Chapter 1

Two Years Later

Chandler

Seven hundred andthirty days later, Cheyanne was still the first thing on my mind at the start of my day. I could say it was because she made up such a large part of my day professionally, but she meant too much to me to downplay her place in my life like that. Cheyanne wasn't just a part of my brain when it came to business; she was a part of my heart too.

When she first started working for me exactly two years ago, I respected her wishes to keep things professional. Eventually, the discipline it took to not flirt with her became weaker and weaker. The closer we got, the more she handled my business so well, the better she complemented me, the more I fell in love with her. Though I'd never uttered those words to her, I was sure Cheyanne had an idea of how I felt. At the least, she knew I found her insanely attractive because of how I talked to and looked at her. My respect for her boundaries was the only thing that kept me from pursuing her romantically, but damn if I didn't want more.

We would soon be leaving for a trip to California, and instead of me prepping for my day, I was in my office, trying to think of something I could do for Cheyanne while we were gone. It didn't matter what I did, bought, or where I took her; baby girl was a tough nut to crack. I pulled out some of my best efforts, and they didn't seem to ever really impress her. I could admit I wasn't used to that. There hadn't been a woman I wanted and pursued and couldn't have—until Cheyanne.

The light tapping pulled me out of my thoughts. I didn't have to ask who it was because I already knew.

"Come in, Cheyanne."

Her beautiful face appeared shortly after. With a raised brow, she looked at me skeptically. My feet were resting comfortably on my desk, with my ankles crossed, as I twirled a pen in my right hand.

"What are you doing?"

"Thinking about you."

Cheyanne's eyes rolled as she smiled and shook her head. She probably didn't believe me. If only she knew.

"Did you forget you have a meeting in five minutes?"

"Shit," I grumbled, standing from my seat. With a snicker, she walked over to me. As always, she tightened and straightened my tie. As always, I had to keep myself from gripping her small waist and holding her close.

"Did you forget?"

"I did not."

"Mhm. Since you didn't forget, I assume you know who the meeting is with and don't need me to brief you?"

"Uh… I wouldn't want to rob you of that task, because I know you love it so much. You can tell me."

Cheyanne gave me a light laugh, and I loved the sound of it. She didn't laugh enough to me while we were in the office, and I couldn't wait for the chance to make her do it again. Though I appreciated how seriously she took her job, I wished she made space for us to have the relaxed, friendly exchanges that fueled me and satisfied my longing for her. But at this point, I'd learned to take what I could get.

When she was done giving me the rundown on my upcoming meeting, Cheyanne tried to leave the office, but I grabbed her hand.

"Wait, I got something for you."

"Huh? Why?"

She was so focused on business she hadn't noticed what was on the round table to the left of my desk. I led her over to it, and the sound of her gasp was like music to my ears. To celebrate her two-year anniversary working here, I'd gotten her two dozen red roses, two dozen cupcakes from her favorite bakery, and a jewelry set that had a two-carat diamond ring, earrings, bracelet, and necklace.

"Mr. Jones," she whined, running her fingers across one of the rose petals. "You didn't have to do this."

"I'm going to celebrate you every year. Thank you for convincing me to let you take on this position. You've made my life and my work so much easier. Happy two-year anniversary, Cheyanne."

Her hands cupped her cheeks briefly before she opened the jewelry box. "These are bigger than the ones from last year. Don't tell me you plan to upgrade me every year?"

"I do."

"What's the limit?" she asked, handing me the necklace so I could put it on her slender neck.

"For you? There isn't one."

"So if I work for you for ten years…"

"You'll be getting a ten-carat ring."

Cheyanne smiled as I placed the necklace on her frame, and it was taking everything inside me not to kiss her neck. Instead, I gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze and stepped back as she released her long curls and allowed them to fall onto her back.

"You really didn't have to do this, but I appreciate you showing me that you appreciate me."

"Always." As she put on the rest of the jewelry, I grabbed my portfolio. "I'm taking you to dinner after work," I told her, not bothering to ask if she had plans. If I asked, she'd come up with an excuse as to why she couldn't go. A part of me, maybe my ego, wanted to believe she avoided being alone with me after-hours because she wanted me just as much as I wanted her.

"Chandler, I—"

"We leave at six. The car will be waiting."

She gave me a soft sigh but nodded her agreement, and that was good enough for me. I opened the door and allowed her to walk out before me. As much as I wanted to look at her ass, I kept my gaze high. The last thing I needed to do was walk into this meeting with a hard dick, and that was exactly what would happen if I looked at Cheyanne for too long.

Between her curvy frame, cinnamon brown skin, and beautiful face… she was perfect to and for me. She had dark, piercing eyes and wispy eyelashes. Her pierced nose gave an edge to her otherwise professional and feminine appearance. Round, pouty lips teased me daily, begging to be kissed. I think my favorite part of her was how her skin had a natural glow to it. It made her look ethereal—like my angel.

"Hey," she called, grabbing my arm gently and gaining my attention. "Good luck in there. I hope they see how great of a deal you're offering them and take it. You're the best at what you do, and I'm honored to work with you."

She placed a kiss to my cheek before heading back toward her office, and I couldn't resist watching her walk away. Just her taking the time to affirm me before the meeting was the perfect example of why I couldn't get enough of this woman. She was good to me and for me, always in all ways, and I prayed to God one day she'd allow me to be the same for her.

Six P.M.

Promptly,Cheyanne headed toward the town car as I requested. Stan opened the door for her, and she elegantly slipped into the back seat next to me—close enough for her fresh, powdery scent to engulf me, but far enough away for me to not be able to discreetly brush any part of my body against hers.

"Thanks for dinner," she said, "even though it's really not necessary."

"Honoring you and showing you my appreciation is always necessary."

"Is this how you treated all of your executive assistants?"

"Only the ones I liked." Though we laughed, I was only halfway joking. "Seriously, though, you're the first EA I've had to make me want to do something like this for you. You go above and beyond for me and my company, and I can't ignore that."

"Well… thank you."

As her palm rested on the space between us, Cheyanne looked out of the window. I couldn't decide if I wanted to make small talk or let her stay inside her mind. To be honest, I was surprised she didn't come up with an excuse as to why she couldn't join me this evening. I was, however, grateful I'd made plans at the restaurant in case she did.

I decided to remain silent for the duration of the ride, which was only fifteen minutes. Instead of allowing Stan to, I helped Cheyanne out of the car. Inhaling her scent, I appreciated how it still lingered after a full workday. My hand was on the small of her back as we walked the small distance to the entry, where the doorman opened the door for us. After giving the hostess my name, we were led back to the private dining room, which was also a wine cellar.

Cheyanne stopped mid-step when she saw what was waiting for her at the table. She looked back at me and shook her head before slowly walking over.

"Mr. Jones, you gave me a gift earlier."

"Two years, two gifts."

"Technically, this is more than two gifts, but I'll let you be great." She chuckled as she lifted the box of dusty lavender eternity roses. Cheyanne sniffed them and hummed. "These always smell so good, and they're my favorite color."

I knew lavender was her favorite color. That was why everything in the gift bag was lavender. The silk dress, the scented candles, the necklace, and diamond ring—even the wrapping paper.

"This is so thoughtful, Chandler. Thank you so much."

This time, maybe because it was after work, I got a hug. A hug that lingered. A hug that reminded me of how perfectly she felt against my body.

She was the first to pull away, naturally. I pulled her seat back for her and helped her sit down. Once I was seated, I poured us both a glass of the champagne that had already been on the table awaiting our arrival.

"I think this is the first time we've had dinner together at home," she said. "Usually, if we eat together, it's breakfast or lunch, and we're talking about work unless we're on a trip."

"Will this be awkward for you?"

Cheyanne shrugged. "I doubt it. More than anything, I wonder what we'll have to talk about."

"We talk about stuff outside of work, Chy."

"What do we talk about? And I mean actually talk about—not you flirting with me."

I couldn't deny that as I bobbed my head and held back my laughter. "We've talked about ourselves, you've told me about your grandfather, and I've told you about my family. We've discussed hobbies and interests. Whatever comes up in that moment."

"That's true. I don't know. It's not awkward, but it feels like something we shouldn't be doing."

"Is it really because you're concerned about the topics we'd have to discuss, or because you're concerned you're going to realize it's okay to like me?" She twisted her mouth to the side and squeezed the back of her neck. "Yeah, that's what it is. You think this kind of stuff is going to make you like me."

"It's not that."

"Then what is it?"

"I just… never want us to cross any lines." Her expression turned serious, and her voice softened. "If you understood what this job meant to me, you'd understand why I never want to risk it becoming tainted or having to leave. So… maybe it's a defense, but it's for a very good reason."

Her answer made me hate I even allowed the conversation to take this turn. Now, no matter how much I wanted to buck, I'd have to be on my best behavior. That didn't stop me from saying, "If you opened up to me more, maybe I could understand a little better. I feel the chemistry and attraction between us, no matter how much you deny it. Whatever reason you have to ignore it, I'm sure it makes sense to you. I just wish I knew so it could make sense to me too." Sitting back in my seat, I sighed heavily. "Regardless, that's not what this dinner is about. This dinner is about us celebrating you working for CJ Enterprises for two years. If it makes you more comfortable for us to talk about random things or work, I'm more than okay with that."

The last part of my statement caused her to perk back up, and even though it was the opposite of what I wanted to discuss, I'd talk about anything if it kept her happy.

"Really?" she asked.

"Really."

"Yay, because I really want to talk about the meeting you had earlier. Can you believe Oakland tried to double the offer…"

Her words went in one ear and out of the other as I stared at her lips. I took the safe route of nodding and offering the occasional hum to show I was listening and interested. Truth was, we could have sat here in silence, and I'd be at peace just having her here with me.

"Chandler, this is too…"

"Nothing is ever too much for you. This is the last gift, though. I promise."

Cheyanne chuckled as she got back into the car. I'd had Stan put her last gifts in her seat while we were in the restaurant. There were two Birkin bags and twenty-two thousand dollars in cash waiting for her as the final gifts to show my appreciation.

"You spoil me," she muttered, running her fingers over the mauve lavender bag before doing the same to the pink one.

"You deserve it."

She leaned across the seat and placed a kiss to the corner of my mouth before wiping it away. "You're the best, Mr. Jones. I hope you never change. You're going to make some woman very, very happy."

I'd been on my best behavior during dinner, but I couldn't resist saying, "If you stop being so scary, that lucky woman could be you."

She didn't reject the statement, which was a surprise. Instead, she looked out of the window with a smile, and I was completely okay with that.