SECRETLY MARRIED TO MY BOSS

chapter 1

Cora

Staring at the Colorado Mountains from my hotel room, I realize this corporate retreat is less of a “bonding experience” and more “bored to tears.”

Add in Griffin Blake, my boss and personal sunshine, and I’m officially on vacation from hell.

When I became the personal assistant for the biggest asshole I’ve ever met, I didn’t think my job duties would mean being forced to go on a trip like this.

Although, I didn’t have many options when it came to getting a job.

Griffin was my solution, and I’ve been doing my best to avoid him whenever I can.

Which is why I’m currently locked in my hotel room instead of at the pool with the lawyers.

I let out a dramatic groan, eyes locked on the computer screen as if my stare might magically erase the mountain of debt staring back at me.

It’s like my bank account is mocking me, whispering, “You really thought Victor was a catch, huh?”

It’s going to take a couple of years just to dig myself out of the hole he put me in—even longer if I do anything that causes me to lose my job.

Which I might.

Spending days and nights catering to Griffin’s every whim is getting old. I have half a mind to tell him where to go, and the other half is set on telling him how to get there.

A knock on my door draws me away from the tempting thoughts of throttling the man who has made my life miserable since I was a child.

I glare at the numbers one last time before getting off the plush bed. As I pad my way across the cream-colored carpet, I try to come up with an excuse for why I will not be joining the rest of the staff at the pool.

I only c***k the door, but Kaleigh barges her way in with a bottle of champagne in hand.

“I thought you could use a little bit of fun,” She says, setting the bottle on the desk and kicking off her heels. "It’s time to pre-game before we go out to find ourselves a bar.”

“Would telling you that I want to be alone for the rest of the night do any good?” I smile as I grab the champagne glasses from the minibar.

Kaleigh shakes her head and snatches the bottle up to pop it open. “Not even one bit. I’ve been hanging out with the men all day, and I’m desperate for a little woman time.”

“It couldn’t have been that bad.”

She gives me a flat look before her blue eyes roll. “If I have to hear how lucky I am because I got a good position at a prestigious corporate law firm, I’m going to lose my damn mind.”

I laugh as she pours the champagne. “And this is why being a personal assistant is better. I can avoid them all; they happily pretend I don’t exist. Hell, I should be at home right now. I could be curled up in bed with an entire bottle of wine and a good book.”

Kaleigh hums and perches herself on the edge of the desk. “Well, lucky for us, I found a bar that isn't filled with stuffy old men in suits. We can go dancing, and we might even be able to get you laid.”

Sputtering, my cheeks flame, and I almost spit out my drink. “I'm not here to get laid. I don’t have time for anyone, especially after the s**t that went down with Victor.”

Kaleigh rolls her eyes. “Screw him. You should be out having fun, not worried about what else could happen if you meet another asshole like him.”

She finishes her champagne and heads for my suitcase. Kaleigh rummages through the few things I brought to the trip.

While she looks for something to force me into, I down my first glass of champagne and pour myself a second.

Kaleigh pulls out a black dress that I know will hug my figure and highlight the best parts of my body. “I like this one. Come on, Cora. A woman not on the hunt for a hookup wouldn’t pack something that screams ‘slinky gothic babe.’”

If I thought my cheeks were on fire before, they’re an inferno now. “Kaleigh, this is ridiculous. Let’s just stay in and order some pizza to the room or something.”

She gives me a flat look and tosses over the dress. “Get ready. We’re going out, and we’re going to have a good time. I’m tired of seeing you mope around.”