Office Misconduct

by S.L. Sterling

USA Today Bestselling Author S.L. Sterling heats up the pages with this second chance office romance guaranteed to leave you blushing.

I swear you could hear my cry from the top floor of my office building the day my boss announced he was leaving. He offered to take me with him, but I decided to stay and focus on my relationship. Shortly after, my boyfriend walked out on me.

In a short time my life had become unrecognizable, yet I forgot all about that one Saturday morning when I ran into Nate Templeton at a local coffee shop.
Fate never gave us a chance the first time around, but now the charming, sweet, drop-dead gorgeous man wakes up the heat and tension in my body all over again.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you ran into the one who got away?

For me, it was explosive in more ways than one.

Note: This book was previously published with the title Illegal Affairs. It has been edited and modified from its original version.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Second Chance, Anthologies

61 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 20, 2021

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author S.L. Sterling was born and raised in southern Ontario.

An avid reader all her life, S.L. Sterling dreamt of becoming an author. She decided to give writing a try after one of her favorite authors launched a course on how to write your novel. This course gave her the push she needed to put pen to paper and her debut novel "It Was Always You" was born.

When S.L. Sterling isn't writing or plotting her next novel she can be found curled up with a cup of coffee, blanket and the newest romance novel from one of her favorite authors.

In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, sunny destinations, spending quality time with family and friends and of course reading.

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Reviews

[Shannon Janssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great, fun, quick read. Brooke and Nate have known each other since college and even then their chemistry was undeniable but unfortunately their timing was always off. They reconnect through text messages and have a chance meeting at a coffee shop. What ensues is a great, fun, sexy story. I loved Brooke and Nate's story, I read it in one sitting - once I started I didn't want to stop until I was finished.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short and steamy story with strong characters in Brooke and Nate. It's a second chance romance and is an entertaining read. The author does a great job moving the story quickly and smoothly with her descriptive scenes and delivers a terrific story.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt this was good and then left me wanting more. The chemistry between Brooke and Nate is explosive and I found myself panting from their tension. But then it ends and I felt like we were left in limbo. It doesn’t really have a conclusion.

[Aliama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great quick read. The characters had a history and reconnected. The chemistry still sizzles between them. The story ended abruptly so I assume there’s a HEA. I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kris Yarych · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice short story that keeps you attentive and wanting to know what is next. I enjoyed reading this.


I received a free copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Grabbed My attention and focus so strong I could not put it down. A word of advice when you get your copy. Grab a snack, a comfy seat, kick back and relax. You will not be moving until you finish this bad boy here. Remarkable job. Thanks for sharing.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable, well written, funny, sweet, engaging, and witty page-turner that will leave you wanting more. The characters are likeable with undeniable chemistry between them. Definitely recommended!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Iluvbooks44 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Recommend!!!!

I loved this book from start to finish.

I love the characters and the story.

[Angie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

S.L. Sterling has written a 5-star book. This is the story of Brooke and Nate. Brooke and Nate knew each other when they were younger but he was her brother's best friend. They had feelings for each other but were never together. Brooke has been dating Andrew but things are not going well so she breaks up with him. She is out with her friend Sara when Nate sees her. He tells her that he is in town for a few days and they need to get together to catch up. He tries to get her to go to dinner with him but she doesn't. She receives a call from Andrew and he wants to talk to her but she thinks about it and tells him that they are not going to work out so it wouldn't be a good idea to meet up to discuss things. After she gets off the phone with Andrew, she calls Nate and wants to talk. He invites her to join him for dinner and she agrees to meet him. After dinner, they end up back at his hotel room for a drink. Things get heated and they sleep together. When Nate goes to the bathroom, Brooke gets dressed. When Nate comes out she tells him that she needs to get home. He tries to get her to stay but she tells him that she really needed to get home. She meets up with Sara the next morning and tells her about Andrew and Nate. When Brooke goes to work the next morning, Melissa asked her if she saw her new boss yet. She said that she hadn't. Melissa tells her that she is so lucky since he is gorgeous. Later that afternoon, one of the top executives came to her and said that he wanted to introduce her to her new boss. When she walks into the office, she is shocked to see Nate. She said what she needed to say and then she walked out of Nate's office. She managed to avoid Nate for the rest of the afternoon. Brooke is working late one night and she thinks everyone has gone for the day. She needs something from Nate's office so she goes into his office to get what she needs. She turns around after she gets the file and sees Nate standing in the doorway. He tells her that he can't stop thinking about her. She said that they can't be together because the company didn't put up with employees dating each other. Nate tells her that he knows and that he wants her so much. She tells him that she wants him to.
Will Brooke and Nate start a relationship even though it could cost them their jobs if caught?
This was a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deeply Love Reading Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illegal Affairs is a fast read.Brooke and Nate comes together in a fast second chance-ish insta love. Fate will bring you together when you least expect it. This is part of the NSFW collection.
Blurb:

When my boss announces he is leaving, I am devastated.

I’m even more devastated when my boyfriend walks out on me shortly after.

However, I forget all of that on Saturday morning I run into Nate Templeton at a local coffee shop.

Fate didn’t give us a chance the first time around, but now the charming, sweet, drop-dead gorgeous man wakes up the heat and tension all over again.

Ever wondered what would happen if you ran into the one who got away?

For me, it was explosive in more ways than one.

USA Today Bestselling Author S.L. Sterling heats up the pages with the second chance work romance guaranteed to leave you blushing.



Sixteen of your favorite steamy short romance authors bring you a brand-new series of contemporary office romances that are #Not Safe For Work.

Join us in Toronto, for sexy, sweet and a little bit taboo intra office romance stories to celebrate Administrative Professional’s Day. Read them all from April 5th, 2021.

Naughty secretaries and office shenanigans brought to you by the “Pearl Clutchers Collective.”

HER BULLY TURNED BOSS by Andrea Marie

TAKE IT OFFLINE by Mazzy King

THIS ONE’S MINE by Allie York

RAISING THE BAR by C.L. Cruz

BOARDROOM BEARD by Poppy Parkes

MOUNTAIN MAN CEO by Khloe Summers

RESULTS DRIVEN by Carly Keene

CONFLICT OF INTEREST by AJ Alexander

BOOKING DR WRONG (x RIGHT) by Willow Sanders

HOSTILE TAKEOVER by Vanessa Booke

FORBIDDEN CEO by S.A. Clayton

ILLEGAL AFFAIRS by S.L. Sterling

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY by Emma Nichole

ROCK HARD BOSS by Fern Fraser

EXECUTIVE DISAGREEMENT by Anjelica Grace

MK MOORE & KL FAST

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

It may not be illegal but it is an affair to remember

Illegal Affairs by S.L. Sterling is part of the multi-author Contemporary Office Romance series, which are all standalone books. This story is about Brooke Summers and Nate Templeton who have known each other since they met in university. They never had more than a friendship, well there was that once with kisses and sleeping sleeping together. It was not that they were not attracted to each other but it their timing was always off. Brooke is twenty-five and works as an assistant for Frank, a top executive at Brixton Finance, in Toronto. Frank takes a new job in NYC and offers to take Brooke as his assistant. But after thinking about it for a couple of weeks she turns down the offer because she is going to try with her on/off boyfriend Andrew again. So it seems she will be working for the Frank's replacement instead. Nate ends up in Toronto as he is interviewing for some jobs since he wants to move there. The only person he knows who lives there is Brooke so he texts her, even though they have not talked in a couple of years. Their paths cross on a Saturday morning at a coffee house and from there things take off. The one thing these two do not know is that come Monday morning their paths are going to not only cross but crash into each other ...... can you guess who is the new hire at Brixton and Brooke's new boss?

This book is nicely written with an engaging story-line and characters. Be warned as their is a HFN ending that is a bit abrupt but very steamy smexy. I enjoyed this fast-paced and fun story.

[Heidi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seemed a little date rapey...

SPOILERS

Their previous encounters saw Nate either not showing up at all or showing up hours late with no excuse given to the reader. Then he happens to be in town so they meet for dinner and once it’s over, she hails a cab to go home. He really pressures her to let him drive her home. She says no. He continues to pressure. She
still says no. He still won’t let it go. She finally gives in but now he wants to get a drink at his hotel. They get to the hotel and the bar is closed. She again expresses she wants to get a cab and go home. He pressures her to stay. She says no. He says come to my room for a drink. She says no. He says “come on, it’s just a drink”. This makes her feel like she’s being “silly” so she goes to his room. They split a bottle of wine. Now she’s feeling “good”. She puts her shoes on and gets her purse to leave but he comes up behind her and starts kissing her neck, etc. After sex, she feels bad and leaves immediately. He doesn’t try to stop her. I’m all for seduction but this didn’t feel like that to me. It was uncomfortable to read.

To be fair she doesn’t explicitly say no to sex but he came across as only being interested in one thing. They supposedly had this great chemistry but it didn’t seem that way to me. The ending is really abrupt as well. No feelings are ever discussed other than how bad he wants her.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second chance
This fateful, second-chance romance story is about Brooke and Nate. She’s not having the greatest luck with the men in her life. Frank, her great boss of six years was taking another job in New York. He even offered her a position as his assistant and go with him, but she declined because she was giving her struggling relationship with her boyfriend Andrew of three years a red hot go. But, that boyfriend has just left her, and she’s semi-regretting not taking the other job offer. She did love her life in Toronto otherwise, so there was that…
But, an old (could’ve been/should’ve been) flame has been texting her for the past month (as friends), and she just so happens to bump into him at a local café! He also has just to Toronto for a new job – with Brixton Finance. And guess who his assistant is? Brooke! Neither of them knew about the connection, but boy is it a bit uncomfortable for them now… for now.
This was a quick, reminiscent, fun, sweet and steamy read. I was however disappointed in how abruptly it finished. It seemed incomplete, not knowing what was to come of them next. But I still look forward to this author’s next writing project. I give this book four stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[(Grace) Kentucky Bohemian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, Quick Read
As far as quick reads go, this is actually a better one than my star rating might reflect...but more on that in a moment. The characters Brook and Nate have a white hot chemistry that sizzles throughout the story, making it a pure page turner. While it's usually hard to get a good feel for characters in a short novella, the author does a good job of helping us get to know Brook and Nate, and making us want this to work out for them.

This would easily have been a four star read for me, except I got to the end and felt like I had just read the prequel to a novel instead of a standalone novella. I didn't feel like I got the closure I needed, I guess. I felt like the story was going along great, and then...bam. The end. So it could be a personal thing with me. As I said, the story was well written, and I enjoyed the characters. Reviewers simply express their opinions, and I encourage readers of reviews to keep that in mind.

[Mzlegz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 Stars - Brooke and Nate's timing has always been off when they tried to get together. When he was available, she wasn't; and vice versa. Andrew had 'cheater' written all over his behavior and thought he would have it easy trying to get Brooke back. HA!! I could picture his face when she told him what she told him. I'm in the same mindset as she was when things seem to be too good to be true, they usually are. Her bestie Sara gave the right amount of push without coming across as being a bully. I like how they finally were able to get together but then they found themselves with another dilemma having to work together. I disliked the ending and the colorful words that were used.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brooke and Nate have known each other for years. When they were in college, they would get together, but something always seemed to come between them. Although time separated them, they would reach out throughout the years. Now it seems fate has brought them back together. Nate runs into Brooke at a coffee shop while in town for an interview, the feeling come back but should they try again.

Illegal Affairs is a fast fun story with some self realization, twist and turns as fate through Brooke and Nate a curve to their HEA. Get lost in their hot and steamy story as you dive into the pages.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

First things first; I like the cover of this book!
Illegal affairs is a novella in the ‘’NSFW’’ collection. This story is short, fast paced and an enjoyable read. I read this book in one sitting and was satisfied throughout. I found the writing style easy to follow, the characters likeable and the storyline enjoyable. Nate and Brooke have had sparks fly between them for years but will they finally get together?
The chemistry between Nate and Brooke is clear to see but I would have liked more.
I really liked the ending and the epilogue for this story.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and it is an enjoyable read.

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nate and Brooke have known each other for years but never acted on their feelings. Now years later they run into each other, and Nate wants to go out together but says no. However, Brooke changes her mind and calls him later on to meet up. Things heat up between them, but she leaves soon after. Yet nothing could prepare her for the shock of seeing Nate at work the next day. What does this mean for them?

This is a great story that will hook you in from the first chapter on. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mandi Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super quick read that hooked from the start!
Brooke is evaluating her future with her career and her relationship. After her decisions are made, she deeply reflects on the one that got away, after she receives a random text from him one day. They begin talking and the universe puts them in the same place and the same time and they have incredible chemistry and quickly remember what could have been.
Brooke is in for the surprise of her life when her new boss ends up being her long lost love, but they've already crossed lines they can't take back and don't want to!
I really did want more after the ending of the book, it was a little abrupt and I just wanted to get more of Brooke and Nate; but overall a great read!

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nate and Brooke have been friends for a long time, but it never timed right for them, until now. She has just ended a relationship and he is moving back to Toronto. They get together after texting for a month and things skyrocket. A big surprise awaits them Monday afternoon, but the wait is over for them now that they found each other again. Loved the characters, the storyline and the intense feelings and emotions. Great ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books written by S.L. Sterling; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

She has written another good short story. The story is about Brooke & Nate; he was her brother’s best friend and even though they always had feelings for each other they never acted on it. She runs into him one night and they end up sleeping together. When she goes into work they call her into the office to introduce her to her new boss, it turns out to be Nate.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[ljamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book “Office Misconduct” Brooke is an assistant to Frank who decides to take a position in Texas he offered to bring Brooke but she declined. Brooke has just ended her relationship with her boyfriend who is a workaholic. She is contacted by Nate who is an old friend. Nate and Brooke have never had good timing. Each time they try to meet up to try dating one or the other is already involved with someone else. This time Nate calls her and they are both available and free to date. However, Nate is now her new boss. This is a great story with a few steamy moments.

[Michele Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brooke and Nate have known each other forever, and at different times each had feelings for the other, but it never worked out or could become more. Brooke’s boss is leaving and has offered to take her with him, she has a boyfriend she is committed to and declines. Things go south with the boyfriend and her and Nate start talking. Maybe this will be the right time after all these years. This was a really solid story for being very short and I loved it!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke meet her friend Sara for coffee and in walked Nate, a guy she knew some time ago.
This was cute, dramatic and intimately intense with a few steamy moments thrown in. I enjoyed this authors writing and the story was very well done with great characters. It was the first from this Author I had read but I liked it so much I'll be watching out for more in future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[AnneKR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke is feeling down after her boss quits/moves away and her boyfriend ends their relationship. A random text from Nate, the one she always wonders if he's the one who got away, changes everything. They are finally both available and in the same city, meaning it must be fate and they should take advantage of it. But Brooke is in the surprise for her life when she arrives at work and meets her new boss. This is a great, short read and wish it had an epilogue to see more of Brooke and Nate.

[R G Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Brooke has been offered a job with her current boss when he leaves but she turns it down. She felt leaving her boyfriend of three years was the wrong move. Andrew however had no problem breaking up with her and is too busy with his work anyway. It seems like fate that Nate chooses this time to get back in touch with her and is moving to town.
Definitely feel the chemistry between these two.

[Ree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke still thinks about Nate, the one that got away. When she breaks up with her longtime boyfriend, it seems almost like fate that he turns up in New York soon after. Will she be brave enough this time to go after what her heart wants?

I liked this read. It was a pretty good steamy pick-me-up. I knew that the story was going to be pretty short, but I felt that the ending was a bit too abrupt. But the story is engaging and kept my attention. I recommend it.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke and Nate reconnect while at a coffee shop and he asks her to dinner which turns into a romantic encounter. She leaves but when she gets back to work, she meets her new boss who happens to be Nate! Nate can't get Brooke out of his mind and wants things to continue but the office has a policy about coworkers dating. Will these two finally get their chance for a happily ever after?

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mulan Book Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a sweet story for Nate and Brooke. these two have flirted with each other for years on and off, and it seems that the timing for a relationship was always off. Now they are both single and somehow seem to keep running into each other, it might be the time? I found both Nate and Brooke to be sweet, considerate and quite cute together.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest review.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is short sweet second chance romance with Brooke and Nate. They dated when they were younger but years have put distance between them and now he is taking a job in the same city with Brooke so he texts her after years apart. He always thought that she was the one that got away but what neither expected was that he was her new boss. I enjoyed this book but the ending was too abrupt for my liking.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.