12 The Boss’s Possessive Claim
Hazel’s POV
I collapsed into my office chair, my heart still racing wildly. My skin tingled where Liam had touched me, and my mind replayed our encounter on an endless loop. Those violet–blue eyes, his hard chest against mine, his strong arms….
I couldn’t believe how my body had betrayed me. One touch, and I’d practically melted into him. What was wrong with me? I was a professional, a mother. Not some hormonal teenager.
I pulled out my phone with shaky hands and texted Chloe.
ME: You won’t believe what just happened. My new boss caught me when I tripped, and I felt…. Jeverything. EVERYTHING, Chloe. And then his crazy ex burst in and called me an office slut.
I hit send and immediately regretted oversharing. Before I could send a follow–up text, a soft knock interrupted my spiraling thoughts.
“Come in,” I called, attempting to compose myself.
Bianca peeked her head in, looking apologetic. “Ms. Vance? I wanted to apologize for letting Ms. Clairemont up. She bullied her way past security.”
I waved her concern away. “It’s not your fault. And please, call me Hazel.”
Bianca stepped fully into my office, closing the door behind her. “That woman is a nightmare. She’s been chasing Mr. Sterling for years.”
“Really?” I couldn’t help but be curious.
Bianca nodded eagerly. “Isabella Clairemont thinks her family’s connections entitle her to anything–or anyone–she wants. She’s been trying to get her claws into Mr. Sterling since before his parents died.”
“And he’s never been interested?” I asked, then immediately chastised myself for prying.
“Never,” Bianca confirmed with a small smile. “He’s always kept his distance, but she refuses to take the hint. Gets especially nasty with any woman who works closely with him.”
My phone buzzed with Chloe’s response:
CHLOE: OMG!!! Need details NOW! Is he hot? Did he defend you? Is this sexual harassment lawsuit territory or romance novel territory???
I quickly flipped my phone over as Bianca continued.
“I heard Mr. Sterling banned her from the building.”
“He did,” I confirmed. “He called her father directly.”
12 The Boss’s Possessive Claim
Bianca’s eyes widened. “Charles Clairemont is on the board of directors. That’s-
The door swung open, cutting her off. Damian Knight strolled in with a wide grin, followed by an elegant older woman I recognized as Evelyn Reed.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the woman who broke our Ice King’s composure,” Damian teased, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief.
Heat flooded my cheeks. “Mr. Knight, I-”
“Please, it’s Damian to you,” he insisted, perching on the edge of my desk. “After the show your just put on? We’re practically family.”
“Damian, stop terrorizing the poor girl,” Evelyn scolded, though her lips twitched with amusement. She turned to me with warm eyes. “Don’t mind him, dear. He lives to stir up trouble.”
Bianca excused herself, shooting me a sympathetic look as she slipped out.
“I wasn’t terrorizing,” Damian protested. “I was congratulating! Do you know how long I’ve waited to see Isabella Clairemont get her comeuppance? And to witness Liam’s face when he… He paused dramatically. “Let’s just say your meeting was quite unconventional, Ms. Vance”
“Hazel, I corrected automatically, wishing the floor would open and swallow me whole.
“Hazel,” Damian repeated, his smile widening. “Beautiful name for a beautiful woman. No wonder
Liam was-”
“That’s enough,” Evelyn interrupted firmly. “We came to welcome Hazel properly, not embarrass
her.”
Damian placed a hand over his heart, feigning offense. “When have I ever embarrassed anyone?”
Evelyn rolled her eyes and turned to me. “Ignore him. He and Liam have been friends since childhood, which is the only reason he gets away with such behavior:
My phone buzzed again. I ignored it.
“So,” Damian leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “What did you think of our illustrious leader? Besides his impressive reflexes, of course.”
“He seems…” I searched for an appropriate word. “Intense.”
Damian burst out laughing. “Intense! That’s diplomatic. Most people say ‘terrifying‘ or ‘intimidating‘ after their first meeting”
“He can be quite focused, Evelyn acknowledged. “But he’s an excellent boss. Demanding but
fair.
“And filthy rich,” Damian added with a wink. “Single, too.”
12 The Boss’s Possessive Claim
“Damian!” Evelyn scolded.
“What? I’m just stating facts,” he said innocently. “Though I should warn you, Hazel, that Liam specifically told me you’re off–limits. Very specifically. With a glare that could freeze hell.”
My mouth fell open. “He what?”
Evelyn shot Damian a warning look before turning back to me. “What are your impressions so far? Beyond Mr. Sterling’s intensity?”
I hesitated, trying to form coherent thoughts. “He seems very dedicated to his work. And his eyes are quite unique. Actually…” I paused, remembering something that had been nagging at me. “My son has the exact same color eyes. That violet–blue. I’ve never seen it on anyone else
before.
Something flickered across Evelyn’s face–surprise, curiosity, I couldn’t quite tell.
“Your son?” she asked carefully. “How old is he?”
“Leo’s two,” I answered, reaching for my phone to show her a picture. “He’s everything to me.”
Evelyn studied the photo, her expression unreadable. “He’s beautiful. Those eyes are indeed
remarkable.”
“They’re extremely rare,” Damian commented, peering over Evelyn’s shoulder at my phone. “In Liam’s case, they’re a Sterling family trait. His father had them too.”
“Would you like to see more pictures?” I asked, feeling the familiar maternal pride swell. “Actually, if you’re not busy this weekend, you could meet him. Chloe–my best friend–and I are having dinner at my place on Saturday
“I’d love that,” Evelyn said, her smile genuine.
The intercom on my desk buzzed. “Ms. Vance, please come to my office. Bring Damian and Evelyn with you.” Liam’s deep voice sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.
“Duty calls,” Damian announced, standing. “Don’t worry about Isabella, by the way. Liam’s handled her, but her father might be another story”
My stomach tightened with anxiety. “What do you mean?”
“Charles Clairemont isn’t used to being told no,” Damian explained as we walked toward Liam’s office. “And now his precious daughter has been humiliated and banned from the building. He’ll want someone to blame.”
“And that someone will be me,” I guessed, my newfound job security suddenly feeling very precarious.
“Possibly,” Damian admitted. “But don’t worry. You’ve got protection now.”
Before I could ask what he meant, he pushed open Liam’s door without knocking. Liam stood by
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12 The Boss’s Possessive Claim
the window, his powerful silhouette backlit by the afternoon sun. He turned as we entered, his gaze immediately finding mine.
“The Clairemonts will be a problem,” he stated without preamble. “Isabella is spreading rumors, and Charles is threatening to make an issue at the next board meeting”
My heart sank. “Mr. Sterling, I’m so sorry. If I hadn’t been so clumsy-”
“This isn’t your fault, he cut me off sharply. “Isabella has been a problem for years. This was
inevitable.
“What’s the plan, boss?” Damian asked, dropping casually into a chair.
Liam’s eyes never left mine. “Ms. Vance will need to be prepared. The Clairemonts will target her specifically.”
“Target me?” I repeated nervously.
“They’ll try to undermine you, question your qualifications, possibly spread rumors, Evelyn explained gently. “It’s nasty business.”
“I won’t let that happen,” Liam stated firmly, his jaw tightening.
“How exactly do you plan to prevent it?” Damian asked, his tone suddenly serious. “Charles has influence”
Liam’s eyes darkened as he looked at me with an intensity that made my breath catch. “From now on, I’m the only one allowed to touch Catherine’s behind!”
The room fell silent. Damian’s eyebrows shot up practically to his hairline. Evelyn coughed. delicately. And I… I stood there in complete shock, my face burning so hot I thought I might spontaneously combust.
Had my boss–my extremely powerful, impossibly handsome boss–just staked a possessive claim on me in front of his closest colleagues? And had he just called me Catherine?
The way he’d said my name, my real name, with that deep, commanding voice… it had triggered something primal within me. Something I hadn’t felt since that night at the masquerade ball three years ago.
