My Alpha CEO

The Boss

MARIE

“Come in.”

His deep voice carried through the office door, sending a shiver down my spine. I took a steadying breath, gripping the files tighter as I turned the knob with my free hand and stepped inside.

Sebastian didn’t look up right away, his attention glued to the computer screen. But when he finally did, my breath caught in my throat.

Damn.

How could one man be so devastatingly hot? And in glasses, no less. He looked like the kind of nerd who could make me drop to my knees and worship his body.

“Now who’s the pervert?” My inner voice teased, and I shook my head slightly as if that would help erase the inappropriate thoughts running rampant in my mind.

Focus, Marie.

“I’m here with the files, sir,” I said, keeping my voice polite and professional.

“Drop it and leave,” he said dismissively, barely sparing me a second glance.

The cold tone wasn’t new, and honestly, I preferred it that way. Less time around Sebastian meant fewer chances for my brain to betray me with unholy thoughts. I placed the files neatly on his desk, turned on my heel, and strode back to my office.

Collapsing into my chair, I let out a relieved sigh. “One less thing to deal with.”

I rolled my shoulders and clicked into my emails, determined to push Sebastian and his stupidly attractive self out of my mind.

But, of course, peace was too much to ask for.

The door to my office slammed open with such force that my heart nearly leaped out of my chest.

“What the hell…”

Sebastian stormed in, a deep scowl twisting his features. He looked like a man on a mission, a very angry, very unreasonable mission.

“What is this?” He threw the pile of documents onto my desk, and a few sheets fluttered to the floor.

I blinked up at him, startled. “Excuse me?”

“Is this what I asked for?” His voice was sharp, laced with irritation. “I told you to give a detailed review of each file and rate them based on importance. So what is this trash you did?”

I stared at him, my brain scrambling to process what was happening.

I had done exactly what he asked. Every detail had been perfectly outlined. I even finished ahead of schedule. So why was he acting like I’d handed him a pile of nonsense?

“But, sir,” I said carefully, “I did exactly as you requested.”

His jaw clenched, his nostrils flaring slightly. “I told you already, Marie.” His voice was low, deadly. “I expect perfection in all that you do.”

And then, as if his dramatic entrance hadn’t been enough, he turned on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

I sat frozen for a second, staring at the scattered documents on my desk.

Then I exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Working for Sebastian was going to kill me.

I spent the next forty minutes combing through every page. Double checking all the reviews to make sure everything was right and by the time I was done, I was certain that everything was flawless.

With a steadying breath, I walked back into Sebastian’s office and set the files down in front of him.

He barely spared me a glance, his expression already lined with irritation. “This better be good.”

I said nothing as he flipped open the first file and scanned the page.

His scowl deepened.

Then slam!

The folder smacked against his desk with a force that made me flinch.

“Is this what they taught you in training,” he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain, “or are you just daft? Redo it!”

My pulse pounded in my ears, heat prickling beneath my skin.

I followed every instruction. I had double-checked everything. So what the hell was his problem?

I inhaled sharply, gripping my hands together to keep myself from snapping. “Sir, I don’t understand. I did exactly what was required. If there’s something specific you think is lacking, could you please tell me so I can adjust it to meet your standards?”

His eyes flashed with irritation. “It is your f*****g job to know how to fix it. That’s why my company spent a fortune on you, so fix it!”

“Yes, sir,” I said through clenched teeth.

Snatching up the documents, I turned on my heel and stormed out of his office before I did something unprofessional.

Like throwing the damn files at his arrogant, insufferable face.

By the time I finally stepped into my room, I was done. Completely, utterly drained. Dealing with Sebastian’s temper all day had been a special kind of hell, and I couldn’t have been happier to escape it.

I barely had time to kick off my heels before my bedroom door flew open.

“You called and I’m here! What’s up?”

Bella waltzed in like she owned the place, a smug smile plastered on her face.

“Normal people knock, you know,” I muttered, flopping onto my bed.

She smirked and plopped down beside me. “Whatever. Now spill.”

I groaned, dragging a pillow over my face. “My boss is after my life! It’s only the first day, and I already can’t take it.”

Bella snorted. “Everyone feels that way on their first day. It’ll be better tomorrow.”

I lifted the pillow just enough to glare at her. “No, it won’t. It can only get worse.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Why? Did you screw something up? Have you guys met before?”

I hesitated.

Then, in one breath, I blurted, “We didn’t just meet, we had a one-night stand the day before I started work.”

Bella screamed. A high-pitched, dramatic scream.

“Marie!” She smacked my arm. “Are you kidding me?”

I groaned again, this time into the pillow. “I was drunk! I swear I didn’t know he was my boss. He just came onto me at the bar, and I…” I sighed.

“I couldn’t resist him. One thing led to another, and then we were… you know.”

Her eyes were huge. “So let me get this straight. You hooked up with some random, hot guy at a bar and then showed up the next day, and he was your boss?”

“Exactly.”

Bella cackled. “b***h, you’re living in a soap opera.”

I threw a pillow at her.

She dodged it effortlessly. “Okay, okay. But if you guys hooked up, why the hell is he tormenting you?” She gasped. “Oh my God, is he a virgin?”

That made me snort. “Definitely not.”

“So what’s his problem?”

I huffed, rolling onto my side. “I think he’s punishing me because I refused to sleep with him again.”

Bella blinked. Then she grinned. “So that’s why he’s mad.”

“I don’t know, okay?” I waved a hand. “Maybe he’s just an asshole. Or does he have a fragile ego? Either way, I’m suffering.”

Bella smirked, looking entertained. “You do realize what this means, right?”

I frowned. “What?”

She wiggled her eyebrows. “He wants you. And now, because you turned him down, he’s acting like a toddler throwing a tantrum.”

I groaned again, this time dramatically into the mattress. “Kill me now.”