Breaking the Rules

By LK Lewis

“Breaking the Rules”
Synopsis
Morgan Lane has just completed grad school, and has accepted a job at Baylor Industries with the help of her father, who just so happens to be golf buddies with Drake Baylor Sr., CEO. Morgan has lived her 24 years of life under her parents thumbs, and is more than eager to start living life and carving a successful career for herself.
Drake Baylor Jr. is being groomed to take over as CEO of Baylor Industries upon his father’s retirement. Although he was raised in an affluent household, his formative years were rough, leading to a string of bad decisions, and hard lived years. In order to take over as CEO, his father has given him a set of rules to live by for an indefinite period of time: No drugs, limited alcohol consumption, and absolutely no relationships whatsoever with women-his greatest weakness. If Drake can abstain from those three things, work hard, and gain his father’s trust, he can have the keys to the Kingdome.
Drake meets Morgan on her first day at Baylor Industries, and the phrase “love at first sight” doesn’t even come close to describing what is felt between them. Their instant attraction is a magnetic pull that is stronger than either one of them can handle. Now Drake and Morgan are faced with figuring out how to fight for their future together, hoping not to get caught “Breaking the Rules”.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LK Lewis
• Release date: Mar 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311120502

LK Lewis

LK Lewis lives in Northern Michigan with her Husband and 3 year old son. Born and raised in Michigan, LK spent her early twenties chasing the man of her dreams (now husband of 8 years) around the country, residing in both New York, and Portland, Oregon. While living in Portland, LK attended East West College of the Healing Arts, and is now a Massage Therapist, Makeup Artist, and Spa/ Boutique Owner. When LK isn’t working, writing, or chasing her son around, she enjoys boat days, playing in the sunshine, and giggling with her husband. You may also find her on twitter most days, especially live tweeting when The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Sons of Anarchy or The Walking Dead is on. Check her out, you may enjoy her colorful commentary! Author Social Media Links: Facebook: LK Lewis Twitter: @lklewisauthor Other Books By LK Lewis: Breaking the Rules (Breaking the Rules Series #1) Making the Rules (Breaking the Rules Series #3) Coming June 1st!

Book preview

Chapter One

Morgan

The day has finally arrived. I recently graduated with my MBA, moved out of my overbearing parents’ house in the suburbs, and into my very first apartment in the city. Today is my first day as a new Account Executive at Baylor Industries, and I can’t wait to start this new chapter in my life.

It is highly unusual to start as an Account Executive without paying your dues, especially at such a highly regarded corporation as Baylor Industries, but my father is golf buddies with owner and CEO, Drake Baylor. While hitting the greens a week or two ago, Mr. Baylor had mentioned that the position had become available and my father asked for this favor.

Quite honestly, I think my parents wish I’d fallen in love with a wonderful pre-med student or trust fund baby in college so I could just settle down comfortably right out of school as my mother did, but I want more for myself. I have taken it a step further and completed grad school, and now I am starting a career, and building a life for myself all on my own. I did, however, promise my mother that I would continue to come out to the club for brunch on Sundays and let her treat me to the occasional Shopping Day. I live in the city with fabulous shopping; why not let my mother take her AmEx for a spin now and then?

Now, Morgan, don’t forget to wear your navy shift dress with the Prada heels I bought you at Saks last week, my mother somehow manages to nag me over the phone, and for the love of God, please do something with your hair, and put on a little makeup. Your father has set up a 9am meeting with Mr. Baylor so you can start on the right foot with his company.

As if I don’t know how to present myself professionally at the age of 24. Okay mom, I get it. Please thank Dad for me again; I’ll call you after work.

Drake

Drake Baylor speaking.

Drake, it’s your father … I already know this of course, my assistant Grace has just sent the call through to my office. I am supposed to meet with Jim Lane’s daughter this morning at nine to welcome her to the firm, but something has come up, so I need you to take the meeting.

My father never wastes his time with something like this. I wonder what he’s getting out of this favor.

That’s fine, I’ll have Grace make room in my schedule. Since when do you personally welcome new staff?

I said yes to this meeting as a favor to Jim. His wife seems to think that Morgan will get a leg up if she meets me in person. I’ve already given her a position that she most likely isn’t qualified for. It’s normally a big waste of time for me, but Jim Lane is the perfect person to have owe you a favor, so really, what’s 15 minutes?

There it is, I knew my dad wouldn’t be meeting some should-be intern fresh out of school for nothing. My father is a cut-throat and calculated businessman. He never spends his time on anything that doesn’t directly benefit himself or his business. That even includes grooming me, his only son, as the next CEO of Baylor Industries. I made a lot of mistakes in my early adulthood, and now I am doing everything in my power to correct my wrong doings and forge a life for myself. This includes living my life on the straight and narrow, following a strict set of rules set by my father. Rules that benefit both of us, of course. It was simple, though; follow the rules for the next few years, work hard, and it will all pay off for me. I’ll be CEO, and my dad will retire with the knowledge that his company is running smoothly in good hands, and he will still be receiving healthy dividends.

You’ve got a good point there Dad, 15 minutes at nine, done.

Drake, don’t forget about what we discussed. No second chances this time, remember?

And there was the warning I was waiting for. He didn’t have to say anything, I was already living with the consequences of my previous mistakes, ones that I could not afford to make again, and he knew it.

I know, Dad. I’m doing my best to prove my worth to you. I won’t let you down, I promise.

Chapter Two

Morgan

I arrive at Baylor Industries promptly at 8am. I fill out the standard new employee paperwork in human resources, receive my access badge in security, and am shown to my new office.

I quickly settle into my office, adorning my desk with a few framed pictures of my parents and me during my graduation cruise on the Côte d’Azur. I must say, it’s so nice to have my own office. I’m a pretty creative person that does my best work when listening to music, or talking out loud to myself while re-drafting briefs, and that doesn’t normally go over well with a cubicle mate. Recent graduates like myself usually have to share a cubicle in a larger open format room, and answer to executives, but fortunately, and with the help of my father, I was able to bypass a few rungs on the corporate ladder.

My office is a nice size, with an amazing view that spans the entire skyline. The furniture is somewhat sparse, only offering two extra chairs for seating besides the one I sit in behind my desk, but I do have a mini fridge that is stocked with beverages. I also have my own coat closet which I intend to keep extra work clothes in, because I tend to spill things on myself, and I refuse to be the girl who shows up for a meeting with spilled coffee on my blouse.

I turn my computer on and notice that it is just about time to head upstairs for my 9am tête-à-tête with Mr. Baylor.

I exit the elevator on the 30th floor and enter what seems to be a whole new world. While my office on the 15th floor has been newly remodeled and is sufficiently decked out for meetings with various accounts, the executive suite of the 30th floor is truly something to take in. It is impressive yet not ostentatious, with floor to ceiling Italian marble, dark wood furniture, and rich green accents throughout.

Morgan Lane here to see Mr. Baylor, I say to the middle-aged receptionist before I am buzzed into the waiting area.

Miss Lane, have a seat. May I offer you coffee or tea?

No, thank you, I say politely while glancing around, taking the room in.

Drake will be with you shortly. My name is Grace, please let me know if you change your mind, Grace says with a kind smile.

I bet she’s worked at Baylor Industries her whole career. Not only does she seem completely comfortable and confident in her surroundings, I also noticed that she called Mr. Baylor by his first name. The CEO of a Fortune 500 company doesn’t usually let a member of his staff refer to him by name unless there is familiarity and most likely some sort of fondness established. In this case, I’d say a middle-aged woman who has most likely managed tasks further reaching than those of a receptionist for the past 20 years or so might have that privilege.

Miss Lane, I presume? A velvety smooth, low voice meets my ears, standing the hairs on the back of my neck on end. The words come from the doorway of a previously closed office and I spin slowly on my Prada heel and find that a sexy baritone voice isn’t the only appealing thing about its owner. I glance up and see the most beautiful man walking towards me. A custom tailored black suit adorns his tall, broad shouldered frame. Dark brown eyes meet my gaze, as a small smile crosses his face.

I’m Drake Baylor. Your father has said some wonderful things about you. I hope you can live up to the hype. Let’s get acquainted in my office, shall we? he says in a direct all business tone.

I’m completely thrown. This is my father’s golf buddy? If I had known I’d be hitting the links with such a beautiful man every weekend, I would have taken the sport up ages ago as my father suggested!

I follow Drake into his office, taking a seat in a comfortable leather chair across from his desk. Just looking at Drake, I know I’m in trouble. How am I supposed to get any work done when it is already so easy to fantasize about his gorgeous brown eyes and chiseled jawline? Oh how I’d love to know how it feels to have his pouty lips on me … all of me. What it must feel like to run my fingers through his dark brown hair, and down his sculpted shoulders and back. Dammit, my career is over before it got started.

Miss Lane? Drake snaps me out of my daydream with a smirk on his face, letting me know I’ve been caught staring.

Oh, um … I was just thinking about how I thought you were much older. The way my father talks about his golf games made me assume you were closer to his age, not mine.

Miss Lane … Drake starts.

Please, call me Morgan, Mr. Baylor.

Morgan. My father, Drake Baylor Sr., is your father’s regular golf buddy. I have, on occasion joined them on the links, but it is my father who hired you, not me. He was called away on other business today, so I am meeting with you as a favor to him, though I’m not sure what required this meeting at all. His tone was suddenly stern.

I’m not quite sure either, Mr. Baylor, I say with a shy smile, My mom is a bit of an over-achiever at times, and I have a feeling that she asked my father to set up this meeting with yours in hopes that 15 minutes of his time would start me out on the right foot with his company.

I see. What do you think, Morgan? Are you the type of girl that thinks a cute little shy smile like your own and some one on one time with my father will get you far? Drake asks a little too suggestively for my liking.

Mr. Baylor, I can assure you that although our fathers are golf buddies and that may have helped to secure my position here at Baylor Industries, I am a bright and competent person, who has worked very hard to forge a career on my own, even though I’m only about two hours into it. My mother may think that a well-fitting dress, highlights and a smile can take you far in the corporate world, but I believe that while that may help with first impressions, you have to actually use your brain to get the job done, I answer confidently, trying my best to keep the stank off my tone.

A small, almost proud, and very amused smile momentarily creeps across Drake’s face, but it is quickly replaced with a frown and drawn eyebrows.

Very well, Miss Lane, you’ve made a very good … first impression. Now let’s see if your theory about actually using your brain holds water. That is all for now, I look forward to our staff meeting Friday where I hope to see you test that theory.

Wow. This guy is going to give me whiplash. Was I mistaken a moment ago when I thought he was amused by my staring? His tone is so curt, what is with him? I realize there really isn’t a point to this meeting set up by our fathers and that I should thank him for his time and politely retreat to my own world on the 15th floor. For some reason, however, I cannot will my body to stand and leave. What is it about this man? Sure, he’s hot as hell, and can wear a suit like nobody’s business, but why do I feel like the last thing I want to do is leave his side? Ever? Oh, this is bad, this is really bad.

Thank you for your time, Mr. Baylor. I should get back to my office now and get settled in I think. I force my body to stand and walk to the doorway.

Drake

Shit, she’s leaving, say something. Morgan?

Yes, Mr. Baylor? Morgan says as she pauses at the doorway, turning back toward me.

Damn, she is beautiful. No wonder my father said what he did. I caught her staring at me earlier. Obviously she’s charmed by my looks, but she has no idea what I can be capable of. I know my tone earlier was harsh, I can see it completely threw her off, but I have to keep her at arm’s length. She can’t get too close, I have too much to lose.

Great, now it looks like I’m staring at her like an idiot. Which I am. I can’t take my eyes off her beautiful, slender frame. She is dressed modestly with a hint of sex appeal, no doubt her mother arranged her outfit for this meeting as well. I have to admit I love a woman in heels, and the ones Morgan has on are tall enough to make her calf muscles pop in the sexiest ways. Damn, Morgan has sexy legs. I’d love to have those long legs wrapped around me. The neckline of her dress comes to a low V at the base of her neck. Low enough to expose her collar bone. I want to nibble on that sexy spot on the base of her neck right above her collar bone as she throws her head back in ecstasy. Her strawberry blonde hair would look so beautiful splayed across my pillow. Mmmm, strawberries, I wonder if she tastes as sweet. I have to wrap this strange meeting up, it’s time for her to go.

It was nice to meet you. Welcome to Baylor Industries, I’m sure you will do well here. Is that really all I could come up with? God, I’m such an ass. That’s fine, I can be an ass, as long as that keeps her at arm’s length and me out of trouble with my father.

Morgan gives me a shy, almost sad smile, turns back, and heads out of my office.

Chapter 3

Morgan

I spend the rest of my first day at Baylor Industries briefing myself on our top clients, trying my damnedest to forget about Drake and our most awkward first encounter. Unfortunately, just knowing he was in the same building as me had me reeling. How did he get under my skin in such a brief amount of time? And why is it that I want so badly to get under him?

I keep reminding myself that I am here to work. I have worked so hard to forge a career for myself, refusing to get caught up in a relationship and end up being taken care of instead of taking care of myself. I absolutely love my parents and everything they have done for me, but sometimes I look at my mother and all I can think of is how lost she would be in this world without my father to look after her, especially financially.

By five o’clock, I shut my computer off, collect my things, and head out of my office. I promise myself that I will start fresh tomorrow, buckle down, and actually accomplish something. I’m almost at my car in the parking garage when I hear my name. I turn around to see Drake Baylor standing before me.

Morgan, how was your first day?

Mr. Baylor, it was definitely interesting, I say, referring to our awkward meeting this morning, I’ve briefed myself on some of our top clients, and will be ready for my account summary meeting at the end of the-

Well just so you know, you have parked in permit only parking. Don’t do it again, they’ll tow your ass in a heartbeat here, he says, cutting me off.

Did he really not care to hear the answer to his question? What is wrong with this guy? Why is he treating me this way? Again with the whiplash, one minute he seems at the very least cordial, then in the next, he’s a total dick! That’s right, Morgan, remind yourself that he is a dick. You won’t want to fantasize about him when he is acting that way.

Sorry, Mr. Baylor, it won’t happen again.

There is a lot to learn at this company, Morgan. We have both had the good fortune of having fathers whose clout in our industry has enabled us to bypass entry-level positions here, allowing us to start at the top.

Like I said, Mr. Baylor, my father may have helped to ensure my position at your father’s company, but I promise you, my hard work and dedication will prove to you and your father that I can deliver top level work.

"Well like I said Morgan, I look forward to seeing you test your theory at Friday’s meeting. Have a good night, Miss Lane," Drake says with a half-smile as he turns to walk towards his black BMW sedan.

Good evening as well, Mr. Baylor. My car and I will see you tomorrow, both parked in their appropriate places. I manage to get my snarky comment out as I practically jump into my car and get the hell out of the parking garage.

I’m not normally someone to let a bitchy comment like that slip, especially to my boss. My etiquette classes have taught me to always bite my tongue and be a lady, but I couldn’t help myself. Even though I should be completely put off by his snide comments and condescending tone, I feel my attraction towards him growing. My body was certainly reacting to him. If I keep this up, I’ll have to keep a few extra pairs of panties in coat closet as well!

My drive home isn’t very long, but it gives me a few moments to breathe, clear my head, and let the events of the day roll off my back. I remind myself that although my father helped me to secure my position with Baylor Industries, I’m a smart girl who will prove just how valuable I can be to this company. I’m not going to let a schoolgirl crush get in the way of achieving my dreams.

I check in with my parents on my way home as promised, but play coy when they ask about my meeting. When I get home, I go for a run, take a shower, and head right to bed. I figure the sooner I climb in bed and fall asleep, the sooner this day will be over and I can start fresh tomorrow. Easier said than done as I lie awake thinking about Drake. We only had a few short encounters today, not nearly enough time to formulate a true opinion about someone, but I feel as though my body has already formed its opinion even if my mind hasn’t. Just one look into those dark brown eyes and my body ignites.

Sure, I dated a few guys in college, but only had one serious relationship. I turned in my V-card a few years ago and I’m definitely not easy either, but no guy has ever turned me on with the heat of his stare the way Drake does. Every time I looked at him today, it was all I could do not to throw myself at him. It was so hard to leave his office today after I’d been excused. Drake called my name as I turned to leave, and it really seemed as though there was more he wanted to say, or maybe he didn’t want me to leave either. I’m sure whatever he wanted, it was not just to welcome me to the firm

*****

Morgan Lane’s office, I answer my phone shortly after arriving to work Tuesday morning.

Morgan, good morning, a sweet middle aged voice greets me, Drake has asked that you come to his office in five minutes, there is something urgent he needs to discuss. Does that work for your schedule?

Yes that works. Thank you, Grace, I’ll see you shortly, I reply before returning my phone to its cradle and letting out a stress induced huff.

Perhaps my snarky remark in the parking garage yesterday wasn’t well received. He needs to discuss something urgent with me which can only mean that he’s about to fire my ass, because while working for his father’s company for all of 24 hours, I haven’t really contributed anything, let alone something that would need to be discussed urgently. My mother will not be too thrilled to find out that I’ve been let go from my first job ever due to poor manners. My etiquette coach will go through the roof … only after saying excuse me first, of course. I might as well get this over with. My five minutes are literally up. I grab my purse, grabbing my picture from my desk just in case, and walk calmly to the elevator, fearful to meet my fate on the 30th floor.

I exit the elevator, only to find my dark haired, excruciatingly beautiful boss leaning on the door frame of his office. Drake has a stern look on his face, but even though I don’t really know him, I’d venture to guess that he’s doing his damnedest to fight the small smile that is creeping across his face.

Morgan, could you come with me please? Drake asks. I give him a shy smile and walk towards his office. Drake waits for me to enter his office, placing his hand on the small of my back to guide me in. The contact is an electric jolt with a one-way ticket to my panties, almost causing me to trip. I regain my composure, and even chance a small glance at Drake as I find my seat across from him at his desk, and find that familiar small smirk on his face.

Mr. Baylor, I’d like to apologize for my snarky comment yesterday in the parking garage, I was out of line. I wanted to get that out before I’m fired, so he knows it’s sincere, and not because he just canned my ass.

Morgan, I’m the one who owes you an apology, not the other way around. I asked you here this morning because I feel bad for the way I treated you yesterday. My father asked me to welcome you to the company, and my attitude towards you was anything but welcoming.

Thank you, Mr. Baylor, but you really don’t need to say anything. You are my boss, and I’m sure your time is much more valuable than welcoming new staff.

"Your father may have asked for the favor in hiring you, Morgan, but my father is a shrewd businessman. He obviously sees potential