5. Fire in the Fight

Vorian’s POV

“Time is slipping away from me,” I murmur, checking at my timepiece. Six o’clock; NexusVibe’s shutting hours, and I am deeply involved in AI contract outlines. The office glows with Chicago’s skyline, but my mind is stuck on that damn red-ink envelope from last night. No answers, just a knot in my gut.

Silas sticks his head in, his face tight. “Got a minute there, Vorian? Security checked the feeds from your place.”

I lean back, tossing a pen down. “Tell me they got the creep who left that envelope.”

“Nope,” Silas says, stepping inside. “Guy is a shadow. Dodged every camera like he planned it. Nothing but a blur.”

I grind my teeth, my abdomen knotting. “So, a pro. Someone is screwing with me.”

“Could be Nathaniel Holt,” Silas says, his voice low. “He is after your AI deal. Probably wants to rattle you.”

“Holt is a coward, everyone knows that,” I say, my voice ice. “But this feels too close. Keep digging, Silas.”

“Will do,” he says, nodding. “You okay here? I am wrapping up.”

“Go,” I say, waving him off. “I have got these contracts to tackle.”

Silas smirks. “Do not burn out, man. Your new secretary is counting on you to stay sane.”

I roll my eyes, I had forgotten for a moment that I have a new secretary but Zephyr Cole’s face; those sharp eyes, that bold grin, flashes in my head. He is trouble, and I am already hooked. “Get lost, Silas.”

He laughs, heading out. “Night, boss.”

The office quiets as night falls, the hum of NexusVibe fading. I dive into files, clauses blurring, hours slipping by. Silas swings back in, two coffees in hand, the steam curling up.

“Thought you were gone,” I say, looking up.

“Had to finish something,” Silas says, setting a mug on my desk. “Figured you would need fuel since you are staying late, again.”

“Thanks man,” I say, grabbing the coffee. “AI deal is make-or-break.”

“You are a machine,” Silas says, shaking his head. “I am out. Do not scare Zephyr off.”

“Night, Silas,” I say, smirking, but my head is back in the files. I am lost in numbers when a knock hits the door, sharp and sudden. Zephyr Cole. I forgot he is working late too.

“Come in,” I call, my voice rougher than I mean.

Zephyr steps in, files in hand, his suit still sharp despite the hour. His stare fixate on mine; intense, fiery, like he is provoking me. My heartbeat surges, and I am not prepared for how much I desire him.

“Mr. Vorian,” he says, his voice smooth, stepping to my desk. “Final AI drafts. You want them now?”

“I want them now? Now? You are late, Zephyr.” I say, standing, my voice low. “I needed these three hours ago.”

“Late?” he says, raising an eyebrow, closing the gap between us. “I was making them perfect. You want sloppy, find someone else.”

I step closer, my eyes narrowing. “You think you can talk to me like that, Cole?”

“I think you like it, Mr. Vorian,” he says, his smile sharp, his eyes flicking to my lips. My blood is racing, his closeness setting me on fire.

“Careful,” I say, my voice a growl, leaning in. “You do not know who you are messing with.”

“Oh, I know,” he says, not backing down, his voice dropping. “Question is, can you handle me?”

That is it. I break, clutching his cravat, drawing him intimate, and smash my lips into his. It is passionate, yearning, his palms holding my shirt, physiques colliding against the desk. His lips hot, intense, and I am consumed, my palms gliding to his hips, tugging him closer.

“Zephyr,” I gasp, breaking away, but he pulls me back, kissing me harder, his fingers in my hair. I push him against the desk, papers scattering, my lips on his neck, his moan driving me wild.

“What the hell,” he breathes, his hands on my chest, but he’s not pushing away. “You… you are into guys?”

I freeze, my heart pounding, his words hitting hard. “True…. you did not know” I say, my voice rough, stepping back. “Thought you were…”

“Me?” he says, his eyes wide, but that grin’s back. “I thought you were just cocky, not… this. Damn, Mr. Vorian.”

I laugh, shaky, my head spinning. “You kissed me back, Zephyr. What is that say?”

“Says I am not blind,” he says, his voice low, stepping closer. “You are trouble. And I like it.”

“This is insane,” I say, my hands still on him, my pulse racing. “You have no idea what you are starting.”

“Then show me,” he says, his eyes burning, and I want to dive back in, but I hold back, barely.

“We can’t,” I say, my voice hoarse, stepping away. “Not here. Not now.”

“Why not?” he says, his voice teasing, but his eyes are serious. “Scared, Mr. Vorian?”

“Scared?” I say, smirking, but my heart is hammering. “You are the one who should be scared.”

“Good,” he says, grabbing the files, his fingers brushing mine, deliberate. “I like a challenge.”

“Get those done, Zephyr,” I say, my voice gruff, trying to regain control. “We are not done here.”

“Yes, sir,” he says, his tone flirty, heading for the door, his stride too damn confident.

I drop into my chair, his taste still on my lips, my head a mess. He didn’t know I was into guys. I did not know about him. What the hell just happened? I try to focus, but he has burned into me; his mouth, his hands, his voice, damn…. His everything.

My desk phone rings, sharp and sudden. I grab it, my voice tight. “Who is this?”

A cold voice hisses, “Nice show, Vorian. You always surprise me. But you do know you are playing with fire.” The line cuts off, and I am staring at the phone, my blood ice, wondering who the hell or heaven was that. The voice does not sound familiar.