Three weeks later, my fears were fully confirmed. I was a hayseed in the big city or a wannabe cool cat who’d wandered into a lion’s den and realized he might actually be on the menu. But not as an entrée. I hadn’t reached that estimable stratum yet. Other than an occasional nod in my direction, I might as well have been invisible. As far as my coworkers were concerned, I was one of Leo’s pesky assistants who was supposed to sell stuff and possibly try to snake them out of their hard-earned commissions. They didn’t trust me and frankly, I felt the same about them.

Maybe that wasn’t fair. I liked Diego. He was snarky but upbeat and had a funny way of saying whatever was on his mind. And Nora was cool too. She was a hip brunette in her mid-thirties with a wicked streak of white in her long brown hair that reminded me of Morticia from The Addams Family. She dressed like a fashion model and spoke with a sexy Southern drawl. I thought she and Leo were a couple until I spotted her wedding photo on her desk with the rather average-looking man at her side. When I asked about him, her professional guard came down. Nora fluttered her eyelashes and gushed like a schoolgirl. I didn’t mind. It was nice to have someone to talk to in the office who didn’t automatically greet me with an evil eye.

“How long have you been married?” I asked conversationally.

“It’ll be a year in June. It was a gorgeous day,” she reported wistfully, tracing the outline of her husband’s face before setting the frame back in its place. “Blue skies, sunshine, and all of my favorite people around me. Even Leo showed up.”

I chuckled along with her as though I was in on the joke. I wasn’t. After almost a month at McAllister, I hardly knew my new boss. He was elusive. I caught glimpses of him occasionally, but we hadn’t had a discussion of any substance since my first day. I’d learned that if you wanted a piece of Leo’s time, you had to go through Nora.

“Speaking of Leo showing up…is he supposed to be in today?”

“Eventually,” she replied before turning to her computer dismissively.

I perched on the corner of her desk and gazed through the glass partition of her office. I wasn’t ready to head back into the shark-infested waters on the sales floor. And I was curious about this place.

“I know this is going to sound funny, but I actually thought you and Leo were a couple when I first started here.”

That got her attention. Nora whirled in her chair to face me with a “What the fuck?” expression. “What made you think that?”

“It’s just…he’s hard to read and you seem to have a special bond but—”

“We’re friends only and rumors about us after his divorce are just that…rumors. Business comes first with Leo. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Nora swiveled around again and began typing. I knew that was my cue but…

“He’s divorced?”

“Yeah. It happens,” she said, not bothering to glance up.

“Huh. That’s interesting,” I mumbled. Of course, it wasn’t interesting in the slightest. Lots of people got divorced. Hell, my parents divorced when I was a kid. My mom raised my younger brother and me by herself when my dad bailed on us. I barely remembered him now. That wasn’t interesting either, but the idea of having a glimmer of something in common with Leo fascinated me. I was clinging for straws though. He wasn’t the type of guy to share details of his life with the newbie, and I wasn’t stupid enough to ask.

I stood slowly and walked to the door, wondering for the umpteenth time in three weeks if the exorbitant salary wired to my checking account was worth it.

“Reeve?”

“Yes?”

“Mr. Rodriguez is a very busy and very private man. That’s as interesting as it gets. I gave Chuck a new lead you may find more interesting. Close the door on your way out, please.”

Great. One more key ally alienated. Well done, Nelson.

I headed back to my corner cubicle to draft another email I’d bet my next paycheck would be ignored. I was an internal pariah. No one wanted the new guy to insert himself into one of their deals and possibly poach a piece of their commission. I was on my own.

I thought I’d find the solitude invigorating. I’d worked alone in Elmhurst for years before I partnered up with Syd. This was supposed to be my chance to get my groove back and conquer Manhattan while I was at it. Okay, so Elmhurst was roughly the size of Central Park, but the idea was the same. I could do this. I pulled up my working pipeline and studied the six measly leads I’d accrued. Only two had potential and they were technically “family” deals courtesy of my brother Remy’s fiancé.

Tony had a ginormous Italian family. He was one of four kids and had more cousins than anyone I’d ever met. The De Lucas were a tight-knit group. Most of them lived in Brooklyn, but quite a few were scattered all over the tri-state area. And they were all eager to help. Tony’s cousin Lisa asked me to list her home in Bensonhurst and another cousin, Max, was looking for an agent to help him find a condo in Williamsburg. Both deals seemed perfect for Leo’s list of potential clients for his TV pilot. I wasn’t certain they’d agree nor was I sure they were what Leo wanted. In other words, I had no fucking clue what I was doing.

If something didn’t change fast, my days at McAllister were numbered. Any day now, Leo would ask what the hell I’d been doing for the past few weeks. Then he’d fire my ass and I’d end up on Remy and Tony’s sofa until I found another gig, or I’d have to go home. I didn’t care for either option, but the latter one literally made my skin crawl. I shoved the unpleasant thought aside and reached for my cell just as my landline buzzed.

“Reeve Nelson,” I answered, tucking the phone under my chin as I typed.

“Heads up. Leo’s on a rampage and Chuck threw you under a bus. But you didn’t hear anything from me.”

“Diego?”

“The one and only. I’d suggest you duck for cover but honestly, it’s probably best to get it over with. It was nice knowing you, honey,” he said before hanging up on me.

I pushed away from my desk and peeked around my cubicle. Nothing special appeared to be happening, and the conference room behind me was empty. But the light was on. I could have sworn it was off when I came back to my desk a few minutes ago. Weird. I skirted the corner to investigate.

The main door to Leo’s office was open, but the doors on either end leading to his private office and the larger conference room were closed. I hit the switch in the smaller room facing my desk and headed for the exit. When my phone vibrated in my pocket, I stopped in the middle of the room to check the caller ID.

“Hey, Rem. What’s up?”

“Nothing much but…I think I have another client for you,” he said cheerily.

I held back a sigh as I trudged toward the window wearily. I stared unseeing at the avenue below and did my best to sound excited about my brother’s news.

“Oh? Who?”

“Tony’s cousin Mikey and his wife Lindsay are talking about having a second baby, but they need a bigger place. You remember Mikey, don’t you?”

I slouched against the windowpane and massaged the bridge of my nose. “Of course. How much bigger?”

“Four bedrooms, I think. Oh! And one of the teachers at school said she was looking for a new place too.”

“Rem—”

“She mentioned that she wanted to buy something close to her sister. I can’t remember where exactly. I’ll give her your card. In fact, you should just give me a stack of them so I can hand them out if—”

“Remy, stop. I appreciate your help but there’s something kinda weird about my kid brother trying to drum up business for me. I need to do this myself.”

Remy let the silence do the talking for him before he finally spoke. “How’s it going?”

“Not great,” I admitted.

“Don’t bite my head off, but…have you considered maybe doing something on a smaller scale? Tony’s cousin’s wife’s best friend is an agent too and—”

“Seriously, Remy. Cool it.”

“I’m just trying to help,” he said softly.

“I know and I appreciate it. Just…don’t worry about me.”

“You’re making it hard not to worry, Reeve. This was supposed to be your dream job in your dream city, and every time we talk you sound miserable. What am I supposed to tell Mom?”

I furrowed my brow and huffed. “Tell her I’m fine ’cause I am. When did you talk to her?”

“Five minutes ago. I told her I’d check up on you since you aren’t returning her phone calls.”

“That’s not true. I just hoped to be more settled here with the Sydney episode well behind me. I hate being a source of worry and disappointment,” I huffed, pushing my hand through my hair in frustration.

“Mom’s not disappointed, but she is worried. You threw all your belongings in boxes then stuck them in her garage and high-tailed it to the city with hardly any notice. You never really told her what happened with Syd and—”

“Sydney isn’t important anymore.”

“So you say.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. We can talk Friday. Are you still coming by for dinner after you see Lisa about her house?”

I managed to stifle another sigh before replying. “It depends. What are you making?”

“My fiancé is Italian. Whatever it is will probably be served with a side of pasta,” he replied, chuckling good-naturedly.

“My favorite. I’ll bring wine.”

“Just bring yourself. See ya, big bro.”

I ended the call then turned toward the door and nearly jumped out of my skin. Leo leaned against the jamb with his hands in his pockets, looking suave, cool, and collected. And maybe a little irritated to find the new guy taking personal phone calls in his office.

“Hello. Am I disturbing you?”

I shook my head. “Uh, no. I’m sorry. I—that was my brother.” I winced. Try again, Nelson. “I mean, he has a lead for me and…how’s your day going?”

Leo raised one brow in what I hoped was amusement. I couldn’t tell for sure. He was impossible to read. “I’ve had better. Tell me about your lead. That might cheer me up.”

“It’s in Brooklyn.”

“Where in Brooklyn? How many bedrooms? Proximity to schools, restaurants, shopping? Sell me.” His tone was conversational…mellow, even. That made me more nervous. Especially after Diego’s warning that Leo was “on a rampage.”

“Um, okay. I think it’s in Bensonhurst or at least in that general area. It’s a three-bedroom, I think, near decent schools and shopping. I’ll know more after I meet with the client,” I replied enthusiastically.

He studied me for a long moment before moving toward me. He didn’t stop until we were a foot apart. Too close for comfort. “How do you feel about Brooklyn?”

I shrugged. “I’m new to the area so—”

“But your brother lives there. You visit him, right?”

“Sure, I…” I cocked my head and frowned. “How did you know my brother lives in Brooklyn? I don’t think I told you that.”

“You didn’t have to tell me. I googled you.”

“Me?” I pointed at my chest in disbelief. “I had no idea I was google-able.”

Leo’s slow-moving smile was sexy as fuck, and when it morphed into a shit-eating grin, it became something truly special. I didn’t trust it to last long but for now, it was a breath of fresh air on an otherwise dreary day.

“Everyone is google-able. Let’s get back to Brooklyn. What do you like about it?” His forehead creased with a sudden intensity as though my answer mattered.

“The people,” I answered automatically.

“Why?”

“Uh…well, the only people I know are my brother’s soon-to-be in-laws, the De Lucas. There’s a lot of them and they’re loud. They’re always talking over each other and getting into each other’s business…but in a good way.” I scratched my head and took a step backward. “I’m not sure what that has to do with anything though.”

“We’re talking sales, Reeve. You can’t sell shit if you don’t know who you’re selling to. What are they like? What do they need and how can you match those needs with what you know about the city? It seems to me that you have a couple of prospects in a place you don’t know. I’m all for using connections, but you won’t sell shit if you don’t know your product. And tell me how this translates to a TV audience. How are you gonna help me make viewers care what happens to the De Lucas or the De Angelos or whomever the fuck you’re selling to? Remember, you’re selling a dream. Where’s my fuckin’ dream?”

Ah. The rampage. This day just kept getting better, I mused sarcastically.

“I thought I was in charge of hope,” I joked with a half laugh. I cleared my throat when he didn’t crack a smile. “Okay. Let me try again. Lisa and Ben’s two-story single-family residence is on a corner lot near the elementary school where they met twenty-three years ago. The kitchen and bathrooms have been recently updated. The house is a fantastic buy in a family neighborhood and best of all, it’s move-in ready.”

Leo clapped. “Bravo. I’m interested. Now…what about the rest of your listings?”

“I only have five others. One is family. The rest are from Chuck. I don’t know how viable they are.”

Leo narrowed his gaze then strode toward the window and rapped his knuckles against the glass before turning to me with a look that made my stomach flip. “Are you giving up?”

I shook my head frantically. “No. I’m not giving up. I just—”

“Don’t feed me any fuckin’ lines, Nelson. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I’ve worked my ass off. If you want a big shot at a new life, you’ll do the same. I can’t help you if you give up. Show me your listings.”

I swallowed hard, wondering why that sounded perverted. “Now?”

Leo didn’t have to say a word. His expression alone had me scurrying for my laptop. When I returned to his office, he was perched on the sofa with his long legs spread wide. He gestured for me to sit beside him. I obeyed then quickly pulled up my pipeline and handed my computer to him.

“This one in Bensonhurst has potential. Have you talked to them about doing the show?”

“Not yet. I wasn’t sure about how much detail to divulge and—”

“What kind of an answer is that?”

“An honest one.”

“Honest?”

“Did you want me to lie?”

Leo shot a scathing glance at me before setting my laptop on the glass coffee table. Then he stood slowly like a panther stretching. I could practically feel the energy emanating from him in waves.

“Never lie, Reeve.”

The censure in his voice was laced with an accusation that pissed me off. I’d spent three miserable weeks here and while the perks and salary were nice, the stress made it barely tolerable. I’d traded the rockin’ anthem in my head for a sad song about breaking up and being down in the dumps. This place was sucking the life out of me. Perhaps that was all part of the learning curve. But being called a liar was not. It just made me mad.

“I never do,” I growled as I stood.

Leo raised his brow at my combative tone and moved into my space. Oddly, the alpha maneuver didn’t intimidate me in the slightest this time. I was too angry. If my employment ended tonight, so be it. I’d find something else. However, I wouldn’t go down without letting Leo fucking Rodriguez know exactly where he could shove it.

“You look like you want to punch me,” he said with a smirk.

“I kinda do. I don’t appreciate having my integrity or work ethic questioned, Mr. Rodriguez. If you don’t think I’m up to the challenge that’s one thing, but don’t play me.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” His nostrils flared as his gaze traveled from my eyes to my mouth and back again.

I licked my lips without thinking and noticed his Adam’s apple move in response.

That was my first hint that something had changed. It was subtle. Just the tiniest shift in equilibrium. I didn’t know how to define it or if I should try. The weird thing was, I knew he felt it too. I swallowed hard and clung to anger, telling myself Leo was a dictator who got off on bullying his employees into submission. Shit. Not submission. That was too kinky and I was already half-hard. The longer we stood, locked in this standoff, the more I wanted to grind my dick against his, stick my tongue down his throat, and—

Not good.

As much as I hated to be the first one to step away, I didn’t want to risk doing something I’d regret. I was pretty sure he was straight anyway. Not that it mattered. This was work, for fuck’s sake and like it or not, Leo was my boss.

“If we’re done here, I’m going to—”

“Did I say we were done?” he countered.

Keep your cool. Don’t say anything stupid.

I held his stare and gritted my teeth so hard my jaw hurt. “No. Sir.”

“Sir?” Leo’s eyes twinkled like this was all so fucking funny.

But this wasn’t funny in the slightest. My blood was on a slow boil that threatened to tip over at any second. I was edgy with pent-up frustration and doubt. And I resented feeling so helpless. This wasn’t me. I wasn’t anyone’s doormat. I held my temper and even tried to smile, but when he beat me to it with a mischievous smirk I couldn’t decipher to save my life, I lost my proverbial shit.

“It’s six o-fucking-clock, Mr. Rodriguez. I’m done.”

No doubt I sounded like a teenager sassing an irate parent. Reckless, unreasonable, and foolhardy. I couldn’t stop myself if I tried.

Fuck this job, fuck this company, and fuck him.

“Excuse me?” He cocked his head but his expression didn’t alter. Maybe he was content to sit back to see how big of a hole I’d dig before he fired my ass.

“You heard me. Hasta la vista. I’m outta here.” I rounded on him angrily, moving in so we stood toe to toe. “Oh, and one more thing…fuck you.”

He grabbed my wrist before I could make my dramatic exit as a newly unemployed man. I pushed back and knocked us both off balance. We collided into the coffee table. The sharp edge jabbed the back of my knee. The only way to avoid falling onto the glass was to lean forward. I tried to slow my momentum but it was no use; I crashed against Leo’s chest. Hard.

He held my shoulders but he didn’t push me away. In fact, he didn’t do anything at all. Neither did I. We were nose-to-nose and perfectly still like we were sizing each other up and trying to figure out what the hell was going on. But it was obvious.

So here’s the thing. I was bi. I didn’t advertise my sexuality, but I’d never kept it a secret. There was no need. My mom was extremely open-minded and supportive. She wanted to know my boyfriends and girlfriends and encouraged me to bring them around. However, I’d never been with anyone who signed my paycheck because up until this second, I didn’t think I was a complete moron.

I studied the end-of-day stubble on Leo’s chin and the scar just above his right eyebrow before fixating on his full lips. He was guilty of the same unabashed scrutiny, but there was no censure in his gaze. No “What the fuck are you doing?” Just curiosity and…desire. I supposed that was what did me in.

If this was my last day at McAllister, why not make it one to remember? I flattened my right hand over his chest. Then hooked my left one around his neck and crashed my mouth over Leo’s.

This wasn’t a kiss. It was a statement with an exclamation point. A “Take this job and shove it” using pointed action to back up my words. Of course it was stupid. Possibly the dumbest thing I’d done in a while and that was saying something. But he didn’t push me away. Our lips were fused but neither of us moved to soften the connection or end it. Maybe it was a power play. I had no experience with that kind of thing. I was out of my element and completely out of line. But when I tried to back up, Leo held my head still then angled his chin and thrust his tongue between my lips. I groaned and let him inside.

Fuck, I’d never kissed anyone like him before. He tasted like power—if such a thing was possible. He overwhelmed me with his size and brute strength. I needed every ounce of energy I had to keep up with him as he tongue-fucked me. The incessant twisting and gliding was heady and passionate. And when he pulled back to lick my lips and nip at my jaw before sealing his mouth over mine and doing it all over again, I thought I might come in my Armani suit pants. I wrapped my arms around his waist to steady myself and slipped my hand under his suit coat, clawing at his back as I tilted my hips in a quest for friction. Leo hummed his approval. Then he cupped my ass and pumped his rigid cock against mine through our layers of clothes.

I broke the kiss and sucked a deep breath. “Fuck, I can’t—I’m gonna come if we don’t stop.”

“Then come,” he said in a raspy voice.

“The windows…” I inclined my head toward the city lights visible in the twilight sky, then gestured haphazardly in the opposite direction. “The door is—”

“Closed,” he intercepted, taking my hand.

Leo locked the door and turned off the overhead lights, throwing the room in shadow. I wasn’t sure what he had in mind, but I was too strung out to ask and hornier than I’d ever been in my life. My dick literally ached. I leaned against the wall and waited to see what he’d do next.

He unknotted his tie and unbuttoned his shirt slowly and deliberately. Every undone button made me salivate, and when he peeled the fabric back and revealed his heavily tatted chest, I thought I might combust with need. Yeah, fuck this job. Fuck the money. I just wanted Leo. Badly.

“Take it off,” I instructed, waving my hand impatiently.

Leo let out a low, sexy laugh. “Who said you’re in charge?”

“I did. Do it and fucking hurry up. I’m dying here.”

He lifted his brow but obeyed. It was a good thing I had the wall at my back or I would have fallen over. The man was beautiful. Toned, muscular, and covered in tattoos. I took in the intricate designs across his chest, biceps, and forearms. The ink was colorful in parts and black and gray in others. And none of it was visible in his corporate uniform. How very intriguing.

“See something you like, or are you having second thoughts?” he asked.

“No second thoughts. I quit, so this is totally okay.”

“Is that so?” Leo’s chuckle had a roguish quality that made me nervous. But not nervous enough to stop.

He yanked at my belt buckle when I nodded then slid his palm over my cock. I whimpered with need. Yes, me…whimper. I never made this much noise during any sexual encounter in my life. Yet there I was groaning and whimpering. But I didn’t care and I could tell it turned him on.

Leo leaned forward and sucked my bottom lip. Then he unbuckled my belt, unzipped my trousers, and stroked me through my cotton boxer briefs a few times before pulling the elastic down to free me. He gripped my throbbing member and stroked me from base to tip. Up and down. Over and over. His glided his talented tongue alongside mine as he worked magic on my leaking dick.

“Oh fuck. I’m close. I’ve got to feel you. Please.”

Leo nodded then stepped away to make quick work of undoing his trousers and freeing his erection before moving back to recapture me. Then he lined his massive cock against mine and stroked us simultaneously. He licked my neck when I threw my head back, and then bit my chin playfully.

“Is that good?” he purred.

“Fuck yes,” I hissed. “So good.”

I hadn’t had sex with a man in far too long and damn, everything he did felt amazing. I was on the verge of begging him to fuck me when he rubbed his scruffy jaw against mine and undulated his hips with growing urgency. Leo squeezed my ass with his free hand then traced my entrance with a featherlight touch before pushing a single digit inside. I didn’t have a chance. I came in a burst of white light, shooting ropes of cum over his taut stomach and my shirt.

Leo released me and braced himself against the wall. He rested his forehead on my shoulder while he jacked himself furiously. I turned my head to nibble his earlobe and lick the shell then reached between us to cup his balls. Leo sealed his mouth over mine and drove his tongue between my lips. He plundered ruthlessly before pulling back with a grunt and coming like a geyser. I watched the rise and fall of his chest as he rode out the waves of his orgasm.

I clung to the moment, hypnotized by his masculinity. Leo might not be classically handsome but he was hot. I couldn’t help wishing this was a beginning instead of a really weird end. The growing silence freaked me out. I had no idea how to gracefully extricate myself from my place against the wall, wearing a shirt covered with jizz. Then Leo lifted his head and grinned and all my fear, angst, and worry evaporated. This would be okay.…I hoped.

He straightened from the wall and gestured at the mess we’d made. “Stay here. I’ll grab some tissue.”

I nodded then loosened my tie and unbuttoned my shirt. I had a clean tee in my gym bag I could change into. I wasn’t wearing this one on the subway. The walk of shame vibe was far too strong. I yanked the tie from my collar and folded it neatly then shoved it into my pocket just as Leo returned with a box of Kleenex.

“Here you—damn.” He narrowed his gaze and reached out to trace the edge of my tattoo. “This is a nice surprise.”

“Oh. Yeah. I got this phoenix when I was a rebellious teenager.” I lowered my shirt over my left shoulder to show him the colorful inked wings then shrugged. “My mom wasn’t fazed in the slightest. She’s a cool hippie chick who fully supports all forms of self-expression, which I appreciate now but back then I was just looking for a reaction.”

“Like tonight.”

His astute observation bothered me, but I couldn’t dispute it. I’d gotten angry and then pushed and pushed until I’d goaded him into reacting. Yeah, it was amazing but as the afterglow faded, shame was beginning to set in. I wanted out. “Right.”

“I like it. Obviously,” he said, gesturing toward his heavily inked torso as he slipped his oxford shirt over his shoulders. “I wouldn’t have taken you for the tatted type.”

“You learn something new every day,” I huffed awkwardly.

“I certainly did. That was hot.”

I grunted nonchalantly, like inappropriate hand jobs in the workplace were a normal occurrence, then I grabbed a couple of tissues and handed him the box. I did my best to clean up in case I ran into anyone before I reached the bag under my desk. Then I tossed the tissues into the nearest wastebasket, grabbed my laptop from the coffee table, straightened my spine, and inclined my head.

“Yes. Well, thank you for the um…opportunity. It’s been enlightening. Good-bye.”

Hey, that wasn’t so bad. I silently congratulated myself on my mature exit speech then headed for the door.

I didn’t get far. Leo pulled my sleeve until I turned to face him. “We need to talk.”

“No. We don’t.”

“Yes, we—look, what we just did…I’ve never done this at work,” he said.

“Me either. Ever.”

Leo narrowed his gaze. “Have you ever been with a man before?”

I let out a half laugh. “Yeah, that part I’ve done. Never with my boss. Fuck, that sounds so…ugh. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”

“We’re fine, Reeve. It’s okay.” He set his hand on the door, blocking my exit with an exasperated sigh. When I reached for the doorknob again, he let go and stepped aside. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

I shook my head and gave him a thorough once-over. I must have run my hands through his hair at some point. He looked sexy as fuck with his open shirt and dried cum on his lower abdomen. I wanted to tackle him to the ground, pump my hips against him, and beg him to fuck me for real this time. But that wasn’t going to happen, and there was no way I’d stay here after what we’d done. Sure, it was consensual but it was so…not me.

“No talking. I quit.”

As far as parting scenes went, I gave myself credit for sounding detached. My voice didn’t shake, I held eye contact, and in spite of my half-undressed state, I maintained a professional air. Okay…that last one might be a stretch, but I was going with it. It was crucial to my sanity. I knew when I rode the elevator to the posh lobby and finally stepped onto Madison Avenue with my meager box of belongings, reality would sink in and with it, shame, embarrassment, and regret.

I’d heard that New York had a way of toying with you. One minute you were on top of the world and the next you were facedown in a gutter, wondering what the hell happened. But I knew what happened. I’d fucked up.