The boardroom on the 48th floor of Blackwood Industries was cold.
Not because of the air conditioning—though it was merciless—but because of the electric tension that hung in the air between Elara and Lucien.
They were in the same car for the first time in days, the drive having been a silent storm of unspoken words. Now, for a business meeting, they were trapped together.
"Do you understand the proposal?" Lucien asked, not even looking at her. His dark eyes were locked on the documents before him.
"Yes," Elara replied, her voice quieter than she intended. She felt the heat from his body every time he shifted in his seat. Every brush of his arm, every accidental touch made her pulse hammer faster.
He glanced at her for just a moment. "Your answers are hesitant. Are you nervous?"
"No," she said quickly, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'm… fine."
He smirked, a dangerous curl of lips that made her stomach twist. "Fine? You're trembling."
"I'm… not," she insisted, her cheeks burning.
Lucien leaned back in his chair, his dark gaze cutting into her. "Elara, let me make one thing clear. Being near me, working with me… it's going to be uncomfortable for you. For both of us."
"Uncomfortable?" she echoed, the word trembling.
"Yes," he said simply. "Because every time you're near me, you want to fight me. But at the same time… you want something else."
Her heart skipped. Her pulse thundered. He can't know that. He can't see it.
But his piercing stare said he did.
The meeting began, and she tried to focus. PowerPoint slides, charts, investment numbers—it all blurred together as Lucien's presence loomed over her. His arm brushed hers whenever he leaned forward, his shoulder occasionally grazing hers as he reached for a pen.
Her body betrayed her at every touch.
And she hated herself for it.
Halfway through the meeting, a loud crash outside the room made everyone jump. The door swung open, letting in a gust of cold air—and Adrian Kane appeared again.
Her chest tightened.
Adrian smiled at her, casually leaning against the doorframe. "Elara! Fancy seeing you here."
Lucien didn't move. But the room seemed to shrink as his dark gaze pinned Adrian to the wall.
"You'll excuse us," Lucien said, voice low, controlled, but lethal.
Adrian's smile faltered. "Of course, Lucien. Just… didn't expect to see you so… close to her."
Lucien stepped forward. One stride. Two. Close enough that Elara could feel the heat from his body and the weight of his hand nearly brushing hers.
"Close enough," Lucien said coldly. "And I suggest you never misinterpret proximity again."
Adrian backed out quickly, nodding. "Understood."
Once the door closed, Lucien finally exhaled, the tension in the room lifting just slightly.
He turned to her, and the dark, dangerous expression she had come to both fear and crave was back.
"You okay?" he asked quietly, voice lower, softer—but still lethal in its intensity.
"I…" she started, but words failed. She nodded instead.
He stepped closer, their shoulders brushing. "Good. Because no one touches you—not him, not anyone. Do you understand?"
"Yes," she whispered.
Lucien's eyes softened… for a fleeting moment. Then his control returned, sharp and commanding. "Good. Now, focus. The rest of the meeting depends on it."
Elara exhaled shakily, feeling the storm between them grow stronger, more dangerous, more addictive.
By the time the meeting ended, she realized something terrifying:
Being trapped with Lucien Blackwood wasn't just uncomfortable.
It was addictive.
And she was losing the fight to resist him.