It's Monday morning and I'm supposed to be starting my first day at Red-wolf Publishing and then doing a two-hour shift at The Palace. 

I've already showered and gotten ready at Jackson's.  I'm dressed in my most professional-looking black knee-length dress and heels.  My makeup is applied very lightly and my sun-kissed brunette hair is loosely curled down my back.

It's only the second time I've stayed the night and after Jackson being so insistent, half of my wardrobe is already here.  He wanted me to bring everything but I compromised with half.  After all, I'm not officially living here I'm only staying the night occasionally.  It's way too soon to move in with him. 

My nerves are on edge and I don't know if I'll make it through the day. 

"Please breathe Maggie, you're turning blue." Jackson pleads as he grabs a couple of water bottles from the fridge. 

I let out the breath I was holding while I was stressing about my first day and take another deep breath.  "What if I'm terrible?" I ask shakily.

Jackson grabs my face to bring my attention to his diamond eyes, "You will not be terrible."

He lets go of my face once he's sure he's got my attention and continues.  "Look Maggie you're going to be great.  You love to read and literally all you'll be doing is reading manuscripts and picking out the ones that stand out."

I nod and take another breath. My lungs expand until they feel like they might burst and my cheeks ache from inflating like a pufferfish. But the ache fills my anxiety.

"Quit holding your breath or you're going to pass out." He says sternly.

"It's something I do when I'm nervous," I reply. "If I'm concentrating on my lungs about to explode I won't think about what's bothering me."  I casually say as I take another deep breath.

He lets out a burst of laughter then grabs my face, "You're weird." He says just before he brings his lips passionately to mine.

My nerves are momentarily forgotten as I've found a new distraction, Jackson's lips. I whimper and open my mouth wide enough for his tongue to slip through.  I taste a mixture of metal and mint which has recently become my favorite flavor. Our tongues circle each other performing a hot synchronized dance and my fingers slip into his hair and start to tug. 

Jackson groans in response and pulls back to glance into my eyes, "I like this distraction better."

My voice is shaky and my body's immediate response to his touch makes adrenaline course through my veins.  I'm suddenly nervous for a whole new reason.  "Me too."

"You'll do great Mags."  Jack watches me suck my bottom lip up between my teeth. "Quit doing that also or I'll have to fuck you and you'll be late." He says in a gravelly voice.

I feel my eyes widen and release my lip from my teeth. Then he casually places his hand on the small of my back, leading me to the door.

WHEN WE ARRIVE, we're greeted by the secretary Georgia with a bright smile.  She welcomes me and then fixes her gaze on Jackson.  I roll my eyes internally as I pull Jackson away and he lets out a sharp laugh.

We're halfway down the hall when he asks, "Jealous Mags?"

"It takes more effort to get my little green monster to come out to play." I answer confidently.

"Your what?" Jackson chuckles and I'm about to explain until Christian appears in front of us.

"Welcome Maggie!"  He says cheerfully.  "I'm so glad to have you as a part of our team!"

"Thank you." I smile sheepishly because I know the only reason I got the job is Jackson.  It's embarrassing really, I wasn't even interviewed and Christian has never seen my work.  I'm going to have to work as hard as I can to prove I belong here.

"Jackson are you showing Maggie to her office?" Christian asks politely looking between the two of us.

"Yes, we're on our way there now actually."  Jackson places his hand on the small of my back and I feel my body heat up.  It would be much easier to concentrate on my nerves if my body didn't react to his every touch.

"Fantastic!"  Christian is so enthusiastic, it's no wonder Beth has been smitten with him.  The two of them would be a great match.

"I've already had a few manuscripts delivered to your office Maggie.  I'll try to give you mostly romance novels since Jack here said that's what you're expertise is in.  But occasionally if one of the other girls is backed up we'll give you some other genres."

"Okay, that sounds great.  Don't worry about giving me just romance novels, I read all the genres.  Jackson just happens to think I'm obsessed with romance." And he's right, I think to myself.  But I want to prove myself so badly, I'd read the dictionary to impress them.

"That's a relief to hear.  Alisa can not handle the horror transcripts we get, she gets super jumpy." Christian says as he turns to leave.  "I'll let her know you'll be taking those from her.  Let me know if you need anything else from me, my office is just down the hall from yours." And just like that, he disappears.

My eyes widen in shock and I look up at Jack for help, who is trying not to crack a smile.  "You said you were up for anything Mags.  Do you need me to stay with you while you read the horror manuscripts?" 

I swallow the hard lump in my throat and take a deep breath.  "No?" I say with less confidence than I meant and he laughs.

Shit.

Ever since I saw the movie The Ring I've steered clear of the horror genre in all avenues.  Something about the dark hair covering her face, the way she walks, just thinking about it is giving me the chills. If I would have just kept my mouth shut I wouldn't be in this new predicament.

We reach a thick wooden door on the top floor that has 'Margaret Carpenter' written in cursive on a metal plaque.  My finger gently traces it, like I so often love to do with Jack's tattoos, before I swing open the door.

As I take a few steps inside, I realize it looks exactly like Jackson's.  A large metal bookcase is covering the left wall and there's a floor to ceiling window overlooking the city of Scottsdale.  My bookcase is empty but with my collection, I should easily be able to fill it.

From my office, I realize I can see straight through the window of the club to the bar area.  Jack's office is next door so he must have the same view.  I wonder if that week we didn't speak he was up here all along watching me.  The thought makes my breathing speed up and my pulse quicken.  I'm being ridiculous, he probably doesn't even spend time in his office, let alone daydream about me.

On top of my executive desk, I notice the manuscripts Christian spoke of and smile.  If my mother could only see me now, my own office in Downtown Scottsdale. 

Next to the manuscripts, I see another paper with my face on it.  I reach for it and realize it's the picture of Jack and I with his parents at the party this weekend.  The photo is lightly creased and the image is in faded black and white print, but we look like a big happy family. 

The article praises Jack's novel along with the rest of his beautiful work.  I'm mentioned in a paragraph briefly but I pay it hardly any mind considering the first sentence starts with, 'Who's the mystery girl who managed to tame our bad boy.'

I simply roll my eyes as I skip to the part where they praise his beautiful speech.  I clutch the picture close to my best and smile.

"Did you put this here?" I ask Jack, unable to hide my grin. 

He snatches it out of my hand and glances at it for a moment before tossing it back on my desk.  "No, it must have been Christian." He replies briskly and moves on. 

I furrow my brown in irritation and grab the clipping, smoothing it on my dress before stacking it gently on some of the manuscripts.  Later I'll get a picture frame to put it in and set it on my desk.

"The job is simple enough." Jackson starts. "Read over each manuscript you're given.  The ones that are good go to Christian and the ones that are bad go in the garbage."

"The garbage?" I say in shock. "So I'm in charge of ruining someone's dreams or promoting them?"

"Sort of yes." He walks over to a filing cabinet. "You have to write a report on each book you've read."  He slips a paper over to my desk and points at it. "This is the outline of what they want on each report. The bad ones go in this filing cabinet that is emptied once every few months, aka trash."

I nod my head and take a deep breath.  "Got it."

"Quit holding your breath.  Do you need me to distract you again?" He says as he inches closer pressing me against my desk.

"I could take you right here, bend you over your new desk and fuck you.  By the time I'm done with you, you won't remember what you were stressed about." He whispers into my ear sensually.

My face heats up where his hot breath caresses my ear and spreads through my body like a wildfire.  A shiver runs through me and my nipples begin to harden with the thought of him bending me over the desk. 

My fingers start to slip under his shirt and I feel is hard stomach flex against my cool touch.  With no warning knock, my office door opens.  Jack takes a short step away and adjusts his jeans as Alex walks in.

"Hey Maggie! Great to see you're settling in." Alex announces merrily.

"Yeah, I was just about to get started." I say as politely as I can manage considering my disgust for this man.

"Hey Jack, I've got to say that was a fantastic strategic move.  It worked perfectly and if I didn't come up with the idea myself-" Alex is cut off by Jack.

"Maggie, let me know if you need anything.  I'll be back in my office in a couple hours and we'll get lunch."  He says as he turns to leave, but then realizes he forgot to kiss me goodbye.   He turns to give me a quick kiss on the lips and then they leave together.

I turn to my desk and sit in the comfy black computer chair that was provided to me. There are three manuscripts in all and one of them is pretty short.  I'm assuming they're trying to start me off slow until I learn the ropes.

The first book is about a cancer patient falling in love with another patient through chemo treatments.  I'm immediately sucked into the plot and I'm fully in tears by the time I'm halfway through.  I realize it's been three hours and the time has completely flown by. 

I stand and look around my office for tissues.  I'm hoping someone had thought to stock them in the girl's office who's in charge of the romance novels. I check all of my drawers and find, I'm not so lucky. 

I decide I'll have to wander the halls looking like a hot mess and find the restroom or lunchroom, whichever I stumble upon first.  I wipe my face with my hands thanking my lucky stars I didn't wear eyeliner today. 

As I wander out alone, I find the elevator again and press the button for the lobby.  Once I enter, I meet two people also going to the lunchroom. 

Nick is a few years older than me, he's handsome and muscular like Sam, but not too buff where he is busting out of his suit.  His bright blonde hair and amber eyes make him appear warm and inviting.  I learn that he works in finance on the second floor. 

Alisa is a fiery redhead with wild green eyes.  I quickly learn that she's loud and playful when she introduces herself with an exaggerated hug and almost instantly, I know I'll love her.  I find out she also works as a literary agent on my floor and realize she's the one who can't handle the horror genre. 

We all get to talking after Nick worriedly asks why I've been crying and I explain that I was just absorbed in a romance novel.  Surprisingly neither of them laugh at me, apparently it's a common occurrence here.

Alisa thanks exuberantly me for taking the horror genre from her. I let her know I'll be coming to her office when I get too scared and she'll have to help me read it.  She gives me an obnoxiously loud laugh that looks like it scares Nick and I can't help but join in her laughter.

I'm glad I've already made friends, I can tell I'm really going to like it here. 

We enter the lunchroom and I find it's fancier than I would have expected.  The walls are a nice beige color with accent tiles behind the granite kitchen countertops and there's a large stainless steel fridge and stove. 

"Who cooks here?" I ask as I eye the stove.

Nick unleashes a laugh, "You will be once you start working late hours reading."

Alisa chimes in, "Oh that wine fridge will come in handy when you read some of those depressing romance novels.  I'll never understand why making one of the lovers die is so common." 

"Wine fridge?" I gasp and sure enough, there's a full wine fridge in the corner.

Nick walks towards it and grabs a bottle.  "Why don't we celebrate your first day?"

Alisa stands and cheers, "Oh yes, lets!"

Just then Jackson opens the door slightly peeking in and his diamond eyes survey the room until they lock with mine.  His expression instantly turns to a glare as he notices Nick beside me holding a bottle of wine. Nick seems oblivious to his glare. 

"What do you say Mags, do you like your wine sweet or dry?" Nick asks and Jackson bursts in the room. 

"Not happening." He spits out and walks over to me, temper flaring. "I thought I told you I'd come get you and take you to lunch."

"Yeah, but you said you'd be back in a couple of hours.  It's been three hours and-"

Nick steps in front of me to calm Jackson down but he seems to realize his poor decision once his eyes confront Jackson's furious glare.

"Maggie let's go." He says through a clenched jaw. 

If I wasn't worried about causing a scene I'd stand my ground, but I really don't want him hurting my new friend. 

I gently put my hand on Nicks shoulder and give him an apologetic smile.  Seeing me touch Nick seems to make Jackson's breathing intensify, so I hastily remove my hand and walk towards Jackson.

"Why have you been crying?" His tone changes to one of concern as he gently takes my face in his hands examining me. 

His eyes move back to Nick and I quickly try to diffuse the situation.  "I was reading a really depressing romance novel and I left my office to find tissues."  I glance at Nick and Alisa who are staring in awe waiting for Jackson to lose his shit.

"Luckily I made new friends because I was completely lost.  I didn't even know where the bathroom was!" I try to laugh this situation off. 

Jackson's breathing calms and a slight smile creeps up on his face.  "You were crying over a manuscript?" 

My face scrunches up in frustration, suddenly defensive.  "It was really good okay?  It was about these cancer patients falling in love and they knew they didn't have long to live but-" I start crying again and he embraces me and I feel his chest vibrate with a chuckle.

"Okay, okay it must have been a good one." He laughs and the tension in the room lightens. "Let's go get some lunch."