Blurb
Devil, Shark, Beast…
Drew Carson is known by a lot of names.
Beyond ruthless, he’s the king of hostile takeovers.
Now, I’m his new assistant and, I have to admit, a little scared.
Because I can’t seem to do anything right and Drew expects competence.
Yet, something lurks beneath his intense, increasingly heated looks.
Something is missing that his billions can’t buy.
He’s used to getting what he wants and I’m pretty sure his new target is me.
Despite our increasing attraction, he’s my much older boss and off-limits.
It’s a line we vowed not to cross.
Until the electricity becomes too much to ignore and passion ignites us.
We’ve both been burned by past relationships and Drew has demons.
Together, I know we can heal each other.
Because I’ve never known a love so intense, so all-consuming.
Then, secrets are revealed and the two most important people in my life come to blows.
I feel like I’m being torn in two, my loyalties tested to the limit.
And, I’m left with a horrible choice to make.
Do I choose love or family?
Chapter One
Ashley
As I sit at a small table outside the cafe and wait for my best friend Laurel, I sip my coffee, hot and black, and can’t help but wonder what’s going on? Everywhere I look, I see couples. Smiling, happy paired-off men and women and enough PDA going on that I want to tell them to go get a room.
I feel like I’m stuck in some romantic comedy. And, I’m not even the lead. That’s the sad part. It’s my life, my story, and Ashley Monroe barely has a supporting role. With a sigh, I tuck a stray strand of golden blonde hair behind an ear and wonder why dating is so hard for me.
Again, I blame the movies for giving me unrealistic expectations.
Who am I kidding? I’m an optimist and dream of a meet-cute with a dashing stranger who will whisk me away on some romantic adventure. If only life were really that perfect, I think.
“Ash!”
I look up and see Laurel Simms make her way over and plop down across from me. Even though she has dark hair and darker eyes, she couldn’t be any more of a California Valley Girl.
“Sorry, I’m late,” she says, “but, I have a really good reason and you’re totally not going to believe it.” Laurel lifts her left hand to reveal a diamond engagement ring and squeals.
My mouth drops and I jump up and hug her. “Oh, Laurel, I’m so happy for you.” I grab her hand and lift it up so I can get a closer look at the rock. “It’s gorgeous,” I say as she flashes the stone this way and that way to catch the light.
“He was so nervous and it was beyond adorable,” she says, unable to take her eyes off the ring. “He got down on one knee and even asked my Dad for permission. It was all very traditional.”
“Ryan’s a good guy. Any chance he has a brother we don’t know about?”
Laurel laughs. “Sorry, just a sister. But, there are plenty of good men out there and I think it’s time we find you one. It’s been what? A couple of years since Ben?”
At the mention of my ex’s name, my stomach clenches. Talk about a toxic relationship. “Two and a half years. And, he’s probably the reason I’m still single.” Even though we were only together four months, he managed to mess me up pretty good. My self-esteem went out the window and I never felt like I was good enough for him. I ended up finding out that he was seeing another girl at the same time we were dating and he chose to be with her over me. Ouch. It was a definite blow to my ego. Thank you, Ben Miller, for taking twenty-two years of self-confidence and trashing it in a matter of months.
“I still think you should try online dating.”
I immediately shake my head. Absolutely not. “I’d rather be single, thanks. Too many weirdos out there and how do you even know who you’re really talking to anyway?”
“You meet him!”
Elbow on the table, I lean my head against my palm and frown. “You make it sound so easy.”
“It is easy,” she says. “I’ll even help you do your profile.”
I shake my head again and release a sigh. “The idea of dating online makes me cringe. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I need the moment.” Laurel squints, not understanding. “You know, like when you walk into a room and your eyes meet over the crowd and everything seems to stand still. And, there’s this electric current between you and him. The moment.”
“Do you want to fall in love in a movie? Or, in real life?”
I laugh. “Online dating just seems so superficial.”
“Okay, let’s back up,” Laurel says, a smirk curving her mouth. “When you walk into that room and your eyes scan the crowd, you know you’re actually judging every man in there on how he looks, right?”
Sometimes Laurel is too smart for her own good. “Touche,” I say. Maybe she’s right. What did it matter if I was choosing a man’s picture online or his face in person? All dating is pretty superficial. “Okay, you have a point,” I finally admit.
“Thank you.”
I take a sip of my coffee and my gaze wanders over to a nearby couple. They’re completely wrapped up in their own little world. Holding hands, whispering secrets, sharing long looks. I have no experience with that kind of emotion. Never had that deep connection. “Maybe it’s just not meant to be for me. Otherwise it wouldn’t be this hard.”
What a sad and depressing thought.
“Of course it is,” Laurel assures me. “You deserve love just like everyone else and I’m going to help you find it. If you’ll let me.”
For a moment, I don’t say anything as I consider my options. Or, lack thereof. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? I wouldn’t meet anyone and then I am still in the same boat, right? No harm, no foul.
Take a chance, a little voice whispers.
I bite my lip. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but...okay!”
“Yay!” Laurel claps her hands. “I’ll come over later and help you set it all up. I promise, you’re going to get a ton of dates.”
“I don’t know about that, but hopefully there’s a nice guy out there somewhere for me.”
“I’m sure of it.”
“Maybe you can help me find a job, too,” I say. “My student loans are killing me and I’ve sent resumes out all over town. But, nobody is calling me. At this rate, maybe they’re hiring here.” I look into the coffee shop window.
“You’re a business woman, Ash, not a barista.”
“I’m finding out that college diplomas are a dime a dozen nowadays. So, I kinda need to be whatever I can to get a paycheck.”
She slides me a sympathetic look. “Why don’t I talk to my Dad? Maybe he can set up an interview with one of the companies he does consultant work for?”
“I would love that!”