CLAMPED WITH ME FOREVER

y's

cretary, it was my first day and the weight of that title seemed both exciting and terrible. The light glin

rking somewhere like this, now that I w

ely, I wanted to exude professionalism while yet feeling a little self-conscious. Unlike the bla

said with a brilliant smile. You really have to be

ng a long corridor decorated with contemporary art and soft rugs. Every stride felt like a reminder of h

doors. Just a warning: Mr. Blackwood may be really strong

rilliance in the boardroom and might to be reckoned with had reached me.

then turned aside to let m

loor to ceiling windows providing an amazing perspective of the city skyline. Julian Black

done, he said, his tone free of debate. At the

l, his dark hair framing his sharp face. I felt underdressed an

ued, his voice silky bu

I assumed I arrived on schedule. I mean, I

mprehensible. "Time in this company

yself to meet his stare. "I'll see

ir across from him. I sat fast, attemptin

écor and striking collection of accolades on display. I had only seen t

r and sliding it over the desk. "You will handle letters, schedule my cale

voice now more steady.

little fraction. Not is what I hope

on. I filed papers, made calls, and even kept up with Julian's rigorous pace.

my ideas. "Can you bring me the

and for the filing cabinet. I could feel Julian staring at me as I s

anised?" he questioned,

"I try to be." "I think every

he remarked, reclining in his chair. "M

gave me a flutter of confide

his voice softening somewhat. "W

testing the name. Dealing with him

an the way he wrinkled his brow when deep in thought, the tiny twitch of his lip

ith his authority, I sensed an emptiness under the

ngings. Feeling a bit let down by the idea of le

y in my tracks. "I want you to remain a b

m, my heart surged. Of co

business dinner tonight and I need you to

eserving of such an invitatio

selves in a high-stakes situation, he said,

of myself. "Okay;

ven, he said, his voice de

lled-this was an opportunity to challenge myself outside of my comfort level. Later that evening, I stood before my mirror straightening my dress and correcting my hair. I had decided on a

xpectancy. Julian arrived early, looking perfectly in a fitted suit that highlighted hi

s eyes darting over me with a fo

flushing over my ch

a little smile flickering on his lips. A

ty, and for the first time I questioned whether Julian Blackwood was mor

venue. Heads turned and whispers trailed after us as we a

he led me through the throng. And don't let

his comments. I became proud of myself when Julian brought me to know his

effectively I kept my own. Julian observed me intently, a conte

m us. She was striking, confident and with long dark hair. I knew her right a

d her voice full of appeal. "I didn't expec

his face ins unreadable. "W

I felt a cold go down my spine. And whose

ing not to lose control. Jul

answered, trying to seem

in in the air. "Alexandra, Emily is not jus

in her eyes. "Well, dear, you should be rea

ted allowing her comments to define me. I set out to p

tective quality surfaced, and I came to see that under hi

persisted in me as we exited the restaurant. The shadows of authority hovered

ntered the chilly evening air. Around A

eigning a grin. "Just

rmed quite nicely tonight. Let her threaten you no more

responded, a warmth fil

ciless field, and I was only starting to realize Julian's life was complicated. One thing was evident,