11 Chapter 11 – Professional Boundaries.
Chapter 11 Professional Boundaries
Liam’s POV
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The moment that insufferable viper Isabella Clairemont witnessed our entire interaction, her shrill voice cut through the air like broken glass:
“What exactly do you think you’re doing, you shameless little climber? Take your dirty hands off Liam right now!”
1 kept my arm firmly wrapped around my assistant’s slender waist, my lips brushing against her car as I commanded in a low growl:
“Stay exactly where you are. She could undoubtedly feel the hardness pressing against her, but that was nobody else’s business. My gaze turned lethal as I fixed it on Isabella Clairemont. “Watch your tone, Isabella Clairemont, and apologize to Miss Hazel this instant.”
“Are you serious right now, Liam? I’m simply teaching this nobody some manners. Look at her practically throwing herself at you like some desperate little gold digger. And she had the audacity to block my entrance, insisting I needed an appointment. Since when do I require permission to see you? You need to explain exactly who I am and remind her of her place. Fire this insolent girl immediately. Isabella Clairemont’s eyes blazed with pure venom.
“Apologize to Miss Hazel now, Isabella Clairemont, or face the consequences, I said with deadly calm, my patience hanging by the thinnest thread.
Isabella Clairemont stared at me with theatrical wounded pride, though I could see the rage boiling beneath her practiced facade. She would gladly claw Hazel’s eyes out given the chance. To push her further over the edge, I pulled my assistant closer against me and declared:
“No apology? Perfect. Damian, please escort Miss Clairemont to the elevators and ensure she reaches the lobby. I stepped backward into my office with Hazel, deliberately avoiding Damian’s gaze, though I knew he was savoring every second. He despised Isabella Clairemont even more than I did. She never missed an opportunity to treat him like dirt, her subtle racism making my
skin crawl.
Damian’s expression lit up with barely contained glee. He lived for these moments when I gave him carte blanche to handle this toxic woman however he saw fit.
“Absolutely, boss. I’ll personally guarantee dear Clairemont finds her way to the street exit so she doesn’t accidentally wander back–up here,” he said with an exaggerated bow toward the seething woman before gesturing grandly toward the hallway.
I slammed my office door and turned the lock with decisive force. Drawing a shaky breath, I
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11 Chapter 11 – Professional Boundaries.
tried desperately to regain control over both my racing thoughts and my body’s treacherous response to having Hazel pressed so intimately against me. Her intoxicating fragrance was driving me to distraction. This breathtaking woman was pure temptation.
My arms remained locked around Hazel, and every instinct screamed at me not to let go. I buried my face in her hair for several more precious seconds, breathing in her addictive scent before forcing myself to release her. She lingered against my chest momentarily, and I realized the electric current between us was affecting her just as powerfully. I nearly hauled her back into my arms, but she stepped away, putting professional distance between us before turning to meet my eyes with practiced composure.
“Mr. Sterling, I must apologize, but my instructions were explicit that no visitors should enter your office without proper authorization, excluding Mr. Knight. This woman bypassed Bianca completely and attempted to barge in unannounced. Her voice remained steady and controlled despite the chaos that had just erupted, making me desperate to capture those perfectly glossed pink lips with mine.
“You handled the situation flawlessly, Ms. Vance, and I expect you to maintain these standards. I don’t care if the President himself shows up unannounced. Only you, Damian, and Evelyn have unrestricted access to my office. I walked to my desk, fighting for composure while reaching for the phone to call building security.
“Mitchell, effective immediately, Ms. Clairemont is permanently banned from this building. I don’t care what sob story she spins or what threats her father makes. If that woman sets foot in here again, you’ll be cleaning out your desk within the hour” The security chief’s acknowledgment came through clearly before I disconnected.
Staring at the phone, I decided to handle Clairemont directly. The man irritated me beyond measure, but he had earned my late father’s trust, so I tolerated his presence out of respect for dad’s memory. However, his constant attempts to force his insufferable daughter on me had
reached their limit.
“Clairemont, I’m calling to inform you that your daughter is permanently barred from entering this building. I will not tolerate any more of her dramatic performances here. This is a professional workplace, not her personal shopping center, and I refuse to let her continue insulting my staff with her superiority complex” Clairemont’s pathetic attempts to defend his daughter grated against my nerves. “I don’t want to hear it, Clairemont. Your daughter has no business here and never will. Consider this your final warning. I slammed the phone down and turned my attention back to Hazel.
She stood before my desk with perfect posture, radiating professional competence. Did anything ever rattle this woman? A-spoiled princess had just created a public spectacle, hurling insults and accusations, had held her with shocking intimacy, and she had maintained her composure throughout the entire ordeal. Only when I pressed her against my body and she felt my obvious arousal did her mask slip for the briefest moment.
11 Chapter 11 – Professional Boundaries
I allowed my gaze to travel slowly over her incredible figure before settling on her face, memorizin
every detail and losing myself in those mesmerizing green eyes. She was dangerously beautiful, the kind of woman who could make a man forget everything that mattered. Testing her limits was going to be irresistible.
*Please, sit down, Ms. Vance.” She settled gracefully into the chair across from me as I continued, “I apologize for subjecting you to that unpleasant scene. Isabella Clairemont can be quite challenging to handle.”
“No apology necessary, sir. Dealing with difficult personalities comes with the territory, and 1 understand not every interaction will be pleasant. I’m perfectly capable of managing such
situations.”
“Excellent. Your ability to remain unshakeable under pressure is invaluable in this business environment. It will serve us both well. Should I also apologize for the way I held you and my body’s obvious reaction to your proximity?”
Her eyes widened in shock, a delicious blush spreading across her cheeks. I had successfully penetrated her professional armor, and my smile broadened as I caught her gaze lingering on my mouth. Interesting. Apparently, the attraction wasn’t entirely one–sided. She shook her head? as if clearing unwanted thoughts before responding:
“Sir, I’m not sure what you’re referring to, but I assure you no apology is necessary. I should be thanking you for preventing my fall.”
Her intelligence and discretion impressed me, but I had already detected the crack in her composure. I cleared my throat and forced myself back to business matters.
“How are things progressing with Evelyn?”
“Exceptionally well, sir. Evelyn has transferred all critical information, and now it’s simply at matter of establishing our working rhythm, which I anticipate will be seamless.”
“I hope you’re right. Where is Evelyn currently?
“She’s handling matters in accounting.”
“Good. When she returns, I’ll brief you both regarding my upcoming trip. Though she’s transitioning out, this information will be crucial for her new Boston position. You may return to your office.”
“Yes, sir.” I watched her rise and glide toward the door with fluid grace. The moment she disappeared, I dropped my head onto my desk with a frustrated thud. I was completely screwed. Maintaining professional boundaries with this woman was going to be torture. The last thing I needed was workplace complications, but she was absolutely stunning and devastatingly sensual without even trying.
