4. Sparks in the Schedule

Zephyr’s POV

“Man, this place is insane,” I mutter, sitting at my new desk, papers and screens everywhere. My head is still spinning from meeting Vorian Rex; those eyes, that voice, like he could burn me alive and I would thank him. I dismiss the feeling.

Silas saunters by, coffee in grasp, smiling like he knows something. “You settling in, Zephyr? Or you still recovering from Vorian’s death stare?”

I laugh, “Death stare? I can handle it, Silas. Mr. Vorian does not scare me.”

“Bold words,” Silas says. “Most people quake when he walks in. You held your own. Impressive.”

“I am not here to quake,” I say, but my pulse races thinking of Vorian’s gaze. “He is intense, sure, but I have dealt with worse.”

“Worse than Vorian?” Silas says, raising an eyebrow. “Doubt it. He is a machine. Runs this empire like he was born for it.”

“Empire,? ” I say, flipping through files. “He inherit all this from his dad?”

“Yup,” Silas says, sipping his coffee. “Took over after his old man passed. Made NexusVibe bigger, meaner. But he has got enemies. Like Nathaniel Holt.”

I tense at the name, my past at Holt’s firm flashing, I keep my face neutral. “Holt? The rival CEO? What is his deal?”

“Slimeball,” Silas says, “Wants our AI deal. Been sniffing around, probably looking for dirt. Vorian is on edge.”

“Dirt?” I say. If Holt is digging, my past could blow up. “Vorian does not seem like the type to have skeletons.”

Silas laughs. “Everyone’s got skeletons, Zephyr. Even you, I bet.”

I force a grin, dodging. “Me? I am an open book. Boring one, maybe.”

“Boring? Nah,” Silas says, smirking. “I saw you two in there. Sparks flying.”

My face heats, Vorian’s low voice—“I do not make it easy”— echoing in my head. “Sparks? I am just doing my job, Silas. Keeping up with him.”

“Good luck,” Silas says, standing. “You will need it. He has got a meeting in ten. Get those files to his office.”

“On it,” I say, grabbing the stack, my heart kicking up. Another chance to see Vorian. I should not be this so enthusiastic, but damn, I am.

I proceed to Vorian’s office, the glass walls displaying Chicago’s horizon. I knock, and his voice cuts through. “Come in.”

I walk inside, and there he is; reclining against his desk, gaze focusing on me like a hunter. My respiration halts.

“Mr. Vorian,” I say, setting the files down. “Your AI contract updates. All organized.”

“Fast work, Zephyr,” he says, his voice low. His cologne hits me, and my skin’s on fire. “You always this… thorough?”

“When it matters,” I say, meeting his gaze, my voice teasing despite myself. “You want thorough, I am your guy.”

His eyes darken, his arm brushing mine as he reaches for a file. The touch is electric, and I can’t look away. “Zephyr,” he says, his voice a rumble. “I expect a lot from my guy.”

I swallow, my pulse hammering. “I can handle expectations,” I say, and damn, I want to push this further, see how far he will go.

He smirks, but his eyes stay on me, like he’s testing me. “We will see. Got a meeting with the board”

I turn to leave, but my hip grazes his desk, and his hand brushes mine, just for a second. It is deliberate, and it sets my blood racing. I am so screwed.

Back at my desk, I try to focus, but Vorian’s touch lingers, his voice stuck in my head. I am not supposed to want my boss like this, not on day one.

Silas swings by again, tossing a pen at me. “You survive round two with the king?”

“Barely,” I say, catching the pen. “He is… a lot.”

“That is Vorian,” Silas laughs, “You will get used to it. Or not. Either way, you are in deep now.”

“Deep is my style,” I say, but my mind is on Vorian’s eyes.

“Speaking of deep,” Silas says, leaning in. “Holt has been too quiet. I do not like it. Vorian has got enough on his plate without that guy pulling something.”

“Like what?” I say, keeping my voice casual, but my gut clenches. Holt’s name keeps coming up, and it is too close to my past.

“Who knows?” Silas says, shrugging. “But guys like Holt do not play fair. Keep your eyes open, Zephyr.”

“Always do,” I say, but my chest tightens. If Holt is involved, I need to stay sharp, keep my secrets locked down.

“Hey,” Silas says, checking his phone. “You are pulling a late one tonight. Vorian needs you for the AI contract final push.”

I blink, my heart jumping. “Tonight? My first day?”

“Yup,” Silas says, smirking. “Welcome to NexusVibe. Vorian works late, and you are his shadow now. You cool with that?”

“Cool?” I say, my voice steady, but my mind is racing. Me and Vorian, alone, late at night? My skin is already buzzing, thinking of him; his voice, his hands, the way he looked at me. “I am ready.”

Silas laughs, clapping my shoulder. “That is the spirit. Do not let him eat you alive.”

“I can handle a bite,” I say, grinning, but my head is spinning. Working late with Vorian Rex, on day one? This is not just a job anymore; it Is a chance. A chance for what, I am not sure, but the thought of being alone with him, papers scattered, city lights glowing… it is dangerous. And I want it.

I head to the break room for coffee, trying to calm my nerves, but my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, expecting a work email. Instead, it is a notification; a calendar invite from Vorian, marked urgent, for tonight’s late session. But it is the title that stops me cold: “Stay Close, Zephyr Cole.” My heart pounds, and I am grinning like an idiot. This is happening, and it is happening fast.