Chapter 6 Work Dinner with Mr. CEO
Leah's POV
Thursday evening settles in quietly, and I’m filing the final version of a revised itinerary when the intercom buzzes.
“Leah. My office.”
I save the document and head in.
Nathan stands by the window, jacket already on so I can tell he’s going somewhere.
He turns when I enter.
“I need you tonight,” he says.
My brain stalls for half a second before he continues.
“I have a client dinner with Richard Holt. We’ve been negotiating an acquisition for three years now. His wife’s birthday is today and he’s insisted on making it a work dinner.”
I nod, absorbing the information.
“I need a plus one,” Nathan adds. “My usual associate is unavailable.”
“Of course.”
“Good. It’ll run late so I’ll pick you up.”
He crosses to the desk and holds out his hand.
“Your phone.”
I blink. “My—”
“So I have your address.” He stares at me. “And so you have my number.”
Right. I unlock it and hand it over.
He quickly types in his number, hands it back, and I catch a trace of his cologne as his fingers briefly brush mine.
Keep it together Leah.
I look down at the new contact. Nathan. No last name.
"Eight o'clock," he says before he dismisses me.
—
I changed four times that night. I tell myself it’s just because I'm indecisive but the truth is, I'm trying my hardest to impress Nathan.
This is the first time he'll see me outside of work clothes, and I want him to look.
I finally settle on a deep burgundy dress, simple and fitted, with gold heels and accessories.
At eight exactly, a black car pulls up outside my building.
Nathan steps out before I even reach the sidewalk. He looks up and instantly goes still. For a few seconds, his eyes move over me slowly as if he's checking me out in awe.
"Leah, you look—" he's about to say more but then he visibly stops himself. "Good. Let's go."
I hide my smile and get into the car.
When we arrive, the restaurant is set up beautifully.
We approach the reserved table and get greeted by Richard Holt and his wife, Mary.
“Nathan, good to see you as always,” Richard says with an easy smile before he turns to address me. “And you must be the new PA, Leah.”
“Yes, sir.”
He smiles and we all settle down to have dinner.
Richard Holt was in his early fifties, had silver hair, and carried a natural confidence about him, so it didn’t take long before he dominated the conversation.
The first forty minutes are pleasant, a careful blend of business and personal stories that keep the atmosphere relaxed. But once the hour mark passes and the second bottle of wine arrives at the table, something shifts. Richard becomes inappropriate.
The compliments start small. He comments on my smile, on how ‘refreshing’ I look and then he tells Nathan how ‘lucky he was to have me across from him all day at work.’
Richard's gaze continues to linger suggestively on me. I keep smiling, redirecting the attention.
But beside me, Nathan is visibly pissed. He looks like he’s seconds away from cautioning Richard, like he’s weighing whether to let it pass or shut it down completely.
Before dessert arrives, I excuse myself and head for the restroom.
After cooling off, I step out into the corridor when I hear footsteps behind me and I turn to find Richard a few feet away, hands in his pockets, smiling.
"Mr. Holt." I keep my voice even. "Excuse me, I was just heading back—"
“Actually,” he interrupts smoothly, “I wanted a word.”
He steps closer.
“I have a position opening up. Chief of Staff level. You’d be remarkable.”
He pulls out a business card.
I look at it but don’t take it.
“That’s very kind,” I say, “but I’m happy where I am.”
“Are you?” He steps closer, closing the small distance between us until I can smell the wine on his breath. “I can be very persuasive.”
His hand reaches toward my arm and I step back and hit my shoulders on the wall.
“Mr. Holt—”
“Please darling, call me Richard.”
“Sir, I’d appreciate some space.”
He smiles like I’ve flirted instead of rejected him. Then, as he's about to move even closer, a hand closes around his wrist.
I look straight ahead to see an angry Nathan.
“I think that’s enough,” he says quietly.
Richard turns, surprised. Nathan releases his wrist and steps between us, shielding me.
“For God’s sake, Richard you’re a married man,” Nathan continues calmly. “Have some respect for your wife. It’s her birthday, of all days, and you’ve just spent the last hour making my PA uncomfortable.”
His voice drops colder.
“I suggest you head back inside. Sit down. Apologize to Mary.”
“Nathan I—”
“We’ll discuss the rest of the acquisition tomorrow,” Nathan interjects. “On the phone.”
He doesn't wait for Richard to utter another word before he grabs my hand and pulls me to exit with him.
Nathan doesn't look back. He walks away and I follow behind, my heart was doing something completely unreasonable as we moved through the restaurant, past our table, toward the exit.
Outside, the night air hits us both.
Nathan stops at the edge of the steps and releases my hand. He turns to face me.
"Thank you," I immediately say. "You didn't have to—"
"You don't have to thank me, Leah." His voice was still edged from inside, not quite settled.
"Richard had no right to make advances like that. Especially not when you work for me." He holds my gaze. "No one touches what is mine."
I stare in shock. My heart instantly begins to beat out of control.
His?
Nathan's eyes continue to linger on mine, he studies me without looking away. A hint of longing flashes in those beautiful green eyes like he was aware of exactly what he'd just said.
I can't deny the tension now. I’m completely drawn to him.
After a moment, Nathan looks away first. He clears his throat, straightens his jacket, and checks his watch like the air between us hadn't just shifted. When he speaks again, his tone is professional.
"Come on," he says, "Let me take you home."
He moves towards the car without waiting for my response.
I stand there still in shock, composure completely shaken.
