The big announcement went by in a blur. If any Donovan Enterprises employees were offended by Trey’s decision to leave Trevor in charge, he didn’t catch wind of it. The only sentiments he heard from them were concerns about Trey’s health and mindset. It was so out of character for Trey to take a leave of absence like this that it made people wonder what was truly going on. Trevor couldn’t provide them any answers because his brother hadn’t confided in him regarding the true reasoning for his abrupt departure.

It felt larger than life to sit at his brother’s desk. He felt like an imposter, as if he were a little kid sneaking into his father’s office. Everything in Trey’s space screamed power––from the imposing, almost-regal chair, to the massive windows and impressive balcony that looked out over the tiny minions far below.

Trevor slowly sat down at the shiny, mahogany desk and savored the powerful feeling of taking the helm of this empire. He had dreamed so many times of being in exactly this position, but he had never quite been able to convince himself that it would actually happen. The idea that his dominating, power-hungry brother would step down and let Trevor take over was almost inconceivable.

He snapped forward from his relaxed position when Trey’s––make that his––assistant, Millie, swished into the room. He couldn’t keep the lustful look at bay as his gaze swept over the beautiful woman. She was so polished and professional, it made him wonder what it would be like when she let her golden blonde hair down from its smooth, tight chignon and had fun… if she ever did.

Had she ever let her guard down and cut loose with Trey? The thought made his face pinch involuntarily. For some reason, he couldn’t stand the thought of his brother being intimate with this gorgeous, brilliant, utterly amazing woman.

Bringing him back to the present moment, Millie efficiently handed him a file containing contracts with colored arrow stickers marking the spots that required his signature, his agenda for the day, and a one-page brief on the company’s holdings that summarized their latest moves on the stock market. They had taken a significant financial hit across the board since the announcement of Trey’s departure, but that was to be expected.

Trevor tried to quell the panic that threatened to rise up in his throat at the thought of ruining the empire his brother had worked so hard to build. He must have gone pale because Millie paused her monologue, seeming to see him for the first time. “It’s going to be okay. We will bounce back,” she promised, placing a reassuring hand over his.

Her comforting touch felt marvelous, but all too quickly it was gone, and she swished back out of the room, leaving only a faintly floral, delicious scent wafting in her wake.

Trevor puffed out a breath and tried to focus on the papers she had presented to him. The numbers swirled before his eyes as he tried to make sense of it all. Running his fingers through his dark hair, he stared out the window wondering if he was in way over his head.

Just as his cell phone dinged with a reminder about a meeting, Millie appeared back in his office with a stack of neatly bound booklets. “It’s almost time for the board meeting,” she announced breezily.

“Board meeting?!?” Trevor sat up so fast, he nearly fell out of his chair. “Today?” he asked lamely, already having figured out the answer.

“It was on your agenda.” Her brow furrowed slightly as if she was uncertain how he could not have known.

“I’m not ready,” he admitted, hating having to admit to a failure already.

“We have fifteen minutes,” she smiled confidently. “I’ll brief you.” She sat down on the edge of the deep, dark brown leather couch, keeping her back perfectly straight and indicated that he should join her.

Once Trevor was settled beside her, Millie handed him a bulleted list of talking points. She then proceeded to familiarize him with the tabbed board book and his list of highlights. By the end of her monologue, he felt almost prepared, but he was still nervous.

Sensing that he needed some reassurance, Millie stood and offered her hand to help him up. “I’ll be right beside you,” she promised, and somehow that gave him all the confidence that he needed to go face the dreaded Board of Directors.