’m Reeve. Pleased to meet you.”

Leo held eye contact for a long moment without saying a word then dutifully shook my hand. When he released his hold, he turned to Diego and spoke in another language. Spanish, I mused as I wracked my brain for an intelligent icebreaker to impress my new boss. Sales 101—create common ground where none exists. I tried to recall details from the one Take Ten with Leo episode I’d watched. He’d interviewed a baseball player from…

“Are you Cuban?” I blurted, interrupting his fast-clipped dialogue. Lame. Nice one, Nelson.

He raised his brow and gave me an inscrutable look before replying, “Puerto Rican.”

“Oh. I think I saw one of your shows, but I couldn’t remember if you were American or—”

“Puerto Ricans are Americans,” he said, narrowing his gaze somewhat menacingly. Oh fuck.

“I—I know. I didn’t mean—never mind. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

Leo’s lips quirked on one side. I couldn’t tell if the gesture was a smile or a snarl. Either way, it wasn’t particularly inviting. My hands were suddenly slick. It took everything I had not to wipe them on my suit coat. Talk about making a bad first impression. Sales 101, exhibit A—never let them see you sweat. This might be my shortest job stint ever.

“Hmph.” Leo held my gaze for a long moment then lifted his wrist to check his watch. “I’ve got ten minutes. What’s your name again?”

“R-Reeve,” I replied, licking my lips nervously.

“Reeve,” he repeated before looking at Diego and gesturing meaningfully toward the door. “Tell Nora I’ll send the new hire to her shortly.”

“Yes sir,” Diego chirped, pausing to wink at me before sashaying away and leaving me with my scary as hell new boss.

I gave him a tentative smile and waited for his direction. I didn’t want to chance insulting him again. It was best to play it safe and shut the hell up. But it wasn’t easy. The quiet was daunting. Thankfully, a vibrating noise broke the ensuing silence. Leo pulled his phone from his pocket, typed a quick message, and then moved into the adjacent office without a word.

Funny enough, the second he left the room, the energy level returned to something closer to normal. I took a deep breath and quickly gathered my wits and weighed my options. I didn’t have to stay. I could find another job. Remy had connections through his fiancé. I didn’t necessarily want to work with my brother’s almost-husband’s cousins in Brooklyn though. This was my dream job. I’d always wanted to wheel and deal elite real estate in Manhattan. The exclusive kind of properties with ridiculous views that gave potential buyers the impression they were floating on a cloud. This was my shot. And working with the best of the best was a bonus I hadn’t counted on. I could learn a lot from this man.

There. Pep talk complete. I balled my fist and punched the air as Queen’s anthem resumed in my head.

“Are you coming or not?” Leo growled impatiently from inside. “You’ve got nine minutes now. Let’s do this.”

I let out a rush of air, squared my shoulders, and stepped toward the open office door.

I couldn’t help noticing there was an element of incongruity between the sophisticated surroundings and the man they belonged to. Leo moved like a feral cat in a very posh cage, pacing from the corner window to the gigantic desk anchoring the room then back again. He made two laps then pointed at one of the guest chairs nearby.

“Take a seat and tell me about yourself.” He flopped gracelessly into the chair next to me then leaned back and smiled.

And wow…what a smile. The brutally serious businessman with one eye perpetually on his watch morphed into a god. No joke. He didn’t suddenly become model handsome. It was actually something better. He oozed every attribute any successful person strives for…confidence, charisma, intellect, and an uncanny ability to read minds. No wonder he was the top salesman and a television personality on the rise. I’d buy whatever he was selling. If I had an extra ten million in my bank account, that is.

I snapped my jaw shut when I realized I was gawking and then cleared my throat. “Um, well, I’m thirty-one. I’m from Elmhurst originally, just outside of Rochester. I’ve been in real estate since I graduated from college nine years ago. I’ve consistently had the highest sales record in my office, but I’m ready for a change.”

“Hmm. This is the big league. What makes you think you’re ready?”

“I was born ready,” I bluffed. Of course, I ruined my attempted swagger with a chuckle. Corny lines always cracked me up.

Leo didn’t smile. Not even a smidge. “I’m sure.”

I cleared my throat noisily. “Look, I’m a little confused. I thought I already got the job. Mr. McAllister hired me for a commissioned sales position. I’m not sure what I’m doing here.”

“You’re here because I picked you.”

“Picked me?” I repeated lamely. “I don’t get it.”

“There’s nothing to get. This is a sales position too. The only difference is, you’ll work for me directly. Not McAllister.”

“Uh…” Okay. Apparently I still had a job, but it felt like signing on as a waiter at an elite restaurant then being shown to the kitchen. Same place of business but totally different skill sets. “This is a sales position, correct?”

“Yes. However, I have a project that needs special attention. We’re in the process of compiling a list of at least ten possible candidate properties for the pilot episode of my on-air segment for a major cable network. The homes can be recently closed or in escrow with no setbacks or a brand new listing. I’ll need background info on the owners after you gauge their interest in being part of the show. The network wants to start filming in July. That gives us three months to get our shit together. I’ll be in charge of the high-end homes. You’ll take the mid-range priced real estate. This is a good way for you to get acclimated to a new market. However, the legwork involved may interfere with your selling time, so I’d like to offer you a salary for a few months until you’re on your feet.”

“How much are you proposing?” I asked as I struggled to wrap my head around my new job description.

Leo threw out a number so astronomical I was rendered speechless. Again. I repeated the figure in a daze, much to his amusement. He let out a half laugh then checked his watch again. “Even a man who dines on champagne and caviar every night should be comfortable at that rate of pay.”

“I’ve never had caviar but—”

“What about champagne?” he asked in a husky tone that sounded like sex personified.

I swallowed hard at the instant pull of attraction. I hadn’t been with a man in two years. I’d almost forgotten the potent erotic magnetism. There was no denying Leo Rodriguez was sexy as hell, but lusting after my new boss was all kinds of a bad idea.

“Yes. I like champagne.”

“Excellent. Diego will introduce you to Nora. She knows my schedule inside and out. She’ll give you some background and a list of new accounts to—”

“Wait!” I yanked on his sleeve when he stood.

My fingers brushed his, sending a shockwave of awareness through me. It was primal and raw, and it freaked me the fuck out. In fact, everything about this encounter freaked me out. I was out of my element and completely overwhelmed by the trappings of wealth, sophistication, and power. I was a small fish who’d just been thrown into the shark tank.

I let go then stepped back and gave him a look I hoped exuded a confidence I didn’t feel. I stood there like an idiot, willing myself to pull it together. Fast.

“Did you have a question?” The deep timbre of his voice brought me back to reality. Well, sort of.

“Y-yes.” I cleared my throat noisily. Sure, I had questions but my brain short-circuited. I couldn’t think of a single intelligent one. They’d all come to me the second he left the room, of course. My best bet was to stall and hope clarity came quickly. “Who’s Nora?”

“My assistant,” he replied curtly.

“You have a lot of assistants. Nora, Diego…now me. Is that the job title? Sales Assistant?”

Damn, I should have run when I had the chance. I was a world-class babbler when my anxiety heightened and my blood pressure skyrocketed. Like now.

Leo’s grin was intimidating rather than reassuring.

“Perhaps ‘assistant’ is too vague. Nora is my right hand and Diego is hers. However, they both work for me. And you would too.”

“Under Nora?”

“No. Under me,” he said. His tone was matter-of-fact but my traitorous mind turned his words into a sexy innuendo that made my pulse race. Under me, on top of me, up against the wall, over the desk…

“Oh.”

Leo moved to the window and tapped against the glass. “Look, the market is booming and the biweekly cable segment is a big hit. If the pilot is well received, we’ll have thirty minutes once a week to showcase our brand to the whole fucking United States. Not just the tri-state area.”

“Congratulations.”

He shrugged almost irritably and began to pace again. “Thanks, but it’s nothing yet, and it’ll be a fucking disaster if we don’t have content. We’ve got a team of agents out there selling their asses off, but when a one-bedroom condo in Tribeca goes for three mil and still needs renovations, we need to find a way to keep it real for viewers.”

“Isn’t exclusivity the allure?” I asked.

“It’s part of it, but if all you sell is champagne and caviar, eventually you lose the audience who budgets their grocery money to the penny to be sure they can feed their families. Pie in the sky dreams versus a glimmer of hope. I want to showcase both. I’m in charge of dreams. You’ve got hope,” he said, coming to a stop by the door.

“Me?”

“Yeah, you. You’re perfect for the job ’cause you’re a real guy from the real world. You can relate to the people we’re trying to reach. I have to go now. Nora will introduce you to Chuck. He can help you get started with—”

“Hang on!” I pushed the door closed and turned to face him. I did my best to ignore my racing heart. Not an easy feat with him standing so close I could smell the spearmint on his breath. “What do you mean by ‘real guy’?”

“You’re not jaded or cynical.”

“How would you know? We just met.”

Leo crossed his arms and leaned against the doorjamb in an uber-relaxed pose that had the opposite effect on me. I stuffed my hands into my pockets then licked my lips and willed myself not to fidget while I waited for his reply.

“Why’d you come here?” he challenged, tilting his head with attitude.

“I’ve always wanted to live in Manhattan. My brother moved here two years ago and—what does that have to do with anything?”

“Everything. What do you want from the city? Don’t tell me ‘nothing,’ because everyone wants something, my friend. They see Lady Liberty out there and they start makin’ their lists.” He gestured manically in the general direction of downtown then smacked his hand against his palm in a steady rhythm like a priest banging his fist against a pulpit. “Money, freedom, a new start, a new job, a new lover, a new life. I want, I want, I want. You’re either born here and that constant craving is part of your blood or you come here because you need something you can’t get anywhere else.” Leo stopped abruptly and fixed me with an intense stare. “So what is it? Tell me what you need.”

I gulped, overwhelmed by his passionate outburst. My reasons for moving to New York were none of his business, but he wasn’t the kind of guy you flipped off as you made a dramatic exit. He was too…commanding. And scary.

“A new life,” I admitted softly.

“Good. You’ll find it. Or you’ll fail. Either way, you’re selling your own story through our clients. Get it?”

“How is my story going to help you? It’s boring. I sold houses in an area you’d probably consider rural. That’s it. I’m a nobody.”

“But you could be anybody you want in New York City,” Leo replied. “The lure of a clean slate and a fresh start in this city is powerful stuff. Everyone wants a slice of that pie. Fuck millions of dollars in the bank and homes all over the fuckin’ world. Some of the wealthiest bastards I know would throw it all away for a shot like yours. Give anybody a blank page and a dream and I’m tellin’ you, the sky is the fuckin’ limit. Ya hear?”

No wonder he was one of the most successful brokers in the business. His impassioned speech delivered in that gruff no-nonsense manner made me want to open my wallet and give him every dime I had. Because yeah, I wanted all that and more. A new start, a new life, a new me.

“Okay. I’m in.”

Leo offered his hand with a sly grin. It was a roguish gesture that made me dizzy, horny, and oddly hopeful at the same time. I did my best not to flinch—or worse, drop to my knees and run my tongue over the zipper of his suit pants. Thankfully I succeeded. I slipped my hand into his and held on a little longer than necessary instead. He pulled back then opened the door, pausing to give me a thorough once-over.

“Welcome to the team, Reeve. It’s good to have you. I can tell you got a way with you,” he said in a raspy voice before gently nudging me out of his office.

I watched the door close behind me. My heart beat like a drum and reverberated through my body.

Fuck, that was…intense.

I made my way to the desk Diego had shown me earlier and found him waiting for me with his hand on his hip and an unreadable expression on his face. “So…am I showing you to Nora’s office or shall I find you a desk downstairs?”

“Nora.”

“Wonderful.” Diego picked up a clipboard from the desk and a pen. He clicked the pen a couple of times then pointed it at my chest. “What did you think of him?”

“Um, he’s friendly enough and…I think this is a good opportunity.”

Diego nodded. “Hmm. May I offer a word of advice?”

“Sure.”

“Be careful. You aren’t in Kansas anymore, honey. ‘Friendly’ doesn’t mean what you think it does here. Everyone plays to win, and no one looks out for anyone but themselves. Don’t believe them if they try to convince you otherwise. If this office had a secret version of Disney’s Lion King, let me assure you Leo Rodriguez would not be Simba.”

I chuckled lightly. “Are you trying to scare me away?”

“I wouldn’t dare. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t warn you that not everyone is as nice as me,” Diego singsonged.

“Noted. Leo mentioned something about Chuck helping me get started. Would you introduce me to him too?”

Diego widened his eyes comically. “So that’s why he was pissed.”

“Huh?”

“Chuck was the crankypants who walked out of Leo’s office before you went in. He’s probably pissed he was passed over for a newbie. I’d be wary of any help he offers. Come on, it’s time to feed you to the wolves.” Diego winked playfully then pivoted on his heel and headed into the sea of cubicles.

Oh boy. Sharks, wolves, a lion, and me…I might not come out of this in one piece.