Chapter 1

The call from Charles Hawthorne came at 3:30 a.m., ordering me to pick him up at the hotel and saying, "While you're at it, grab a lace thong for my girl tonight."

I drove through the pouring rain, a knot of dread tightening in my stomach as I knocked on his door.

Charles leaned against the doorjamb. His eyes were dark with displeasure.

"You took too long. She's gone," he stated coldly. "Keep the thong. Maybe you should wear it yourself."

His gaze then traveled over me in a slow, predatory sweep. "Actually, you'd look hot. Go on. Put it on for me."

I stood frozen, heat flooding my cheeks.

Suddenly, he laughed. "Relax, I'm just messing with you. I'm getting married." He pushed a card into my hand. "Here, take my brother's number."

He added, "You've served me well all these years, so I won't leave you hanging. Only catch: he has a daughter. Hope that's not a deal-breaker for you."

*****

Charles held out a business card between his well-defined fingers, giving me a look that was half curious, half appraising.

He looked like he was sure I'd turn it down.

After all, his brother didn't just have a six-year-old daughter. He was also paralyzed from the waist down.

Charles was just trying to get rid of me by passing me off to his brother.

Three days ago, the girl he could never forget came back to town.

He didn't want her to find out about me or anything between us.

But really, did it even matter?

I'd been head over heels for him for five years, playing the loyal puppy secretary who'd drop everything whenever he called. To him, I was just someone who happened to look a little like her.

Seeing how casual he was about it, my heart twisted. I snatched the business card from his hand and said quietly, "Okay."

Charles frowned, not expecting me to accept so easily.

But a second later, his expression went back to normal. "My brother can't take care of himself, and his moods are all over the place. If you're really fine with that, I'll set up the blind date for you two as soon as possible."

"No problem," I replied calmly, though my voice was a little shaky. "My car's downstairs. Do you want me to drive you to the office?"

Charles noticed my wet hair and moved aside to let me in. "Come in and change your clothes first."

My body was tense as I walked in, and before I could react, Charles pulled me into a hug from behind.

His scent, fresh and salty, like sea breeze, washed over me as he casually rested his head on my shoulder.

He leaned in close to my ear, acting like a clingy puppy, his voice low and seductive. "You've been my devoted puppy for five years. Let me give you a chance. How about we spend the night together?"

"But just this once. Consider it my way of paying you back. After that, we're done, and you can't make a scene in front of Vivienne Lane."

As he spoke, his warm breath tickled my ear, almost invading it.

Instinctively, I jerked away from him. "You want to sleep with me? Just for one night?"

Charles raised an eyebrow. "You could say that. But hey, I'm only lowering my standards because you're so obsessed with me."

"No need," I said, taking a deep breath and shutting him down. "Let's just call these five years my way of repaying you. From now on, we owe each other nothing."

Charles narrowed his eyes with a puzzled look. "Repay me? For what?"

What happened back then was just too hard to talk about. For me, it felt like my whole world had collapsed.

But to him, it was probably nothing more than a fleeting fling.

I had no intention of using the past to tie him down, so I kept quiet.

He had a meeting that morning, so after a quick shower, Charles was looking every bit the polished CEO again.

I was already dressed and waiting by the car, ready to open the door for him like the perfect assistant.

In the back seat, Charles had his long legs casually crossed.

I sat beside him, iPad in hand, running through his schedule. "You've got two meetings this morning, lunch with the CEO of Global Group, and a contract signing with the investors this afternoon..."

Charles drummed his fingers on his knee.

But I knew he was taking it all in.

I closed the iPad and said carefully, "Mr. Hawthorne, about that promotion to Chief Executive Secretary you promised me a few days ago..."

Charles opened his eyes, gave me a playful look, and nodded. "Relax, I've already signed off on it."

I let out a long sigh of relief.

It didn't matter if I couldn't get the guy. Work had to go on.

Chief Executive Secretary pulled in 30 thousand dollars a month. Where else was I gonna find that kind of cash?

Hell, I drank with the investors until my stomach was shot, all for this promotion.

Spent half a month in the hospital, but I finally landed that 300-million-dollar deal.

This position? I clawed my way up here all on my own, so damn right I was gonna fight for it.

As I was getting out of the car, Charles suddenly called out, "Julia Rivers."

I turned around, a little dazed.

He handed me a bag.

Inside was a Burberry scarf.

"Happy birthday," he said.