Until His Girl: A Hot Possessive Boss Instalove

1. Eliza

ELIZA

I’m riflingthrough my closet, trying to find a blouse that doesn’t scream “I slept in this” when my phone rings. It’s my sister, Fiona.

Quickly, I snatch the phone off the counter and answer it. “Hey, sis, what’s up?”

“Eliza, where are you?”

I pause, frowning slightly. “Home. Why?”

Fiona sighs through her nose. “The volunteer meeting is starting in ten minutes. You’re supposed to be here.”

Crap.

Every year, the Fit Mountain Opera puts on an annual performance to raise money for school music programs. And since my sister’s company, Parker Sons, is a lead sponsor for the event this year, I decided to volunteer.

But with my new job, keeping track of everything has been hard.

“Fiona, I’m sorry. Things have been crazy at my job, and the meeting fell off my radar.”

“Well, how fast can you get here? Mom keeps asking where you are.”

I sigh. “I’m actually not going to be able to make it. A last-minute assignment that has to be done before Monday came up at work, and I need to go into the office.”

“You’re going into the office on a Saturday? I thought you worked remotely.”

“I usually do, but the Wi-Fi at my apartment is being wonky. I need to go in and use the office internet.”

I look around at the cozy clutter of my apartment—throw pillows strewn on the couch, dirty dishes in the sink, rejected outfits from this morning draped over a chair. Part of me would much rather stay in my little cocoon than face the corporate world on a weekend. But my boss needs me. And I can’t let him down.

“Eliza, is everything okay?” Fiona asks.

“Sure, why?”

“I don’t know. You’ve just been so secretive about your new job lately. I don’t understand why you won’t tell me what it is.”

I feel a pang of guilt. Fiona and I have always been close, sharing everything with each other. But this... this is different. She would flip out if she knew I was working for the CEO of our family’s biggest rival. And not only her—my whole family would lose their minds.

“Everything’s fine,” I reassure her. “I’ve just been busy.”

There’s a pause on the other end of the line, and Fiona’s tone softens. “You know you can always talk to me, right? About anything.”

“I know. And I appreciate it, I really do.”

Finally, she sighs. “Sorry if I’m being overbearing. I’ve just been stressed lately. Wes and I are working on the Alley Street bid, and those assholes at Donovan Enterprises keep giving us trouble.”

My stomach twists at the mention of Drew’s company, but I force a calm tone. “That sounds intense.”

“It really is.” Fiona’s voice is tight with frustration. “We’ve put together a solid proposal for revitalizing the old warehouses into modern lofts and retail spaces. But they keep undercutting us. They have deeper pockets and more resources, and we’re fighting an uphill battle. Plus, Wes is convinced they’ve got some insider info, which means someone’s not playing fair.”

“Well, if anyone can handle it, it’s you and Wes.”

“Yeah, well, fingers crossed, I guess.” Then she switches gears. “Are you still coming to opening night next Saturday?”

“Of course,” I reply automatically. “Today was just a blip. I wouldn’t miss opening night for the world.”

“You better not,” Fiona teases, her tone lightening. “Parker Sons is the title sponsor, after all.”

“Trust me, I won’t forget. I’ve gotta run, though. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Okay. Love you.”

“Love you too, sis.”

I hang up, feeling a mix of relief and guilt. I hate keeping secrets from my sister. But I can’t risk my family finding out about my job at Donovan Enterprises... not yet, anyway.

In a flurry of motion, I finish getting ready.

Since I work from home, my wardrobe is a bit limited. So I opt for the only pieces that could pass as office wear: a crisp white top, a soft pink cardigan, and a beige skirt.

The skirt is snugger than I remember, hugging my curves tightly and ending just above my knees. It’s shorter than I’d prefer for an office setting, but it will have to do. Plus, it’s Saturday. The office should be empty anyway.

As I navigatethe quiet streets of Fit Mountain, I try to push away the anxiety threatening to bubble up inside me.

Working for my family’s rival wasn’t part of the plan. But when the marketing firm I worked for suddenly went under a few months ago, I had to scramble for a new job. And as much as I love my sister, the idea of working with her and her boyfriend, Wes, at Parker Sons felt suffocating.

I needed to branch out and find my own path.

So, when the opportunity to be a virtual assistant landed in my lap, I jumped at the chance. The fact that Donovan Enterprises just happened to be my first client was an unexpected twist of fate.

I drum my fingers against the steering wheel, my thoughts turning to the notorious Donovan triplets. Drew, Heath, and Blake—a trio of burly, bossy alpha males who always seem to get what they want. Especially when it comes to business.

They’ve been outbidding Parker Sons left and right lately, snatching up contracts and clients like it’s their own personal shopping spree. It’s enough to make my dad’s blood boil. The Parkers and the Donovans have been feuding for generations, and this latest power play has only fanned the flames.

My stomach flutters with nerves and anticipation as I pull into the parking lot of Donovan Enterprises.

Taking a deep breath, I step out of the car and approach the entrance, ready to face whatever awaits me.

The automatic doors slide open with a soft whoosh, and I enter the sleek lobby. Relief washes over me when I see a receptionist sitting at a desk. This is uncharted territory for me, and I’m clueless about where to go.

“Good morning,” the woman chirps. “How can I help you?”

“Hi, I’m Mr. Donovan’s virtual assistant,” I explain. “My Wi-Fi is down at my apartment, and I need to use the internet here at the office.”

She gives me a reassuring smile. “No problem, I’ll just need to see some ID.”

I show her my company badge.

“The elevators are just around the corner, past those large glass doors.”

Gratitude floods through me, and I thank her and make my way toward the elevators. As I walk, my eyes wander around the lobby. I can’t help but marvel at the modern elegance surrounding me—all clean lines, gleaming surfaces, and tasteful art pieces.

But when I round the corner, all rational thought suddenly flees from my mind.

The hottest mountain man I’ve ever seen is leaning against the wall beside the elevators.

He’s tall and broad-shouldered, with dark brown hair and a thick beard framing his chiseled jaw. A fitted gray T-shirt stretches over his huge biceps while gray sweatpants hang low on his hips.

My breath catches in my throat as recognition dawns on me.

It’s… my boss.

I’ve never actually met Drew in person. We’ve only exchanged emails and Slack messages. But in every picture I’ve seen of him, he’s always buttoned up in a suit. He looked good. There’s no denying that.

But those pictures are nothing compared to seeing him in the flesh.

It’s like he has an aura around him. He’s so overwhelmingly masculine that every feminine instinct within me sits up and takes notice. A surge of self-consciousness washes over me as I start to approach him.

Even though I’m twenty-two, I’ve never been great at talking to guys. I’ve never even had a boyfriend before. And unlike my sister who is a confident, social butterfly, I’m the girl whose palms sweat at the mere thought of making small talk with the opposite sex.

Suddenly, Drew looks up and his hazel eyes lock with mine.

Heat rises to my cheeks as his gaze rakes over me. I have no idea what he’s thinking right now or whether he even likes what he sees. All I can think about is the traitorous wave of lust flooding through my veins.

Something flares in his eyes as he continues to take me in, and I clench my thighs together, trying to ignore the ache building between them.

No. No way. I am not going there. Not with my boss, and definitely not with a Donovan.

I force a polite smile when I come to a stop in front of him, trying to ignore the way my body hums with his proximity.

The elevator dings as the doors sliding open, and Drew motions for me to step inside.

As the doors close, I reach out to press the button for the top floor. I glance at Drew, but he’s not looking at me. He’s staring straight ahead, his jaw clenched and his brow furrowed. My palms, meanwhile, feel slick with sweat.

Ugh, what is wrong with me?

I’ve never reacted this strongly to a man before, let alone my boss. I need to get a grip, to remember who I am and who he is.

But as the elevator climbs higher, I can’t shake the feeling that everything is about to change. That this moment is the start of something I can’t control. And part of me doesn’t want to.

Suddenly, a jolt ripples through the elevator.

I let out a yelp of surprise, and Drew’s eyes snap to me when I lose my balance.

He shoots his arm out, catching me mid-stumble, and the elevator shakes again, more violently this time. There’s a groaning sound of metal on metal as the ground shudders.

“Fuck,” Drew growls under his breath, using his free hand to slam the emergency button on the wall.

Panic rises in my throat. “What’s happening?”

The lights flicker, plunging us into momentary darkness before stuttering back to life. I feel my stomach drop when we lurch to a stop.

A muscle in Drew’s jaw ticks. “We’re stuck.”