Page 24 of Texting the CEO's Obsession
Thisexplains why she looked so angry when I got here and why she was actually in her office instead of making snide remarks at everyone while hogging the coffee maker.
She’s going to rip me to pieces next time I see her.
Christ, I think I might throw up.
He raises a brow, tilting his head slightly as he drags his gaze over me. “I haven’t spoken to Sloane yet. This won’t look like anything but me moving my best analyst into a proper office.Besides, I need you close so I don’t have to wait if we need to discuss details of the Fourneaux files. Lacy Fourneaux isn’t a patient woman.”
As much as I’d love to fly high on hearing Nick call me his best analyst, I’m too busy trying to soothe the feral, terrified part of my brain that’s screaming and ready to gnaw its own arm off to get away from the perceived danger.
Yes, I wanted to be recognized for my work, but not like this. I want to climb the ladder, make connections on my way up, and berespected. I don’t want people to think I only got where I am because I ratted out my supervisor.
Even if Nick hasn’t talked to Sloaneyet, she’ll still see a correlation here. Anyone with eyes will.
“Sir,” I say weakly, torn between being overwhelmed and flat out scared. “Please, I just want to keep my head down and do my job. Sloane’s going to talk, and so is everyone else. I’d really rather just?—”
“That’s too damn bad,” he says, cutting me off without hesitation. “I need you in this office, so this is where you’re going to be. Take the morning to get everything set up to your liking. I’ll have more work for you this afternoon.”
He leaves me with that, stepping out of the office—myoffice—as I gape at his retreating back.
Since I started here, he’s never raised his voice at me like that. Never had a cross thing to say and definitely never demanded something in a way that made me want to flinch at how aggressive he was being. Part of me was excited, but the other part of me—the sane part of me—was terrified.
This is only a fraction of the ruthless businessman that people talk about. A man who can walk into a business meeting set up for failure and walk out with nothing but winning support. If he wants me here, there’s no way I’m going to talk him into letting me go back down to my old floor.
The door closes with a quiet snick, and all I can do is blink at my surroundings.
Is this a dream?
Ithasto be a dream.
I pinch my leg hard, but all it gets me is a sharp pain and the realization that I’m not making any of this up. Nick just called me hisbest, set me up in my own office on the top floor, just a single wall away from him, and even told me to decorate however I want. I don’t know if this means I’m getting a promotion, or if I should just think of this as a bonus. Right now, all I can think about is how much Sloane is going to make me pay for this.
Why would he do this? Just because I was doing her work?
None of it makes sense.
The files Nick put me on were already one hell of an opportunity, but to be close enough that he can see exactly how hard I work ishuge.
Pushing away thewhat ifsof my situation, I try to enjoy this moment. A hysterical giggle pushes out from between my lips, and I clap my hand over my mouth, hoping that the walls are thick enough that Nick didn’t hear.
Before I can spiral into a whirlwind of thoughts about how utterly insane this whole thing is, my phone buzzes in the pocketof my blazer. I tug it out with a shaking hand, my face splitting into a smile when I see the text waiting for me.
I don’t think today cangetany better.
Mister Mystery: I’m missing that pretty face. Send me a picture, Miss Morgan.
I glance at the door to my office nervously before lifting my phone and snapping a selfie, making sure to get a good shot of the massive windows behind me as I beam up at the camera. He responds seconds after I hit send.
Mister Mystery: What a stunning view.
My cheeks go bright red, my heart pounding excitedly as I type my message.
Riley: Isn’t it?? It’s my new office! My boss just moved me so I could be closer while I work on these projects. Super excited to finally be free of the cubicle lol.
That doesn’t cover half of it, but I don’t want to bragtoomuch. As a matter of fact, this might be a good excuse to see him again. Sure, keeping things anonymous has been fun, but I’m starting to really like this guy.
I want to know his name, to knowhim. I want to see his face without a mask in the way.
Mister Mystery: I was talking about you, Princess. You look downright edible in that skirt.
