Karen's heels clicked softly against the marble floor as she approached Alex's office, trying to calm the pounding of her heart. After yesterday's bizarre transfer to "directly under the CEO," she had barely gotten any sleep. Her pillow still carried the scent of his cologne dark wood, control, danger.
And now here she was again, carrying the updated marketing proposal he requested.
She knocked once. "Sir, it's Karen. You asked for..."
"Come in," his voice snapped from the other side.
She stepped inside cautiously. Alex stood by the massive window, sleeves rolled up, hands in his pockets, staring out at the skyline. The city reflected in the glass looked small compared to the storm she saw in his reflection.
"Place it on the table," he said without turning around.
She obeyed, placing the file gently on the edge of his desk. Before she could turn to leave, his voice stopped her.
"Is that the same perfume?"
Karen froze. Again with the perfume.
"I didn't think it was strong"
"I told you not to wear it." He finally turned, face unreadable but eyes burning. "Do you like being disobedient?"
The door clicked shut behind her.
"I didn't do it on purpose"
"You know how that scent affects me," he said, taking slow, deliberate steps toward her. "Or do you want it to?"
Karen backed up instinctively until she felt the cold surface of the bookshelf behind her.
He stood directly in front of her now, their bodies inches apart. His hand came up hovering, trembling close to her cheek but not touching. His breath was warm. His voice dropped.
"This scent… it clouds my judgment. It makes me want things I shouldn't want."
Karen swallowed hard. "Then stop coming close."
A low chuckle escaped him, but it wasn't amused,.. it was wounded. "You think I want to?"
She shook her head. "I don't know what game you're playing"
"I don't play games, Karen." His voice hardened. "Not with business, not with women. But you… you're different."
Their eyes locked.
And for one terrifying, electric second he leaned in.
Her breath caught. His lips brushed the air just above hers. Her hands trembled at her sides.
Then he stopped.
His jaw clenched. His hand slammed against the shelf beside her head, startling her. He didn't look at her as he stepped back, running a hand through his hair like he was furious with himself.
"Get out," he muttered.
Karen didn't need to be told twice. She bolted from the office, heart threatening to burst out of her chest.
As she walked down the hallway, she didn't notice the figure watching from the corner.
Luca.
He leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, face unreadable. But his eyes followed her like he was starting to realize something.
'Alex wasn't just interested in Karen,
He was unraveling,
And that made her dangerous'.