Kitabı oku: «From Boardroom To Bedroom»

One

Sophie barely recognized herself in the reflection of the mirrored elevator doors. Flying across the country, getting a complete makeover, and coming up with a whole new identity had been quite the feat.

But persistence paid off...or at least she hoped it would.

She’d traveled to New York to spy on Miranda. She had tried chasing down every possible lead in Royal...but none of them had panned out. After two months of failed attempts, she’d realized she needed to widen her net. If she was going to find anything, it would have to be in New York—and it would have to be in a different persona. No one was willing to spill secrets to the stepdaughter who was known to hate Miranda—but perhaps a new identity would let her slip in under the radar. Sophie had no other idea how to find dirt on her stepmother, so she’d taken a very hands-on approach.

For a week now, Sophie had taken on this new look and role, but she still hadn’t gotten used to being someone else. She’d never been this deceitful or this scheming before.

But desperate times and all that.

As the elevator continued to climb toward the floors that housed Green Room Media, Inc. building, she wondered exactly what she’d be doing. She knew she’d landed the job as a temporary consultant, so she hoped this was a position that would get her close to some cutting room floor footage. Maybe she’d even come in close contact with some of the camera crew from Secret Lives.

She needed to find some juicy tidbit on Miranda. Something to hold over her or, better yet, to expose her for the gold-digging, conniving attention seeker Sophie believed she was. Something that would let Sophie challenge the will and put Blackwood property back in Blackwood hands, where it belonged. A woman who always flaunted her life and her material possessions all over television didn’t need anything more.

Sophie and her brothers deserved their due inheritance. She didn’t want to be a whiny child about it, but she’d grown up in Blackwood Hollow and the home held so many memories...memories that shouldn’t have been just handed over to Miranda Dupree. Memories she and her brothers made with their wonderful late mother that Sophie wanted to carry over into her own family or her brothers’ families one day. That legacy belonged to the Blackwood children, not a second wife. Sophie wanted to do this for her brothers; she wanted them to have what they deserved. They all had plenty of money... This wasn’t about that. This was about family, which they’d never considered Miranda part of.

Sophie didn’t believe Miranda’s sweet and innocent public persona...not one bit. The woman wouldn’t be on one of the most scandalous reality shows on television if she were that perfect. There had to be something. Unfortunately, Sophie had made a point of avoiding Miranda as much as possible during her father’s short-lived second marriage. She just plain didn’t know the woman well enough to know which closets to search for Miranda’s carefully hidden skeletons. But surely they were around here somewhere, in the offices of the show that had been the centerpiece of Miranda’s life for the past few years.

Secret Lives was a popular reality show based on divorced women living in Manhattan. Of course, ratings hinged on how many scandals the ladies could cause while displaying their lavish lifestyles. It was tacky and tasteless—but it was popular, and it came with a big staff of people behind it, all working to keep it going. That was where Sophie had found her “in.”

Sophie had applied for a personal consultant position within the company that produced Secret Lives. The security in the place was top-notch, so she’d had to get creative on getting in. No way would a Blackwood be allowed in this office. Not with the death of Miranda’s husband so recent. Just the word Blackwood would raise too many red flags and Sophie would be shut out before she could even get started.

A temporary job was the perfect opportunity to get inside.

The only glitch? Sophie’s popularity from her interior design YouTube channel, Dream It, Live It, forced her to alter her look. Usually, popularity was a great problem to have—but for the time being, it was getting in her way. If she didn’t have so many loyal followers, she wouldn’t have had to go to such great lengths to disguise herself.

Nothing a little hair color, some carefully applied makeup, a sexy pair of cat-eye glasses, a polished jacket and skinny jeans couldn’t fix. She typically wore fun dresses because she always found a dress to be much more comfortable than pants. So this outfit was definitely outside of her norm. So was the makeup. She much preferred a natural look, so the red lips were completely out of her comfort zone.

And the hair? She was kind of digging this style. A little fringe around her face and the bold shade of ashy blond made her feel a little sassy. The self-esteem boost was much needed because her nerves were all over the place.

She was hopeful and quite certain nobody would recognize her now.

So here she was, day one of her new job and fully embracing her new identity. Maybe blondes would have more fun.

Oh, and of course her name was the biggest adjustment. That was something she had to fully embrace and always be aware of because if someone tried to get her attention and she wasn’t focused enough to recognize her faked name, her cover would be blown.

The elevator stopped and Sophie pulled in a deep breath.

No. She had to stop thinking of herself as Sophie. In this building, and for the next week, she would have to think of herself as Roslyn Andrews. She could remember that, right? A nice combo of Sophie’s middle name and her grandmother’s maiden name. No problem. At least she’d chosen something somewhat familiar. And she wouldn’t have to get used to it for long.

She’d given herself a week timeline to get in, find the scoop and get out. She didn’t like being sneaky—that was quite the opposite of her personality—but she also felt that she and her siblings had been wronged. So, one week. Surely she could do some quick snooping?

The elevator doors slid open and the posh offices of Green Room Media greeted her. The elegant white decor and semicircular desk in the middle of the spacious floor plan were simple, yet classy. The receptionist glanced up from his computer and smiled. She’d talked with him before when she’d come for her interview just days ago. They clearly needed someone fast because they’d hired Sophie on the spot.

“Ah, Miss Andrews. Welcome back. Are you ready for your first day?”

More than he knew. Would it be too obvious if she asked to view cut footage right off the bat?

“Let’s do it,” Sophie said with a smile. “Just tell me where I’ll be.”

Craig, she believed his name was, came to his feet and gestured toward the long hallway. “You will actually be working right alongside Mr. Townshend, you lucky girl. He’s amazing, but he demands loyalty and precision. His personal assistant is out on maternity leave, but that’s no problem. If you need anything, you can always come find me.”

Working with Mr. Townshend? As in Nigel Townshend? She would be his temporary personal consultant? Sophie didn’t know if she was thrilled or terrified to be put in the most inner circle of the entire company...and with the sexiest mogul to ever grace the covers of magazines. He was known as the British Billionaire Bad Boy. Any woman with breath in her lungs knew who Nigel was.

Sophie’s heart fluttered and her stomach got a little schoolgirl giddy. Nigel was one very dominating, very powerful man. When Sophie had interviewed, she’d thought for sure she was just going to be a gopher or someone to answer phones. She’d hoped for more, but she also had to be realistic. She’d only been trying to get her foot in the door.

Well, she was in all right. Now she only had moments to mentally prepare to not only meet the sexy Brit but also to compose herself so she didn’t come across as some nitwit who didn’t deserve this position. She couldn’t afford to be let go before she got what she came for.

Sophie hurried to catch up with Craig as he made his way down the wide corridor.

“Are you sure this is the position I’m here for?” she questioned.

Craig came to a halt so fast Sophie jerked to a stop to prevent running into him. He glanced around before leaning in and whispering.

“You didn’t hear this from me,” he started. “But Secret Lives has dipped a little in the ratings and Nigel is taking it upon himself to find out exactly why. He needs fresh eyes to help him fix the situation. That’s where you come in.”

Well, that was no pressure at all. Nothing like being thrust right into the thick of things on day one. But at least it was a problem that didn’t make her feel out of her depth. She did know a little about ratings; after all, she’d built her channel into something of a phenomenon. Maybe she could actually make a difference here, too, and get the scoop she needed. A win-win.

“Does he not have anyone who has tried to help so far?” Sophie asked, still positive this position was a mistake.

“His assistant would probably have been a good asset, but she’s unavailable and Nigel wants someone from the outside.” Craig lowered his voice even more. “I think the show is in jeopardy. He didn’t tell me that directly, but... Well, I have some sources.”

Oh, she had no doubt the receptionist knew all the ins and outs and was one of the best sources of gossip. Perhaps starting with a little break room talk over lunch would be a good starting point for her own project.

Things were already starting off better than she’d hoped. Surely if Sophie was dealing with the head honcho himself, she could gain access to all the cut footage. But she still had to be careful and calculated about this. There was no room for errors and no way could she raise suspicions. Above all, she couldn’t run into Miranda. Even with the blond hair, glasses and completely different wardrobe, Sophie knew her step-monster would recognize her.

“Mr. Townshend is waiting,” Craig said as he turned and put his hands on the gold handles of a set of white double doors. “Welcome to Green Room Media.”

The doors swung wide and Sophie/Roslyn pulled in a deep breath.

Showtime.

When he’d asked for help, he hadn’t expected a lush supermodel turned librarian. The sight of the curvaceous blonde with sultry glasses and a confident smile hit him right in the gut. He was also a fan of glossy red lips.

Those jeans should have been illegal, but he certainly wasn’t complaining.

Bloody hell. He didn’t have time for this distraction. He hadn’t even had time to interview anyone for himself and had trusted his most loyal, dependable employees to do that. But he’d only asked for someone well qualified, professional and polished.

He’d certainly gotten that last part; he had to assume the rest of her credentials were just as impressive as the outward package.

Might as well embrace his new temporary consultant. Temporary being the key word. Off-limits was also another key word because he never ever fraternized with employees. He liked to date, but he’d never gotten too serious...much to his family’s dismay and disappointment.

Most times the Townshends didn’t understand why Nigel was in New York, growing his empire, and not back in England, settling down and working on new heirs. He loved his family, he truly valued them and missed them like crazy. But he wanted to branch off from the dynasty and create his own legacy. This company and his shows were bigger than anything he’d ever dreamed. He just needed to continue that trend of growth and success in order to show his family that his goals and dreams truly were worthwhile.

Pushing the family issues aside, Nigel kept his eyes locked on the striking woman in his office. Talk about a test in willpower. If she was going to be working alongside him for weeks or months to come, he would have to remember this was a professional environment. He demanded as much from each of his employees and he would never let them think that he was incapable of meeting those standards himself.

Nigel came to his feet and rounded his desk. He was the boss, time for him to act like one and put these adolescent hormones to rest. His family considered him the infamous black sheep for breaking away, and he was doing his best not to live down to that reputation. Just because a man didn’t want to get married and produce a litter of children did not make him a failure.

Of course, his sister was getting married next week and he was a groomsman, so that certainly didn’t help matters.

All the more motivation to turn these dwindling numbers around and get Secret Lives back on top of the rankings. Maybe then his family would be proud of the work he did.

“You must be Roslyn Andrews,” he greeted, turning all of his attention to the new employee. “I’m Nigel Townshend.”

Her smile widened as she crossed his office and extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure, Mr. Townshend.”

“Mr. Townshend is my father,” he corrected. “You will call me Nigel.”

With a delicate nod, she replied, “Alright, Nigel.”

His name sliding through her lips was just as magical and potent as he’d expected. And all of his employees called him Mr. Townshend. He couldn’t quite justify the reasoning behind his quick response to her calling him Mr. but here they were.

“I had no idea I would be working with you directly,” she added. “Can I be honest?”

The combination of that sultry voice and the confident firm grip of her handshake assaulted every nerve ending he had. Her dark eyes flared when he slid his hand into hers.

Well, wasn’t this interesting?

She snatched her hand back and adjusted the purse strap on her shoulder. He had to give her credit, though, her smile never faltered.

Self-assurance was a sexy trait. Add that to the alluring outward package and he might be in trouble with this one. Hell, he was already in trouble since they were on a first-name basis after a one-minute meet. He had employees who had worked for him for over a decade who still didn’t call him Nigel.

“Please,” he replied. “Honesty is our key policy.”

She adjusted her tortoiseshell glasses. “I’m even more nervous now that I know I’m working directly with the boss. But, I promise not to let my nerves get in the way of doing my best work.”

“I hope you’ve saved your best work for me because I need the best.”

“No pressure,” she joked. “I hope I live up to your standards.”

“I have no doubt you’ll do just fine. I’ve seen your résumé. The fact that you work in interior design actually appealed to me because I believe designers look at every detail in all aspects of life and that’s exactly what I need. And, I’m not sure if you’ve heard anything, but I’m not difficult to get along with, though I’ve been told I have a dry sense of humor.”

“I have two older brothers. I’m pretty good with holding my own, no matter the jokes.”

With her honesty and sense of humor, Nigel could see they’d get along just fine...so long as he kept reminding himself this arrangement was professional and temporary.

How many times could he use those two words?

Probably not enough, because he had a feeling he needed to keep those in the forefront of his mind as long as Ms. Andrews worked by his side.

“Have a seat,” he told her, gesturing to the leather chair opposite his desk. “Since I didn’t sit in on the interview process, I’d like to get to know a little about you before we begin our day. Like I said, I’ve seen your résumé, quite impressive, and I’ve heard my crew speak your praises.”

“I’m flattered.”

She should be. They’d interviewed a slew of people for this position, but Nigel had put out very specific requirements. Interesting that the most striking, intriguing woman he’d ever met was the one who had landed in his office.

He worked with beautiful women every day. The entire cast of Secret Lives consisted of stunning ladies. But something about Roslyn seemed almost wholesome...which was quite refreshing in this field.

Nigel unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt as he went back to his desk chair. Distance from her would help him keep his head in the game, so would focusing on the sole reason for her employment. He needed a new vision for the show and the only way he could see that happening was to bring in an outsider.

There was no room for attractions or office escapades. The last thing he needed was a sexual harassment lawsuit. Of course, bad press would drive up ratings, but he wasn’t about to embarrass his family, put his own reputation on the line or degrade any woman.

He respected women and his new consultant would be no different. There’s no reason he couldn’t find her attractive and keep a level head about himself...right?

“I saw you recently moved to New York,” he began, leaning back in his seat.

Roslyn nodded. “About a month ago. It was time for a change.”

“You came from Texas?”

“I did. My family owns a ranch.” She eased her purse onto her lap and crossed her legs. “My brothers still live there.”

“So why the drastic change?” he asked.

A sadness swept over her face for a second before she tipped her chin and silently gathered herself together. “My father recently passed and it made me realize how fragile life is. I’d always wondered what city life was like and I decided to take the risk.”

Taking risks was certainly something he could understand and appreciate. He hadn’t gotten this far without stepping outside the proverbial box and taking his own chances in business. He understood her need to be out on her own, away from her family, and he instantly admired her drive and independence.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” he told her. “I have to admit, I’m impressed that you took such a leap.”

“No time like the present,” she stated with that same confident smile that punched him with another dose of arousal.

“You have a degree in design.” Nigel glanced at the portfolio photos on his computer screen he’d been looking at before she’d arrived. “These are pretty impressive. Why the switch to media? Did you just want to make a change?”

She shrugged one delicate shoulder. “Why can’t I do both? I’ve always loved design and I’m fascinated by media. Who knows? Maybe one day I can design living spaces and work areas for the stars. This is a good step in that direction.”

Nigel leaned forward, lacing his fingers together on his desk. “Is that what you’re hoping to gain here? The chance to meet celebrities and get your foot in the door?”

Roslyn opened her mouth, but he quickly held up his hand. “I’m not judging,” he added. “I think it’s brilliant.”

“You got me,” she laughed. “I’m always thinking ahead. I figure if I’m going to take the leap into a new kind of market, why not make it a big one? I want to cover a wide variety and when I have my own company, I’ll be well versed in all the things.”

“That’s exactly the type of asset I want on my team,” he told her. “What’s your favorite food?”

Roslyn blinked, then laughed. “Excuse me?”

“Favorite food.”

“Um... I don’t know. I guess sushi. Why?”

“I like to have dinner meetings and I want to make sure I choose something you’ll enjoy.”

He hated most kinds of sushi, but this was New York. Plenty of places served a wide variety that could accommodate both of them. For now, though, he wasn’t quite ready to end this talk and he wasn’t ready to dive right into work, though that’s exactly what he should have been doing.

“Why don’t I show you around,” he said, coming to his feet.

Craig would’ve normally tour new employees, but Nigel had already blocked this morning off because he wanted to do so personally... Now he wished he had let Craig retain that honor.

“There are aspects of this company that you should know from day one,” he continued. “I want you to be comfortable and think of this as your second home for as long as you’re employed here. We’re all friendly and, for the most part, we all get along.”

Roslyn stood and eased her purse back onto her shoulder. “That’s impressive with such a big corporation. I’m excited to be part of something so positive.”

As committed as he was to making sure his staff all worked well together, he wouldn’t settle for anything less, Nigel needed a little more drama and action on the set of Secret Lives. The show couldn’t afford to be all sweetness and niceness all the time. There needed to be a reason for viewers to tune back in, excited to see what would happen next—but right now, he just didn’t have the answers.

He did, however, have a new consultant eager to see the offices and he might just have to take her to the penthouse suite and show her that breathtaking rooftop view. The penthouse was used on occasion for special events with the staff since it had a large boardroom table and full kitchen. But, it also had a private en suite that he would sometimes stay in when his office hours became too long and he just needed to crash.

His job right now was to save his show, and this woman may be one of the most striking and gorgeous consultants he’d ever seen, but he needed her and he wasn’t going to do anything to jeopardize his show...especially by hitting on his newest hire.

“We’ll start with the best part of the entire building.”

Nigel gestured to the lift in the corner.

“Your own private elevator?” she asked, with a half grin. “I’m impressed.”

“There are perks to being the CEO.”

And as the CEO, it was his responsibility to remain 100 percent professional, 100 percent of the time.

He worked with gorgeous women every single day. This shouldn’t have been any different...yet it was.

Two

Sophie wasn’t sure how to deal with her spiral of emotions as she stood next to Nigel in the elevator. She wished she’d known that she’d be working directly with him. She wished she’d known just how potent this powerhouse truly was. And she sure as hell wished she’d known just how her entire body would heat because this was a completely new territory for her.

Granted she didn’t believe anything could’ve fully prepared her for that heavy-lidded stare, the strong jawline, the right amount of expensive cologne and that polished British accent.

Mercy’s sake. She certainly hadn’t counted on how sexy a conversation with a Brit would be. How did any woman in this office get work done? How was she going to get work done? She couldn’t afford to get fired from her faux job because she was too busy fantasizing about the boss.

The man opened his mouth and a slew of inappropriate thoughts filled her head. But that wasn’t why she was here. Though the eye candy certainly didn’t hurt.

A man like Nigel Townshend wasn’t just a panty-dropper, he was a billionaire bad boy with a bit of a reputation. He always had the sexiest women on his arm at award shows and debuts. He’d been known to date some of the hottest supermodels in the industry, but, to her knowledge, he’d never been seen with the same woman twice, which led her to believe he was a player.

And she was the total opposite, considering she’d never been with a man.

What would it be like to be with a bad boy? Maybe that was precisely what she needed. Perhaps she should give herself to a man who knew exactly what he was doing.

Then again, she wasn’t about to announce to a man she just met that she was a virgin. She wasn’t ashamed of the fact, and she certainly wasn’t sorry she’d spent her years building her career and devoting every waking minute to growing herself as a successful businesswoman and YouTube sensation. There was no rule or timeline for sex, and she’d do it when she was damn well ready or when a man intrigued her enough to make her want to.

Unfortunately, her new boss intrigued her way more than he should. She could easily imagine him doing a clean sweep of papers off his desk and ripping her clothes off in a heated moment of passion. The clothes would be utterly ruined, of course, but she wouldn’t mind sacrificing these skinny jeans.

Why were they called skinny jeans anyway when she clearly had curves and wore a size sixteen? If they were supposed to make her feel skinny, then they were failing.

Regardless, she’d much rather think of Nigel finding her irresistible. Maybe late nights would turn into lingering glances or sensual touching. Not that she thought he’d do anything inappropriate...but a girl could fantasize, couldn’t she?

The elevator chimed as the doors slid open. Just in time to pull her from yet another delicious daydream about her new boss.

Good grief. She had enough issues right now. She needed to focus on the job her brothers had trusted her to get done. Getting down and dirty with the CEO of Green Room Media was not quite the angle she’d been thinking of. Besides, she’d promised herself to be back in a week and getting tangled in anything other than her plan would eat up time she didn’t have to spare.

Nigel gestured for her to exit the elevator, and as soon as Sophie stepped out, her breath caught in her throat.

“I had the same reaction when I first saw the view,” he told her, staying right by her side. “I admit, it never gets old. There’s something so timeless, so classy and sexy about the New York City skyline.”

From this rooftop penthouse with a wall of glass windows all around the perimeter, Sophie felt as if she could reach out and touch the sun. She had to agree, there was something sexy about this view. Something almost...powerful, like because you were on top of the world that meant the whole world was yours to command.

Even with the wintery conditions outside, she was surprised by how bright the sky seemed to be from this angle.

Wanting to explore each part of this magnificent space, Sophie took one slow step after another as her eyes raked over the rich masculine leather furniture, the chrome fixtures, the simplicity of the lighting and the breathtaking sights of the city. This was definitely a man’s space.

She told a slight lie when she’d said she was a wannabe city girl. She mostly stayed to the country life, a laidback style that fit with her personality and the way she designed. City life always seemed so noisy and rushed...not just the cars but everything and everyone else, too. She felt that people were too busy doing their own thing to truly listen to others.

Sophie enjoyed people, she loved chatting and getting to know more about them. How else was she supposed to grow and develop her brand? She had to purposely put herself out there, so over the years, she’d just defaulted to a social butterfly.

Hey, that bold move had paid off, hadn’t it? Her YouTube channel ranked in the top ten interior designers of the entire site and she could easily see herself climbing even higher.

“Come closer,” Nigel urged, cupping her elbow and escorting her to the windows. “This is the place I escape to when everything downstairs becomes too much.”

Sophie glanced from the city below to the man at her side. “And here I assumed there wasn’t a thing you couldn’t handle.”

Nigel’s lips quirked. “Don’t give away my secret.”

“Anything you say is safe with me,” she promised. “I’m not here to judge. I’m here to help.”

She wasn’t here to expose him for anything...unless he was involved in some scandal alongside Miranda. And even then, she didn’t want to hurt anyone so she wouldn’t do any harm to Nigel.

But Sophie couldn’t start digging just yet. She had to ease her way in. Day two, she’d put more of a push on the plot since time was of the essence.

“I imagine there’s quite a bit to escape from and many reasons to clear your head.” She focused her attention back to the view. “Even the strongest people need to take a mental health break.”

“The business can be cutthroat at times,” he admitted.

“Too many divas to work with?” she joked, hoping he’d follow her lead.

“The ladies on the show?” he asked, raising his brows. “They’re not terrible. A few can be demanding, but overall, they don’t cause me too much trouble.”

Not what she wanted to hear, but she’d barely gotten started.

Passing the time with Nigel certainly didn’t make her angry.

“So, do you live up here?”

Nigel turned his attention toward her. “Oh, no. I’ve stayed here occasionally after long days of work, but I generally use this to take a break. We’ve had a few in-house gatherings and private showings up here for the show.”

“I don’t want to give the wrong impression,” she began, hoping she sounded stronger than she felt. “I mean, you know you’re an attractive man—”

“People Magazine thinks so.”

Sophie couldn’t help but laugh. “As I was saying, I’m not here for anything other than a great opportunity to learn and be an asset to your team and maybe grow my own skills on the side.”

Nigel lifted one dark thick brow.

“Professional skills,” she corrected, still unable to stop smiling. Oh, he was a naughty guy, and she couldn’t help but like that quality.

“Believe it or not, I need a personal consultant and I take this company very seriously.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets and cocked his head in that sexy, arrogant way. There was no doubt Nigel was a force to be reckoned with. He was known around the world, not just for his charm and good looks, but for the way he’d started a company and grown this reality show with high-class divorcees and launched these ladies to superstardom...including Miranda.

“But since we’re being honest,” he went on. “You obviously have to know you turn heads.”

While she wasn’t vain, she also wasn’t one of those women who feigned being ugly or put herself down in the hopes of gaining compliments. She was also well aware that some men found a plus-size woman unattractive. Those were the men she didn’t have time for in her life.

While it was gratifying to know that he didn’t fall into that category, Sophie didn’t want to get into this topic with Nigel. She couldn’t afford distractions and she certainly couldn’t afford a rumor of the new hire trying to get ahead by flirting, or more, with the boss. Rumors would just draw unwanted attention to her. Miranda couldn’t know Sophie was anywhere near this office.

“Well, now that all of that is out of the way, is the attraction going to be a problem?” she asked, holding his gaze and forcing herself to face this head on. She’d always believed in honesty.

Well, except for her current situation, where she was lying about her name and why she was there. But some things were simply a necessary evil.

“No problem,” he assured her with a crooked grin and that toe-curling accent.

Maybe other people were immune to Nigel and that sultry voice, but she was new here, new to him. She’d have to put up her strongest steel defenses to keep some resolve between them.

“What else should you be showing me?” she asked. “Maybe where my work space is? Or what projects you’d like me to review?”

He stared like he wanted to say something, but she raised her brows, a silent question waiting on him to answer.

“Craig set up an office next to mine,” he told her. “If you’re going to be working with me, then I need you close by. The space is not overly large, but you do have a window.”

“My own office?”

Sophie certainly hadn’t expected that. An office right next to Nigel? This position was better than she’d ever hoped.

Things were lining up almost too well for her. But she had to ignore the pull she felt toward her new boss and concentrate on what she came here to do. She didn’t change her life and her looks just to snag a Brit. Getting the scoop on Miranda was priority number one.

“Does my office come with an elevator?”

Nigel’s lips twitched once again, and she noticed every time he became amused his blue eyes twinkled. So silly to notice such things, but she couldn’t help but study and try to figure out more about him.

“Sure. It’s the one you used to get from the lobby to the reception area.”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “Not what I meant,” she joked.

She turned her attention back to the view. This was certainly a far cry from the Blackwood Ranch and its open skies with fields of green. Still, this was a different kind of beauty with all the steel combined with old structure. Her designer eye took in all the various shapes and colors. The snow seemed beautiful on the buildings and balconies. She wondered what a fresh snow would look like on the busy streets. Probably kids enjoyed playing in it and throwing snowballs.

The wintery white had her thinking about the recent home office she’d decorated in white and soft blues with various pops of green.

“Do you always study your surroundings?”

Nigel’s question pulled her back as he stepped in beside her. Sophie glanced over her shoulder and shrugged.

“Occupational hazard. I love designing and creating, so my mind is always working.”

“You’re perfect for this position,” he stated.

Sophie swelled with pride, but there was a niggle of guilt. She wasn’t here because she wanted to ensure the greater good of Secret Lives. No, she needed to see those precious unedited outtakes with Miranda. Surely there were some that revealed behaviors or hinted at secrets the producers didn’t want the public to see. There had to be something juicy there.

“With this being your first day, I won’t bombard you too much. But tomorrow, you better be ready to work.” Nigel gestured toward the elevator. “What do you say we go check out your office and then I’ll have lunch brought in. Sushi?”

Sophie nodded. “Sounds perfect.”

Nigel shoved his hands in his pockets and stared down at the magnificent skyline. He’d been a complete idiot to bring Roslyn up here earlier. He never fraternized with his staff.

But from the second she’d stepped foot in his office, she’d had a presence about her that had drawn him in. She’d been poised, confident, polished, sophisticated. She’d been witty and that smile had been like a heavy fist to his gut, knocking the air right out of him. She almost seemed too good to be true.

And she had been honest. Brutally so when she’d confronted him about the attraction between them. Part of him was impressed that she’d been so bold, while the other part had secretly wished she would’ve acted on her baser impulses.

Bloody hell. What had gotten into him? He couldn’t act like this, not even in his thoughts. This company was his everything. He’d come to New York wanting to start his own legacy and he had done a damn good job of it. He couldn’t just throw that stellar reputation away because he had the equivalent of a teenage crush. He had to regain control of this situation because Roslyn had been here for one day and he was already second-guessing getting involved with an employee.

He had bigger issues to deal with—like the fact Secret Lives needed a major bump in the rankings.

The cell in his pocket vibrated. There was never downtime where he was concerned, not in his position overseeing the company and not when working with several socialites.

He glanced to the screen and saw Seraphina’s name.

Seraphina Martinez, or Fee to close friends, was one of the ladies on Secret Lives. She had a big lavish lifestyle and a giving heart. There was nothing low-key about her and she was a fan favorite. Especially after she came out with her bestselling cookbook, Not Your Mama’s Cookbook.

Nigel turned from the skyline view as he answered the call.

“Fee,” he greeted. “How are you?”

“I’m good, thank you. Listen, I just wanted you to know I’ve been thinking of your offer and I’m not sure I can accept.”

Not what he wanted to hear. Seraphina had fallen in love with real-life cowboy Clint Rockwell and they were planning their future together...in Texas. When she’s talked about leaving the show, Nigel had tried to entice her into staying in NYC by offering her an impressive package that came with marketing for her cookbook, more airtime and a nice sum of money.

“Now don’t turn me down yet, luv,” he told her. “We can make this work. I was hoping you’d consider a spin-off.”

“A spin-off?” she asked. “Nigel—”

“Just think about it,” he interrupted. “A Southern series showcasing you and Clint in this new chapter of your lives would be something the viewers would love.”

Not to mention maybe that would be the angle he needed to save his show.

Nigel rubbed his forehead and pulled in a deep breath. He hadn’t come this far in his career to allow setbacks to deter him. There was no room to be a failure or even to be mediocre. Staying in the middle of the road in prime-time television might as well be the kiss of death. Another show would come along and bump them right off.

Maybe exploring new territory was something they needed to try. The cast had gone to Texas to Miranda’s ranch for the Christmas episodes that had actually caused a slight uptick on the rating’s scale.

“Clint is everything to me,” Fee went on. “We’re a team now, but I’ll discuss this with him. I’m not sure he wants all the cameras following us around Texas.”

“Just talk to him,” Nigel repeated. “I bet an episode centered around your wedding would be a killer series opener.”

Silence greeted him on the other end and he knew Seraphina well enough to know she was considering this option. His mind rolled from one idea to the next. This could be the key to those ratings he desperately needed to boost.

“I’m just not sure,” she finally stated. “Clint and I really want out of the limelight. We want to start fresh. Those fires that ripped through Royal really put things into perspective for me.”

The fires she referred to had ultimately brought her and Clint closer together, but only after putting them both in a lot of danger. The town really pulled through and continued to rebuild. They’d all been affected in one way or another.

“Think about it,” he told her. “Talk to Clint.”

“I will,” she replied. “I know I still have some time left on my contract—”

“We’ll deal with that later. See what Clint says first and get back to me. Let’s not borrow worries just yet.”

“Thanks, Nigel.”

He disconnected the call and blew out a sigh. His mind circled back to his new consultant and he wondered if she would be able to offer insight to a new project should Fee agree to it. He didn’t want to disclose this new information just yet...but he hoped he could talk Fee and Clint into a spin-off, that may be the answer to his problems.

Also, he wasn’t about to spout highly sensitive inside business secrets to a brand-new hire. He missed his assistant right now. Merryl always knew what to do or the right things to say, but she was out with her new baby.

But even if the spin-off happened, and became a real success, Nigel wasn’t ready to give up on saving Secret Lives. It was the main show he’d started all on his own once he rose to CEO at Green Media Room. He’d come to New York to do something grand, not having anything to do with the Townshend name. Secret Lives was what he had to show for all those years of hard work. It was his baby and he would do everything to see it thrive.

With as sharp and witty as Roslyn was, and with her impressive résumé on design, he knew she had a brilliant mind. He planned on putting that to use and making sure his show remained on the air.

Could she be the miracle he’d been waiting on? Was she even capable of doing what he’d been unable to do himself?

He didn’t have all the answers, but he knew one thing for certain... He was going to get more time with Roslyn and he couldn’t wait.

Three

Sophie had been surprised when she’d gotten to her office the next morning and there had been no sign of Nigel. Craig had said something about an emergency and had given Sophie a list of things to read up on for now. Later, she was to sit in on a meeting with a few of the crew members from the show.

Perfect. A meeting was just the type of jumpstart she needed. No doubt the team would discuss the cast members and Sophie intended to take detailed mental notes on Miranda.

A couple hours later, there was still no sign of Nigel, and Sophie had to admit, she’d found herself thinking about him while she’d been reading the materials in preparation for the meeting.

The only way she could let Nigel in her mind, in her life, would be as a stepping stone to carry out her plan.

Unfortunately, she hadn’t expected these newfound responses. No man had ever heated her the way Nigel did. She’d never found herself wanting to throw away her innocence so fast, but Nigel pulled out a whole host of sensations she’d never known existed within her.

Maybe it was the bad boy power trip, or maybe it was the way he’d looked at her like he was imagining her naked. Maybe it was the way he could banter with her like they’d known each other for years.

Regardless, she’d never had an intimate relationship, let alone a fling. That was the main reason she’d had to be completely honest yesterday. She didn’t want Nigel to believe she was here for him or give him the wrong impression of her true nature.

Well, her sexual true nature.

If she’d met him under different circumstances—where she wasn’t lying to him, where she’d have had the time to actually get to know him—she might see where this attraction would lead.

But the fantasy was moot and she had to remain focused.

Sophie grabbed the documents and her cell off her desk and stepped from her office. The notes on marketing and upcoming filming ideas regarding Secret Lives had been interesting from a viewer standpoint...if she bothered tuning into the popular reality show. And she actually might religiously watch the show if Miranda weren’t on there. The other ladies were in fact really interesting.

Sophie had watched a couple of times, but just the sight of Miranda acting all sweet and kissing cheeks with her bling sparkling in the lights was enough to make Sophie gag and change the channel.

The meeting room was down two floors and Sophie made her way into the elevator with a few other employees she didn’t know. They chattered about office gossip, none of which was useful to her.

When Sophie stepped into the meeting room, she found a seat at the end of the long table and smiled at the young man next to her.

“You’re new,” he said. “I’m Miles.”

Sophie nodded. “Roslyn. Nice to meet you.”

“These meetings are so silly,” he muttered as he leaned into her. “Any of this information could be sent in an email, but Mr. Townshend is really cracking down. He’s actually been on edge more lately. The ratings have dipped lower than ever.”

Sophie kept quiet as Nigel entered the boardroom. His baby blues swept over the handful of employees before landing on her. A thrill shot through her and she had no idea how the man exuded such power in a room full of people and with just one simple look.

“I gather you all read the marketing notes,” he began as he took a seat at the head of the table. “We’re taking a new approach to the social media aspect and I want to make sure we’re all on the same page.”

Sophie listened intently as they went around discussing the new segments and how to best maximize the social media content. She watched as Nigel seemed to take to heart each employee’s suggestions and she had to admire a man who didn’t pawn staff meetings off on other employees or use them as a platform to spout his own ideas without listening to anyone else. He didn’t patronize any of his crew members or make them feel like their ideas weren’t worthy or of value. That spoke volumes for what he was like as a CEO.

Sophie also wanted to chime in along with everyone else and tell them they were going about this completely wrong. From personal experience, she knew what pulled people in and she knew how to dive into a certain market to really target the niche market.

Added to that, consulting was also about listening to all of the facts before offering up her opinion or suggestions. She was new and didn’t want to step on toes on her second day, so she chose to just remain silent.

Sophie did take down notes on things she would like to discuss with Nigel in private. She’d recommend different angles on their current marketing plans. After all, she hadn’t blown up on YouTube for nothing. She liked to think she’d done a few things right and knew how to grab the public’s attention. Of course it didn’t hurt she excelled at her career choice, but she’d had to market herself and become a brand to get that initial attention.

Her eyes darted back to Nigel and...

Speaking of attention. He stared at her in a way no man ever had before—like he wanted more than her thoughts. And in a room full of people.

Someone else started speaking, but Sophie didn’t hear what they said. Nigel broke the spell by glancing away, but Sophie couldn’t quite focus for the rest of the meeting.

Once they concluded, she gathered her things and headed back to her office. That meeting hadn’t produced anything she could use to further her plan. In fact, very little was said about the show’s stars at all. When filming was mentioned, it was mostly locations being brought up for upcoming shots and how they would be marketing the show by implementing new ideas.

So, since there was nothing she could do right now to dig into Miranda’s dirty secrets, she decided to stay in the marketing headspace and pull together some ideas and suggestions for the show. Sure, she wouldn’t be staying long, but it would still look suspicious if she didn’t have any work to show for her time on the clock. She couldn’t just ignore the fact Nigel believed her to be legit. So long as she kept up this charade, she could possibly find everything she needed.

Sophie had a spreadsheet she’d used when first getting started on YouTube—basically the dos and don’ts and what worked and didn’t work when it came to brand promotion. The marketing field was like a strategic game and if the players didn’t know what move to make next, the entire plan could be for naught.

She realized there was an entire team here, but Nigel had wanted fresh eyes and that’s where she came in.

The moment Sophie stepped inside her office and circled her desk, she glanced toward the doorway and let out a yelp.

“I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Nigel leaned against the doorjamb, his arms crossed over his broad chest. His hair was just a bit mussed, as if he’d raked his hands through it after the meeting.

Clearly she’d been so focused on her own thoughts, she’d missed the fact he’d practically been right behind her when she’d come in.

“No, it’s fine,” she replied, laying her things down. “I’m actually glad you’re here.”

“Is that right?”

“I have some things I want to run by you regarding a few marketing suggestions,” she replied, ignoring the way he just stood there, staring, like he’d rather be doing anything else than talking about work.

“Why didn’t you voice your thoughts during the meeting?” he asked, his brows instantly furrowed.

“Well, my job is to listen to all of the material before tendering my opinion,” she informed him. “Plus, it’s my second day and I wasn’t sure your employees wanted to hear that I think most of their ideas are wrong.”

Nigel studied her for a moment before he let out a bark of laughter and dropped his arms. “I do appreciate all of this honesty you provide. But, if we’re going to talk, I say we should do so over lunch. Meet me in the penthouse in thirty minutes.”

“I need about forty-five,” she stated. “Trust me. I’ve got something to share with you.”

He stared at her for another minute. Sophie didn’t miss the crackle of tension. Even if she was here as a ruse, she had to be up front because she’d never been good at hiding her feelings. There was only so much lying she could handle.

“Listen,” she started. “The attraction here is...”

Nigel quirked a brow. “Yes, it is,” he agreed with a smile. “But, I would never get involved with an employee. I’m strict about that. Especially now when my sole focus needs to be on the show.”

Sophie nodded. “Okay, good. Because I didn’t come here for a fling or anything else. I just can’t stand tension and I had to talk about the proverbial elephant.”

“I appreciate your bold honesty.”

With a shrug, Sophie sighed. “It can put off some people.”

“Men?”

She nodded.

“Then they’re fools.”

There it went again...that crackling tension. She waited on him to say more, but he wouldn’t. He’d already made it clear he didn’t socialize with employees. Too bad he didn’t know she wasn’t a legit staff member. Though he probably wouldn’t be too thrilled with her if he knew why she was really there. Maybe it was better this way. They couldn’t be together, but at least she knew he wanted to be.

“I’ll see you upstairs in forty-five minutes,” she told him, needing to shut this moment down.

Nigel offered her a grin and nod, then he turned and was gone. Sophie blew out a breath the moment he stepped away from her office. Revisiting the attraction issue wasn’t going to get either of them anywhere they needed to be. She had to remain focused and so did he. They both had outside issues that needed their full attention...though he didn’t realize that.

And had she seriously considered getting into something—a fling—with her fake boss? Sophie was either sleep deprived or else she had completely lost her self-control when it came to Nigel because she’d gone this whole time without giving herself to a man. Was she really ready to jump into it all because of a sexy accent and some sexy stares?

No, she wouldn’t lose sight of why she was here. Her job was to find what she needed to secure her and her brothers’ family legacy. Nothing more.

If maintaining her cover meant that her business ideas helped Nigel and she assisted in making any part of his team stronger, that would just be extra.

Sophie figured by the end of this charade everyone would win.

Nigel was still smiling when Roslyn arrived at the penthouse suite. He should’ve kept this meeting in his office, all professional, but that was not what had come out of his mouth, so here they were.

The woman was quite intriguing. He didn’t know her well, but everything he’d uncovered so far seemed so fascinating. The fact she’d basically called his staff incompetent both irked and amused him. He couldn’t wait to see what she thought she knew that could beat the carefully crafted plans from the well-educated, experienced team he’d personally vetted for these positions.