THE SECRET BETWEEN US

My hands were sweating. I wiped them against my skirt for what felt like the hundredth time. “Please, God. Let this work.” I looked at the massive building in front of me. BLACKWELL ENTERPRISES. Even the name screamed money. People in expensive suits walked in and out of the glass doors while I stood there looking like I had no business being inside. Which, honestly... I probably didn't. But I needed this job. Desperately. I took a deep breath and walked inside. The receptionist looked up. “Can I help you?” “I'm here for an interview. Aria Bennett.” She typed something into her computer. “Mr. Black's office. Thirty-second floor.” My stomach dropped. Mr. Black? As in Adrian Black? The CEO? I had heard enough about him. Twenty-four. Rich. Cold. And apparently impossible to work for. Perfect. Exactly the kind of boss I needed. I stepped into the elevator. The doors closed. I stared at my reflection. “Just get the job.” The elevator dinged. Thirty-second floor. I walked out. A woman at the front desk pointed toward a black door. “He's waiting.” I swallowed. Then knocked. “Come in.” His voice was deep. Calm. Almost annoyingly confident. I opened the door. And stopped. The man sitting behind the desk slowly looked up. Dark hair. Sharp features. Cold eyes. He stared at me for several seconds. Then glanced at my résumé. “Aria Bennett.” “Yes.” “Sit.” I sat. He continued reading. Not one word. Not even a hello. I shifted uncomfortably. Finally, he looked at me. “You're twenty.” “Yes.” “You have no experience.” “I learn quickly.” “I didn't ask if you learn quickly.” My jaw tightened. “Then why ask me to come here?” His eyebrow lifted. For the first time, I saw something in his expression. Interest. Just for a second. Then it disappeared. “You're confident.” “I prefer honest.” He leaned back in his chair. “And if I tell you that you're not qualified?” I looked straight at him. “Then I'll find another job.” Silence. His eyes stayed on mine. Something about the way he looked at me made my heart beat faster. I hated it. I hated him. And I had known him for less than five minutes. He picked up my résumé again. “You're hired.” I blinked. “What?” “You start Monday.” “That easy?” “No.” He stood. I followed his movement without meaning to. He walked around the desk until he was standing directly in front of me. Much closer than necessary. “You'll find out soon enough.” My heart skipped. He handed me my résumé. “Don't disappoint me, Miss Bennett.” I took it. Our fingers almost touched. Almost. I stepped back. “I won't.” His eyes followed me as I walked toward the door. Just before I opened it— “Aria.” I turned. “Yes?” His expression had changed. He looked serious now. “There's one rule.” I waited. “Never involve yourself in my personal affairs.” I frowned. “I'm your assistant.” “Exactly.” He paused. “And you'll learn very quickly that there's a difference between working for me…” His eyes met mine. “…and knowing me.” I didn't understand what he meant. Not yet. But I would. Sooner than either of us expected.