Unexpected Surprise

by Brooks, Sarah J.

  I looked at him, tears welling in my eyes, “I hope one day you find a heart, Chris. You desperately need one.” I walked out the door, grabbed my coat from my desk, and darted to my car.

  I sat in the parking structure and cried for two hours. I didn’t really care that I’d lost my job. I was going to leave in a couple of months anyway. I was crying because, as vile as his words were, they hit home. I had let myself down. I allowed myself to get pregnant on a one-night stand by a man I didn’t even know and had no way of finding. He could’ve found me if he wanted because he knew I worked for Chris. He could’ve hunted me down but didn’t, so I was on my own.

  I’d suspected Arianna’s father was Dragon Kensington, the son of the famous Dirk Kensington. He was the lead in the Dark One movie and was currently filming the sequel. I watched the Dark One several times, and he did have a familiar air about him, but no tattoo on his hand. He may have gotten it after shooting the first movie, who knew. I watched the film over and over again because he reminded me of my dark prince and our incredible night together. If he was Arianna’s father, I vowed he’d never know. I’d carry my secret to the grave. He clearly didn’t want me, and so I was going to manage on my own. I had a village and an amazing child… I didn’t need anything else. This was what I told myself every day. I said it to myself so often, I almost believed it.

  I had Jen from HR let me into the office early the next morning, so I could pack up my things. I told her every single word that Chris had said. While I was a temp, and he had every right to fire me, they did have on record some of the things he had done. She told me they were criminal. All I had to do was press charges. She couldn’t because they had cameras in the building, but not in his office, per his orders. Without her to testify, it would only be hearsay. Jen was the human resources manager for Chris’ company; she couldn’t demand that I press charges against Chris, but her pained expression begged that I would.

  I was just so overwhelmed with everything that mounting an ugly lawsuit against Chris just seemed wrong. I was happy to be free, and that’s all I cared about. Jen gave me a good maternity package, and I was happy. They made sure I was able to stay with the baby for a little while without having to look for work.

  Everything was in place; all I needed was a job. I remained friends with Jen after I left Chris’ company. So she had requested that I call her when I started looking for work, and she told me about an opening at an incredible independent production house.

  Jen explained the job was being an assistant for a man who had a reputation of being devastatingly handsome but could be a hard ass. He’d had his fair share of women but was an exceptionally ethical guy. While I was nervous about entering another assistant job with another controlling man, I trusted Jen, who assured me if I got the job, things would be different.

  Chapter 9

  Sinclair

  I was so tired of interviewing people. Most of the candidates I saw were well-qualified. Any one of them could’ve filled the executive assistant role just fine. In fact, many of the people I’d interviewed were career assistants. Some were even more efficient than I was. However, despite the quality of the people who interviewed for my assistant position, I was having a hard time finding the right one.

  My last assistant was good, gorgeous, and had just booked a reoccurring role on a television series. She deserved it, and I was happy to see her move on to do something she loved and was better suited for. I was happy the job was a launching pad for a person’s career. Some wanted to be assistants for life; those weren’t the kind of people I wanted working for me. I wanted hungry go-getters who would happily work their asses off to launch their careers. I grew bored with people relatively quickly, and knowing I’d be saddled with someone forever was daunting. I didn’t do commitment… at all. Not even at work.

  Our company was small and cutting edge. I needed someone cool who would fit our image. I was also a hard nut to crack. I demanded perfection, but also creativity and fun. While I could settle for any of the twenty people I’d already seen, none had that winning combination. This was why I dreaded my last interview of the day.

  I wasn’t paying attention when the receptionist brought her into my office. I’d busied myself reading the second draft of a movie we’d likely pass on, doing everything in my power to avoid sitting through one more interview. I was seriously considering just having my brother Sage come in and choose the person for me. I was struggling that hard with it.

  “Your three o’clock is here,” the sweet receptionist said as she opened the door and let the young woman into my office.

  I would have hired the receptionist if she hadn’t specifically asked me not to interview her for the job. She wanted something low key as she was in her last year of college and was doing an intense independent study. She didn’t even like production… that was something I could hardly imagine.

  “I can’t handle you and independent study,” she told me. “I’d explode. Besides, I want to be in finance. Creatives give me the heebeejeebees.”

  I probably should’ve been offended, but I wasn’t. I knew what she meant. There were days where I didn’t even want to handle me or the creatives around the office. When I did finally look up from the script I was reading, the first thing I saw was her beautifully toned legs. My eyes drifted up the rest of her body from her mid-calf length gray wool pencil skirt to her tailored suit jacket. She was a complete and total knockout. Her eyes were a deep dark chocolate color, and her full sensuous lips screamed kiss me. Immediately, flashes of the beautiful masked goddess I had on Halloween night flitted through my mind.

  Her beauty was unmistakable. There was no way on earth I wouldn’t recognize her, even without the mask. I’m glad she didn’t take it off that night, I probably would’ve been a total beast if she had. She’d left an indelible mark; she’d branded my soul. I knew she worked for Christopher Regent, and yet, I didn’t pursue her. She’d left me a note and disappeared. I didn’t want to chase her because I was worried reality wouldn’t be as good as our fantasy. Also, she certainly didn’t need another producer trying to bed her.

  It had been exactly a year and a day since that Halloween night, and instead of forgetting her, I still obsessed over her. I Googled Christopher’s company searching for her, but nothing turned up. There were a few pictures on the internet I thought might be her; however, they were fuzzy and taken from far away. I often thought of just calling him as we were supposed to discuss some of my projects. Given how Halloween night unfolded, I figured his offer was no longer on the table so, I never called. After spending the night having sex with his assistant, I didn’t want to have anything to do with him. I was pretty sure his offer had soured since he saw me snatch her away.

  The woman standing before me had the same elegance and grace as my masked lover. I wasn’t exactly sure it was her, but I hoped. I’d know if she had the same sharp tongue and quick wit.

  “Come on in and have a seat,” I said standing with my hand outstretched to the chair in front of me.

  “Thank you.” She sat down across from me, her eyes deep pools of chocolate brown.

  My heart raced. I tried swallowing the parched remnants of my suddenly dry mouth. Fuck, she seemed so much like her… and was gorgeous, simply exquisite. I looked down at the resume before me for the first time.

  “Alicia Reyna Sandoval.” Her name seemed long and regal. “Tell me a little about yourself.” I smiled and straightened up in my chair.

  I hadn’t even read her resume. I was so disenchanted with the hiring process I hadn’t bothered to look. However, when she began to speak, every nerve in my body froze.

  “Well, as far as employment goes, my last job was as Christopher Regent’s assistant.” A shock of electricity jarred me as I recognized her soft sultry voice.

  She smiled innocently, seductively. She wasn’t trying to be alluring, but she was that tempting. Alicia… Reyna… Rey… the goddess’ nickname was Rey.

  “Yes, I see that; howe
ver, you have a gap of a few months?” It was an asshole question for an interviewer to ask, but I wanted to know. Did he fire her? Had he made good on his promise? The timeline didn’t match up… but something seemed off. She worked until March, and now it was almost the end of October.

  “I took some time off to focus on personal stuff. I’m ready to throw myself back into the work world again. Jenna McIntyre, the head of Human Resources at Regent Pictures, suggested this job because you are looking for someone well-rounded and invested in the indie film world… so, I’m your girl.” Her smile brightened, and my balls clenched.

  “Do you go by Alicia?” I asked, almost panting.

  “Um...” she seemed a bit thrown off by my question. “I usually go by Reyna, my middle name. My mom is Alicia, and it got a little weird at home… so… I usually go by my middle name. Everyone just calls me Rey.” Her gaze drifted down to the tattoo on my hand, and her eyes widened as her breathing became shallow. “Sinclair… Sin?” she whispered.

  I knew then and there it was her. My masked goddess, my muse. My body was so tense and sexually charged. I had to just do it… go there and get it out. I couldn’t sit on this.

  “Did he fire you because of that night at the Halloween party? As he threatened he would?” I knew I was taking a risk by asking, but I had to know if it was her.

  She swallowed hard. Her eyes met mine. For a long time, she just stared at me and didn’t say anything. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

  “No.” I think she was too shocked to say anymore.

  I tried not to pounce, but it was her! “I wanted to find you.”

  “I um… I thought you didn’t.” Her lower lip quivered, and the color drained from her face.

  “You’re probably overqualified for the job.” I laughed, trying to ease the tension in the room. “I’d hire you in a heartbeat, but…”

  She took a deep breath. “Do you want me to go?” Her eyes glossed over, and she looked like she might cry.

  “No, no… God no. It’s just well…” Words… why were words abandoning me? “Do you want to go?” I had to get my game on, but I was struggling, she had such a crazy effect on me.

  “No. I don’t.” She smiled a small, uncomfortable smile.

  “Do you think we can do this? Work together?” While we were veering back to normal, it was hard for me to stifle the urge to lunge across my desk, grab her, and fuck her on the floor.

  “I think so, maybe. We can try.” She swallowed hard and nearly choked. “I can’t believe it’s you,” she whispered.

  I stood up and walked over to her. “I can’t believe it either, but I’m glad it is.” I extended my hand to her, and she took it as I lifted her out of the chair. “You have the job, my goddess. Would you like me to show you around?” Ah… there I was, back in control.

  “I’d love that.” The glow returned to her face, and I wrapped my arm around her waist as I pulled her into me, grateful I didn’t have a window on the door to my office.

  “I’m going to have a hard time resisting you,” I whispered in her ear. “But I will… I’ll follow your lead. You call the shots. I’m the boss, but our life outside of this office will be governed by what you want. If you want to continue to explore what we started, I’m up for it. If you want to just work for me… I’ll adjust.” I released her and gave her a sincere smile.

  “I think I’d just like a glass of water...” She looked like a deer caught in headlights and was white as a sheet when she suddenly swooned into my arms. I opened the door and called for the receptionist to get us some water, and then lifted Reyna onto the couch.

  “What did you do to her, Sinclair?” The receptionist asked in an accusing manner.

  “Jitters, I guess.” I lied.

  The receptionist fanned her face, and Ken from Molly McGrath’s office next door brought a wet paper towel from the kitchen for her forehead. I was really worried for a moment because she wasn’t coming around.

  “Great, you got to stop barking at people, Sinclair,” the receptionist scolded.

  “I wasn’t barking; I didn’t yell this time.”

  She gave me a disbelieving look. Everyone was just standing around, staring. After about five minutes, Reyna finally came to. I put the water on her lips. She drank it and the color, thankfully, returned to her face. The crisis was over. Everyone, the receptionist, my temporary assistant, Christina, and Ken just lingered.

  “Okay, it looks like she’s okay,” I said as I ushered everyone out. “I can take it from here.”

  “All right then,” I hear Ken remark in a disparaging tone. “I hope you hire that one, she’s a complete knockout.”

  “Apparently.” I made a joke no one got. I focused my attention back to Reyna. “Are you okay?” I asked as I swiped a wet strand of hair from her face.

  Her face was damp and her skin, clammy.

  “I’m okay… thank you,” she whispered.

  Her voice was distant like she’d drifted away and was lost… alone.

  “Are you sure? You just passed out. You sure you feel alright?” I’d never seen anyone pass out before. I had no idea what caused such a phenomenon, but I assumed it was stress.

  “No… I… feel better now. I think… just, it’s you… maybe the shock of it… I’m sorry. I’ll go.” Her face crumbled.

  She looked so broken and tiny. I wanted to scoop her into my arms and love her for the rest of my life. It was a totally ridiculous thought. I was obsessed, but as soon as the obsession wore off, I’m sure my love would too. But I still wanted to try. There was some unseen force driving me… and it was driving me nuts.

  “I still want to hire you, despite this little hiccup,” I said, offering her another sip of water.

  “Really?” she questioned.

  “Of course.” I resisted the urge to kiss her pale lips.

  “Thank you, Mr. Harris.” Her voice was small and tenuous.

  “Woah… Woah. Call me Sinclair. I’m not a Mr. Harris… no, no. Now, I’m very direct. I don’t bullshit or mince words. I know you’ve already suffered a lot with Christopher. I promise I’ll never take advantage of you. We don’t have to revisit that night or even speak of it if you don’t want to. I know how uncomfortable this situation might be.”

  She seemed to shrink when I mentioned Christopher’s name. “It’s okay. I want to be here. I just… I… um… I don’t want to… oh God.” She was struggling so hard.

  “Just say it, Rey, it’s okay… no judgment.” The poor thing was quaking with nerves.

  She wasn’t the confident woman I’d bedded on Halloween… something was very different about her. Was it possible she wasn’t the snarky, sexy girl I’d met? Maybe it was all an act that night or perhaps the mask gave her confidence. Maybe it was doubt, who knew? I decided I didn’t care. The mere thought of seeing her every day was enough to get a triumphant rise out of my cock. Keeping it away from her day in and day out was going to be a challenge, so I fully understood her doubt about what we were getting ourselves into.

  “Well, you’re fully qualified for the position,” I was too eager to say.

  “But… um… we? Are you sure? We don’t ever have to… oh God. It was just a one-night thing, I know. I understand.” She was so nervous; it made me worry about her.

  “It’s okay. I’m happy to hire you. As for the rest, let’s just see what plays out.” I gave her a reassuring smile.

  “Okay.” Her face softened, and she seemed relieved.

  “Can you start work tomorrow?” I wanted to her start that minute, but I knew that wasn’t a reasonable thing to ask.

  “I can,” she answered softly.

  I helped her get her things, called HR to let them know I’d hired my new assistant, and watched her walk out of my office. At the four o’clock meeting I announced I’d hired the woman who passed out in my office, everyone was shocked.

  Chapter 10

  Reyna

  Of all the men in the world, I interview with him
! It had to be him. I had no idea how I was going to pull this off, and I almost called Sinclair and turned down the job. Instead, I decided to just take it one day at a time. I was still so desperately attracted to him, even more now that he wasn’t wearing the mask. He had those amazing green eyes and sandy blond hair and a perfectly chiseled face. He looked like a GQ model and oh so… sexy. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I was such a mess.

  I could see his face in Arianna’s; she had his beautiful eyes. I couldn’t tell him, though. I didn’t want to keep this secret, but I had to. I hoped there was going to be the right time and place to tell him one day, but for now, I was going to focus on work and not letting Sinclair Harris get under my skin. Denial was the best policy… well, it wasn’t, but denial was what I was going with.

  When I got home to see Arianna’s little face, all my worries melted.

  “How was she today, Mrs. Effleman?” I asked as I scooped little Ari into my arms.

  “The sweetest little angel baby ever,” she commented.

  “It looks like I got the job. It might be a lot of long hours. Are you okay with that?” I didn’t want to lose such a great babysitter. I also knew that with the job and all the complications of my boss being Sinclair, the masked stranger, my life was going to get really crazy.

  “Taking care of her is a joy. I’m available whenever you need me. I’m just down the hall. And, if you ever need a night out or a date, maybe even some overnight fun, I’m here.” Her smile was kindly and sweet, but the conversation made me uncomfortable.