The CEO’s Forbidden Muse

How did I go from flying across the country to surprise my boyfriend to waking up beside a complete stranger? That was the question I couldn't stop asking myself. Unfortunately, I didn't have an answer. Twenty-four hours earlier, my biggest problem had been deciding what James's reaction would be when he saw me standing at his door. I had imagined the smile on his face. The shock. Maybe even the way he'd pull me into his arms and complain that I should have told him I was coming. Instead, I had been the one left speechless. But that came later. At the airport, I was still ridiculously happy. My phone buzzed. Rosie: Have you seen your new boss? I heard he's hot as hell. I smiled. Me: Rosie! You know I'd never date my boss. I want things to be simple. Rosie: Right. Because your life is famous for being simple. I rolled my eyes. Me: Besides, I have a boyfriend. Remember? Rosie: Oh, right. The reason for your existence. I laughed under my breath. James and I had been together for three years. We met during my first week working as an assistant fashion merchandiser at Noir et Blanc's London branch. He was charming, ambitious, and, at least back then, made me feel like I'd finally found someone who understood me. A year ago, he was transferred to the Los Angeles branch. I stayed in London. It hadn't been easy, but we'd promised each other that the distance wouldn't last forever. So when a position opened in LA a few weeks ago, I applied for the transfer immediately. Not just because of my career. Because of James. Rosie: Are you sure he's going to appreciate the surprise? Me: Of course. We've been talking about living in the same city again for months. Rosie: Ivy, you've barely heard from him lately. I frowned at the screen. Me: He's busy. Rosie: Late-night meetings? Me: He works hard. Rosie: And you believe him? I hesitated before typing. Me: He's never given me a reason not to trust him. I believed those words when I sent them. I wish I hadn't. "Passengers traveling on Flight A09 to Los Angeles, please proceed to the boarding gate." I grabbed my bag. Me: I've got to go. I'll text you when I land. I had no idea that flight would take me into a completely different life. Los Angeles was warmer than I expected. I stood outside James's apartment with my suitcase beside me, trying to contain my excitement. "Okay," I whispered. "Surprise time." I knocked. Nothing. I tried again. Still nothing. Then I noticed the door wasn't completely closed. My smile faded slightly. "James?" I pushed it open. The apartment was quiet. I stepped inside and called his name again. That's when I heard a woman's laugh. My stomach tightened. I followed the sound toward the bedroom. The door was open. And there he was. James. Kissing another woman. For a few seconds, I couldn't move. I couldn't even breathe. Then he pulled away and stared at me. "Ivy?" I looked between him and the woman beside him. "What's going on?" Instead of looking ashamed, he looked irritated. "Why are you here?" I actually laughed. "You've got to be kidding me." "I asked you a question." "I came to surprise you." His expression hardened. "You should have told me you were coming." I stared at him. "That's what you're worried about?" He sighed. "What do you want me to do? Fall on my knees and beg?" My eyes burned. "Maybe apologize?" "I'm not going to apologize for something that was going to happen eventually." The words hit me harder than the betrayal itself. "Eventually?" He shrugged. "You've changed, Ivy." I swallowed. "How?" "You're weak. Needy. Always asking questions. Always wanting to know where I am." "So you cheated on me because I wanted my boyfriend to act like my boyfriend?" "Don't make this about me." I stared at him in disbelief. Then I took a slow breath. "You know what? We're done." He didn't stop me. He didn't even look worried. "Fine." I grabbed my suitcase. As I walked toward the door, his voice followed me. "Everything you have, Ivy, you owe to me. Your job. Your career. Your life here. Without me, you're nothing." I stopped for half a second. Then I walked out. I refused to let him see me cry. He'd already taken enough. Two days later, I was still hiding inside my Airbnb when someone knocked on the door. I opened it and nearly groaned. "Rosie." She grinned. "Surprise!" "What are you doing here?" "Saving you." She walked inside carrying shopping bags. "You've spent two days watching terrible TV shows and eating like someone who's preparing for hibernation." "I've been processing." "You've been moping." I couldn't argue with that. She sat beside me. "James cheated. That's his failure, not yours." I looked down. "I really thought he was the one." "I know." I took a shaky breath. "But I'm starting to realize something. Maybe losing him isn't the worst thing that could have happened to me." "Exactly." She suddenly stood. "Which is why we're going shopping." I laughed. "For what?" "Your first day at work." She pointed at me. "You're going to walk into Noir et Blanc looking so good that James won't recognize the woman he thought he could break." For the first time in days, I smiled. "You're impossible." "And you're coming out with me tonight." A few hours later, we were sitting at a bar, celebrating my fresh start. I was halfway through my cocktail when Rosie leaned closer. "See that guy?" I followed her gaze. And immediately understood why she'd pointed him out. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and ridiculously attractive. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and his sharp jaw made him look like someone who knew exactly how much attention he attracted. He wasn't smiling. He didn't need to. Girls kept glancing in his direction, but he seemed completely uninterested. "Go talk to him," Rosie whispered. I laughed. "Absolutely not." "Scared?" I narrowed my eyes. "I'm not scared." "Then prove it." I stood. Two seconds later, I regretted everything. I lost my balance. My drink flew out of my hand. And before I could hit the floor, strong arms caught me around the waist. I looked up. Straight into the stranger's eyes. His gaze dropped to his shirt. A huge stain covered the front. "Oh, my God." His lips twitched. "Interesting introduction." "I'm so sorry. I'll buy you another drink." "You could." I blinked. "Really?" "But this time, try to keep it in the glass." I laughed despite myself. "I'm Ivy." "Ethan." His voice was deep and calm. We ended up talking. Then drinking. Then dancing. I told him about James. He listened without judging me. When he asked whether I still loved my ex, I surprised myself with my answer. "No. I think I just loved who I thought he was." Ethan studied me. "Then maybe tonight is worth celebrating." For the first time since arriving in LA, I felt free. We danced until my feet hurt. We laughed until my cheeks ached. And then everything became a blur. The next morning, I woke up with a pounding headache. I rolled over. And froze. A man's arm was lying beside me. My heart stopped. Slowly, I turned my head. Ethan. The stranger from the bar. My eyes widened. "What the hell?" I scrambled out of bed, grabbed my things, and left before he woke up. I didn't even leave my number. I didn't know what had happened between us. And honestly, I wasn't sure I wanted to know. By the time I reached my Airbnb, Rosie was already waiting. Her eyes widened when she saw me. "What happened?" "I don't know." "You don't know?" "The last thing I remember was dancing." She stared at me. "Did you sleep with him?" "I have no idea!" Her mouth fell open. I grabbed my bag. "Forget it. I'm going to work." I checked the time. My stomach dropped. "Oh, no. I'm late." By the time I reached Noir et Blanc, I was already rushing through the entrance. I barely had time to greet anyone before I saw James. He stopped when he saw me. "Ivy?" I gave him a small smile. "Surprise. I work here now." His face went pale. Before he could respond, everyone around us suddenly became quiet. A woman hurried past me. "Everyone, get ready. Mr. Stone is coming." I frowned. "Mr. Stone?" Daisy, the CEO's assistant, glanced at me. "Our CEO." I turned toward the entrance. The doors opened. A man walked into the office. Dark hair. Sharp jaw. Broad shoulders. Those unmistakable eyes. My heart slammed against my ribs. No. It couldn't be. But then his gaze found mine. He stopped. So did I. Recognition flashed across his face. Ethan. The man I had woken up beside that morning. The man I had desperately hoped I would never see again. Was my boss. And judging by the way he was staring at me… he remembered everything.