Davis's POV
The penthouse was quiet when I got home that evening. I loosened my tie and poured myself a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid catching the city lights through the tall windows. Another long day at Patel Dynamics, but my mind kept circling back to Isla Hayes. The way she had handled the trip details with clear questions and quick work. The nervous laugh when she called me "Sir." The subtle way her body had reacted in my office yesterday.
I wasn't used to being distracted like this.
My phone buzzed on the counter. A message from my best friend, Kai Nakamura. We had known each other since college him the loud, teasing one who always pushed my buttons, me the one who kept things steady and focused. He ran his own successful investment firm now, but we still made time for these late calls when life got busy.
I answered on the second ring. "Kai. What's up?"
"Davis! Finally. I've been stuck in meetings all day. Tell me you're not still at the office burying yourself in spreadsheets." His voice carried that familiar playful edge. "Or did the new assistant already wear you out?"
I paused, glass halfway to my lips. "How do you know about the assistant?"
Kai laughed. "Your assistant mentioned it when I called earlier looking for you. Said you picked a new girl for the Tokyo trip. Come on, spill. Is she competent or are you just desperate for someone who won't fall asleep during your long lectures?"
I walked over to the couch and sat down, staring out at the glowing skyline. "Her name is Isla Hayes. Started two days ago as a data analyst. Sharp mind, works fast, volunteered for the trip without hesitation. She slipped and fell right in front of me on her first day papers everywhere. Then kept calling me 'Sir' like it was the most natural thing in the world."
There was a beat of silence, then Kai let out a low whistle. "Sir, huh? That's interesting. Most people call you Mr. Patel or boss. But 'Sir'… sounds like she might be awakening that dominant side you try so hard to keep locked away."
I frowned, even though he couldn't see me. "It's not like that. She's an employee. Professional. The 'Sir' thing slipped out because she was embarrassed after the fall. Today she did it again during our meeting about the trip. She corrected herself, but there was something in her voice…"
Kai's tone turned teasing, the way it always did when he sensed I was holding back. "Oh, come on. You're telling me a pretty new hire calls you 'Sir' with that soft little tone and your cold, controlled brain doesn't flicker? I know you, Davis. You like control. You like when things bend exactly the way you want them. If she's reacting to your dominant voice even a little you're probably already thinking about how she'd look following your orders outside the office."
"Kai," I warned, but there was no real heat in it. He was right about one thing did prefer control. In business, in life, I kept emotions tight. But hearing him say it out loud about Isla made something stir uncomfortably. "She's smart and bold. That's what matters for the trip. The rest is irrelevant."
"Sure, sure. Irrelevant," he echoed with a laugh. "But tell me this did she blush? Did her eyes drop when she said it? Because if she did, your 'professional' new assistant might have a little submissive spark that matches your kink side perfectly. And you, my friend, have been single and buried in work for way too long. Maybe this trip is exactly what you need to wake up that part of you."
I took a slow sip of whiskey, the burn steadying me. "You're reading too much into it. She's new. Nervous. That's all. I noticed her focus she stayed professional even when she was clearly uncomfortable. I respect that. The trip is about the deal in Tokyo, not anything personal."
Kai wasn't letting it go. "Respect, huh? Coming from the guy who usually keeps everyone at arm's length. Just admit it she's gotten under your skin a little. A girl who falls dramatically, calls you Sir, and then volunteers faster than lightning? Sounds like she's got fire and softness mixed together. Dangerous combination for a man like you."
I rubbed my temple, a small smile tugging at my lips despite myself. Kai had always been good at pushing me to see things I tried to ignore. "She's different. Funny in a nervous way. Hardworking. But that doesn't mean I'm planning to cross any lines. She's an employee, and I don't mix business with… whatever this is."
"Yet," Kai added cheerfully. "You said 'yet' in your head, didn't you? Look, if she's awakening that dominant side even accidentally maybe it's time you stopped being so damn cold and let someone in. Life isn't just contracts and quarterly reports."
We talked for a while longer about the Tokyo deal and his latest investment headaches. Kai kept throwing in light jabs about "Sir" and my hidden kink side, but I brushed them off with short answers. Still, his words lingered after we hung up.
I finished my drink and stood by the window, looking down at the city. Isla was intelligent and bold, just like I had told him. But there was more the way she had squeezed her legs together in my office, the quick recovery, the nervous energy when I teased her lightly today. It did stir something. A quiet interest I hadn't felt in years.
Control was my default. I liked things on my terms. The idea of her responding to that side of me, even unintentionally, made the upcoming trip feel heavier than just business.
I set the glass down and headed to bed. Tomorrow would be another full day of preparation. I would keep things professional. Focused.
But as I turned off the light, one thought refused to leave:
What if Kai was right?
What if this new worker was quietly awakening parts of me I had kept buried for too long?