Love Changes Everything

By Suzanne Hoos

Hallie Cavanagh's interview for a much-needed position at ARK Enterprises goes belly-up when she forgets who is boss. CEO Aaron Knight is not only ruthless and arrogant but the sizzle between them knocks her right off her feet.

Aaron answers to no one. When he meets Hallie, he's impressed by her cool confidence and ideals but stunned by his out-of-control attraction to her. He doesn't want a woman in his life. Why would he? He doesn't believe in love.

Hallie knows what she wants, but business deals, Aaron's secrecy, and his disbelief in love can wreck her plans before she even gets to stage one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Nov 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781509228423

Suzanne Hoos

Suzanne Hoos divides her time between teaching junior high English to future authors and her own writing career. She lives in central New Jersey. Love Changes Everything is her sixth novel and her first contemporary romance.

Book preview

Inc.

There he stood, dressed in a black, fitted polo shirt and khaki cargo shorts. He looked undeniably like the bad boy next door. More like the billionaire bad boy. Whatever the title, she regarded him as positively handsome, dangerous, and lethal. She focused on his face. His mouth slipped into a sexy smile that flashed a desire he was having trouble hiding. She found herself stepping away from him.

You look… Her thoughts jumbled in her head. You look great. You look fantastic. You’re a fine specimen of a man. Kiss me now.

Yes?

She swallowed her foolish and untimely feelings. You look just right.

He cocked an eyebrow and gestured to his clothes. That’s it?

Her heart hammered against her chest. Is there something you need, Mr. Knight?

He boldly stepped closer to her. You, Ms. Cavanagh. I need you.

Love Changes Everything

by

Suzanne Hoos

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Love Changes Everything

COPYRIGHT © 2019 by Suzanne Hoos

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Diana Carlile

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Champagne Rose Edition, 2019

Print ISBN 978-1-5092-2841-6

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-2842-3

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To Helen…

fellow writer, mentor, and friend…

Rest in Peace

"The weak can never forgive.

Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

~Gandhi

~~

"There is only one happiness in this life,

to love and be loved."

~George Sand

Chapter One

This position is not for the weak or the faint of heart, Ms. Cavanagh. You will be expected to work at least sixty hours a week, and that includes most weekends as well as traveling both here and abroad.

Hallie Cavanagh tried not to squirm in the metal folding chair. Sixty hours a week? Most weekends? Traveling? Her head spun as she listened carefully to the criteria she was expected to meet if hired. And that was a big if. The conditions sounded severe, if not impossible. No matter. Right now, she needed to stay calm and make a good first impression. She had to show Aaron Knight she was a good fit for this job.

Questions about her business acumen came fast and furious for thirty minutes. She handled herself professionally, but there was nothing professional about this interview. In fact, most interviewees would deem it downright weird. Aaron Knight, the CEO and president of this multi-billion-dollar conglomerate was asking the questions from a computer screen as she sat in a cramped windowless room. She could only assume most successful people like Aaron Knight had their quirks.

You must be at the beck and call of ARK Enterprises whenever you’re needed. That means you’ll make yourself available to me at all hours of the day…and night, if necessary. His deep voice boomed over the speakers and bounced against the innocuous beige walls.

Hallie swallowed the hard lump forming in her throat. His words caused her to flinch.

I understand. Did she wanted to hear any more stark rules she would have to follow if she was going to be part of this international corporation?

I hope you do.

Stay focused, Hallie. You need this job. The reason hovered over her like a storm cloud. Her mother deserved the best care she could offer. Still the question lingered. What was she getting herself into?

I can assume then you know what you’re getting yourself into?

The gruff voice brought her back to the moment. Excuse me?

Ms. Cavanagh, are you all right? We can end this interview now if you’re—

No, sir. She sounded like a fledgling soldier in the army. Was he frowning? She couldn’t tell by his silhouette. He sounded like he was frowning. I’m fine. Her otherwise common sense and control were taking quite a hit. She rubbed her hands on her navy-blue skirt.

Was that an intimidating sigh?

You will be given five weeks’ paid vacation, which is unheard of in other corporations, but you’ll need every bit of those weeks to regroup from procurement to procurement. The salary I’m offering is more than generous, but I warn you, no amount of money was enough to keep my last executive director of acquisitions from quitting after seven months. The job was clearly too much for her.

Her?

Though her heart beat double time, she remained calm. She wasn’t about to give away any inkling of apprehension.

You will make yourself available to me at all hours of the day…and night, if necessary. His ominous words reverberated in her brain.

His intimidation made the job seem a veritable pressure cooker, but was that the real reason the last director had left the company? Or was there something else that drove the executive away? Stop it. I’m always thinking the worst. Aaron Knight was known to be a player when it came to women. Had he come on to the executive? Mentally, she shook her head and forced the dark, if not foolish thoughts to disappear.

You will earn every penny with your blood, sweat, and many tears, but I would appreciate you keeping your emotions to yourself. No matter how browbeaten you might feel, unrequited sentiments have no business in the workplace.

I understand. Squashing sentimentalities wouldn’t be a problem. She hadn’t felt anything in the past year.

And, Ms. Cavanagh, I cannot stress enough that with any sign of faltering, any breach of confidentiality, or the smallest mistake that costs my company money, you will be let go without so much as a blink of an eye. Have I made myself clear?

Yes, you have. She stopped, quickly assessing her flippant tone. She had struggled all through the interview to keep her voice steady, and now she sounded dismissive. Should she be worried?

Aaron Knight apparently caught it, too. His shadowy figure leaned back and stiffened.

What had she done? Ignore it. Pretend it never happened.

Excuse me?

Sorry.

Are you mocking me?

Shit. No. Mr. Knight. I’m just trying to take in the enormity of the job.

And you don’t think you can handle it. It wasn’t a question.

No— She squared her shoulders. I mean, yes, I’m sure I can.

But?

No buts. If you give me a chance, I’m sure—

This interview is over, Ms. Cavanagh. You’ll hear from my—

No, I want to hear it from you. What am I doing?

Silence.

You have my résumé, Mr. Knight. You know what I’m capable of. If I have the job, I want you to tell me. Stop talking. Stop talking!

The computer snapped to black. She sat back, stunned. She’d really messed up this time. Damn it. Why hadn’t she kept her big mouth shut?

The door opened suddenly, making her heart flutter. The tall, attractive, willowy woman who had introduced herself before Hallie’s interview as Lavelle Andrews, Aaron Knight’s administrative assistant, was now here to personally throw her out.

Even though her face burned with embarrassment, Hallie stood, gathered what was left of her dignity, and tried not to make a show of her disappointment. It’s been nice meeting you, Ms. Andrews. Thank you for everything. I’ll be going now. She sidestepped the table and headed for the door.

Lavelle put out her hand to stop her. Just a moment, Ms. Cavanagh. Your interview isn’t over.

But I thought that—

Lavelle adjusted her stylish, black-rimmed glasses. It seems Mr. Knight wants to meet with you—in person.

****

Thirty-year-old Aaron Russell Knight stared out the window of his posh yet sterile office high above Manhattan. The several large panes of spotless glass that dominated one wall allowed him to drink in the panoramic view. He loved New York. His connection to the city was something he prized. Its energy and everything it had to offer ran through his veins and ignited his senses. But he liked the anonymity of it even more than its vitality. The millions inhabiting this concrete island made it quite easy for him to get lost among the crowds, even though he cut a high-profile figure.

A city boy, born and raised, he had learned how to become independent at a young age. While suburban brats were learning how to balance on a bicycle, he was already riding the subway to school before the age of eight. While those same kids spent weekends running through the wet grass on soccer or Pop Warner fields, he was making a buck or two delivering pizzas from Romero’s on a beat-up scooter to downtown patrons. And later, when teenage boys fought their angst over who to ask to prom, he was ducking his father’s punches while trying to deflect the physical abuse away from his younger siblings and long-suffering mother.

Living in a dysfunctional family taught him early on that no one was going to help him through life. He’d struggled for things he’d wanted, fought for things he believed he deserved. No one had ever handed him anything on a silver platter. Maybe that was why he was so prosperous now. Maybe that was why he felt so alone.

Wasted feelings aside, he’d had no idea that seven years ago his insignificant start-up company would be a success. Who knew that buying, selling, or lording over others’ companies and properties was something he’d excel in? Something that drove his ambition. Like his hard-nosed grandfather, Malcolm Clark, he had a head for business and a heart for no one.

Or at least he thought.

But moments ago, much to his chagrin, he’d been blindsided by this latest applicant, and now he struggled to understand why. Why was this insignificant woman making him feel things he hadn’t felt in years? Maybe his whole broken life?

Over the last month, he’d conducted at least a hundred interviews for the position of executive director of acquisitions. The job was challenging on all accounts. Acquiring the right companies for profit was his religion. Rebecca Strauss, his last director, had run out of the building screaming and cursing his name. He couldn’t blame her. He was a bastard when it came to ARK Enterprises. He demanded hard work, loyalty, and confidentiality from his employees. He was as exacting and exhausting as the work itself. But being a hard-ass made him the success he was. Being in control was what he did best.

But so far, those many interviews he’d conducted only exposed the lack of competence and absence of work ethics in many of the candidates. There were some prospects, far and few between, that showed possibilities, if trained correctly, but who had the time?

What was that old adage? Time is money. Yeah. He liked that. He lived by that rule. He was prepared to interview a hundred more candidates if he were sure that the perfect one was among them. But today, fate had dealt him another hand, and as intrigued as he was, he couldn’t help but wonder why.

Hallie Cavanagh’s insistence that he let her know if she was hired on the spot was downright blatant. Would he call her attitude insubordinate? Maybe not. After all, she didn’t work for him. Yet. If she expected a yes or no answer, she had severely underestimated him. He wanted to know much more about her, and it wouldn’t be all about business.

A quick knock on the door drew his attention. He walked around to the front of his sleek, glass-and-chrome desk, leaned against the edge, and folded his arms over his chest. He crossed his ankles, being careful not to scuff his Italian oxfords. The unexpected pinpricks along his body surprised him. Images of high school and first date jitters rose to the surface, chipping away at his self-assurance. The sensation was annoying at best. What was going on? He was the one with the upper hand. He took a breath and rolled his shoulders, relieving the unwanted tension. Yes?

Lavelle peeked around the edge of the door. Mr. Knight, Ms. Cavanagh is here per your request.

Send her in.

Lavelle nodded and opened the door wider.

Aaron’s heart lurched, and all his thought processes ceased when Hallie Cavanagh entered the office.

With purposeful intent, she walked up to him and held out her hand. Hello, Mr. Knight. It’s an honor to meet you.

An honor? Her overly confident demeanor amused him. Was it an act? Inside, she was undoubtedly vibrating with dread, wondering what he’d say to her—do to her.

Thank you, Ms. Cavanagh. He took her hand, shook it, and gave her face a raking gaze. It’s a pleasure to meet someone who challenges my authority. He enjoyed seeing the instant blush on her cheeks. He detected a little tremble on the bottom of her curved, parted lips. Her scent, soft, subtle, vanilla, and something exotic, wafted in the air and drifted into his senses.

But he was getting ahead of himself. He didn’t want to scare her off. Why did she dare question him when she damn well knew she was interviewing for a lucrative position in his company?

I’m sorry, Mr. Knight. I didn’t mean to—

He was disappointed she’d broken away from his hold so soon. He could have held her silky, warm hand all day. He caught himself before his hardened emotions became too maudlin.

That will be all, Lavelle. Thank you. He looked away from Hallie. Was that his wobbling voice? Get hold of yourself, man.

Lavelle closed the door.

The anonymity of the computer screen had done her a disservice. With a calculated eye, Aaron assessed the young woman. She cut quite the striking figure. Maybe five seven. Slender but not skeletal. He liked that. Shoulder-length, shiny brown hair, the color of a strong cup of coffee. A girl-next-door kind of face—whatever that meant. And those eyes. Blue? No, green maybe. Whatever the color, they were mesmerizing, and despite her embarrassment, not shying away from his.

She remained ramrod straight in her four-inch black heels probably purchased at Marshall’s. Her light-gray, knock-off designer suit showed very little skin, just a shapely pair of legs. He could tell by her stark body language she had some control issues. Who doesn’t?

He gestured to a red tufted leather chair across from his desk. Please have a seat, Ms. Cavanagh.

She remained standing. Had she heard him? Was she that nervous being in his presence? Or was she that arrogant?

Ms. Cavanagh? A seat. Please. He folded his arms across his chest. He kept his face expressionless, his amazement hidden by a slow breath. Imploring, no matter how slight, wasn’t something he ever did. How had she manipulated him into giving an order twice?

Yes, of course. She perched on the edge of the chair, crossed her legs at the ankles, and folded her hands in her lap. Though her straitlaced behavior charmed him, he had a feeling that beyond her proper mannerisms beat the heart of a rebel. Do you have trouble with authority, Ms. Cavanagh?

Excuse me?

Let me put it in a way you might understand better. Are you always so impulsive?

She opened her mouth but then hesitated.

He was more than aware that his scrutiny was making her uncomfortable. You were about to say something?

Instead of weakening as most would do when he attacked their disposition, Hallie straightened her shoulders in defiance. First, I don’t appreciate you belittling my intelligence. She tilted her head. Second, is impulsiveness a job requirement?

Feigning a cough to cover his surprise, Aaron composed himself. Now she was bordering on insubordination, and yet he couldn’t help but be intrigued. What else would she say? What else would she do? He was curious if not determined to find out.

I might add it to my list, if you think it’s a viable attribute. His teasing broke the tension, and the corners of her mouth lifted upward in a smile he found utterly charming.

She tucked a strand of that shiny dark hair behind her ear. He noticed the diamond stud in her lobe. Probably fake.

Instead of reeling in his arrogance, he surmised it was time to catch her off her guard. See what she could handle. See if she could handle him. I really am a bastard. But damn, it was fun. Tell me something about yourself.

She blinked. What do you mean?

The edge to her voice made his groin tighten. What the hell is that? It’s not a difficult question. He caught himself. Was he belittling her again? In this PC society, he often argued that people were way too sensitive about every little thing. Was this Hallie Cavanagh’s MO? Was this how she would secure this position? Crying mental abuse of power?

But this time she didn’t seem flustered or annoyed. I graduated second in my class—

No, not like that. I want to learn something about you beyond your résumé. Something personal. More…intimate. Much to his chagrin, he found himself fantasizing about slowly unbuttoning her jacket and revealing her assets. Again, he was off to a place he had no business being in. But the twinkle in her eyes and her lion-like confidence urged him on. Am I making you uncomfortable?

Not at all. It’s just that my life isn’t all that special. There’s really nothing to tell.

You know what they say about the unexamined life.

Is not worth living, I know. The corners of her mouth twitched upward. Do you ask all your employees to divulge their innermost secrets?

You’re not an employee.

She struck a cool pose. Not yet.

He grabbed onto the edge of the glass top of his desk with both hands to steady himself from her sharp comeback. Beautiful, brazen, and totally bigheaded. What was he going to do if he hired her? What didn’t he want to do? On the outside, he remained collected. Inside, he was dying to touch her, smell her, and taste what she had to offer. He wanted his mouth exploring every inch of her. He wanted to whisper his wants, his desires, and his longings to her. He wanted Hallie Cavanagh in every way. I do respect the privacy of my staff, if that’s what you’re asking.

Really? It wasn’t a question.

Jesus. He cocked his head. Was she mocking him? Did she realize being impertinent could cost her this job? Did she care? You don’t believe me?

I don’t know you well enough to believe you.

Touché. He eyed the outline of her breasts as they rose and fell with the deep breath she took. A small sigh escaped her lips, and his heart responded, thumping hard against his chest. What in the hell was happening to him?

I have an exorbitant amount of student loans—

So does one quarter of the country. Try again. He was being a royal pain in the ass. He couldn’t help himself. She was making it so easy.

I’m a Starbucks fanatic.

Boring. Let me make this easier. Tell me something that you… He paused, frowning. Something you believe in.

She bit her bottom lip, squared her shoulders, and looked thoughtful. Love, Mr. Knight. The force of it the word nearly knocked him to the floor.

Love?

Yes. I believe in love.

The air in the room became charged with electricity, and its jolt shook every muscle in his body. He eyed her curiously. Of course she believed in love. She was young, not naïve. Impressionable, perhaps? Probably searching for her Prince Charming. But princes were few and far between in this world. Happily ever afters were found in kitschy romance novels. He silently wished her luck.

Did I say something wrong?

Quickly, he reined in his jumbled judgments and pulled himself together. No. I just wasn’t expecting that.

She tilted her head. "What were you expecting? That I believe in power? Money? The stock market?"

No one believes in the stock market, Ms. Cavanagh.

She smiled.

An unfamiliar emotion made his stomach clench. Awkwardness. He wasn’t used to the sensation, couldn’t explain it if he wanted to. Suddenly, all those fantasies of desire and need disappeared in a puff of gray smoke. Now what he wanted was her—gone. Yes. Gone. Gone from his office, gone from ARK, gone from inside his head. She was actually causing him discomfort. Discomfort led to mistakes. In the corporate world, make enough mistakes and businesses collapsed. He hastily made up his mind that Hallie Cavanagh wouldn’t be the best candidate for this job. The words This interview is over. Good day, Ms. Cavanagh were on the tip of his tongue, and yet he remained mute, trying to make sense of what was going on, indulging in an impossible craving to hear what she would say next.

What about you, Mr. Knight?

He blinked in surprise. Being caught off guard again wasn’t a good look on him. What about me? His brow wrinkled. What was she doing? How did she turn the proverbial tables so quickly?

I think it’s only fair that you offer the same information that you ask of your employees. Her voice was quiet and thoughtful.

Her brashness excited him. The light in her blue eyes—yes, they were blue—was unsettling. Her gaze met his with a stinging force as though he were wrapped in a live wire.

He changed his mind. He didn’t want her gone. What he wanted was to yank her out of that chair and have intense sex with her right on the top of his desk in front of all of Manhattan.

"Tell me something you believe in."

What the hell? To cover up his astonishment, Aaron uttered a soft, husky laugh. All right. I’ll play along. And then I’ll dismiss her.

She waited, looking eager. Looking beautiful. Looking like his next conquest.

It seems that we’re quite the opposite when it comes to beliefs.

How so, Mr. Knight?

Why was his chest constricting? Damn it. Was he having a heart attack? He took a breath to release the tightness. The air sputtered in his lungs. Her focus was on him, and he had to say something.

You see, Ms. Cavanagh, I don’t believe in love.

****

She got the job!

Exiting ARK Enterprises, Hallie kept pace with the city crowd and basked in her success. She had no idea how she’d done it, but the position of ARK’s executive director of acquisitions was now hers. After their strange encounter in his office, Aaron Knight had offered it to her. Just like that. Just like she’d known he would.

In the moments before she’d been ordered to his office, she’d thought she’d really blown her interview to smithereens. Acting so smug, so superior was a stupid thing to do. But in reality, it’d turned out to be a brilliant move—or at least the right move.

Their conversation, though, was strange. Asking her to tell him something personal bordered on an imposition. No. Intrusive was more like it. She’d go so far as to call it disturbing. Was that the great Aaron Knight’s way of intimidating people? Catch them off guard and see what