3. Her Timid Moment

ALICE RILEY

The last thing I wanted today was for that insanely hot guy to turn out to be the CEO of Scott Group—the very man I was supposed to meet and persuade to sign the documents. Yet, here I was, grappling with the moment of truth.

Vivian Scott.

The name had rung with authority and seriousness when I first heard it, conjuring an image of a middle-aged man with wrinkled eyes, greying hair, and an air of reserved professionalism. But instead, standing before me, now fully suited, was him. The man I’d practically made a fool of myself in front of just minutes ago.

I was still reeling, frozen in a mix of disbelief and mortification. Of all the people, why him? My mind scrambled for composure, but the weight of the irony was too much. Fate clearly had a twisted sense of humor.

Lost in my thoughts, I snapped back to reality at the sound of Mr. Scott’s voice.

"Yes, Miss Riley, how may I help you today?"

Did he just sound… polite? Humble, even? I wasn’t sure if it was my nerves or the way his deep, rich voice carried, reverberating in the room like it had the power to shake me out of my own mind.

He must’ve finished that phone call on a good note because his relaxed stride as he re-entered the conference room spoke of ease and confidence. He moved with an elegance that made me curse my luck all over again.

Pulling myself together to face this situation felt monumental after everything that had just happened. The shocking encounters, the mortifying realization, and his infuriatingly calm demeanor—it was all too much. And that smoking-hot body? It wasn’t helping. At all.

What was wrong with me? Since when did I, Alice Riley, get thrown off my game like this? Since when did I let someone—anyone—intimidate me?

That wasn’t me. That wasn’t who I was.

I straightened my spine, determined to shake off the haze. I was here for a reason, and I wasn’t about to let a ridiculously handsome man derail my purpose. Not now, not ever.

"How may I help you today, Miss Riley? I'm asking you," he said again, this time with a subtle edge to his tone, as he lowered himself into the chair opposite mine. The irritation was faint but unmistakable.

"Ah… well… I… I need your signatures on the documents," I stammered, my usual composure crumbling under the weight of his direct gaze. I felt like an absolute dumbass.

"That's all?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "You could have just sent them."

The sharpness in his voice made me flinch inwardly. Typical big-shot CEO behavior, I thought. Of course, he would sound dismissive and irritated. What else could I expect?

"It’s important and urgent, as well," I said, trying to keep my tone measured. I bit back the urge to mention the grueling hour-long commute I’d endured, only to have the meeting canceled at the last minute. What would someone like him know about the struggles of an intern trying to impress her boss at Lexis Consultants?

“Not at the cost of my emergency.”

His tone softened, just a fraction, but the words still felt like a veiled complaint.

“The infringement case is up for hearing tomorrow," I countered, steeling myself. "The documents are crucial. Can we have them signed?”

Finally, my voice held steady, strong enough to remind me of who I was. I wasn’t the type to bow down or take crap from anyone, no matter how high their pedestal stood. If he thought I’d back off or crumble, he was wrong.

"Okay, pass them on," he said, clearly deciding to end the argument.

Reluctantly, I opened the file and handed him the papers, making sure to point out where his signature was needed. He barely glanced at the documents before starting to sign them with quick, practiced movements. Each stroke of his pen seemed deliberate as if he didn’t care to waste any more time than necessary.

Once he’d signed every paper, I gave a quiet thank you, already planning my exit. I was done. The sooner I could leave this place, the better.

But to my surprise, instead of handing the papers back to me, he stood up, sliding his chair back with a slight scrape, and walked over to my side. My heart rate picked up instantly. What was he doing?

He held the signed papers out of my reach, smirking as he looked at me. I felt the heat of his presence as his scent, that intoxicating mix of cologne and something uniquely him, hit me like a wave. My thoughts momentarily blanked, overwhelmed by the closeness.

He stepped even closer, and I forced myself back into my seat, trying to put some space between us. He was too close. Too dangerously close. My skin tickled, and I hated the way my body responded to him. I hated that I couldn't keep my focus.

Slowly, he leaned in, his breath brushing against my ear as he whispered, "Not so easily, you pretty woman. Not before some fun."

I froze, my mind racing to catch up with his words. What was he talking about? I stared at him, my confusion palpable, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him.

Then, without warning, he moved behind me, his large frame looming as he placed his hands around my chair. His fingers brushed the edge of my armrest as he casually set the signed documents down on the table. My pulse quickened, my heart pounding in my chest so loudly I wondered if he could hear it.

I felt lightheaded as if I might actually collapse from the proximity. His presence, so commanding and intense, was overwhelming. Before I could gather myself, he spun my chair around, bringing me face-to-face with him.

His smirk was back, that knowing, almost taunting curve of his lips. I couldn’t look away, my gaze locked with his.

"You invaded my privacy," he said, his voice low and smooth, "saw me without my shirt. Shouldn’t we even?"

The heat between us suddenly seemed suffocating, and I felt my cheeks flush with a mix of embarrassment and something else—something dangerous.

His gaze lingered on the buttons of my blouse, and I could feel the weight of it, like an invisible touch on my skin. He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I wish I could see more. Unfortunately, I should go now. But we will meet again, Alice. Very soon."

My breath hitched as he pulled away, his presence suddenly gone, leaving only the lingering scent of his cologne in the air. He grabbed his phone from the table without a second glance at me, his stride purposeful as he made his way toward the door.

He didn’t turn back, not once, as he left the room. He was gone in a flash, like lightning, and I was left frozen, struggling to catch my breath.