7. Strike One

"Someone's excited this morning." Ella turned towards Alex who had the worst look on her face for someone who'd just woken up.

"And someone had a late night." She replied pouring a cup of coffee for her clearly hungover best friend.

Alex groaned accepting the warm cup with an appreciative moan. "You're a lifesaver, babe. I honestly don't know what I'd do without you." She sipped from the cup and tossed her messy bed hair back sighing deeply. "Oh, this is good." She took a seat by the island where Ella was making a simple sandwich. "So," she smiled brightly. "how was your first day. I got in late so I didn't get to ask."

A bright smile lit up Ella's face at the memory of the previous day, the tour, understanding what her job entails, and... the smile slid off her face at the thought of the Boogeyman, who also happened to be her boss.

"Babe, your face went from birthday surprise to funeral so fast I think you gave me whiplash." Alex placed her mug on the island and watched her. "What happened?"

Taking a deep breath to brace herself she explained the wild turn of events of the previous day. How she'd thought she would be working for a lady only for it to turn out to be a sexist arrogant yet beautiful asshole who she'd also verbally assaulted at the airport.

When she was done with the whole story, Alex had a stunned look on her face. "Well damn, sweetie. I wasn't expecting that. I mean, the entire thought of it is just..." She paused and bit her lip, something she always did when she was trying to hold back her laughter. Seeming to lose control she let the laughter flow, slapping the island as she clutched her stomach in her fits of laughter. "Oh my God, Els! That's got to be a movie show or something. Shit like that doesn't happen in real life, does it?"

Ella shook her head not finding the situation funny at all but resisting commenting so as not to ruin Alex's fun. After what seemed like hours, her laughter finally slowed down and she sighed. "Damn, babe, I'm honestly really at a lost here."

Ella sighed and turned wrapped the sandwich in a to-go bag. "Any sort of advice would suffice. I can't wrap my head around it. I couldn't even sleep a wink last night because of how unsettled I was."

Alex at least had the decency to look pitiful now. "My advice, babe, just try to stay out of the man's way. Whatever he wants you to get it for him and retreat to your shell. He sounds like a piece of work, a piece of work who wants to rile you up." She got up and patted her shoulder. "Don't let him."

×

Ella exited the elevator, straightening her skirt. She'd decided on a black version of the blouse she'd worn the previous day with a grey calf-length skirt. She'd braided her hair to the side letting the dark, full mass fall to her waist. She'd been meaning to get a haircut but between moving and starting the job here, it had escaped her mind.

Much to Alex's disappointment, she had opted out on any sort of make up applying her simple lip balm and nothing else. She had a pair of black ballet flats on because she wasn't going to risk wearing heels and falling on her face.

She watched the elevator doors close and let out a shaky breath. "You can do this." She whispered to herself.

Mentally ready she made her way down the hallway to the office she'd been in the previous day only to be stopped by Amelia.

She turned to face the perspiring blonde go was dressed in a cream-colored pantsuit, her straight blonde hair let down. She looked stunning.

"Good morning, Ms. Hart." She said with a smile on her face.

Ella smiled back. "Just Ella, all my friends call me Ella."

Amelia smiled brighter at this. "Well, all my friends call me Amy." She gestured for her to follow as they walked down the opposite side of the hallway. "You've been relocated to a different office. Mr. Blaq concluded that the other one didn't suit his taste."

Ella nearly scoffed. The man was presumptuous, wasn't he? The office was remarkable, stunning even. But somehow it didn't meet his taste. It made her wonder exactly what his taste was.

They reached a different elevator, this one with metallic black doors.

"This leads directly to the chairman's office. There's an elevator downstairs that leads to it, but you need a verification code." She swiped her card on a card reader and the doors opened. "A code you'll get from Mr. Blaq." They got in the elevator and Amy put the card in her pocket and continued. "Only the two of you have access to this part of the building, when Mr. Blaq has guest, you will meet them downstairs and lead them here."

Ella nodded taking everything in. It all sounded like a lot of responsibility. She hoped she could take it. "What if any other member of the staff wants to reach him?"

Amy nodded. "There's an intercom that is connected directly to your office. When they've started their purpose you can let them up. There's a control center there just for you and the elevator." She added cheekily.

Ella smiled then thought about it. "Why this much security?"

Amy shrugged. "It's not security, more of a need for privacy. Mr. Blaq is a very private man and he doesn't like disorderliness."

She nodded again feeling like she should be taking notes. The doors opened and they stepped out into a dimly lit hallway. Amy led her to a door by the right. "This is your office, which you'll have the pleasure of seeing after meeting with the boss. He's been expecting you."

They walked on, down the corridor to another double oak door. Amelia swiped her keyboard again and a soft beep was heard. She pushed the door open and they both walked in.

When she saw the room, however, her jaw dropped.

Grey walls, a large glass table in front of the ceiling to floor windows overlooking the most beautiful view she was very sure could be seen.

Different antiques were settled on platforms in different parts of the room. A shelf by the left side corner with so many books on them, a flat-screen tv on the wall. And the center of attraction, a large painting of different hues which added a sense of life to the otherwise dull coloring of the room. Too busy picking her jaw up the floor, she didn't notice Kaiden quick enough until she heard him speaking on the phone.

He was standing in front of the window, a phone pressed to his ear as he spoke in rapid Italian to whoever was on the other side of the phone. His blazer was unbuttoned as he spoke, clearly frustrated with whoever was on the other line.

It didn't show in his voice though. He didn't yell, but the quiet vibrating tone was unmistakably one of anger. He took a deep breath and turned around. And for the second time in less than a minute, Ella had trouble picking her jaw off the floor.

The man was completely irresistible. Dressed in a dark suit that complimented his eyes and hair, which he had run his fingers through. His blazer had not only been unbuttoned, but his tie loosened and the first two buttons of his shirt unbuttoned. Ella felt warmth gather between her legs and clenched her thighs tightly.

He nodded at Amy dismissing her with a wave of his hands. Once again the blonde-haired beauty offered a thumbs up as she exited the office with the speed of lightning. He gestured with a crook of his fingers for Ella to come closer.

She swallowed and moved trying to keep her eyes anywhere else but his exposed chest.

After what felt like year's he finally got off the phone and grabbed a few files from the messy table.

"You're late."

Ella blinked out of her reverie at his words. She looked at her watch. "I'm early. It's ten minutes to nine."

Without looking up from sorting the files he replied with a brooding voice. "Exactly. Fifty minutes late. You're to be here eight A.M every day. Not a second later." He stopped sorting the files and fixed his eagle gaze on her. "Understood?"

She nodded and he went back to sorting the files. "Did Ms. Stacy explain everything to you?"

Once again all Ella could do was nod. Maiden stopped sorting and lifted his gaze to her arching an eyebrow. "Did you lose your tongue, Ms. Hart?"

Shaking her head slightly she shook her head and his eyebrow arched higher. She cleared her throat. "No, Mr. Blaq."

He nodded seemingly pleased with her answer. "It's Kaiden. Since we're going to be working more closely, I'd prefer it if you used my first name, I'll be using yours. We need to be comfortable around each other to ensure that healthy work relationship you want so much."

Ella nearly rolled her eyes at his condescending tone, but she bit back her response and replied. "Yes, Kaiden." His hands froze on a file and he raised his head to look at her. His pupils had dilated and a muscle in his jaw ticked. Ella frowned. "Should I not have said it so soon?"

He took a second and Ella saw his eyes twitch before his hand repeated the same motion. He dropped the file with a low curse and lowered his head. "Your first errand of the day. I need coffee." He turned away from her and walked to the window. "The hallway, there's a door to your left," he took a breath. "It's a mini cafeteria. You'll find all you need there."

Ella nodded and shuffled out of the room as fast as she could, anything to leave the tense atmosphere behind.

She found the door he was talking about and opened it.

Oh wow.

Did he say mini? The mini cafeteria was the size of her apartment. With a few very expensive looking chairs and impressive decor of the room, the cafeteria looked like a mini five-star restaurant.

She found the coffee shelf quickly and stood starting at the different options to choose from. Deciding not to waste any time, she grabbed the first one she saw and started brewing the coffee slowly losing track of time.

When she was done, she grabbed the mug and hurried back to the office, pushing the door open, her eyes widened as she almost bumped into Kaiden. Fortunately, his reflexes were fast enough and he avoided her clashing with him, but she missed her footing, and just when she was sure her face was going to meet the floor very soon, she felt a hand grab her by the waist pulling her closer to a strong body. Out of shock, she let the coffee mug fall, and the glass shattered on the floor. Kaiden pulled her closer to his body their eyes meeting. Ella wide-eyed with a racing heart could only look refusing to admit to herself how good it felt to be this close with him.

They stayed like that for what seemed to be hours, his hand tight around her waist, her hand on his chest.

She felt even more warmth gather between her legs from the burn of his intense gaze as his eyes scanned her face something akin to surprise flashing in them. Ella watched him closely, realizing he looked familiar. But when she got closer to look at him, Kaiden cleared his throat and the moment was broken.

He set her back on her feet, his hand still on her waist holding her close. He leaned closer to her ear and lingered there. Ella felt throbbing in her most intimate parts as his breath fanned her ear.

She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent. Masculinity, and mint. She swallowed her heart racing wildly.

Her hand on his chest tightened around his shirt and he pulled her closer.

Her heart was beating wildly unknowing what to expect.

Voice low, sending shivers through every fiber of her being he spoke.

"Strike one."

Ella's eyes flew open in shock just as he let her go gently and walked away. She could have sworn she saw him smirk.

She stood there, at the doorway, skin still tinkling and heart still racing.

What the hell?