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15 Crossing the Line After Dark
Liam’s POV
I paced my penthouse living room, unable to shake the image of Hazel Vance from my mind. Those fierce green eyes, that defiant tilt of her chin, her lips parted in anger. My body reacted instantly to the memory.
“Damn it,” I muttered, pouring myself a scotch. Three fingers, neat.
I took a long sip, welcoming the burn down my throat. The intercom buzzed, announcing Damian’s arrival. Perfect timing – I needed a distraction from my inappropriate thoughts about my assistant.
“You look like shit,” Damian greeted cheerfully, walking in and heading straight for my bar cart.
“Thanks for the assessment, I replied dryly.
Damian poured himself a drink and settled into my leather armchair. “So, what’s got you all worked up? Let me guess the new assistant?”
I shot him a glare. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to someone who’s known you since you were ten.” He grinned. “Plus, I saw how you looked. at her today. Like you wanted to either fire her or fuck her.”
I winced at his bluntness. “It’s inappropriate. She works for me.”
“Since when has that stopped you?” Damian raised an eyebrow. “Remember Sophia from. Accounting?”
“That was different, I argued. “She didn’t report directly to me.”
“Ah, so you admit you’re attracted to Hazel, Damian looked smug.
I downed the rest of my scotch in one gulp. “What I feel doesn’t matter. I have rules.”
“Your rules, not company policy: Damian shrugged. “But if you’re not interested, I might ask her out myself.”
The glass nearly slipped from my hand. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Damian’s eyes widened at my reaction. “Wow, you’re actually serious about this one.”
“I’m not serious about anything, I snapped. “I just don’t want office complications.”
“Sure, that’s it.” Damian nodded, unconvinced. “Nothing to do with how she’s the first woman şince the masquerade girl who’s gotten under your skin.”
I refilled my glass, ignoring his comment. “She challenges me. Refuses to be intimidated. Do you
15 Crossing the Line After Dark
know what she said today? She told me I was being unreasonable.”
Damian laughed. “I like her already”
“She’s infuriating” I admitted. “And completely different from anyone I’ve ever worked with.”
“Different how?”
I struggled to find the right words. “She’s… authentic. No games, no hidden agenda. Just raw honesty and this fierce determination.”
“And she’s gorgeous,” Damian added helpfully.
“Painfully so,” I agreed before I could stop myself.
Damian leaned forward. “So what’s the problem? Ask her out.”
“Did you miss the part where she works for me?” I ran a hand through my hair. “Besides, she has. a child. That’s a complication I don’t need.”
“Since when is a kid a dealbreaker?” Damian asked, surprised. “You love children.”
“I’m not looking for a family, Damian. I’m not looking for anything”
Damian sighed. “It’s been three years, Liam. Your parents would want you to live your life, not bury yourself in work.”
I stared out the window at the city lights below. “I’m fine the way things are.”
“Are you? Because you haven’t been this worked up about a woman since…
“Don’t,” I warned.
Damian held up his hands in surrender. “All. I’m saying is that Hazel Vance has obviously gotten to you. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing”
“It is when she’s my assistant,” I insisted.
“So what’s your plan? Ignore the attraction until it goes away?”
I nodded. “Exactly
“Good luck with that,” Damian laughed. “That woman isn’t the type you just forget.”
After Damian left, I tried to distract myself with work. But by midnight, my mind kept circling back to Hazel. Her fire. Her defiance. The way her blouse had clung to her curves.
Almost without thinking, I grabbed my phone and pulled up her contact information. This was crossing a line, but I couldn’t stop myself.
Having trouble sleeping, Ms. Vance?” I typed, then hit send before I could reconsider.
Three dots appeared almost immediately, surprising me. I hadn’t expected her to be awake, let
15 Crossing the Line After Dark
alone respond.
“Is this a test, Mr. Sterling? Because I’m pretty sure contacting employees at midnight isn’t in the company handbook”
Her quick wit made me smile despite myself. The fact that she didn’t back down, even in a text, was both frustrating and fascinating.
“Just checking your responsiveness. Clearly, you’re dedicated.” I paused before adding, “Or your have no life outside work.”
“Says the man texting his assistant at midnight on a weekend,” came her immediate reply.
I chuckled. This woman never missed a beat.
“Fair point. What’s keeping you up so late?”
“Wondering if my boss is always this inappropriate or if I’m special, she responded.
My pulse quickened. Was she flirting back?
“Trust me, Ms. Vance. You’re definitely special.” I hesitated, then added, “Though not always
good way.”
“Careful, Mr. Sterling. That almost sounds like a compliment.”
I grinned at my phone. This exchange felt dangerous, exhilarating. I hadn’t bantered like this with anyone in years.
“Don’t get used to it. I’m still your boss.”
“A fact you never let me forget,” she replied. “Is there an actual work reason for this midnight
chat?”
in a
I couldn’t resist pushing further. “Just wondering if that sharp tongue of yours works as well in
other circumstances.”
The moment I sent it, I knew I’d crossed the line. This was sexual harassment, plain and simple. I was about to send an apology when her response came through.
“Mr. Sterling, I suggest you direct such curiosity elsewhere. I’m your assistant, not your booty call. And for the record, my tongue works perfectly fine in ALL circumstances – especially when putting arrogant men in their place.”
I nearly choked on my scotch. No one talked to me like this. No one. And yet, instead of anger, I felt a rush of admiration and desire.
–
“You’re walking a dangerous line, Ms. Vance,” I warned, heat coursing through me.
“You drew that line when you texted me at midnight with inappropriate comments,” she shot
back
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15 Crossing the Line After Dark
She was right, of course. I had started this. But now I needed to regain control.
“For your impertinence, I expect you in the office an hour early Monday morning,” I typed. “7 AM sharp.”
“That’s professional retaliation, she replied instantly.
“That’s the consequence of challenging your boss.” I couldn’t help adding, “Think carefully – one more smart remark and I’ll make you come back to the office right now!”
No response came. I’d silenced her, at least temporarily. The victory felt hollow.
I tossed my phone aside and downed the last of my scotch. What the hell was I doing? This woman was my employee. More than that, she was a single mother who needed this job.
And yet I couldn’t deny the truth any longer. Hazel Vance had gotten under my skin in a way no Jone had since that masked woman three years ago. The realization hit me like a physical blow.
“Damn it, I whispered into the empty penthouse. “I’m done for.”
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