Chapter One
January 14, 2011, Charlotte, North Carolina
“Ms. Ruiz, this is unacceptable! These numbers are erroneous! I want a new spreadsheet on my desk first thing Tuesday morning,” Mr. Hart bellowed and met my stare head on.
I was thunderstruck. His custom made suit fit his six-foot-two frame to perfection. He had the most sinful, ocean blue eyes that seemed to undress me every time he looked my way. The rich timbre of his voice was sexy as well as distracting. All I thought about was being alone in the bedroom with him, which made concentrating on business nearly impossible. My mind and body was mush whenever I was around him, and my treasure chest would throb and drip—instinctively soaking right through to the crotch of my panties. It had been awhile since I had some. Work became my lover as of late.
All eyes were on me.
Elaina gave me a sympathetic look; and my supervisor, Ms. Phillips, gave me the evil eyes. I knew I’d get a talking down for my actions later.
“Meeting adjourned!” Mr. Hart left the conference room, followed by his minions, Robert and John.
Everyone ran out of the conference room to the safety of their desks. Stunned, I sat at the table, took a deep breath, and counted to ten—embarrassed by today’s meeting.
Drake Steven Hart, Chief Executive Officer of Hart Enterprises, was audacious, dogmatic, and haughty. I’d made a simple mistake, and he nearly ripped my head off, in front of everyone. I was mortified and wished the floor would open up and swallow me whole.
Besides, all of the things that drove me crazy about Mr. Hart, I couldn’t deny the man was eye candy to look at. His body was as impressive as his face. He had cool eyes that pulled you right in like a vacuum cleaner, with thick long eyelashes, a proud nose, and high cheekbones. His sinfully sexy lips displayed the most dazzling smile for a white man. He wore his dark hair longer than most executives, pulled back into a ponytail. The diamond stud in his left ear was surprising. Yes, he wasn’t like most CEOs of a company.
“ Yo n o puedo más — I can't take any more,” I said in my native tongue.
He was forbidden territory. I couldn’t explore that avenue with my boss. It was time to polish up my resume, and scratch him off to the untouchable list. I can’t work for a man I secretly desire in my bed .
§
“Bella, are you all right?” Elaina asked, after quietly walking into my office.
My friends called me Bella, short for Isabella.
“The boss really gave you a dressing down.”
I stared out of my office window and contemplated my next move.
“Let’s get some arroz con pollo and pasteles . Spanish food will make you feel better.”
I smiled over at Elaina. I’d met her over two years ago and bonded quickly after my move from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina. We each shared a Latino heritage. She was full blood, where as I was mixed. My mother was African-American, and my father was Latino.
“Not today, Elaina. I planned to eat at my desk. Besides, I have to revise a spreadsheet, something I worked on most of last night.”
“Doctor’s orders. You need to get out of this place. I promise, you’ll be more productive after lunch,” she added.
I stared into her fiery golden-brown eyes and agreed. I needed a break.
“You’re right, Elaina. Let’s get out of here.”
I grabbed my purse and followed her out of the office.
§
Later, I regretted taking that lunch break with Elaina. I ate too much and returned to the office feeling lethargic. Needless to say I wasted the afternoon. It wasn’t until four o’clock, an hour before quitting time, when I felt productive again. My coworkers left to begin their weekend. Monday was Martin Luther King Day, which made it a three-day weekend for us. I refused to take work home that weekend, so I stayed inputting numbers on a spreadsheet.
It was eight o’clock when I saved my final draft and printed two copies. I tucked one in my desk, and
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