6: Pulse of the Kiss

Zephyr’s POV

“Get it together, Zephyr,” I mutter, slouched at my cubicle in NexusVibe’s silent office, the glow of my screen cutting through the dark. 

The city's horizon shines outside, but my mind is stuck on Vorian; his lips crashing into mine, his hands grasping my waist, his scent, all fragrant and flames, scorching me completely. 

My digits linger above the keyboard, but my body is tingling, heart thumping like a drum. I can still feel his breath, hot and intense, the manner he yanked me against that desk.

I shake my head, hard, trying to snap out of it. “Work. Just work.”

I look at the contract papers, figures hazy. I am meant to be sorting these for Vorian, however every time I blink, I see his eyes; piercing, intense, like he could undress me with a stare.

How did we actually get there? One moment we are arguing, the next he is kissing me, and I am kissing him reciprocally, no hesitation. I did not know he was into guys. He did not know regarding me.

My stomach flips, a mix of thrill and panic. This is my boss. Day one, and I am already in way too deep.

My phone buzzes, shrill in the quiet. I grab it, seeing Selene’s name flash. Of course she is calling now. I answer, bracing myself. “Hey, sis, you have anything for me?”

Silence and then without warning…

“Where are you at?” she yells, her voice so loud I wince, yanking the phone back. “Zephyr, it is almost midnight! You okay?”

“Do not yell, sis,” I say, rubbing my ear, a grin sneaking out. “You are gonna wreck my hearing. I am at work, I am perfectly fine. Gosh, chill.”

“Work?” she screeches, and I pull the phone farther away, cringing. “It is your first day, and you are still there? Zephyr, what exactly is wrong with you or if I should rephrase it, what exactly is wrong with that new boss of yours, keeping you this late on your first day? It is almost midnight for crying out loud.”

I laugh, her worry hitting that soft spot she always finds. “Big project, sis. I am helping Vorian. It is all good.”

“Vorian? Helping him? On your very first day? Can’t you see I am emphasizing on your first day?” she says, her tone sharp, like she is sniffing out a secret. “Is the first day not for getting to know your new environment and that billionaire has got you slaving away already? You sound weird, Zeph.”

I recline, my cheeks flushing as Vorian’s lips spring in my mind; firm, passionate, capturing my breath. “I am alright,” I utter, controlling my voice composed. “Just busy. You know, new job, big deal.”

“Busy?” she says, not buying it. “You better not be getting into trouble. I know you, Zeph. You dive in headfirst.”

I hear my mom’s voice in the background, soft but worried. “Zephyr is still at work, by this time? He does not work this late. Marlon, tell him to come home.”

“Tell Mom and Dad I am okay,” I say, smiling despite myself. “It is just a late night, Sis. I have got this.”

“You are just too stubborn,” she says, softer now, her voice warm. “You better be home when I wake up tomorrow, Zeph. I mean it.”

“Promise, sis,” I say, my chest tight with that sibling bond. “I love you. Go to sleep.”

“I love you too, dummy,” she says, hanging up. I shake my head, her voice lingering like a hug I did not know I needed. She has always got my back, even when she is screaming my ear off and being overprotective all the time.

I shift back to the files, compelling my vision to concentrate. I browse through sheets, reviewing dates and terms, but something is amiss. “Wait a moment” I murmur, scrutinizing at a contract. Wrong dates, wrong numbers. Vorian handed me the wrong file. I need to get the right files immediately as this is very important.

I grab the folder, standing, my heart picking up speed. Going to his office implies seeing him again, and my body is already thrilling, the recollection of his touch ,his lips, flooding back.

I walk down the dim hallway, the office so quiet I can hear my own pulse. Every step closer, my face heats, that kiss playing on repeat; his grip, the way he said my name, like it was a challenge. 

I thought he was just a cocky CEO, not… this. And me? He had no clue I would kiss him back, even I had no clue, it is not every day one meets a closeted billionaire who doubles as one’s boss. My stomach is doing flips, half-thrilled, half-terrified. This is my boss, and I am already craving more.

I reach his office door, my hand raised to knock, my breath catching. I can still feel his lips, the way he pushed me against that desk, papers scattering. I shake it off, muttering, “Just work, Zephyr. Do your job.” 

But my cheeks are burning, and I am not sure I can face him without losing it.

Before I knock, his voice cuts through the door, loud and furious, dripping with curses. 

“What the fucking hell is this? Damn it, fix this shit now! I do not care what you have to do. Get this fixed. What were you even doing when this was going on.”

My heart slams, my hand frozen mid-air. He is yelling, voice raw, like he is ready to break something; or someone. I do not know what has got him so pissed, but it sounds bad, scratch that, it sounds worse than I have ever heard. My pulse races, and I am stuck, caught between knocking and bolting, wondering what the hell had happened.

I chose to dive in into the chaos but I was still contemplating whether to knock or just walk in.

Then I heard Vorian say, “If it is going down, you go down with it.”