Page 1 of Broken Boss

Chapter 1

Autumn

The scent of hot chocolate fills my office as I make a sound of disgust and peel the soaked shirt from my body.

It’s ruined. At least until I can get it to the dry cleaner. My new position at Sharpe Law as a senior associate isn’t going to leave much time to do laundry.

With an annoyed huff, I toss the shirt to a nearby chair and strip out of my pencil skirt. It involves some serious shimmying, especially over my full hips and ass. The seams strain, and as it finally drops down to my ankles, I sigh and step out of it. What a waste of perfectly good hot chocolate.

The last thing I’m expecting to see—the last person I’m expecting to see—when I turn around is my new boss.

Christopher Sharpe.

His dark eyes are glued to my body. Or more accurately…

“Pink,” he muses, one corner of his devilish mouth lifting in a smirk. “Interesting. You don’t seem the type.”

Anger and embarrassment burn through me, making my breasts and cheeks flush. But I don’t move to hide the curves of my body, the peaked nipples beneath opaque fabric, or the garter belt hugging my waist.

No way—that would show weakness.

And Christopher Sharpe, the man I hate with every fiber of my being, will never see me weak.

It was a vow I made years ago. I plan on keeping it now that I’ve finally made it into his law firm, one of the most prestigious in New York City.

“What happened?”

I tell him the truth. Almost.

I am a lawyer, after all.

“An intern knocked into my coffee.”

One perfectly manicured dark brow raises as he questions, “Coffee? Hmm. Smells sweet.”

The way he says sweet does things to my body that I don’t want to acknowledge.

“Can I help you?” Arms crossed under my breasts, I ignore the way they jostle as I cock a hip.

Chris Sharpe definitely doesn’t ignore them. His gaze drops from my face to my chest. He looks amused…but that’s it.

“I’ve never been one for coffee, but you’re changing my mind.”

He’s trying to lighten up an awkward situation. Not what I was expecting, given his reputation.

“Is there a reason you’re in my office?” I fully expect him to stride farther into the room, overconfident and cocky, assuming that I—like so many other women out there—will fall for his charm and into his bed.

I’ve been watching Chris Sharpe closely over the years. He’s a self-made billionaire, a well-respected prosecutor-turned-defense lawyer, and a notorious rogue.

He doesn’t move from his position, leaning against the open door that leads to the balcony attached to my office. A small perk for such a heavy workload as an associate. He must’ve come in when I was meeting with my last client in one of the conference rooms.

To my surprise, Mr. Sharpe’s smirk drops. His features, which are frustratingly handsome, shift into a dark brooding.

“No. I apologize.” His fleeting gaze moves over my body once again before he turns and closes the door behind him, shutting out the chilly autumn air.

Gooseflesh breaks out over my bare skin and I suppress a shiver.

“This office has been empty since my partner—” His voice cracks. Clearing his throat, he continues, “My partner used to occupy this office and I’d come here to talk out tough cases.”

---