Jay's POV
Jay walked toward Keifer's office, trying to steady her breathing. She had been working late again, and every nerve in her body was on edge. Her blazer felt tight across her shoulders, her heels clicked loudly on the marble floor, and her stomach fluttered for a reason she didn't want to admit.
Then she saw him.
Sitting behind his massive desk, the city lights framing him perfectly, dark suit, sharp jawline, cold grey eyes that seemed untouchable. He radiated power… and something else she couldn't ignore.
Wow… he's so hot…
Her hand flew to her mouth in horror.
Jay! What are you thinking?!
Her cheeks flamed red. She forced her gaze down at the stack of files in her hands, trying desperately to act professional, though her thoughts betrayed her.
He's just my boss. Nothing more. Just work. Focus. Don't look at him…
Every step closer to her desk made her pulse race. Every time her eyes darted up, she caught him looking at something on his desk, and her stomach twisted.
Why does he look so… perfect? And intimidating? And… wow, attractive… Stop it, Jay. Stop thinking about this. You can't… you can't…
She muttered under her breath: "Focus. Files. Work. Don't… think about him…"
But even as she repeated it to herself, she couldn't ignore the flutter in her chest, the way her fingers trembled slightly whenever he moved, or the way her pulse jumped every time he glanced up.
Keifer's POV
Keifer glanced up from his papers and caught her looking at him—just for a split second. Her eyes widened, cheeks red, fingers clutching the files. She was trying to act professional, but something about the way she froze when he noticed her made his chest tighten slightly.
Interesting, he thought. She's nervous. Flustered. Careful. And… something else. Something I can't put my finger on.
He returned to his papers, though he found himself stealing glances at her from the corner of his eyes. The way she shifted, the slight tremor in her hands, the flush creeping up her cheeks—it was captivating.
Focus, Keifer. He muttered silently. She's my secretary. That's it. Nothing more. Don't… notice her like that.
And yet, he did.
Every small gesture, every nervous glance, every subtle movement of her body drew his attention. Her presence was distracting in a way he hadn't felt in years.
She's… different, he admitted to himself quietly, though no one would ever know. She's just my secretary. Nothing more. But why does that feel so difficult to remember?
Jay bit her lip, trying to steady herself as she approached her desk.
Keifer's eyes flicked toward her one more time. She didn't notice, but the slightest crease appeared between his brows—a crack in the ice he'd carefully built over the years.
The tension in the office was almost suffocating. Two people, both aware of something unspoken, both trying to maintain control.
And neither of them wanted to admit just how dangerous it felt.