The moment the penthouse doors slid shut behind Alicia, I leaned back against the marble bar and exhaled slowly, almost like I had just cum. But I hadn't. Not yet. Not even close.
She still had no idea what she'd walked into.
I picked up the half-empty glass of whiskey, swirled it, and stared into the amber ripples like they could calm the ache clawing through my chest and the hunger burning behind my belt.
She'd looked at me tonight like she wanted to fight me and fall into me at the same time. She didn't flinch when I touched her. Didn't cry or beg. She leaned in.
She was already slipping.
And so was I.
Control was a lie I told myself when it came to her. Alicia Blake was the one thread unraveling the stitched-together discipline I'd lived by for years. Seven fucking years since that one night—and now she was back under my roof. In my building. Touching my things. Breathing my air.
I should have denied her the job. Should've tossed her resume into the fire the second HR floated her name.
But instead, I told them she was mine.
I dragged my hand down my face, jaw tightening. This wasn't how it was supposed to go.
She was supposed to stay gone.
Instead, she was back. And worse, she was getting under my skin again.
Morning came too quickly, but I was already dressed before the sun hit the city. Charcoal suit, Black tie and No smile.
The penthouse floor was silent except for the quiet tap of my shoes against marble as I walked to my desk. I opened the security app on my tablet and tapped into the feed. The cameras didn't miss much.
Especially not Alicia.
There she was, stepping into the building in a tailored skirt that did sinful things to her hips. A white blouse tucked just enough to tease, heels that clicked with power she didn't know she had yet. Her lips looked pinker this morning....bitten. Like she'd been punishing herself for wanting something she shouldn't.
Me.
I zoomed in slightly.
She paused outside the lobby bathroom. Looked at herself in the mirror. I saw her blink rapidly, grip the sink, then square her shoulders like she was going into battle. Yes she was.
My phone buzzed.
Ms. Delacroix (6:43 AM):
She's early. Wants to discuss her new assignments personally.
I smirked.
Perfect.
By 7:00 a.m., Alicia was outside my office again, clipboard hugged to her chest like a bulletproof vest. I watched her through the tinted glass for a moment longer before clicking the intercom. "Come in."
She entered slowly, eyes scanning the room, probably wondering what version of me she was walking into today, the polite devil in a suit, or the one who almost kissed her senseless last night and left her spinning.
"Sir," she greeted quietly.
No 'Liam' this time, No slip-up. Good girl.
"You read the contracts I left for you?" I asked, not looking up.
"Yes, sir. I also flagged a clause in the Livingston merger. It contradicts your standing non-compete with Azure Tech."
My brows lifted.
I did read it. I just didn't think she'd catch it.
I finally met her gaze. "Impressive."
She swallowed but stood straighter, her hands gripping the clipboard tighter.
"You'll accompany me today," I said, rising from my chair. "New York Equity board meeting. You'll take notes. Sit beside me."
Her lips parted. "I thought I was shadowing Ms. Delacroix all week."
"I changed my mind."
Because I wanted her next to me. Where I could control her, Smell her, Watch how men looked at her and let them know with a glance she was off-limits.
"Also," I added, walking past her, "you'll wear something black." She blinked. "Sir?"
I turned slightly, just enough to pin her with a look.
"The dress I sent to your floor last night. Wear it."
"You sent that?" Her voice cracked with disbelief.
I didn't reply. Just looked her over, then said, "Be ready in twenty. The car's waiting."
By the time we reached the boardroom on the 72nd floor, Alicia looked like every wet dream I'd locked behind glass.
The black silk hugged her curves, dipping low enough to tempt but not enough to scandalize. A power piece disguised as a seduction. She hadn't worn the red lipstick like I'd imagined. But I'd fix that eventually.
The room went quiet when we entered.
Twelve men, One woman and her.
She sat beside me with a poise that bordered on dangerous, her eyes darting over every face, every contract, every screen.
I watched her as she watched the meeting.
Took notes like a soldier.
Smiled once, at something witty I said and my dick twitched under the table.
Fucking hell.
Halfway through the meeting, I leaned close. Her breath hitched before I even spoke.
"You're doing well," I whispered, eyes still on the speaker. "But you keep shifting your legs. Why?"
Her pen paused mid-word.
"I… I'm fine, sir," she whispered back.
"I didn't ask if you were fine," I said low. "I asked why."
She didn't answer.
Which meant I'd gotten to her. Again.
By nightfall, the day had spun into something tighter, hotter, darker.
After the meeting, I walked into my private office and found her already there organizing notes, hair slightly messy from the wind outside, her blouse just one button undone too many.
"I didn't give you access to this office," I said.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "Ms. Delacroix"
I crossed the space between us in three long strides.
She stepped back, bumping against the bookshelf.
I reached up not to touch her but to take the red folder from her hands. Our fingers brushed. She froze.
"What am I going to do with you?" I asked, more to myself than her.
She stared up at me, breathing hard, pupils blown.
"You invited me," she said softly. "Don't forget that."
I looked at her lips.
I remembered the taste of her from seven years ago. Cinnamon and sin.
And I wasn't sure how much longer I could wait.
I leaned in, my mouth a breath from hers.
But I didn't kiss her.
Instead, I whispered, "Next time you disobey me, Miss Blake… you won't walk away untouched."
She shivered. And didn't say a word.
I left her there, trembling...exactly where I wanted her.
Because this wasn't just about control anymore.
It was about possession.
And she already belonged to me. She just didn't know it yet.