Chapter One — The InterviewMia had never believed in the kind of love people wrote about in books.She believed in hard work.She believed in making her own decisions.And, most importantly, she believed that rich, powerful men who thought the world belonged to them were best avoided.Unfortunately, on a rainy Monday morning, she met exactly that kind of man.His name was Adrian Blake.He was twenty-eight years old, the youngest CEO of Blake International, a company that seemed to own half the buildings in the city.Newspapers called him brilliant.Business magazines called him ruthless.Employees called him intimidating.Mia decided, within approximately thirty seconds of meeting him, that all three descriptions were probably correct.She stood outside the enormous glass building with a folder pressed against her chest.“Okay,” she whispered to herself. “You can do this.”She had spent months applying for jobs.This position was supposed to be temporary—a junior assistant position in the company's creative department. It wasn't glamorous, but it was a chance to prove herself.She walked through the revolving doors.The lobby was enormous, with marble floors, tall windows, and people moving everywhere with laptops and coffee cups.Mia approached the reception desk.“I'm here for an interview.”The receptionist smiled.“Name?”“Mia Carter.”The receptionist checked the computer.“Mr. Blake is expecting you.”Mia blinked.“Mr. Blake?”“Yes.”“Personally?”The receptionist gave her an amused look.“Apparently.”That wasn't reassuring.Five minutes later, Mia stood outside the CEO's office.She knocked.“Come in.”She opened the door.Adrian Blake was standing beside the window, looking over the city.He wore a dark suit, his sleeves neatly buttoned, and his expression was unreadable.He turned.His eyes met hers.For a moment, neither spoke.Then Adrian looked down at the folder in her hands.“You're late.”Mia glanced at the clock.“I'm two minutes early.”“I don't like people arriving at the last minute.”“I didn't.”“You were still walking toward the office when I checked the time.”Mia stared at him.“I'm sorry. Should I have teleported?”Adrian's eyebrow lifted.Mia immediately regretted speaking.But instead of becoming angry, he almost smiled.Almost.“Sit.”She sat across from his desk.Adrian opened her résumé.“You graduated with excellent marks.”“Thank you.”“You've worked on several school projects.”“Yes.”“You have no professional experience.”“Not yet.”“Why should I hire you?”Mia thought carefully.“Because I learn quickly.”“Everyone says that.”“I don't give up easily.”“Everyone says that too.”Mia leaned back.“Then maybe you should ask me something nobody else would say.”Adrian looked at her.For the first time, his expression changed.“You're confident.”“Sometimes.”“Arrogant?”“No.”“What's the difference?”“Arrogant people think they're always right.”“And confident people?”“They know they can be wrong.”Adrian studied her for several seconds.Then he closed the folder.“You're hired.”Mia froze.“What?”“You start tomorrow.”She stared at him.“That was the interview?”“Yes.”“You asked me three questions.”“Four.”“You didn't ask about my skills.”“I read your résumé.”“You didn't ask about my goals.”“I'll find out.”“You didn't ask why I want this job.”“I don't care.”Mia's mouth fell open.Adrian stood.“You'll learn quickly that this company moves fast.”Mia stood too.“And you'll learn that employees aren't machines.”He looked at her.“Excuse me?”“You heard me.”Silence.Mia picked up her folder.“See you tomorrow, Mr. Blake.”She walked toward the door.“Mia.”She stopped.“Yes?”A faint smile appeared on his face.“Don't be late.”She rolled her eyes.“I won't.”When she left, Adrian remained by the window.For the first time in months, the CEO of Blake International found himself thinking about something other than business.The new employee was going to be trouble.He was certain of it.Chapter Two — The Impossible CEOMia discovered three things during her first week.First, Blake International was much larger than she had imagined.Second, Adrian Blake had absolutely no concept of normal working hours.And third, he was impossible.“Where is the report?”Mia looked up from her computer.“You asked me to finish it by Friday.”“It's Thursday.”“Exactly.”“I need it today.”“You said Friday.”“I changed my mind.”Mia slowly closed her laptop.“You could have told me.”Adrian looked at her.“I just did.”She took a deep breath.“Do you enjoy making everyone's life difficult?”“No.”“Could have fooled me.”His assistant, Daniel, standing nearby, quickly looked away.Mia noticed.“You agree with me, don't you?”Daniel suddenly became fascinated by a nearby plant.“I have no opinion.”Adrian walked away.Mia watched him.“Unbelievable.”Daniel whispered, “Don't take it personally.”“I'm not.”“You are.”“I am.”Daniel smiled.“He's always like this.”“Then someone needs t