10 Chapter 10 – An Intoxicating Presence
Chapter 10 – An Intoxicating Presence 1
Liam’s POV
The moment she turned around, time stopped.
Those green eyes. Bright and captivating like perfectly cut emeralds. Her full lips, the elegant curve of her neck, and that slender figure wrapped in a form–fitting dress that highlighted every delicious curve.
“Well, hello there, Damian’s voice broke through my trance.
My jaw clenched involuntarily. The sight of my best friend openly admiring my new assistant ‘sent an unexpected surge of irritation through my veins.
“You must be the new assistant who argued with the boss,” he continued with that charming smile that had women falling at his feet.
I watched her cheeks flush a delightful shade of pink as she stumbled over her words,
“I’m Damian Knight, VP and best friend of the grumpy man beside me,” he introduced himself, extending his hand toward her. “And you’re Hazel Vance.”
My eyes narrowed as their hands touched. What the hell was wrong with me? I’d never felt this territorial over a woman before, especially not an employee I’d just met.
*Please, call me Damian,” he insisted, flashing another grin before gesturing toward me. “And this intimidating statue is Liam Sterling, your boss.”
Her gaze shifted to meet mine, and something strange happened. A jolt of recognition, like we’d met before. Those striking green eyes widened slightly, her perfect lips parting in what looked like surprise.
“Miss Vance,” I managed to say, my voice sounding rougher than intended.
“Mr. Sterling, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” she replied, extending her hand.
The moment our skin touched, electricity shot through me. Her hand was soft and warm, fitting perfectly in mine. I couldn’t remember the last time a simple handshake had affected me this way. The scent of her perfume–something light and floral–drifted toward me, stirring a distant. memory I couldn’t quite place.
I realized I’d been holding her hand too long and quickly released it.
“We’ll be in my office, I said abruptly, needing to escape her presence before I did something unprofessional. “Bring in that chamomile tea in fifteen minutes.”
10 Chapter 10 – An Intoxicating Presence
I strode past her, careful not to brush against her as I moved toward my sanctuary. Once inside my office, I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure.
Damian followed, closing the door behind him. The moment it shut, a knowing smirk spread across his face.
“Don’t, I warned.
“I didn’t say anything” he replied, raising his hands in mock surrender as he dropped into one of the chairs across from my desk.
“You didn’t have to. Your face says it all.” I loosened my tie slightly, suddenly feeling constricted.
“Admit it, Sterling. She’s gorgeous.”
I shot him a cold glare as I settled into my chair. “She’s an employee.”
“An employee who has you acting like a possessive teenager.” Damian chuckled, leaning back comfortably. “I’ve known you since college, and I’ve never seen you get territorial over a woman before. The look you gave me when I introduced myself–if looks could kill, I’d be six feet under?
“You’re exaggerating,” I muttered, opening my laptop to avoid his scrutiny.
“Am I?” He raised an eyebrow. “What happened to ‘no fraternization with employees, Mr. CEO? That rule suddenly feeling a bit inconvenient?”
I looked up from my screen, irritation flashing across my face. “Nothing’s changed. Miss Vance is my executive assistant, nothing more.”
“If you say so.” Damian’s smile widened. “Though I wouldn’t blame you for bending that rule just this once. She’s stunning, smart enough to impress Evelyn, and brave enough to hang up on you. That’s a rare combination.”
Before I could respond with a cutting retort, a commotion outside caught our attention. A woman’s voice, shrill and demanding, echoed through the walls.
“I don’t care if he’s in a meeting! Move aside this Instant!”
Isabella. Damn it.
“Miss, please Hazel’s calm voice was a stark contrast to Isabella’s shrieking.
“Do you know who I am? I’m Isabella Clairemont! My father is the financial director of this company!”
I was on my feet and moving toward the door before I even realized it. Isabella Clairemont had been a thorn in my side since her father joined the company. She seemed to think that her father’s position entitled her to special treatment–and to me.
11.54
10 Chapter 10–An Intoxicating Presence
“You’re just a secretary. You’ll regret getting in my way, I promise you that,” Isabella threatened, her voice dripping with venom.
Something snapped inside me. No one threatened my staff, especially not someone as entitled
as Isabella.
I yanked open the door, ready to put Isabella in her place. In my haste, I collided with Hazel, who had apparently been about to knock. She stumbled backward from the impact, and I instinctively reached out, catching her by the waist.
Time froze again as I pulled her against me to steady her. Her body pressed flush against mine, soft curves molding perfectly against my harder frame. Her scent enveloped me–vanilla and something uniquely her–filling my senses and clouding my judgment.
Her hands rested on my chest, and I could feel the heat of her palms through my shirt. Those green eyes looked up at me, wide with surprise, her lips parted slightly. The position was intimate, too intimate for an office setting, but I couldn’t bring myself to let her go.
Something primal stirred inside me. A desire so intense it bordered on painful. My body responded immediately, hardening against her in a way that couldn’t be mistaken.
Her eyes widened further, and a subtle gasp escaped her lips as she undoubtedly felt my reaction. A delicate blush spread across her cheeks, making her even more irresistible.
“Mr. Sterling,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Isabella’s indignant huff finally broke the spell. Still holding Hazel close, I turned my head to find Isabella glaring at us, her perfectly made–up face twisted in fury.
*Liam, I need to speak with you right now,” Isabella demanded, her eyes narrowing at the sight of my hands on Hazel’s waist.
I was trapped between a furious Isabella, my smirking best friend watching from the doorway, and the woman in my arms who had somehow managed to shatter my carefully constructed self–control in a matter of minutes.
1
And worst of all, I was still rock–hard against her, with no way to hide it if I let her go.
