Page 1 of CEO's Baby Scandal

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EMILY

Iknew taking the job as an assistant at a law firm wasn’t the best use of my degree in business management, but the pay was decent and I hadn’t gotten any other call backs. I stood near reception of the prestigious firm and waited for my boss to greet me. The interview had gone well. She liked my resume and the fact that I could type more than fifty words per minute. So, here I was, ready for my first day.

Olivia strolled out of the office with a file in hand, staring down at it. She wore a Casper suit, red with a cream silk blouse beneath it. It put to shame my black slacks and white button-down, but I hadn’t had time or money to go shopping for a new wardrobe. I knew everyone in this place would be better dressed than I was the second I saw the receptionist with her Prada bag.

“Ms. Carter, it’s so good to see you again.” I offered my hand, but when her eyes popped up from the file in her hand, she barely acknowledged my presence. I stood patiently, retracting my offered handshake, and clutched my purse in front of myself. My friendly, down-home personality might not fit in among powerful attorneys, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to be polite.

“Follow me,” she said dryly. Without looking up, she turned and headed back into the office. I glanced at the receptionist who was busy typing at her computer and smacking her gum.

It was an odd greeting for the first day of work, but I hadn’t known what to expect. Life in Monroe County was much different from here in Chicago. Everyone knew everyone, and that was why I left. Well, one of the reasons. I had many—including overprotective parents and a thirst to see the world. Chicago meant a fresh start and the beginning of a great adventure. Besides, my best friend, Charlotte, lived here, which made it all the more appealing.

We walked past offices with plaques on the doors indicating whose office they were. Most of them had windows, but the blinds were shut. When we got to Olivia’s office, she pushed the door open, the file in her hand finally tucked under her arm. She waltzed in and dropped the file on her desk. A small desk sat outside the door with a cup of pencils and a phone. I glanced at it as I followed her in.

“So, you’re four minutes late on the first day. Not a great impression. I’ll overlook that because traffic is a bitch in this city at this time of day. Don’t let it happen again.” She had her blonde hair pulled back tightly into a bun which made her eyes draw out into thin slits, making her look of Asian descent.

“Of course, my apologies. I’ve only lived in Chicago for a few months. I’m still learning the ropes.”

“Good, well, enough with pleasantries. Today will be about meeting everyone, learning their roles, and your position in helping them. I want to take you to meet the directors and officers, but first you need to understand that I am your boss. You’ll assist me, mainly, though there will be days when you are needed elsewhere.” She tapped her long, manicured fingers on the corner of her desk and stared at me as if she needed a response. I had no clue what to say to her.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Well, follow me.” She charged out the door into the hall again and tapped the desk. “Purse here.”

Her gait was so quick, I had to scurry to keep up after stuffing my purse into the top drawer of the desk. I straightened my top and raced after her. “This is Tony’s office, and Grace is here.” She pointed at doors that were clearly labeled as if I couldn’t read. I wasn’t offended by that. I had no time to be. She opened the door at the end of the hall and stood in it. “This is the conference room. Get used to delivering coffee here.”

I nodded. I knew I was just an assistant, and I figured my role wouldn’t be glamorous, but I’d hoped for more than coffee duty and making copies of files. She breezed past me and back up the hallway, so I scurried along, making a mental note of each office door and whose name was on it. Most had no title along with the name, but a few did. Grace was a junior partner—good to know. Tony had no label. Michael Blake and Benjamin Jameson both had “Sr. Partner” emblazoned on their placards. I had a lot of names to memorize.

Olivia led me past reception and down a shorter hallway the opposite direction. We passed another room that had a large table, perhaps a board room. Then we approached an office with a bright gold plaque on it.

“Here is the office of our head partner and CEO of the firm, Daniel Jacobs.” She knocked quietly and waited. “Mr. Jacobs doesn’t like to be disturbed, so never enter his office without being requested. Also, be very direct with him, no games or being vague. You’ll likely end up helping each of the partners at some point, but as the head of the company, Jacobs comes first. Anything he asks, you do it. Got it?”

I opened my mouth to answer as I heard a voice call from the other side of the door. Her pep talk was intimidating. Everyone in Chicago knew the name of the firm, and Jacobs’sface was plastered on billboards and city buses. I thought I’d be working with paralegals and secretaries. I had no clue I would be required to assist the partners, which made my stomach flip-flop when I followed her into the room and saw the man himself seated behind his desk.

“Sir, this is…” She turned and snapped her fingers as if having forgotten my name, so I supplied it for her.

“Emily Kline, sir.” I stepped forward and thrust my hand out again, only this time, it was received. “Nice to meet you.”

His hand was soft but strong. Olivia continued introducing me based on my accolades, which weren’t many, but Mr. Jacobs never broke eye contact. There was a mischievousness there in his gaze that sparked my interest. He was striking, dark hair, dark eyes. For a man almost fifteen years older than me I found him very attractive. I wasn’t sure if it was I who was still holding his hand, or if he just hadn’t let go yet.

“So, for now, she will work solely with me, but I will make her available to you whenever you need copies made or if Jill is out.” Olivia’s introduction concluded, and I stepped back. My fingers tingled where he’d touched them. He gawked at me for a moment like I was a piece of meat, but a guy that hot… I didn’t mind.

“Welcome to Jacobs, Blake, Jameson and Gonzalez, Ms. Kline.” Mr. Jacobs stood, pushing his chair away. “I hope Olivia has treated you kindly.”

I felt acutely aware that the top button of my blouse was open. I had debated whether to button it or leave it open before leaving the house. In Monroe County, I’d have been the talk of the town. Mrs. Grubel would have called me the town slut for sure, but here in the city, I noticed most women weren’t afraid to show a little cleavage. Olivia paid no attention to it, and I could see why. Half of her chest was exposed beneath her silk blouse.

“Yes, she’s been very kind.” I lied. She hadn’t been kind, nor unkind, just curt. I clasped my hands in front of myself and swallowed hard. He was definitely looking at my breasts. My cheeks burned because I liked the idea that he was attracted to me.

“Well, if you don’t have anything for me, I’ll show Emily the rest of the office.” Olivia crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot.

“I’d like to ask her a few questions, Olivia. You are excused.”

Her eyes flicked from Mr. Jacobs to me, and she pursed her lips, but she did as she was told and left, closing the door behind her.

If my nerves had been heightened just meeting the man, they were frazzled standing here alone with him. His crystal blue eyes had a dark ring of cerulean around them, and they locked on me again. My chest fluttered. No man this gorgeous had ever taken notice of me, and the fact that he wasn’t just a powerful attorney, but my boss’s boss, made my insides melt.

“Sir?”

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