17 The Boss’s Heated Proposition
Hazel’s POV
The Sterling Group buzzed with early morning activity as I arrived, still feeling vulnerable without underwear after yesterday’s encounter. My torn panties were still in Liam Sterling’s possession–a trophy from our heated battle on his office couch. The memory made my cheeks. flush as I settled at my desk.
“Good morning, Hazel!”
I looked up to find Owen Harris, Damian Knight’s assistant, standing by my desk with a warm smile. His friendly demeanor was a welcome distraction from my current predicament.
“Morning, Owen,” I replied, returning his smile. “You’re in early”
“Same as you. Thought we could sync up on today’s schedule before the bosses arrive.”
Owen was tall, blond, and undeniably handsome with his boyish charm and kind blue eyes. Under different circumstances, I might have been interested, but my body still tingled from Liam’s touch.
“Great idea,” I said, pulling up my calendar. “Mr. Sterling has the budget meeting at nine and lunch with the board at noon.”
Owen nodded. “Mr. Knight will join for both. Should we coordinate their afternoon as well?”
As we compared notes, the elevator chimed. Damian Knight strolled in, his tailored suit accentuating his athletic build. When he spotted us, a mischievous grin spread across his face. “Well, well! My two favorite assistants looking cozy, he teased, leaning against my desk. “How are you settling in, Hazel? Is our fearsome leader treating you well?”
Before I could answer, Liam emerged from his office. His violet–blue eyes narrowed at the sight of Damian hovering by my desk.
“Knight, don’t you have your own assistant to bother?” Liam’s voice carried a sharp edge.
Damian’s grin widened. “Just checking on the new blood. Someone has to make her feel. welcome.”
“I believe that’s my job, Liam replied coldly.
I couldn’t help myself. “Is it? I must have missed that in the employee handbook.”
Damian burst into laughter while Owen’s eyes widened in shock. Liam’s gaze locked onto mine,. promising retribution.
“Ms. Vance, my tea,” he commanded before retreating to his office.
17 The Boss’s Heated Proposition
“Someone’s in a mood,” Damian whispered with a wink. “Good luck”
As Owen and Damian walked away, I prepared Liam’s tea. My hands trembled slightly as I added a single sugar cube–exactly how he liked it. The smart move would be delivering his tea with an apology and professional demeanor.
But I wasn’t feeling smart today. I was feeling bold.
I walked into Liam’s office without knocking, deliberately letting my hips sway. His eyes tracked my movement like a predator.
“Your tea, Mr. Sterling” I said, placing it on his desk and leaning forward slightly more than
necessary.
“Thank you,” he replied, his voice tight. “That will be all.
I didn’t move. “Is there anything else you need, sir?”
His jaw clenched. “Testing me again, Ms. Vance?”
“I’m just being thorough,” I replied innocently.
Liam stood suddenly, circling his desk with deliberate steps. I backed away until I hit the wall. He placed his hands on either side of my head, caging me in.
“I warned you yesterday,” he growled, his face inches from mine. “Or did you forget what happens when you provoke me?”
My heart hammered in my chest. “I remember.”
“And yet here you are,” he whispered, his breath hot against my ear. “Without panties, if I’m not
mistaken.
I gasped. “How did you-
“I know every inch of your body’s reactions now, Liam’stated, his eyes dark with desire. “The next time you coine in here swaying those hips and batting those eyes, I will forget you’re my assistant. I will bend you over this desk and take you until you beg me to stop.”
Heat pooled between my legs at his raw words. My breath caught as his hand skimmed lightly down my side, stopping at my hip.
“Do you understand me, Hazel?” His voice was dangerously low.
Before I could answer, the door swung open. Damian froze in the doorway, taking in our compromising position.
“Well,” he drawled, “I was coming to grab you for the conference call, but maybe you need a minute?”
Liam stepped back immediately. “We were just discussing proper office protocol.”
17 The Boss’s Heated Proposition
Damian’s eyebrow shot up. “Against a wall? Interesting teaching method.
I straightened my skirt, face burning. “Excuse me.”
“Actually,” Damian said, blocking my exit, “I think we should address the elephant in the room. The sexual tension between you two is suffocating everyone around you”
“Damian, Liam warned.
“No, let me finish, Damian continued. “Just sleep together already. The whole office is taking bets on when it happens, and frankly, I’d like to collect my winnings.”
“That’s inappropriate,” I stammered.
“What’s inappropriate is watching you two circle each other like hungry wolves. It’s inevitable, so stop torturing yourselves–and the rest of us.”
With that bomb dropped, Damian walked out, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.
Liam ran a hand through his hair. “I apologize for his behavior.”
“It’s fine. I muttered, desperate to escape. “I should get back to work.”
The morning dragged by in uncomfortable awareness. Every time Liam emerged from his office, my body tensed in anticipation. By lunchtime, I needed distance.
Owen caught me in the break room. “Want to grab lunch in the courtyard? I packed extra.”
His friendly offer was exactly what I needed. “That would be lovely.”
We ate sandwiches on a bench beneath a sprawling oak tree, chatting about everything except work Owen was easy to talk to–no hidden agendas, no power plays.
“So how are you really doing here?” he asked. “Evelyn says you’ve been handling Sterling better than anyone expected.”
I smiled. “It’s challenging but rewarding. Mr. Sterling is… intense.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” Owen laughed. “The man has gone through three assistants in the past
year.
“I’m not planning to become number four, I said firmly.
When we returned, Liam was waiting by my desk, his expression unreadable as he watched us approach.
“Enjoyed your lunch break, Ms. Vance?” he asked coolly.
“Yes, thank you, I replied, sliding into my chair.
“Good. My office in five minutes.”
17 The Boss’s Heated Proposition
As he walked away, Owen whispered, “Good luck, before returning to his desk.
I took a deep breath, checking my appearance in my compact mirror before heading to Liam’s office. The lack of underwear still made me feel exposed, something I couldn’t remedy until
after work. I knocked tentatively.
“Enter” came his curt reply.
I stepped inside, carefully closing the door behind me. Liam stood by the window, his broad shoulders tense beneath his tailored jacket.
“You wanted to see me?” I asked, keeping my distance.
He turned, his violet–blue eye…
“Yes. About what happened earlier–what Damian said…”
My stomach clenched. Was this my termination? Had our inappropriate behavior finally crossed too many lines?
“This situation between us has become untenable, Liam continued, stepping closer. “The attraction is affecting our work.”
I nodded stiffly. “I understand. If you want my resignation-
“Resignation?” He looked genuinely surprised. “That’s not what I’m suggesting at all.”
“Then what are you suggesting?” I held my breath
Liam’s eyes darkened. “A proposition. One night together to get this out of our systems. Not strings, no complications. After that, we return to a strictly professional relationship.”
My mouth fell open in shock. “You want us to sleep together?”
“One night of absolute discretion, he clarified. “Then we can focus on work without this… distraction.”
The proposal hung in the air between us, dangerous and tempting. One night with Liam Sterling. The very thought sent heat coursing through my body.
“And if I say no?” I managed to ask.
His expression hardened slightly. “Then we continue as we are, pretending we don’t want to tear each other’s clothes off every time we’re alone.”
My heart pounded in my ears. This was madness. He was my boss. I had Leo to think about. A thousand reasons to refuse.
But only one overwhelming reason to accept: I wanted him more than I’d ever wanted anyone.
“Think about it,” Liam said softly, his voice like velvet. “Let me know your answer tomorrow.”
As I walked back to my desk on shaky legs, his words echoed in my mind. One night with no strings. A way to exorcise this craving. Could it really be that simple?
45
17 The Boss’s Heated Proposition
The more pressing question burned within me: Could I say no to fiber of my being was screaming yes?
Comment
