A twist of fate causes Reyes and Sara to miss the elevator and run late for her job interview. Luckily, missing the elevator just might be the best thing that ever happened to both of them ...
AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/19435990
Pairing: Reyes Vidal x Sara Ryder (romance novel AU)
A/N - The first prequel from The Charlatan’s Seduction Plan, from Reyes’ POV, that shows how he fell in love with Sara. Written for MER week as part of the Tall Tales prompt - because this is one hell of a way to meet you boss! :)
(Art is by @artsyblacksheep and is from The Charlatan’s Seduction Plan. It doesn’t really fit this story, but it was all I had that would fit, lol.)
You can read a snippet under the cut...
The Interview
“Wait, wait! Hold the door!” Reyes jogged for the elevator as the door closed, cursing as it slid shut in his face and he skidded to a stop to avoid slamming into it. The takeaway coffee he was holding in his hand crumpled, and hot coffee spilled across the back of his hand, scalding hot.
“Dammit!” He passed the cup to his other hand, biting back another string of curses, and shook the liquid off, blowing on the burn.
Some of the coffee dripped onto his suit and he growled in frustration; this was the last thing he needed this morning. He was already late for work, something which was unheard of and which Peebee would never let him forget, especially since this was her final week at work and he was supposed to be finding her replacement as his personal assistant.
“I guess simple courtesies like holding the elevator door isn’t in fashion anymore, huh?” An amused voice drawled, and Reyes looked up to see a young woman watching him, evidently having missed the elevator too. He opened his mouth to answer and then froze, taken aback as a pair of blue eyes that were the exact colour as the seas around Kadara Island pinned him in place
Read the rest on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/19435990
A broken-hearted Sara returns home from Kadara after quitting her job and breaking up with Reyes. But her boss isn’t about to let her walk away from their relationship over a misunderstanding, especially not when he hasn’t told her the truth about how he feels...
Rating: Explicit
Pairing: Reyes Vidal/Sara Ryder
Important Tags: Romance Novel AU / Boss & Secretary Relationship / Two People & One Bed / Fake Relationships / Mutual Pining
Here it is guys - the final chapter. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. As always, a snippet for this chapter can be found behind the cut. A big thank you to my partner in crime who art for this fic and acted as my muse: @artsyblacksheep
...the phone buzzed several times over the next hour, ringing off and on, and Sara paced the living room, eyeing it warily. She should just pick the phone up and tell Reyes to go to hell, but she was still fighting a perverse internal battle over him. The part of her that wanted to pick the phone up, half-wanted to do so just to hear his voice, and she refused to give into that emotional compulsion that had put her into this mess in the first place.
The problem was, another part of her was reveling in the knowledge that Reyes was worrying about her and regretting his actions, and that part of her was enjoying hurting him by ignoring his calls. She wanted him to feel sorry for hurting her. She wanted him to feel dreadful about the things he had said and the way he had treated her. She wanted him to hurt.
Because if he was hurting, then it meant he felt something for her too.
“Oh, stop it, Sara!” she grumbled to herself, dragging a hand down her face. “He’s no good for you.” She crossed the room and finally picked up the phone, and with one swift movement she swept all the notifications of his calls and messages off the screen. “There. Out of sight, out of mind-”
She had barely finished speaking when there was a violent rap on the door and Sara jumped, almost dropping her phone. Her heart fluttered nervously and she took three or four eager steps towards the door before she stopped herself firmly.
No.
There was no way in hell she was going to let Reyes manipulate her again.
“Who is it?” she called, staying well back from the door and glaring at it.
“Sara? Can you let me in so we can talk? Please?”
The voice that answered wasn’t Reyes’, and Sara blinked for a moment in surprise ...
Read the rest on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17906909/chapters/45424741
Rating: Explicit
Pairing: Reyes Vidal/Sara Ryder
Important Tags: Romance Novel AU / Boss & Secretary Relationship / Two People & One Bed / Fake Relationships / Mutual Pining
Art is by the always amazing @blacksheep33512 and a snippet for this chapter can be found behind the cut! :)
Her eyes had adjusted enough to the darkness enough that she could see him in the gloom, his shape visible as he moved purposefully to the couch, and she scrambled to her feet as he drew near. “Look, I don’t need to know why you stormed off after dinner, but I’m not the one who almost kissed his secretary this morning, and that’s the issue!”
She knew she had gone to far when Reyes froze. He said nothing for the space of a heartbeat. Then he let out a slow breath and drew himself up to his full height.
“No, you’re not, but you sure as hell didn’t try to stop me, and given how much hell I’m getting for it, I damned well wish I had kissed you. At least then I wouldn’t have spent all day thinking about it.”
Sara gasped. “What!?”
Through the shadows she saw Reyes’ grimace. “I’ve done it now, haven’t I?” he drawled. “Ruined my nice guy image?”
Sara’s heart was still hammering in her chest, and yet … perversely, she found the idea of Reyes wanting to kiss her, regretting his decision not to kiss her, exciting. She swallowed again, casting around desperately for her voice as she tried to sound nonchalant, as though she found herself in this situation all the time.
“You’re hardly the first man to imagine kissing someone,” she managed to force out, then added quickly, “Or the first woman.”
Reyes’ head shot up at this and he took another step closer, suddenly looking like a wolf on the prowl.
“Sara,” his voice was soft, and she shivered as the tone played along her spine like fingers. He was directly in front of her now, within touching distance, and this close up she could make out his features even in the dark. “Come to bed.”
Just reach out and touch him, the voice encouraged. You know you want to, and you know he wants you to ...
“Reyes, I shouldn’t. Last night and this morning, things were,” she hesitated. “They were confusing. I … I don’t want to be hurt. Not after William.”
She almost cringed at the vulnerability in her voice, but Reyes didn’t. He reached for her, his hand hesitating inches from her waist before he drew back, as though thinking better of touching her.
His eyes bored into hers. “I'd never hurt you.”
“Reyes …” Sara swallowed the rest of her words.
She wanted to beg him to touch her, to take her back to bed. And yet … what if she got hurt?
He brushed his hand against her cheek. “I'm not William.”
The atmosphere between them sizzled, tensed, as though that something between them was balanced on a knife edge and threatening to slip out of control. Sara felt an almost physical pull towards Reyes. To go to him. To have him take her in his arms again and kiss her, hold her, to make her his...
Read the full chapter at AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17906909/chapters/44080597
It’s their final night on Kadara, and Reyes and Sara spend the evening on the beach and in each others arms. Reyes finally opens up about his past, and Sara discovers that her feelings for her boss run even deeper than she realised. She should be happy, except she can’t shake the feeling that the fantasy is going to come tumbling down the minute they leave Kadara. Reyes is her boss after all, and even if he’s attracted to her, Sara is certain that he’s still in love with someone else...
Rating: Explicit
Pairing: Reyes Vidal/Sara Ryder
Important Tags: Romance Novel AU / Boss & Secretary Relationship / Two People & One Bed / Fake Relationships / Mutual Pining
A snippet for this chapter can be found behind the cut. A big thank you to my partner in crime who art for this fic and acted as my muse: @artsyblacksheep.
The woman I fell in love with.
The words, said so casually, stung, and Sara cleared her throat and stepped away from Reyes, instantly wishing she hadn’t brought it up. “Well, that’s … lovely.” She tugged her hand out of his. “Maybe we should keep walking...”
He blinked in surprise, the smile sliding off his face as he hurried after her. “Sara, wait. The woman I fell in love with-”
“I don’t want to hear about little miss perfect, Reyes.” She almost flinched at the undercurrent of jealousy in her voice, and hated herself for it, but she hated the thought of Reyes still being in love with this woman more, and she hastily changed the subject. “Kian hinted that some of your business dealings may have been a little shady in the past. Did he mean you broke the law?”
For a long moment Reyes seemed like he was struggling internally with something, and his eyes locked intently with hers. Sara wondered if she’d delved too deeply in her quest to change the subject. But after a moment he let out a long sigh, one that sounded incredibly frustrated, and shook his head.
“Foot meet mouth,” she heard him mutter, then he cleared his throat. “No, I never broke the law. I pushed the line a lot, but I never crossed it. You know me,” he reached for her hand again, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight. This time Sara let him take it. “When I see something I want, I work hard to get it. Cheating and stealing have never worked for me.”
Which was one of the reasons she liked Reyes so much, Sara admitted to herself and she smiled.
Read the rest here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17906909/chapters/44762281
Things take a dark turn when Sara overhears a conversation which changes everything and leaves her questioning Reyes’ real intentions towards her.
Rating: Explicit
Pairing: Reyes Vidal/Sara Ryder
Important Tags: Romance Novel AU / Boss & Secretary Relationship / Two People & One Bed / Fake Relationships / Mutual Pining
A snippet for this chapter can be found behind the cut. A big thank you to my partner in crime who art for this fic and acted as my muse: @artsyblacksheep.
Chapter 9
Sara woke late the next morning, the twinkling rays of the sun peaking through the blinds, dazzling in its brightness, the first thing to greet her. Reyes’ hands and mouth moving over her body was the second. It was , she reflected sleepily, a very pleasant way to wake up.
Without the pressure of meetings or a long work day she and Reyes spent the morning together in bed, enjoying their newfound freedom to be together as more than simply boss and secretary. He ordered them room service, grinning at her as he placed an order for what seemed like a ridiculous amount of breakfast foods and a huge pot of coffee.
“Can’t have you wasting away on me,” he told her as he’d put the phone down, and promptly flashed a purposeful smile that made her blood fizz in her veins. “Not when I finally have you right where I want you.”
They’d made love twice while waiting for breakfast, once in bed and again in the shower as they’d cleaned up; Reyes bending her over and taking her slowly from behind while they were both still slippery and slick. Afterwards they dressed, packed their suitcases and ate breakfast on the dreaded couch - which Sara jokingly pointed out was finally being useful.
She found, as she relaxed and snacked on a fruit platter, that the thought of returning home to her empty apartment didn’t seem quite as bad anymore. Rather than seeming bleak and endless, the future stretched ahead of her full of possibility. Once which, for the time being at least, included her surprisingly affectionate boss.
“You look happy,” Reyes commented as he idly traced patterns on her thigh, his hazel eyes warm as he watched her eat. “Much better than a few days ago.”
Sara popped a grape in her mouth and grinned. “Probably because I am happy.”
“Good.” He slid his hand further up her leg and grinned wolfishly, then plucked the fruit from her hands and set it to the side. “You know, we have an hour until check out. Perhaps we could see how much happier I can make you?” He tugged her onto his lap and pressed kisses down her throat, his breath warm against her skin as he cupped her ass. “You’re already making me feel very happy indeed.”
She laughed and tugged him up for a kiss. “Hard to say no when you put it like that.”
“Hard indeed, Mi Sirena .”
Read the rest on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17906909/chapters/45158167
It’s the morning after their night of passion and the cold hard day brings several revelations for Sara, some more unsettling than others. One thing is for sure though; one night together isn’t going to be enough for either herself or Reyes ...
Rating: Explicit
Pairing: Reyes Vidal/Sara Ryder
Important Tags: Romance Novel AU / Boss & Secretary Relationship / Two People & One Bed / Fake Relationships / Mutual Pining
A snippet for this chapter can be found behind the cut. A big thank you to my partner in crime who did the art and always lets me bounce ideas off her - @artsyblacksheep.
Chapter 7
Sara slept late the next morning, and was curled around her pillow sleeping peacefully until Reyes woke her; trailing his hands down her spine and along the curve of her hip. He was sprawled beside her on the bed, watching her with a look of deep satisfaction on his face, completely unabashed at his nakedness. Not that Sara minded the view, and she snuck a peek as she stretched, smiling sleepily and burying her face into the pillow to hide her stupid grin.
They’d finally done it.
“Morning,” she mumbled and peered up at him.
Reyes grinned back as he lay beside her. “Morning.” He tugged her into his arms. “You’re not getting shy on me, are you?”
“Bit late for being shy,” Sara said dryly and snuggled against him. His hair was damp, and she realised he must have been up for a while and already showered. She started to pull away. “What time is it?”
He shrugged, apparently very unconcerned about anything except kissing her at this exact moment, and Sara laughed as he pinned her to the bed and proceeded to do exactly that. She wiggled as he kissed a trail up her neck and her long her jawbone before finally claiming her mouth.
When he drew back he seemed delighted with her response to him. “This is definitely better way to start the day than yesterday. I like seeing you smile and giving you kisses a lot more than having you scuttle off to the bathroom looking terrified of me.”
Sara laughed, agreeing whole heartedly. “Yes, but if you’d done that yesterday, I might have slapped you.”
“ Might?” Reyes raised his eyebrows. “I guess I should have tried my luck sooner.” He dodged the pillow she flung at him, and bounded out of bed. “I should get dressed. The bathroom’s yours if you want it.”
She groaned and sat up stretching. “You should have woken me when you got up.”
“No chance.” He leaned down and dropped a kiss on the top of her head, and Sara caught a whiff of his cologne. “You looked far too adorable when you were asleep. Plus,” Reyes smirked. “I figured I might have worn you out.”
“You? Wear me out?” Sara rolled her eyes and shoved him away. “In your dreams.”
His smile widened slightly. “That’s surprisingly accurate.”
Read the rest at AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17906909/chapters/44307415
Rating: Explicit
Pairing: Reyes Vidal/Sara Ryder
Important Tags: Romance Novel AU / Boss & Secretary Relationship / Two People & One Bed / Fake Relationships / Mutual Pining
Art is by the always amazing @blacksheep33512 and a snippet for this chapter can be found behind the cut! :)
Sara’s breath caught in her throat as she froze, too shocked to move as the real world and dreamworld collided.
Oh. My. God.
Her brain whirled, trying to work out how this had happened. Reyes, thank god, seemed to be deeply asleep and blissfully unaware of their predicament. He looked peaceful in the early morning light; contented even, to have his arms wrapped firmly around her waist.
Evidently at some point in the night they’d snuggled up to each other in their sleep.
Sara blushed, trying not to think what Reyes would say if he woke up and found her plastered against him like this. She’d never hear the end of it; that was for sure. It didn’t help that her own treacherous body was reacting to the feel of him against her, and the temptation to snuggle back against his chest was strong.
But she wouldn’t give in.
Gritting her teeth, Sara tried to ignore the very male body pressed against hers as she unwound her arms from his neck. He shifted slightly, and she paused, waiting for him to settle before she tried again to disentangle herself without waking him … but his arms stayed stubbornly locked around her waist no matter how she shifted.
It was no good; she'd have to wake him up ...
Read the rest at AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17906909/chapters/43750822
