Nola

“Good morning, Ms. York,” Beth passed me a few folders, all stacked in the order I would need. “You have your nine o'clock meeting in the large conference room, that's the green folder. At ten Mr. Jacobs will be calling to get your final go ahead on next months cover, blue folder.” She walked briskly at my side, scanning her small electronic planner as I sipped my coffee and held the folders against my ribs. “Blaire needs to know your top five picks for November's fall festive feature, she said no later than this afternoon, and—”

“Beth,” I said, cutting her off and stopping short in the thin hall that led us directly to the conference room. “Is all of this in the e-mail you sent me yesterday?”

“Of course, it's all there.”

Forcing a smile, I tilted my head, doing my best to not sound too short or annoyed. “Thank you then, I've got this.” Holding out my mug, I glanced back over her shoulder. “You can go back to your desk now.”

It wasn't that I didn't like having an assistant to make sure I was on top of things, but in all honesty, I had been doing this job for as long as I could remember. I took my first steps in this very hall, I picked cover images and helped my father with fresh new ideas and creative articles that would grab people's attention.

When my father created this magazine thirty-three years ago, he dreamed about it growing into what it was today. We had become nationally recognized, showcasing anything and everything you could think of.

High end models and celebrities didn't think twice about being on the cover, up and coming products wanted to be featured in the pages. . . His dream had come true.

And now it was my baby to care for, my legacy to carry on in his name.

Beth had worked for my father for years, and when he passed the keys to me six months ago, I debated reassigning her to someone else. I just hadn't found the right person for her.

She was too sweet for some of our cut throat photographers or writers on staff, they would eat her alive. HR already had three secretaries of their own and our new product department was still in its early stages. For the time being, Beth was stuck with me and I was stuck with her.

“Yes, Ms. York, I'll be at my desk if you need me.”

“Beth, please, just call me Nola.” Smiling, my eyes softened. “You've known me since I was five years old, you don't need to be so formal, even if I am your boss.” Winking, I let my smile widen. “I think we're past formalities at this point.”

Laughing, Beth's lids lowered with her smile. Her age was written all over her face in strong lines and well chartered creases. “I know, I know, it just doesn't feel right. I'd hate for people to think I have special treatment.”

“Screw them if they do, I'll just fire them all.” Giggling, I waved my cup in the air.

“God, you sound just like your father.” Crossing her arms over her chest, Beth grinned as she turned and started for her desk. Glancing back at me over her shoulder, she said, “Alright, just don't tell them till Friday, I heard that's the best day to let people go.” Her brows jumped up and down on her forehead as she gave me one last smile.

Maybe I will just leave her where she is.

Beth was like a second mother to me, so I knew it must have been weird for her to have me as her boss. I went from that annoying little kid in the halls to the woman in charge. And when my mother passed away last year, she stepped in and gave me a shoulder to cry on. She was more than an employee, she was family.

Walking into the conference room, I looked around the long table at all the new faces. I wasn't in charge of training any of the new employees, but I always made it a point to be there for their first day orientation.

It was important for them to see me, to know who I was and who held the power in this place. Yes, there was a team of people that worked beneath me, but when it came down to it, this entire enterprise fell on my shoulders.

Sterning my face, I erased the playful smile I had with Beth and kept my expression stoic and unreadable. First impressions were everything in this business, and mine had to be hard as hell.

My father's name was still the face of this company, and I was going to keep up the persona he created. The York's were a no bullshit family. I did my best to give what I could to local charities, I had plenty to share. But in house, in this world, I was a pit-bull.

And no one messed with my shit.

“Ah, and here she is, the woman of the hour, your new boss, Ms. Nola York.” Clint raised his hand high, fanning it out in my direction.

Rolling my eyes, I gave a half-hearted smile to Clint and shut the door. “Thank you, and good morning everyone.” Stepping to the chair at the head of the table, I placed the folders and my cup down, but didn't sit. Gripping the back of the seat, I looked out at the small group of people. “Welcome, the fact that you're here tells me something about who you are.”

Everyone sitting gave me a big, eager smile, all of them blatantly trying to kiss my ass. The man closest to me shifted in his seat and held out his hand. “Dylan Ryhart, it's a pleasu—”

Clint stepped in between us, placing his hands at his waist and puffing up his chest. “There will be plenty of time for formalities, but right now,” he snapped, pointing a firm finger in his face. “You get to just sit and listen.”

Ugh. . . This fucking guy.

Grabbing Clint's shoulders, I moved him out of the way. Holding out my hand to Dylan, I gave Clint a side-eyed glare. “It's great to have you on our team.” Shaking Dylan's hand, Clint's face hardened.

You need to stop, I don't need you to protect me. Holding his gaze for a moment, I was hoping he could read my mind.

Clint was second in charge, he had almost as much power as I did; almost. But it drove me crazy that he felt the need to be my protector, to showcase his authority and act like I needed him to stand up for me.

I didn't need shit from that man.

Releasing my grip, I took a step back and kept speaking. “I won't take up too much of your time, my colleague Clint can do this with his eyes closed.” Glancing over at him, I saw his chest thicken with the gesture of faith, as if it was some hidden compliment to his manliness.

It wasn't.

I just wanted him to recognize his place, maybe have it register in that single framed mind of his that that's where the line was drawn. We were colleagues, nothing more.

He was a thorn in my ass that just wouldn't go away. No matter what I said, no matter how much I tried to avoid him, I couldn't get rid of him. He was a persistent douche, who as of recently, was more enemy than friend.

Taking a few steps towards the window, I cupped my hands behind my back. “Some of you might know, but for those that don't, my father—”

The conference door swung open hard and fast. A frazzled man's voice burst through the air like explosive sound waves. “Sorry, traffic was horrible this morning.”

I kept my eyes out the window, watching the man's shadow as it slinked into the closest open seat he could find. “I don't know what time zone you live in, but we start our morning at nine sharp. I should send you on your way just for being late. The traffic isn't an excuse, you should apologize for being less than ready for your first day. I'm not paying you to waste my time.”

Spinning on my heels, my eyes connected with his, and a sharp pain stabbed me in the chest. A tender smirk teased the very edges of his lips as his eyes lit like liquid fire.

“My sincerest apologies, it won't happen again.” His voice was low and husky, filled with the same thickness I remembered.

Ash, the Greek god who seduced me, the wall of muscle that stole my rational thoughts, replacing them with dirty memories. My one night stand from the banquet, my one weak moment where I lost all inhibition and let myself go.

Holy shit. . .

My heart skipped as I stood silent, allowing the awkward quiet to spill through the room like ocean waves. I was speechless, suddenly unaware of everyone else in the room staring at us, and I couldn't find anything to say.

Biting his bottom lip, Ash dipped his head into chest, his eyes licking my body the same way they had that night. I felt the heat in my core as it made my thighs tremble with memories of what he had done to me on that balcony.

“I. . . It. . . I sure hope it doesn't.” The words stumbled out uncontrolled and lacking finesse as the rest of the room stared up at me with a look of uncertainty.

Damn, this guy is throwing me off.

My reputation was well known throughout the city. I was supposed to be a cold-hearted bitch who didn't play nice if you stepped on my toes. I was the daughter of Rolland York, a splinter cut off the same bark.

If you fucked up, you got fired. If you gave me shit, you got fired. There was only one person who had been able to get away with that stuff and it wasn't because I enjoyed having him around.

Clint arched a brow, his eyes flicking between the stranger and myself. Taking it upon himself to adjust the lingering awkwardness in the room, he said, “Normally, you don't get a warning, you just get booted. Ms. York doesn't tolerate people coming and going as they please.” Shooting me a quick glance, he went on. “You must have caught her in a good mood.”

Stepping to my side, Clint attempted to wrap his arm around my waist. Taking a long stride away, I curled my arms around my ribs, unable to take my eyes off of Ash.

The same feelings I felt that night swirled in my belly, making my knees weak and my heart quicken.

Not here, not in my world.

Pulling myself together, my back stiffened and I took a deep breath. “He's right, normally I would just tell you to collect your stuff and leave. I don't ever give second chances, so don't make this a habit, understood?”

“I'm very sorry, I'll try from now on to give you better things to hold against me.” Ash's smile grew wide and erotic as his teeth gleamed bright behind his lips. “It won't happen again.”

I wasn't sure if everyone else caught his sly little remark, but I sure as hell did. My body went up in flames, my sex became warm and wet with arousal. I felt crazy and embarrassed that my panties were soaked at the most inappropriate time.

Get it together! You're in charge around here, so be in charge!

Stepping to the end of the table, I dug the tips of my nails into the dark walnut top. “I won't tolerate anything less. Don't screw up something that you haven't even started.” I did my best to regain control of my body, to keep my voice steady and not let the damn butterflies take over.

But fuck me if that man hadn't burrowed into my chest and brain. I could feel his eyes as they pierced my skull, riding down over the surface, making my skin prickle. The heat off his body was hitting me from across the table as flashes of our balcony encounter played in my head.

The feel of his bulge against my ass, the way his lips tickled my skin, how deep his cock went and how it felt when I came all over him; it was the most erotic experience I ever had, and I thought he would be cemented to just a memory.

Yet, here he was, sitting at the end of the table, taking my clothes off with his eyes and making me want him again.

Snapping my shoulders square, I stalked to my chair and pulled it out. Taking my seat, I opened up the top folder and started going through the new employee files.

Stay focused, just read the files.

Forcing my eyes to stay down, I attempted to read the information that Beth had provided for me. The words became a giant blurred mess of ink and lines. I couldn't pinpoint one single detail, not even the name on the top.

Just knowing that Ash was ten feet away with his gaze anchored on me, I couldn't focus on shit. Clint's voice was humming in the background, his words lost to the buzzing in my head. The room seemed to shrink around me, the air grew hot and dense as my body reacted to the wall of muscle stalking me in my seat.

Clint kept babbling and rambling, going through the same shit he always did, unaware of the lethal concoction that had been allowed into the room. Ash was a tall glass of alcohol and all I could think about was having another drink.

I felt the weight of Clint bearing down on my back as he stood behind me, placing both his hands on the tops of my shoulders and squeezing. Shrugging him off, I jerked my eyes up to look at Ash. His face had changed, tinting with this hue of jealousy.

What's that look for?

Narrowing his eyes at Clint, his lip curled protectively. He looked like he wanted to launch out of his chair and claw Clint's eyes from his head.

I don't think I'd object if he tried. I'd probably even throw a few strikes myself.

The tension seeped into the air, layering my body like a heavy blanket. But I was the only one who felt it, no one else looked uncomfortable. Taking a moment to glance around the table, everyone was attentively listening to Clint, taking notes and nodding in agreement.

Not Ash though. Ash's gaze had reattached to mine, holding me stagnant in my chair. My breathing picked up as he shifted his stare around my face with a small smile dancing on the corner of his lip. His eyes were unworldly, devouring my body in a room full of people as if we were the only two there.

“And your name is?” Clint asked, pointing down the table.

“Ash, Ash Devoy.”

“Well, Mr. Devoy, most of our new hires don't sit like a puppet with no strings on their first day. Do you see these people? They're taking notes, they're making sure they don't miss a thing.”

“I'm not most hires.” Leaning back in his chair, Ash rested his elbow on the table, softly sliding his index finger around his thumb.

Clint took in a deep breath, taking a few steps closer. “You do realize that this is only day one and you're not making the best impression here. We don't need you, you're here because you need us.”

Ash peered up, letting his eyes settle on Clint's. “Your point?”

Glancing over at me, Clint's mouth dropped open as he shot me a look. He was giving me the stare, the one that says, 'What the fuck, Nola, do something.'

I couldn't lie, I was getting a kick out of it. Clint was a dick, plain and simple. But it wasn't good practice to sit there and take pleasure in the fact that Ash wasn't just bending over for him.

Alright, fine, I'll do something. . .

“Mr. Devoy, let's not forget that the CEO is sitting right here. If you still want a job at the end of the day, I'd suggest you show Mr. Strauss some respect. . .” Pausing, I picked up my pen and started nibbling on the edge as I leaned back in my seat. “Even if he's a hard man to give it to.”

A few snickers could be heard from some of the other people, and I tried my best not to smile. It didn't work.

Clint whipped his body in my direction like I had just chopped his manhood into bits in front of a stadium of onlookers.

“Mr. Strauss, please continue with orientation,” Ash said, holding an open palm to his chest. “I assure you, I'm good at what I do. I know I won't disappoint you.” Pushing his gaze past Clint, his eyes reached mine, causing my heart to skip a beat. “I'm sure there are others who can tell you the same thing.”

We had this moment, a moment that was only between the two of us, unrecognizable to the rest of the world. The green in his eyes flickered with gold highlights and pops of bronze, his tongue tempted the opening of his lips as he gave me a hidden smile.

No one else saw it, no one else knew of the intimate memory that we shared. There were soundless motions and voiceless feelings brewing like a dark cloud above us. I half expected the ceiling to start soaking us in giant raindrops and shooting fierce lightening bolts, striking me down.

You can't do this, not here.

Clint grumbled a few words I didn't catch, carrying on with his training. Ash behaved for the rest of the forty-five minutes, but his eyes never strayed. We were frozen on each other, neither one of us able to break the invisible chain tying us together.

“Alright, if you'll all move out into the hall, I'll be right there to give you a tour and show you where you'll be working.” Clint tapped his papers on the table, his eyes zeroing in on mine, cold and upset.

Looking beyond Clint's face, Ash stood from his seat, walking slowly towards the door. He mouthed a few words, exaggerating his lips to make sure I understood.

'Hello, Beautiful. Nice surprise.'

Clint snapped his head over his shoulder, veering his stare, waiting for the last person to exit and the door close. Reconnecting his eyes with mine, his voice was low and harsh. “What the fuck was that all about?”

Pushing up from my seat, I grabbed my stack of folders. “What?”

“Don't play stupid, Nola, you know what I'm talking about.” Hanging his head, he let out a heavy breath. “Do you know that asshole or something?”

“What the hell are you talking about, Clint? You're acting crazy right now.” Trying to step around him, he blocked me from passing. “Let me by, Clint.”

“You didn't answer me. I asked you if you knew him, because normally you would have kicked his ass out the second the door opened.”

Breathing in slowly through my nose, I kept my attention on the folders I was adjusting. “I don't always have to be the bad guy, Clint. You were right, he caught me on a good day. Don't make this more than it is.”

Stretching out his arms, he tried to wrap them around my hips. “Look, I'm sorry, Nola, it's just, you know I don't like when someone else looks at you like that. He was fucking you with his eyes, I could see it.”

Stepping back out of his hands, my lips drew taut. “Stop, just stop. We,” I said, flicking a finger back and forth between us. “Are not together. We dated months ago, and if I remember right, you dumped me for some bimbo named Lauren from the coffee shop up town. You know, brand new tits with half a brain Lauren. So stop treating me like I'm your girlfriend.”

“I told you Lauren and I are over, there's no reason for you to bring it up.” His tone grew high pitched and playful. “Nola, you try to play hard to get, but I know you. You saying shit like that doesn't matter, I know that we have something, and I know you feel it too.”

“Just because she dropped you for a man with deeper pockets, doesn't mean we have anything for you to come back to.” Walking around the table, I snapped at him. “It's over, Clint, get it through your head. I told you before and I'm saying it again—WE. ARE. DONE.”

An evil smile spread up his lips as he pulled his phone from his pocket. “Well, I guess we'll just have to see about that.” Scrolling over his screen, his eyes flashed devil red.

Stopping short, I hugged the folders to my chest. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“I think you should just take some time to think about us, that's all.”

Furrowing my brows, my tone turned harsh. “I don't know what kind of game you're trying to play, but I'm not interested. You need to cut this shit out, I'm getting sick of it.” Stalking quickly to the door, my fingers wrapped the handle, ready to tear it open.

“Just reconsider where we stand, that's all I'm asking. I'd hate to see you make the biggest mistake of your life.” His smile arched high as his eyes turned black, filling my heart with hate.

Scoffing, I threw the door open and stormed out. I didn't give him the satisfaction of a snippy comment or letting him see just how much he was getting under my skin. I was done with that man.

As far as I was concerned he was just another employee here. That was where I had drawn the line and I wanted him to stay on his side of it.

If he thought he could just dump me for someone he thought was better and then weasel his way back into my life when he was tossed to the curb, he was wrong. When he chose to leave me, that was it.

I don't chase people, I don't have time to try and mend fences that weren't worth saving. As far as I was concerned, there was nothing to salvage between us. I didn't love him, I wasn't even really that hurt when he dumped me. If anything, I was relieved that I didn't have to try and fit a relationship into my already filled life.

What got to me was how he did it. How he asked me out to lunch, and dropped the mother of all bombs on me. Him and his new girlfriend were sitting there, cozied all up to each other, making kissy faces.

The motherfucker made me feel so small that day. He told me I was boring, that all I did was work. He said that Lauren made him feel young again, like he was an old dog; the man was thirty.

But what struck me the most, the one thing he said that shattered any chance he might have had for a future relationship with me was when he told me that our sex was sub-par and Lauren was far more nimble than I would ever be.

I mean, what the hell was that? Who says that to someone?

I think the words I chose that day were straight forward and probably the most honest I had ever been. I told him he was a dickhead.

That wasn't how you treated a woman, that wasn't the way to break up with someone. It was just cruel.

Stepping into the hallway, the small group of people were all huddled in a knitted circle. Forcing my way through, my shoulders bumped and bounced off the crowd.

I knew Ash was watching me, but I didn't search him out. I just wanted to get the fuck out of there, I needed to get as far away from Clint as I could.

Inhaling short quick breaths, I was trying to calm myself down so I didn't go all ape shit and make a fool of myself. I couldn't lose my shit, not here, not like this.

What I really wanted to do was fire his ass, unfortunately that wasn't possible. Our relationship and who he was as a person, couldn't be intertwined at work. He was good at his job, and so long as it stayed that way, I couldn't get rid of him.

Not without being handed a big lawsuit for wrongful termination. And that was not something I wanted to deal with.

Shoving my office door open, I slammed it shut behind me. Resting my back against the frosty glass, I could feel my face turning redder and redder as the anger bubbled to the surface.

I fucking hate that guy! He's such a dick!

“Nola, are you alright?” Beth asked, softly knocking on the door.

Holding the handle, I cleared my throat. “Yes Beth, I'm alright. Can you make sure no one bothers me? I need some time to myself, just tell Mr. Jacob's I said Julia for the cover, please.”

“Sure, should I hold all your calls?”

“Please, that would be great.”

Beth walked back to her desk and I slid down the door, coming to a halt on the base of my heels. If I had to catalog this day in a single word, I'd say it was fucked.

My ex was relentless and pushy, not getting the message at all.

The guy who left me breathless and disoriented had shown up again unexpected.

All I needed was my high school love to pop in and we'd have a friggin relationship circus.

What else could get thrown my way today?