My first days with Gavin were tiring and exhilarating.

The man just didn’t stop. He was in the office by 6:00am and didn’t leave for the day until after 9:00pm. I’d heard from others that they tried to keep up with him, but while Gavin expected everyone to pull their fair share, he didn’t expect or want them to stay much after 6:00pm.

Unless you were a coding monkey. They didn’t leave the office until around midnight but they also didn’t come into work until 3:00pm. I would’ve loved those hours at my last job.

“Go home, Paige. I’ll be fine.”

I heard those words as a challenge.

“I’ll stay here to work on some things if that’s all right with you, Gavin.”

He’d shake his head and then ignore me for the next two hours. I didn’t mind. I was used to occupying myself. I also liked the silence. It soothed me. It was a reminder of the things I didn’t have growing up.

Silence could actually be peaceful and not the calm before a storm.

Gavin didn’t expect me to dance on attendance to his whims and moods. Although habit dictated I be very aware of him, I quickly learned that although he’d described himself as moody, Gavin was extremely thoughtful of how his mood affected others.

Unlike my father.

Patrick Brookstone couldn’t give two flying fucks about how he affected the people around him. In fact, he liked that he did. I didn’t know if it made him feel important or if he just liked to exercise his power over his kingdom of three by the sea, but being in his presence was like being drained by an emotional vampire.

This? This was easy. Being around Gavin was easy. Enlightening even.

As promised, we didn’t talk much. Especially about anything personal. But I picked up on other things.

Gavin didn’t drink coffee. Although he didn’t say anything I was sure he only tolerated the smell of it. Barely.

For another thing, he liked consistency. Gavin’s lunches consisted of chicken salad and lemon-lime soda. No deviation.

There was so much more.

He had a thing for peppermints. He never strolled anywhere. He always walked with purpose and determination. He frowned often, but usually because he was deep in thought. He spoke carefully and seemed to be content with listening first before adding his opinion on any subject.  

He was also thoughtful. He ordered lunches and dinners for his people regularly. Even me.

“Get yourself something, Paige.”

“Oh no, Gavin. I’m good.”

“You’ve more than earned it.”

“It’s okay. I’ll pick something up later. Really.”

“Paige.”

Just one word. My name. It was enough to make me bite my cheek so as not to smile like a gawkish schoolgirl.

“All right.”

He wouldn’t say anything. He’d just let a tiny smile lift the corners of his mouth.

He knew everyone’s name. Even on the cleaning crew. Regardless of position, Gavin addressed everyone with the same respect. Very democratic and unlike what I’d seen so far in my life.

Gavin Hawthorne was as unique as I always suspected him to be.

I loved working for him and I loved my work. The position was challenging in a way that was different from programming. It was a hundred little things that cycled in and out of importance. It wasn’t hard in a way I knew, but it was challenging because it required me to constantly be in contact with people.

Unlike my last job where I was closed off in my own little cubicle, being Gavin’s PA meant I was often in the thick of things. Surprisingly, I liked it though.

I enjoyed the people I worked with and it gratified me to see immediate results from my work. I got addicted to ticking marks off a checklist every hour. I liked the near-instant validation of doing a good job.

Although Gavin had pretty much warned me I wasn’t going to be here long, I let myself imagine being part of his team permanently. Being at Axis 3 would make me feel like I was part of something important and special. It would definitely make getting up in the morning worth it.

I’d been missing that sense of purpose and belonging practically all my life.

I played parts to fit in, but never had anything ever felt permanent. I always knew I’d pass out of a particular sphere as quickly as I’d gotten in. I didn’t know how to plant roots because how could you do that when you weren’t even real?

Being at Axis 3 was the closest thing to normalcy I’d had. I could actually see myself shedding my skin, bit by bit, until the amalgamation of me came through.

But that wasn’t going to happen.

I was only a temporary body filling in someone else’s job until she was well enough to come back.

Gavin’s PA, Caroline Weston, had broken her leg while on vacation. He wouldn’t hear of her coming into the office or even telecommuting. Therefore, Caroline was currently recuperating at home, paid even. Gavin ordered her to just focus on getting well. That said so many good things about her boss’s character.

Caroline was lucky to have such a caring manager.

I walked a fine-line in doing the best job possible and still staying respectful of his PA’s methods and way of doing things. There were a few spreadsheets that could benefit from the use of macros, but I didn’t tinker with it.

This job, this desk, and this boss wasn’t mine to keep. Unfortunately, it was getting harder to remember that but remember it I would.

Anyways, there was one thing I could claim for now. The work was mine. That much I could own and so I gave it my all.

But the third night introduced something to me I just wasn’t prepared for.

Once again I found myself working past nine o’clock. Gavin was still in his office with only the desk lamp on. Against my better judgement, I stole the opportunity to look at him. His hair tousled and draping over his forehead, jacket off, shirtsleeves rolled up his forearms…wow.

What would it feel like to touch them? What would it feel like for him to touch me?

Gavin choose that moment to look up. Our gazes locked in place. My heart banged against my ribs and my fingertips tingled. I felt the same electric awareness as if he’d brushed his hand against mine again.

The pull to go into his office, round his desk, and touch him gripped me. I stood up and took one step forward before sanity returned.

Okay. It’s time to go home.

Clearing my throat and forming a friendly smile, I approached his door as if I intended to all along. “I’m done for the night, Gavin.”

I wasn’t but he didn’t need to know that.

Gavin kept his gaze on mine for another aching moment before sliding it back to his monitor. “See you tomorrow, Paige.”

“Goodbye.”

I cleaned my desk, shut my computer down, and was by the elevator in less than five minutes. Staring straight ahead at the highly-polished doors, I struggled to calm my haywire emotions.

Why did he affect me like this?

Yes, he was beyond handsome. Yes, he was an amazing boss and person. But one fly in the ointment couldn’t be ignored—he was Melissa’s son.

So was it the cliché lure of the forbidden?

It had to be. I was simply letting my emotions get the best of me. I would be fine come tomorrow…

The pleasing scent of cologne teased my nose. I startled, gaze flying up to meet his.

“Gavin!” I wanted to groan from the high-pitched squeal I let out. Clearing my throat, I tried again. “Calling it a day?”

“I have a dinner appointment.”

“Oh.” I searched for something easy to say but came up empty. Gavin rescued me from myself.

“How’s working here going so far?”

“It’s good.”

“Really? No issues?”

I shook my head. “None. I like it here.”

Was it my imagination or did satisfaction skim across Gavin’s gaze?

Duh. Of course, he’s satisfied. He doesn’t want to have to replace you since you’re a stop-gap to the real PA he has.

The doors opened. Gavin gestured for me to enter first. I didn’t understand why I was so nervous. It wasn’t the first time I’d been this close to him. My first day was spent practically sitting next to him all day long.

This was different. This wasn’t a boss and his employee. This was a man and a woman in a confined space going home after a long day at work.

Anything could happen.  

We rode down in silence. I didn’t know if it was because I was so keyed up by the possibilities, but the air seemed to pulse with awareness. I sneaked a peek at the beautiful man by my side. The air caught in my throat.

He intoxicated me.

My fingers tingled again with the urge to brush against Gavin’s hand. A little touch. Just to see if the emotions thrumming through me were real or a figment of my imagination…

We reached the main floor with a gentle lurch.

“After you, Paige.”

I ducked my head and murmured “Thanks” while hurrying out of the elevator. That was too close. Another second and I would’ve touched him. What the hell was I thinking?

You almost blew it. Idiot!

Gavin easily kept pace with me because of his long-legged stride. Security let us out with well-wishes for a good night. Somehow I managed to smile and say the correct words.

Inside, my heartbeat slammed against my ribs like a trapped rabbit.

“Paige.”

I stopped in mid-step and turned around. I realized then I walked away without saying a final goodnight. How rude and how very unlike the shell I’d constructed.

Bad Paige.

I could salvage this. Gavin probably didn’t even notice how off I was. Or if he did, he was probably used to it. No one that attractive could be unaware of how he affected others.

“Yes, Gavin?”

He stood perfectly still, gaze studying me for a distinct moment. Apparently, he came to a conclusion.

“May I give you a lift?”

Yes!

No.

As much as I would’ve loved to spend some more time with Gavin, who knew what I was capable of doing alone in the dark with him? Clearly, I was off my game tonight. I couldn’t take any chances of blowing it further.

“I couldn’t put you out that way.”

“It’s no trouble. I assure you.”

How to extricate myself out of something I very much wanted?

Gavin exhaled and then strode forward. I half-expected him to pick me up and put me in his SUV himself when he held up his hand. A cab pulled over. Gavin opened the door and ushered me in. He then spoke to the cabbie, handed him a fifty-dollar bill, and then turned back towards me.

I swallowed my protests because of the determined tilt of his mouth.

“Thank you.”

Gavin’s eyes warmed, seemingly glowing amber in the half-light. “Have a good night, Paige. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

The cab pulled forward. Unable to stop myself, I looked behind me and saw Gavin standing at the curb. Looking right at me.

Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.