I woke up early the next day, like always.

I couldn't complain. The salary I earned as President Sterling's assistant was more than generous.

Thanks to that paycheck, I could afford a quiet apartment, send money to my family, cover medical expenses, and still keep a savings cushion most people in my position would envy.

But… what about my peace of mind?

That was something Adrian Sterling could never pay for.

I got out of bed with that thought, dragging my feet to the bathroom, trying to shake off the image that had haunted me all night. His body. His eyes locked on mine while… No. I wasn't going to think about that. I couldn't.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to focus.

I had an important event that day. I slipped into my best dark dress, elegant but understated, and added a white blazer to balance the look.

The Thirty Gala… I hated it. It wasn't exactly a business event, though alliances were sometimes born there.

Most of the time, it was just a gathering where my boss's friends paraded around like they owned the world.

If he was a grumpy demon, his friends were even worse. More refined, more twisted, more arrogant.

And their parties… sometimes they crossed a line.

But work was work. And I had to go, no matter how much I complained… even if I would have rather stayed home with a cup of tea, far away from Adrian Sterling breathing down my neck.

I drove toward the office, and at least that lifted my mood a little.

I loved driving. I turned on some music and let my mind drift, letting myself imagine a different life, just for a moment.

I imagined finding real love one day. Someone who would take my hand and pull me out of this hell of stress, shouting, and constant tension.

I dreamed about a small business, a simple home, peace… a life without Adrian Sterling.

What a cruel irony. The peace I wanted most was the one thing he would never allow.

A honk snapped me back to reality.

I checked the rearview mirror… No. No, no, no.

It was my boss.

My phone rang, and I answered with a quiet sigh.

"Boss?" I said, keeping my voice neutral.

"Damn it, Vanessa," he growled. "Why are you driving like an eighty-year-old grandma? Move."

I smiled.

"Good morning, boss."

I hung up before he could respond.

Brave? Stupid? I wasn't sure.

But something inside me enjoyed getting under his skin, just a little.

I swerved into the next lane just enough to make him hit the brakes, then sped up, laughing under my breath.

Yeah, I'd probably get yelled at later.

But the image of his frustrated face… that alone had already made my morning.

When I arrived at the building, I ran into Matthew, the vice president's assistant.

He was an absolute sweetheart. Kind, attentive, polite.

I hugged him because it was his birthday and handed him the cologne I'd bought.

Sometimes I wondered if I could fall for a man like him… but there was always that lingering doubt about whether he might be gay.

It didn't matter. He made me feel comfortable. Appreciated… safe.

"Happy birthday!" I said. He hugged me back warmly.

The elevator doors opened.

And the voice we heard felt like a judge delivering a merciless sentence.

"Employee rule number ten!" Adrian Sterling barked. "No displays of affection. Do you want a penalty?"

I jumped like I'd been burned.

I pulled away from Matthew immediately. We both froze, saying nothing.

Adrian Sterling walked past us with that heavy, commanding presence of his… but his gaze… God, that gaze.

It wasn't on me.

It was on Matthew.

Dark. Hard… almost dangerous.

A chill ran down my spine. Not because he intimidated me—I was used to that—but because of the way he looked at him. Like Matthew had crossed a line he shouldn't have.

Like I was… something that belonged to him.

A second later, I told myself that was ridiculous. He was just my boss having a seriously bad day.

Once he was gone, Matthew let out a shaky breath.

"Your boss…" he whispered. "He acts like he owns you, doesn't he?"

I went still.

Owned… by Adrian Sterling?

I'd rather take the death penalty.

By the afternoon, I was still going over reports. I was almost done. My inbox was finally under control, and for a moment, I thought I might actually get a second of peace. I stretched in my chair, satisfied, when the intercom crackled to life with that deep voice I could recognize even in my sleep.

"Get ready. You're coming with me in five minutes."

I closed my eyes, holding back a groan.

That man had a strange obsession with giving orders like he owned the world. Still, I didn't respond.

I put on my coat, fixed my hair, and took a deep breath. Exactly five minutes later, like clockwork, he was standing in front of me.

"Let's go," he said without even looking at me.

And I followed, like always. Sometimes I felt like a loyal dog… one that knew it had no choice. My job depended on him, and my family depended on me.

We stepped into the elevator. The metallic reflection showed both of us—him, imposing; me, trying to stay composed.

Then he spoke.

"Why did you hug Matthew Reese? Are you that desperate for a man?"

Heat rushed to my face. My blood boiled, like something inside me had sparked to life.

"It was his birthday," I replied, my voice tight but steady. "And if I want to hug a man, or if I'm desperate for one, that's my business. My personal life doesn't belong to you, boss."

That was when I saw him go still. Like my words had triggered something.

He lifted his gaze slowly, his eyes locking onto mine with a dark, unreadable intensity.

And then he stepped closer.

I took a step back without realizing it, until my back hit the cold elevator wall. He kept advancing, invading my space, erasing any distance between us.

His scent, his presence, his warmth… it all wrapped around me in an instant. My hands trembled.

Not from fear.

From something I didn't want to name.

"Are you sure your life belongs to you, Vanessa Hart?" he murmured.