She Works Reception At A Law Firm, Not Knowing The New CEO Client Would Soon Love Her
The Unexpected Client
Bria Kent hadn’t even finished her first coffee when the man who was about to turn her life upside down walked through the glass doors of Adler and Cole Law. He moved like he owned the world—tall, dark suit, sharp as a knife.
His jawline was carved like a sculpture, and eyes locked on hers the second he stepped inside. Bria blinked, her fingers frozen over the keyboard. Her job as a receptionist wasn’t exactly glamorous: signing in clients, answering phones, pretending her life wasn’t stuck in neutral.
But this man didn’t belong in her gray-toned world. He stopped in front of her desk, setting down a sleek black briefcase.
“I have a 9:00 a.m. with Jonathan Adler. Reese Anderson.”
Bria’s hand twitched. She glanced down at the calendar on her screen.
“Right, Mr. Anderson. He’s expecting you.”
Her voice was steady, but her heart had kicked into overdrive. Reese Anderson, she repeated silently. That name was everywhere lately—business magazines, headlines, whispers in the office halls. He was the new CEO of Oralion Tech, a billionaire, ruthless and brilliant.
Right now, he was standing three feet from her with a presence that made the air feel too thick to breathe. She pointed toward the elevator.
“Take that up to the 22nd floor. Mr. Adler’s assistant will meet you there.”
He didn’t move. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, looking at her like he was trying to figure out a puzzle.
“What’s your name?”
Bria blinked. “Bria. Bria Kent.”
“That’s a good name,” he said. “You’re not just a receptionist, are you?”
Her brows lifted. “Well, today I definitely am.”
His lips tugged into a faint smile, not arrogant, just observant.
“You’ve got that look like you’ve got something to say, but don’t say it.”
Before she could respond, the elevator dinged. A young woman in heels stepped out, waving him over.
“Mr. Anderson, we’re ready for you.”
He gave Bria one last look. “Nice to meet you, Bria.”
She exhaled when he finally stepped away. That should have been it. Another rich client blowing through, barely remembering the person at the front desk.
Except it wasn’t, because the next morning he was back. And the morning after that, and the one after that. Always early, always dressed like he had a boardroom waiting, but he never went up immediately.
He lingered, talked to her, asked about her music taste, her favorite breakfast spot, and what book she was reading. It was nothing flirty—just curious and attentive, like he actually wanted to know her.
By the end of the week, Bria had started watching the front door like a teenager waiting for her crush to walk into homeroom. On Friday, she was filing intake forms when he appeared again holding two coffees.
“I guessed on the milk,” he said, setting one on her desk. “Do you take sugar?”
She stared at him. “You brought me coffee.”
“Well, you usually have your own by now, but it looked like you didn’t get a chance today.”
“How do you know that?”
He grinned. “Bria, I notice things.”
The warmth in her chest was immediate and annoying.
“You’re aware this is wildly inappropriate, right?” she said, picking up the cup anyway.
“You’re not married,” he said simply.
She flushed. “Still, you’re a client—for now.”
His tone was casual, but his eyes didn’t move from hers. She took a sip; it was perfect. He leaned on the counter.
“Let me take you to dinner.”
Her heart stopped. “You’re kidding. I’m not—you’re Reese Anderson. The Reese Anderson. You probably eat in places that don’t even have menus.”
“So I’ll pick somewhere with menus, and we’ll eat.”
She stared at him. “Why me?”
He didn’t hesitate. “Because you’re the first person I’ve met in a long time who doesn’t treat me like a business deal. Because you actually laugh when something’s funny. And because I think you’d tell me the truth even if I didn’t like it.”
Her stomach flipped. She wanted to say no; she should have said no. But instead, she nodded.
“Fine. One dinner.”
He pushed away from the counter, smiling. “I’ll send a car tomorrow. Seven.”
She laughed. “Of course you have a car to send.”
He winked. “You’ll like it.”
