6: Dominic’s POV

I wake up already irritated.

Not because I didn’t sleep, but because I did.

That never happens.

Usually it’s one project or some bullshit meeting with clients that’s really just a formality has me up.

I sit up, run a hand over my face, and stare at the city through the glass wall of my bedroom.

My phone buzzes on the nightstand but I ignore it.

I slept and in my arms was Avery. She is gorgeous.

Just like the night that we had spent together. I had made breakfast for her and had one of my drivers drop her off.

The problem isn’t that I slept with Avery Mane who is also my employee.

The problem is that I want to do it again.

And again.

And again.

I want her to be mine and mine alone.

I shower, dress, and head into my office before the billion dollar facility is fully awake.

The moment I sit down behind my office desk, I press the intercom.

“Perry.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Come in.”

He arrives a minute later, tablet tucked under his arm, expression neutral.

Perry Wilson has been my assistant for seven years.

He knows me and my moods better than anyone.

He sits across from me without being told.

“You look distracted,” he says.

“I am.”

He waits.

“I want information,” I say.

“Who are we stalking?”

“Avery Mane.”

Perry blinks. Just once.

“Avery?……Mane?”

“Yes.”

He frowns slightly and starts typing. “Give me a second.”

I watch him scroll.

“Oh. Just found her. It says here she’s a junior analyst. Operations department.”

“And?”

“And nothing,” Perry says, looking genuinely confused.

“She’s clean. No reports. No write-ups. No requests for promotion. She’s a background character ”

I lean back. “How long has she worked here?”

“Two years.”

“Two years,” I repeat. “And you never noticed her?”

Perry looks up. “No.”

“That doesn’t bother you?”

“It does now.”

“Why?”

“Because if I didn’t notice her,” he says carefully, “that means she didn’t want to be noticed.”

I tap my fingers against the desk. “Or she wasn’t allowed to be.”

Perry doesn’t argue.

“She spoke to international associates last night like she owned the room,” I continue. “She corrected a London partner without apologizing. She made a Dubai investor laugh. And she did it without trying.”

“That’s… impressive. She was the new girl you chose to accompany you.”

“Yes.”

“And you slept with her?”

I meet his eyes. “I did.”

Perry nods slowly.

“That explains the tone.”

“Explain what?”

“The tone, Sir. That and the fact that you’re asking about her at all.”

I ignore that.

“Why is she still on a lower floor?”

Perry glances at the tablet again. “Because that’s where her department is assigned.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the official one.”

“I want her moved.”

Perry straightens. “To where?”

“Upper executive floor.”

A pause. “That floor is not for someone like…..”

“Make space.”

“There will be questions.”

“I don’t care.”

“HR will want justification.”

“Give them one.”

Perry studies me. “What justification?”

“Salary restructuring and talent reassignment.”

“That’s broad.”

“Then narrow it.”

Another pause. “Sir, There is no way that You’re serious.”

“I don’t joke about things I want.”

He exhales quietly. “All right. What about salary? You’re already giving her princess treatment might as well go all the way”

“Double her salary.”

Perry’s eyebrows lift. “Immediately?”

“Yes.”

“Performance review?”

“Bypass it.”

“Bonus?”

“Yes.”

“Lucky lady. How much?”

“Enough that she never worries about money again.”

Perry closes the tablet slowly.

“Wow not even trying to be subtle.”

“I don’t intend to be.”

“You’re aware this will attract attention.”

“That’s fine.”

“And gossip.”

“She doesn’t owe anyone an explanation.”

“Office specifications?” he asks finally.

“Get her a private desk.”

“That’s unusual for her level.”

“She’s not staying at that level.”

“Window?”

“Yes.”

“View?”

“The city.”

“Assistant?”

“No.”

“Security clearance?”

“Extend it.”

Perry types rapidly.

“Sir, You’re giving her executive privileges without the title.”

“For now.”

“And workload?”

I shake my head. “No increase.”

He looks up. “None?”

“She’s not being punished with responsibility.”

Perry watches me closely.

“With all due respect, Sir. You just met her”

“And?” I give him a stern glare and he sighs.

“Sorry” he mutters.

I lean back. “I want her treated well.”

Perry nods. “Define ‘well.’”

“No delays. No disrespect. No condescension.”

“And socially?”

I think for a moment. “If she’s invited somewhere, she gets the best seat.”

“If she speaks?”

“She’s heard.”

“If someone questions her presence?”

“They answer to me.”

Perry closes the tablet. “You’re giving her princess treatment.”

“Yes.”

“Because you slept with her?”

“No.”

“Because you want to sleep with her again?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

I meet his gaze. “Because she deserves it.”

That shuts him up.

“Anything else?” he asks after a moment.

“Yes.” I step closer to the desk. “Discretion.”

“Of course.”

“I don’t want her overwhelmed.”

“She won’t be.”

“I don’t want her confused.”

“She might be.”

“That’s fine.”

“And if she asks why?”

I think about Avery’s eyes. The way she watched me. The way she made me beg to make love to her.

How amazing it felt,

“Tell her she earned it.”

Perry nods.

“I bet she does”

He stands, gathering his things.

“This will change her position in the company,” he says. “People will start paying attention.”

“I know.”

“And you?”

“I already am paying attention, Perry”

He hesitates at the door. “You don’t usually move this fast.”

“I don’t usually meet women like her.”

“That sounds temporary but good luck with that.”

“It isn’t but thank you”

Perry opens the door.

“I’ll take care of everything,” he says.

As he leaves to carry out my orders, I sit back down and exhale slowly.

Avery Mane walked into my life when I least expected it.

I am never letting her go.

Never.