Finding True's Love

By Teri Riggs

Six months after True's last boss viciously attacked her, she's ready to take her therapist's advice and go back into the work force. She wants her life to be normal again and working for another man will be a giant step towards her goal.

Nick has been betrayed by a pretty face for the last time and has sworn off relationships. Or so he thought until the day his new assistant, True Kelly, walked into his office.

They try to fight their attraction for each other, but fail. Are Nick and True ready to risk their hearts for a chance at happiness?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Teri Riggs
• Release date: Dec 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393981688

Book preview

1

H ow are you ever going to catch a man? Amy threw a sexy wink at True and snapped a selfie of herself kissing a ball of mistletoe. I swear, girlfriend, you dress like my mother—screw that, you dress like my grandmother. You’re in New York, not Small Town, USA.

True winced at her best friend’s words. I dress to please myself and no one else. I’m certainly not looking for a man. It wasn’t the first time she’d had to defend her clothing choice.

If I had a body like yours, I’d show it off. Amy climbed onto a chair and tacked the mistletoe above the breakroom door.

Your body is perfect, Amy. Amy’s already short skirt rode higher up her legs and True smiled at her friend’s idea of work attire.

Yeah, if you don’t mind a size twelve.

"A size twelve is normal. You need to stop reading all the silly glamour mags you pick up at the market. They lie. Size minus-twenty is not normal and it sure as hell isn’t sexy."

"Says the woman with the perfect—not to mention curvy—size four," Amy muttered and hopped off the chair.

I’m far from perfect. A shudder raced through True and she wrapped her arms around herself. Thanks to… Unable to say his name out loud, she let the words fade.

Scott Dunlap was a one-time deal. And a real bastard. I still can’t believe he got away with assaulting you. Amy laid a hand on True’s shoulder. Don’t let him win by becoming afraid of your own shadow. Besides, he left town months ago.

True nodded. Her heart rate shot straight into the stratosphere and she glanced around the small breakroom, eyeing the exit. Every time she thought about her ex-boss running his sweaty hands all over her body and beating her when she’d tried to fight him, she had to push away the panic and force herself not to run. She had to make herself breathe. No matter how many times the urge to hide hit, she refused to give in to it. She had to be stronger than that. Amy was right and she wasn’t about to let him ruin her life any more than he already had.

True, look at me. Focus on your breathing like they taught you in therapy. Amy tilted True’s chin up. Focus. The bastard can’t hurt you anymore.

A few deep breaths later, her body began to relax. God, how much longer would it take for her life to go back to normal? I’m okay, Amy. Thanks. She forced a smile. I need to get to my morning meeting with Mr. Cantrell.

Why do you insist on calling him Mr. Cantrell? Haven’t you known him, like, forever?

I met him our third year of college. And yes, we dated, but things didn’t work out. True had moved home to St. Louis and Nick had gone on to build his empire. After working in St. Louis for several years, she’d decided it was time to return to New York and she’d taken a position with Scott’s company—an unfortunate decision. I’m grateful for this job, but I’m not sure working here was the brightest idea.

You have to pay your bills, True. It would’ve been silly to pass on it just because you used to date the guy. You’re both adults. You can make this work.

You’re right. It hasn’t been bad. I have to admit, I’m comfortable around him. I’m not sure if it’s because I knew him before or because he seems to keep his distance from me—unless he’s barking orders at me. He seemed to spend his day either ignoring her or snapping at her. She shook her head. Sometimes I’m not sure why he keeps me around.

I know exactly why he keeps you around. Amy wiggled her brows.

Don’t start that again, my friend. True filled Nick’s Fuck ’Em if They Can’t Take a Joke mug with steaming coffee and then filled a mug covered with bright flowers for herself. I assure you, he has no interest in me. Some days, I don’t think he even knows I exist. Which is exactly the way I want it.

You and I are obviously talking about two different Nicks. The man all but drools when you enter a room.

Definitely two different Nicks. True looked at the two mugs of coffee. My boss is rude and lives to yell at people. Particularly me.

Jesus, True, you get along fine with Nick. It’s obvious to everyone but you. You panic anytime a man gets near you but seem almost relaxed when Nick is around. That’s a good thing. And I understand why you’re being cautious. I’m not a therapist, but I know that’s a big step in your healing.

True had never felt much of anything toward Scott. Certainly nothing sexual. But Nick was different. They’d known each other before. The same attraction to him she’d had when they’d dated was still there—one she would never act on. She’d never lead a man on by choice. If she had sent the wrong signal to Scott, it’d been purely by accident.

I’m pretty sure Nick has no interest in me. After all, he was the one who dumped me seven years ago. A sharp pain stabbed at her heart—the heart he’d broken.

Nick seemed to turn cold whenever she was around and that suited her just fine. It certainly made it easier to work with him. She’d learned from her last boss: do the job, make small talk when necessary, but never talk about personal things. Besides, even if there is an attraction—and there isn’t—I would never acknowledge it. I never want to send the wrong vibes to a man again. She wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

Oh, True. You didn’t give the wrong signal to Scott or make a mistake. It was all on Scott’s end. He was a bastard. I’m sorry he took so much away from you.

Hearing his name again, True began shaking. God, I’m a pathetic mess.

Not at all. I hate to see how upset you are. Amy reached for a mug. Here, let me take Nick’s drink to him.

True waved Amy away. I’ll take it. I have to go over the daily calendar with him anyway.

Why do you fetch Nick’s coffee? It’s not your job.

Why not, if I’m ‘fetching’ my own? It’s not like he asked me to. Don’t you ever grab a drink for your boss if you’re getting one for yourself?

Hell, no. I’m not a waitress. Amy laughed.

You’re so full of crap.

I know. That’s one of the many reasons you love me. Amy stepped back and admired the mistletoe she’d hung. So we’re still good for lunch? I know you want to review the last details for the company party, and we may as well do it while we eat.

Of course, we’re still having lunch. Now, scoot. The coffees are getting cold.

Amy took off and True proceeded down the hall to Nick’s office as a slight tremble rippled through her. Hot liquid sloshed over the rim of one cup and she cursed silently. She paused outside his door and transferred her mug to the hand holding his, licked the coffee from the back of her hand, then took a deep breath and knocked.

---

Nick heard the light tap on his door and knew it was True. Everything about the woman was quiet and understated. Even her clothes were plain. Nothing like the True he had known before. And no matter how hard she tried to hide beneath ugly, oversized clothing, he was familiar with every detail of that perfect body. Over the few months she’d worked for him, he’d grown to think of the baggy clothes as some sort of a cruel joke. What he wouldn’t give to peel them off one piece at a time and run his hands over those hidden curves, then let down the tight ponytail she wore and run his fingers through the golden strands of her silky hair.

Damn, he was getting hard thinking of True. He couldn’t help wondering what had changed the vibrant woman he’d once known—the woman he’d given up in order to chase his dream of owning a successful business, which would enable him to give her the world. His erotic thoughts of True were spiraling out of control and taking him to what could