Damian's POV

I was standing just outside the banquet hall, waiting for my companion for the evening. My secretary.

Provoking Stella Harper has become one of my favorite pastimes.

She reacted in fascinating ways. Her eyes widened. Her shoulders stiffened. Her breathing turned uneven. Every response gave her away, showing how hard she worked to stay professional.

After the last incident in my bedroom, she spent the entire day avoiding me like the plague. That was not surprising. What irritated me was that it only made everything more interesting.

She had no idea that I had heard every word she said about me back in the office. What she did not know, and what I intended to keep that way for now, was that I had been watching her from the beginning. From day one.

I had watched her interview with Collins. I hadn't planned to sit in on all of them. Just a few.

Then she walked in.

Her résumé looked solid on paper, at least on the surface. She did well at first, but in the end, nerves got the better of her and she decided to confess that it was all a lie. Obviously, it wasn't that "honesty" that made me hire her. She simply caught my interest.

And when something interested me, I took it.

At the time, I thought it would be easy. Hire her and keep her close. She would resist, of course. They always do at first. Then… the pattern would repeat itself.

Except Stella didn't follow the pattern.

She showed no real interest in me. At most, she probably found me attractive. That indifference was as frustrating as it was addictive. I could tell I was growing impatient, because my provocations had become less subtle. And now I had the distinct impression that Miss Harper was repressing far more than she let on.

Tonight, at the banquet, I intended to spark something inside her.

But when I saw Stella stepping out of the car, I realized that spark had already been lit. And I had no intention of extinguishing it.

She looked different.

Completely outside the image of the secretary I knew. The black dress hugged her curves just enough to accentuate them, elegant enough to avoid being vulgar. If she was trying to provoke me… it worked.

Her blonde hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and her makeup highlighted her light eyes and the firm line of her jaw. She looked dangerous. The kind of woman a man should stay away from, if he had any sense.

Unfortunately, good sense had never guided me in matters like this.

I wanted her.

"Mr. Winter," she said as she approached.

Damn. That was one hell of a visual.

It wasn't just the way the dress defined her waist. Or the thin straps exposing her shoulders. Or the neckline that revealed more than I'd ever seen since meeting her.

It was everything together.

I always knew Stella was beautiful. I'd just never wanted her as much as I did in that moment.

"You look very beautiful, Miss Harper."

She blushed, lowering her gaze with a shy smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Winter."

"Allow me," I said, offering my arm naturally.

She hesitated for a second before linking her arm with mine. Her skin was warm. Her perfume light, floral. It affected me more than I cared to admit, mostly because I would have preferred discovering those details under very different circumstances.

The restaurant was refined, overlooking the lake. I walked beside her with my hand resting on her back to guide her. The prolonged contact gave me the perfect excuse to feel her skin a little longer.

Miller was already waiting for us, a glass of whiskey in hand. He stood as we approached, smiling.

"Mr. Winter!"

"Miller," I greeted politely. "I hope you haven't been waiting long."

"Nothing a good whiskey can't fix," he laughed, then his gaze landed on Stella.

He looked her over far longer than necessary.

"And this beautiful lady is…?"

"Stella Harper, my assistant," I replied, waiting for that interested look to fade.

Of course, it didn't.

"Miss Harper… a pleasure," he said, holding her hand longer than appropriate.

"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Miller," Stella replied, perfectly polite.

I pulled out her chair before he could, and as expected, I caught the flicker of disappointment on his face.

Always anticipate your enemy's next move.

"Shall we sit?"

The conversation began with the European market, but it didn't take long for Miller's attention to wander.

"Miss Harper, is Mr. Winter as demanding as they say? It must be difficult working with a man so… controlling."

"Mr. Winter is an exceptional leader," she replied smoothly. "Demanding, yes. But fair."

'Good answer,' I thought, almost smiling.

Miller, however, wasn't satisfied.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-seven."

"Single?"

"Yes, but—"

"A young and very beautiful woman. It's surprising you're alone."

I felt my jaw tighten.

"I focus on my work," Stella replied.

"Ah, but you should enjoy life. Women like you shouldn't hide behind routine."

"She can enjoy life in whatever way she sees fit, Miller," I cut in.

He laughed, uncomfortable.

Throughout dinner, I caught his eyes lingering on Stella more than once, and it bothered me.

But it got worse when, at the end of the meal, Miller took her hand again.

"If you ever want to work with me… I promise I'll pay better than Mr. Winter. And I promise not to be so demanding or controlling."

Stella let out a polite laugh and brushed it off, but my blood boiled.

The walk to the car was tense.

"Mr. Winter… is everything okay?" she asked, noticing my expression. "You seem… angry."

"I'm perfectly fine, Miss Harper. Mind your own business."

Her eyes widened in surprise.

"I… what?"

"I've already told you that you're more attractive when you're quiet. And you'd be a lot less irritating if you didn't make me repeat myself." My hand touched her chin, and she didn't pull away. Her eyes locked on mine, her breathing quickening. "From now on, be careful around Mr. Miller. And if he contacts you, you let me know. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

I didn't know whether she truly understood or was just agreeing so I wouldn't keep talking. Either way, the answer was acceptable.

-

On the flight back, after we'd settled everything in Switzerland and finalized the contracts, silence settled between us again. Stella read a report on her tablet, and I pretended to focus on my documents. In reality, my gaze drifted to her far more often than I cared to admit.

"Would you really consider Miller's offer?" I asked.

She looked at me, confused.

"What? Of course not. I thought it was obvious it was just a cheap attempt at flirting."

"Even so," I insisted, more sharply. "He was right about one thing."

"About what?"

I leaned closer.

"That you're beautiful. Young. And any man would notice."

She blushed, looking away the way she always did. As if she couldn't handle that kind of attention.

That was the breaking point.

Before any words could leave her mouth, I captured her lips with mine. I didn't ask permission. I just kissed her.

It was rough, hot, and angry. It was completely unlike anything I was used to.

She gasped against my mouth but didn't pull away right away. I felt her hesitation, the tension in her muscles, the tremble in the hands that pressed against my chest. Even so, I stayed there, crushing my mouth to hers as if I needed to mark her somehow.

I pulled back slowly, my eyes locked on hers, now wide with shock.

"You can only be my secretary."