Chapter 1The CEO's Forbidden Crush

Good news: I hooked up with a total stud, an absolute god in bed.

Even better news: We successfully became friends with benefits.

Bad news: He’s my new boss.

My world is ending.

* * *

“Again.”

The scorching body behind me pressed close, a silent demand.

“Still?” I managed, my brow furrowed.

My mouth said no, but my body was a shameless traitor.

I turned my head and crushed my lips against his.

…

Adrian Thorne and I spent the entire weekend tangled up in each other, day and night a blur of skin and sweat. It wasn't until Sunday evening, with him still looking like a predator who’d gotten a taste of his favorite prey and was hungry for more, that I finally put my foot down.

I scrambled around the chaotic mess of the floor, hunting for my clothes. “No way,” I said, my voice strained. “I have an early meeting tomorrow. I can’t be late.”

I pulled on my pants, adding, “The new boss is starting. I need to make a good first impression.”

He was sprawled on the bed, bare-chested and magnificent, a picture of lazy satisfaction. He sighed with genuine regret. “Fine. See you next week.”

“Deal.”

Monday morning, I walked into the office dressed to the nines in my suit, ID badge clipped neatly to my pocket.

Jenna, my cubicle neighbor, immediately leaned in, her eyes sparkling with gossip. “Have you heard? The new CEO is supposed to be young and hot.”

I couldn’t care less what he looked like. “I just hope he’s a decent human being,” I grumbled.

Our last CEO was a real piece of work, treating us all like corporate drones to be worked to death. We’d all been praying for his transfer, hoping his replacement would be at least marginally better.

In the conference room, the new CEO made his grand entrance to a wave of enthusiastic applause.

As I looked up at the man standing at the head of the table, my world tilted on its axis.

It was Adrian Thorne.

My FWB.

How could the world be this small?

I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole. The room was packed, so I prayed he wouldn't spot me as I tried to shrink into my chair, my head bowed so low it was practically under the table.

A sharp nudge to my wrist startled me.

“Leo,” Jenna whispered, “Mr. Thorne is calling on you.”

“Who’s Leo?”

The words were out of my mouth before I realized my mistake. Then I heard Adrian’s voice, clear and commanding, call my name again.

I sucked in a sharp breath and slowly, shakily, got to my feet.

The moment he saw me, a flicker of undisguised shock crossed his face. I felt a hot flush of guilt creep up my neck.

Because I’d told him my name was Finn.

He stared at me for two long, meaningful seconds before his lips curved into a slow, knowing smile.

“Leo,” he said, his voice smooth as silk, “this project is your team’s responsibility. Please, walk us through it.”