Bred by the CEO (Breeding Season Book 10) Read online

Chapter Four

  Rose glanced around the board room to make sure she had gotten everything right. Ross had told her that when Darius met with other managers to discuss particular accounts, he liked to do it in the main board room. There was also a list of all attending members Ross had compiled which included allergies, food and drink preferences, and even the correct seating arrangement, which would guarantee the meeting was a success. Ross did his homework on everyone.

  Now that was Rose’s role.

  One final glance around the office, and Rose was more than happy with the setup. The coffee machine was ready, so she quickly rushed back to check the temperature of the coffee.

  “It’s fine, Rose, it is all fine.”

  “Do you make it a habit to talk to yourself?”

  She spun around to find Darius inside the meeting room.

  “Not really, I just wanted to make sure everything was, you know, perfect.”

  For over a week now, they’d been playing this game of discreet flirting. The sexual tension was palpable between them. But there was more, something deeper. Every day they spent together brought them closer on an intellectual level. She enjoyed his company, felt safe and at home around him.

  “This is a necessary business meeting to discuss a very important account. I can’t wait to see what you come up with when we’ve actually got plans to talk to the client.” Darius made his way toward the head of the table, taking a seat.

  She couldn’t look away as he opened his notebook, putting several files to one side, and then jotted down some notes on the book in front of him. He hadn’t gotten to the top by chance. Darius knew what he was doing behind the scenes, and it turned her on. Everything about him, from his confidence to his undeniable sex appeal, drove her crazy.

  “Ross did all the hard work,” she said. “He knows his stuff.”

  “His first time organizing a meeting didn’t go so well. There was a lot of chaos, and he was constantly up and down, trying to appease everyone. I needed him to take notes, and well, he failed miserably. He thought I was going to fire him, but anyone who worked that hard to try to please everyone only needed a short time to get accustomed to the role.”

  “I hope I’m as good as him.”

  “Follow his direction and I don’t see why you won’t be. You’ve already taken plenty of his advice. How did the shopping go?”

  Rose glanced down at her body.

  She hated clothes shopping, but the moment she had gotten a saleswoman and flashed the card with Darius’s name, everything had gone smoothly.

  “It went as well as clothes shopping can go. How do I look?” The suit she wore was ridiculously expensive. She had only purchased three suits, with one pair of shoes. It felt like a crime to spend so much, but he insisted.

  “You look amazing, but I do have some concerns. I checked what you purchased, and it says you only bought a maximum of three suits, which is not what I requested.”

  Rose frowned. Why did he have to look so sexy seated at the head of the table? So in command, dominant, experienced. She had never been attracted to many men before, but Darius wasn’t just any man, he was her boss. This was embarrassing. It would just be her luck to finally fall for a man who was her superior.

  She wasn’t going to act on any attraction she had. It would only backfire.

  In fact, she wasn’t even going to acknowledge that she had an attraction because that would just be ridiculous. Darius didn’t want an inexperienced girl like her as his woman.

  “I, well, you see, I didn’t want to exploit your kindness. I’ve got one to wash, one to wear, and one to change into, in case of emergencies.”

  Darius chuckled. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry, but that is not going to work. My business takes me all over the world, and some meetings can last longer than three days.” He pulled out his cell phone. “What’s on my schedule for tomorrow?”

  “You have a three o’clock with accounting, and a phone consultation with the art department.”

  “Please go and cancel them immediately. Reschedule. We’re going shopping, and I’ll tell you exactly what you need and what for.”

  “You don’t have to do that, sir.”

  “I want to. Ross clearly didn’t give you the memo of how to look the part of my assistant. No worries, he wasn’t happy when I had to do this with him either.”

  “You had to dress Ross?”

  “Yes, I do expect a certain standard from all of my employees. It’s part of the dress code. I do not pay paltry salaries, and I always make sure there is plenty in bonuses as well. As my assistant, though, you do need to have a certain look. The suits you chose are amazing. We’ll go to the same store.”

  The assistant who had finally helped her hadn’t pointed out the obvious, that she was a woman with curves and dressing her was difficult. It was the first time Rose hadn’t felt self-conscious in front of another woman. The lady had been so nice. Anna, she believed her name was. She hoped the woman was working tomorrow.

  Rose didn’t know if she was going to be able to dress or feel comfortable knowing Darius was there. Would he demand to see her clothes?

  Get your head back in the game.

  Rose left the meeting room and immediately went to her desk to cancel and reschedule the appointments. This wasn’t good. What if Darius grew bored of having to double-check everything she did? Shopping wasn’t her strong point. Biting her lip, she finished the call to the art department just as the elevator doors opened.

  Several people stepped off, and Rose put the phone down and rushed toward them, greeting them. It was time to suck up and play her new role.

  “They’re a pack of wolves. Even though you’re the CEO’s assistant, they all look down on you. They don’t see you as anyone important. Most managers seem to think you’re dispensable, and to a certain extent, that is true, but, and this is important, you are the one responsible for keeping a very organized CEO. If your boss is happy, his employees are happy. Do you see what I mean here?”

  Ross’s words came back to her. He didn’t want her to feel small or belittled when others came in. It was all a carefully choreographed dance.

  He’d warned her many times that they would circle and tear her down if they felt she was weaker. He told her to keep her posture upright and never show her fear.

  Squaring her shoulders, she didn’t avoid eye contact.

  Everything was going great until she noticed one of the two women from the elevator. With her hands clenched into fists, she kept the smile on her face, but it wasn’t too bright. Before he left, Ross had told her they needed to practice her game face. Not that she knew what a game face was, but according to him, to survive the vultures, she needed to be ready for it—to smile when she felt like crying or scowling.

  She didn’t know for sure who the woman was, and her badge wasn’t in place at her breast pocket. The only way to know for sure would be to wait until she sat down.

  Everyone looked at her, assessing, likely trying to determine if she was a good fit or if she was easy to bulldoze over.

  This woman though, with her straight blonde hair, sharp eyes, and slender figure, was perfect in every way. Her figure was showcased in a hugging pencil skirt and form-fitting blouse. In comparison, Rose felt out of place. Her suit fit her perfectly, but she made sure nothing showed off her ample bosom and too-rounded hips. She felt frumpy in comparison. A black sheep.

  She couldn’t believe one look from this woman had the ability to tear her down so easily. The memory of her biting words in the elevator cut to the core.

  Rather than show it, she followed behind them as they each took a seat at the table.

  The woman in question was Elizabeth Juke, the head of the finance department.

  Darius had stopped writing, and he had his elbows on the table, fingertips steepled together, watching everything.

  Ross had given strict instructions that the only person she served was Darius. Everyone else was free to get coffee and refreshments as they wishe
d.

  “Thank you all for coming at short notice, as you can see—”

  “Darius, darling, where is Ross? You know we can’t have one of these meetings without him. He knows just what we all need.”

  Rose couldn’t believe she would interrupt the boss just to put in a scathing comment about her. She didn’t have a clue who Elizabeth was, or what she’d done to offend her, but clearly, the woman had an issue with her.

  Heat filled her cheeks, and she glanced down at her notebook. She had taken a seat close to Darius, ready to be there waiting to present him with anything he needed.

  “As you’re aware, Ross is on paternity leave, and won’t be available. However, Miss Juke, if you feel you can no longer pour yourself a coffee and grab yourself a scone, then please send up someone capable of overseeing your position.” Darius stood up. “It’s been brought to my attention that some people in this building seem to think Miss Henshaw has been given the role as my assistant due to some affirmative action. Let me make one thing clear. Miss Henshaw earned the right to be in the role I have given her. She is more than qualified to handle the tasks set out before her, and if you dare to question her position again, you question me, and seeing as I’m the one who is signing your goddamn paychecks, I suggest you squash any kind of talks about my employees. Do I make myself clear?”

  He’d raised his voice at the last part.

  It was the first time anyone had ever stood up for Rose against anyone.

  ****

  Darius thanked Anna for the cup of coffee. Not that he needed another cup. After another four hours of grueling meetings to get the Rancourt account ready in the morning for the final stages of acquirement, he was ready to hit the hard stuff. A nice bottle of scotch was in his future, and very soon.

  Sipping at the coffee in his hand, he was thankful it wasn’t the rancid instant stuff that always left a bitter taste in his mouth. He couldn’t stand that kind of shit. This was nice though.

  Good.

  “I don’t see why I can’t just stick to the suits,” Rose said, sliding the curtain across and stepping out in a gorgeous, red dress. It was rather modest, not fancy. Thick straps, a high square neck molding around her tits, slipping in at the waist, and then wrapping around those amazing hips and thighs.

  His cock began to harden.

  “You look stunning,” Anna said, coming back to them.

  The salesgirl kept reappearing, making it impossible to spend any quality time with his new assistant.

  You shouldn’t be seeking alone time with her.

  “She does. We’ll take this one.”

  “You mentioned evening wear, and I saw this on the shelf. The gold will look amazing on you. Please, try it on,” Anna said, rushing over to Rose.

  He liked her smile.

  Darius had noticed it after he called Elizabeth Juke out on her bullshit. The catty woman was a pain in the ass. So many of her staff complained about her because of her bitchy attitude, but she was a woman who knew how to get the job done. He would have fired her long ago, but her knack for numbers was what kept her in her position. The biggest problem was that she wanted to be by his side, running the company, and that was never going to happen.

  She’d tried to insinuate they’d make an excellent couple, but it had to be the furthest thing from the truth. They wouldn’t make a good couple.

  One, he couldn’t stand her. Two, she was an awful human being. Three, he just didn’t like her, and there was no attraction. The list could go on and on, but he was bored just thinking about her. Rose was only a few feet away, more of a welcome distraction.

  Seconds later, he stared at a beautiful vision. Even with her curls coming out of her bun, the ringlets seeming to have a life of their own, she was breathtaking.

  “I don’t think there’s ever going to be any place for me to wear this.”

  “Yes, there will be,” he said.

  “There is?”

  “I attend charity events and galas often.”

  “Don’t you take a date to those things?”

  “Not all the time. When I need my assistant, I take Ross.” Which was never, but Rose didn’t need to know that.

  Anna came in with a gasp. She clapped her hands. “Amazing. Am I good at my job or what?”

  Rose chuckled. “You’ve been a real lifesaver. Honestly, she was the one who got me the suits beforehand.”

  “In that case, could you please bring us everything you suggest from evening wear and formal dinners to some downtime outfits?” he asked.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  “You don’t need to do this,” Rose said.

  “You’re my assistant. I do.” She was also going to be his woman very soon, but he wasn’t going to tell her that. He was still trying to convince himself it was a bad idea—unsuccessfully.

  “Is image important to you?” Rose asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

  Darius sighed. “No, image is not important to me, but perspective is. We’re in a cutthroat world. Everyone is looking, waiting to pounce on you the moment you look weak. It can be from the way you dress, to how you hold yourself. The media like to circulate lies to sell stories.”

  “And dressing well is all part of the image?”

  “Yes. Some may think it’s shallow, but it works.” He didn’t need to tell her that he had family members who would do anything to see him hurt or to tear down what he’d built.

  He was constantly aware of them looking for a weakness, a way to pull him down. Darius prided himself on being one step ahead of the game, not allowing anyone to get too close.

  Ross understood what was at stake. His previous assistant had the unfortunate task of meeting his parents. It had been ugly, and Ross had vowed to always be loyal to him, to never turn his back. He knew Ross had felt guilty at adopting a brand-new baby, but Darius couldn’t have been happier for him.

  “I don’t think it’s shallow,” she said. “I kind of get it. I’m not the owner of a multi-million-dollar company. I do know what it’s like to feel like everyone is against you though. How they don’t want to see you succeed.”

  He wasn’t going to correct her. He’d gone over the billion-dollar mark a few years ago. It was another reason his parents wanted to see him fail.

  Anna came back with some clothes, and he didn’t get a chance to ask Rose what she meant. Who was against her?

  For the next hour, he made sure to pick the right wardrobe for her. The company wasn’t paying for the expense, he was. He wanted to buy Rose nice things.

  After learning where she lived and the kind of life she’d experienced, he wanted to make it his mission to give her everything she’d only ever dreamed of.

  With all the clothes packaged up, Rose gave them her address and where to deliver them to.

  Once outside on the street, it was dark, and he wasn’t ready to let her go, at least not yet. “It’s late. How about I buy you dinner?” he asked.

  “No, I couldn’t possibly impose on you any more than I already have.”

  “You’re not imposing on me. To be honest, I’d like the company. I … eating alone isn’t exactly what it’s cracked up to be.” He couldn’t believe he was going for the sympathy vote right now.

  “Oh, you don’t have a hot date just waiting for that phone call?” she asked.

  He remembered what she said about being a twenty-nine-year-old virgin. Her untouched body, just waiting to be plucked, to be shown how good it could be between a man and a woman.

  “No, no date. Would you be my date, as a friend, of course?” he asked, breaking all of his rules.

  Rose worked for him. She was off-limits, but he couldn’t deny the attraction he felt for her. He didn’t want to let her go.

  “Then, yes, of course. I don’t know any good places around,” she said.

  Darius had already arranged for a table. He’d done so while she’d been getting changed and Anna had been rounding up the purchases. He always found a way to get what he wa
nted.

  “I know a few places. May I?” He offered her his arm, and Rose hesitated for a few seconds before sliding her hand through the loop.

  He put his fingers on top of hers, securing her by his side. It felt good having her so close.

  Darius wanted so much more.

  The question was, how was he going to get it? Rose was sensitive about her position as his assistant, and if he pushed too hard, she was going to run for it. She didn’t want people to make any assumptions.

  “I love the city at night,” Rose said. “It’s so beautiful, even if it is deceptive.”

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  He loved listening to her speak. She had such a soft voice.

  “Well, darkness hides multiple sins. The streetlights only bring to life the things that are beautiful. They don’t show the darkened alleys, the crime, the homeless trying to survive the night.”

  “Have you been homeless?” he asked.

  “I’ve … I’ve done whatever it takes to try to survive. It’s all we can do.”

  He wanted to know more. “You grew up in the foster system?”

  “Yes.”

  “How was it?”

  She didn’t speak for several seconds. “It was … I don’t know. It was good and bad. It’s where I learned that evil people exist. There’s no one way to answer that question in one night. At least I was able to have a warm bed most nights and some food.”

  Rose didn’t say every night, only most.

  He held her tightly to him as they arrived at the restaurant. Rose didn’t know it yet, but that life was far behind her. He was the one taking care of her now.

  “This is a nice place,” Rose said.

  “You think so?” he asked, taking her jacket and handing it in at the check-in desk. With a hand at her back, he moved them up to the maître d'.

  Rose would be his. He just needed to bide his time.

  Chapter Five

  What did she have going for her?

  Rose glanced around at all the women at the different tables in the restaurant. They looked like they belonged there. A cloth napkin on their laps, a dainty laugh, a wine glass held just so. They were upper class, born into money. Everything from their clothes to their high-end jewelry screamed class and wealth. Rose was a square peg in a place like this, completely standing out—or so she felt.