Page 4 of Controlled By the Virgo

"Actually, yes." He studies me for a moment, as if gauging my reaction before continuing. "I've given your situation some thought, and... I'd like you to be my assistant."

I blink. "Wow, I certainly didn't see that one coming. Why in the world would you want that?"

"Because," he says, leaning in slightly, his eyes never leaving mine, "there's something about you that intrigues me, Valerie, and I'd like to keep a closer eye on you."

I bristle. "A closer eye on me?" I scoff. Just who in the hell does this guy think he is? "No thanks."

I turn to walk away from him, but his next words halt me in my tracks.

"You'll work for me, or I'll prosecute you for theft," he warns.

My mouth falls open as I turn back to face him again.

He straightens and squares his shoulders, smirking down at me. The smug son of a bitch. He knows he's got me. He has way more resources than a girl like me could ever dream of having.

I grit my teeth together and ball my hands into fists.

I want to kick him when I see the way his eyes light with humor when he sees my irritation.

"Fine," I finally snap begrudgingly. "When do I start?"

His eyes darken as they settle on me triumphantly. "Right now."

CHAPTERFOUR

Valerie

I glance around the sleek,modern office space of Carter Industries as I adjust my skirt, trying to calm my nerves. This is it; this is where I'll be working as Van Carter's personal assistant.

The jackass.

"Valerie, you'll be responsible for managing Mr. Carter's schedule, coordinating meetings, and handling any personal errands he requires," says Susan, the HR manager, who has been showing me around on my first day. "And, of course, you'll need to be prepared for any unexpected tasks that may arise."

I nod, swallowing hard. My heart races at the thought of being so closely involved in Van's life. He's an intimidating figure, with his tall stature, dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and chiseled jawline. I can't help but feel out of my depth in this upscale environment.

The specific demands that Van places on me quickly become evident. It's not unusual for me to arrive early in the morning and not leave until late at night. From organizing his business trips to making reservations at exclusive restaurants, every task must be completed perfectly and promptly. The tight deadlines and high expectations pile on the pressure, leaving me feeling drained by the end of the day. But there's no denying the thrill that comes from pleasing someone like Van Carter.

As I settle into my role, I notice that my interactions with Van are filled with sexual tension. There's something about the way he looks at me when I hand him his coffee or the brush of his hand against mine as he takes a file that makes my skin tingle with anticipation. I try to remind myself that he's my boss, and it's crucial to maintain a professional relationship. But my attraction to him grows stronger with each passing day.

"Valerie, I need you to review these contracts by the end of the day," Van says as he drops a thick stack of papers on my desk. His blue eyes lock onto mine, and for a moment, everything else fades away. The intensity of his gaze sends shivers down my spine and makes my heart race.

"Of course, Mr. Carter," I reply, trying to suppress the quiver in my voice. As he turns to leave, I can't help but admire the way his tailored suit hugs his broad shoulders and the confident stride in his walk. I know that focusing on my work is essential, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the feelings brewing inside me.

I take a deep breath and dive into the contracts, determined to forget all about Van. But as the hours pass and the demands pile up, I can't shake the feeling that there's more to our relationship than meets the eye – and that resisting the magnetic pull between us may be impossible.

* * *

I clench my fists as I watch Van walk into the conference room, his commanding presence filling the space. As his personal assistant, it's my responsibility to ensure that everything goes smoothly for this important meeting with potential investors. The pressure is immense, and I can't help but feel the weight of Van's expectations on my shoulders.

"Valerie, I need you to pull up the presentation on the screen," Van orders, his voice cool and authoritative.

"Right away, Mr. Carter," I respond, doing my best to hide my growing resentment. This job has me working long hours, dealing with tight deadlines, and always under the watchful eye of the powerful Van Carter.

My hands tremble slightly as I fumble with the remote control, finally managing to project the presentation onto the screen. Van glances over the slides, his piercing blue eyes scrutinizing every detail, making me feel exposed and vulnerable.

"Is there a reason the font on slide three is different from the rest?" he asks, his voice dripping with disapproval.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Carter. I didn't notice that. I'll fix it immediately," I bristle even as I feel a hot wave of embarrassment wash over me.

---