Chapter 004

DYLAN

I woke up to the gentle sway of the yacht, the morning sun filtering through the half-drawn curtains of the master suite, casting long golden streaks across the rumpled sheets.

My head throbbed faintly, not from any excess of alcohol but from the memories that crashed over me the moment my eyes opened. Last night. God, last night.

I sat up slowly, running a hand through my disheveled hair, and let out a long breath.

Still lost in the unexpected spark that had pulled me out of the careful shell I'd built around myself for years. It had been reckless, impulsive, and yet... incredibly alive. I hadn't felt that kind of fire in what seemed like forever.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling me from the haze. I reached for it, squinting at the screen.

A message from Louis, my old friend and business associate, lit up the display "Heading to the company today with my daughter. She's interning for the summer and thought it might be good for her to shadow some of the teams. Let me know if you're around."

I muttered a curse under my breath. Louis's daughter. Today, of all days. The timing couldn't have been worse, but I wasn't about to let it throw me off. I dialed my assistant, Elena, immediately, the phone pressed to my ear as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed.

"Elena, good morning," I said when she picked up on the second ring, her voice crisp and professional as always. "Louis is bringing his daughter to the office today.

Make sure everything is prepared, clear a schedule slot for me if needed, have the HR team ready with onboarding materials, and set up a workspace for her in the executive wing. I'll be in shortly, but hold down the fort until I arrive. Any urgent matters?"

"Nothing that can't wait, Mr. Ashford," she replied smoothly. "I'll handle the preparations right away. The conference room is already booked for the morning brief, but I can shift things if you need privacy."

"Good. Stay in the office and coordinate with Louis when he arrives. I appreciate it." I hung up, my mind already shifting gears, but not before another call. This one to Marcus, my head bodyguard. "Marcus, I need you to bring the car to the dock. I'm heading back to the mansion first. Pick me up in twenty."

"Understood, sir. On my way."

The ride from the yacht to the mansion was quiet, the city skyline blurring past as we drove.

Once inside the familiar walls of my home, the sprawling estate I'd built as a sanctuary after everything fell apart, I headed straight for the shower.

Hot water cascaded over me, easing the lingering tension in my muscles, but it did nothing to quiet the thoughts swirling in my head. I couldn't stop replaying the previous night.

The way she'd moved, the soft gasps and shared laughter that had turned into something far more intense.

The sex had been a passionate kind that left you breathless and wanting more. Her body against mine, the electricity that had sparked between us reminded me of what it felt like to truly connect, even if just for a few stolen hours.

As I toweled off and dressed in a fresh tuxedo suit, her face came into my mind again.

Those striking eyes, the curve of her smile that had disarmed me so completely. I hoped I'd find her again. She hadn't left her contact information.

It frustrated me more than I cared to admit. Women had been off-limits for me in any serious way for so long now. After losing my wife, Clara, in that terrible accident just five years into our marriage, I'd shut that part of myself down.

I was in my early forties now, successful beyond measure with Ashford Enterprises, but the grief had carved deep grooves into my life. I'd raised our son, Ethan, mostly on my own, pouring everything into being the father he deserved while building the company into an empire.

Ethan was thriving now, studying abroad and chasing his own dreams in international finance. We spoke every week, his voice full of that youthful energy that reminded me so much of Clara. "Dad, you need to get out more," he'd teased during our last call. "Not everything has to be boardrooms "

He was right, in his way. I'd refused to marry again, turned away from the dating scene entirely after a few hollow attempts that only highlighted how irreplaceable Clara had been.

Companionship had felt like betrayal, at first. Then it simply became a habit but last night I cracked that resolve wide open.

I picked up my phone again as I adjusted my tie in the mirror, firing off a quick text to Elena. "One more thing, pull any security footage or clips from Eclipse Club last night, around 10 PM to midnight.

Focus on the VIP section and main floor. I need to trace someone. Send what you find to my private drive."

Her reply came back almost instantly. "On it, Mr. Ashford. I'll have it ready by the time you arrive."

Satisfied, I grabbed my briefcase and headed downstairs. The mansion felt a little less empty today, charged with the possibility of what might come next. I stepped out into the driveway where Marcus waited with the car, the engine purring softly.

"Let's go. It's going to be an interesting day." As we pulled away from the mansion, I leaned back, watching the city approach, my thoughts still lingering on Sienna and the unexpected spark she'd ignited.

SIENNA'S POV

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my childhood bedroom, smoothing down the crisp white blouse I'd paired with a tailored navy pencil skirt.

Professional but approachable, that was the look I was going for on my first day. My hair fell in soft waves over my shoulders, and I added a touch of gloss to my lips before taking a deep breath.

Last night still lingered in my thoughts like a secret I wasn't ready to share with anyone, especially not my father. The mysterious man on the yacht, the connection that had felt so electric... I pushed the memories aside and headed downstairs.

The smell of fresh coffee and pancakes greeted me as I entered the dining room. Dad was already seated at the table, reading through some documents on his tablet while a plate of breakfast waited for me. He looked up with that warm smile he'd always had on his face.

"Sienna, you look ready to take on the world," he said, setting the tablet aside as I slid into the chair across from him. "Sleep well?"

"Better than I expected," I replied, helping myself to a pancake and drizzling it with maple syrup. "The nerves are there, but I'm excited. It's been too long since we've had a chance to just sit and talk like this."

We fell into easy conversation as we ate, catching up on everything I'd missed while away at university.

"You know, sweetheart," he said after a sip of coffee, his expression turning more serious but proud, "if you do well during this internship with my friend, I'm going to give you a high position in my own company. You've got the talent, I've seen it. This is just the stepping stone you need."

I smiled, warmth spreading through my chest. "Thank you, Dad. That means everything to me. I'll work hard, I promise."

He nodded, leaning forward slightly. "The reason I'm entrusting you to him instead of keeping you directly under my wing is because he's a true workaholic.

Focused like no one else I know. He'll push you, teach you the ropes faster than I could right now with all my meetings piling up. You'll catch up quickly under his guidance learn the ins and outs of the industry in real time."

"I understand," I said, meeting his eyes steadily. "It's a smart move. I'm grateful for the opportunity, really. I won't let you down."

We finished breakfast with lighter talk plans for a family dinner soon, updates on my cousin's wedding and then it was time to go.

Dad grabbed his keys, and we headed outside together, the morning sun bright as we climbed into his car.

The drive to the company passed in comfortable silence broken by occasional comments about the city traffic and his latest golf game.

Before long, the impressive glass towers of Ashford Enterprises came into view, sleek and imposing against the skyline.

As the car wove through the bustling streets, my thoughts drifted to the man I was about to meet my father’s longtime friend, Dylan Ashford.

There were barely any pictures of him online, and I wasn’t sure my father kept any either. What little I knew came from vague articles and business profiles I’d skimmed over the years, but my actual memories of him were hazy at best.

I’d only been eight the first time I met him, a wide-eyed little girl peering up at the tall, serious man shaking hands with my dad at some family gathering. I barely know what he looked like.

Dad had told me once, years ago, about the tragedy, how Dylan had lost his wife in a heartbreaking accident. It was such an unfortunate incident.

From everything I’d heard, he’d never remarried, never even seemed to entertain the idea. It spoke of a kind of steadfast loyalty that was rare in his world.

Still, working with him from now on was going to be... interesting. I’d also picked up rumors that he was as cold as ice.

Would he get under my skin? Frustrate me with that rumored frostiness? I shifted in my seat, adjusting my bag, hoping I could hold my own. This internship was my chance to prove myself, and I wasn’t about to let anyone intimidate me.

We parked and made our way into the lobby, where we waited at the reception desk.

The place buzzed with quiet, efficient people in sharp suits hurrying to meetings, the soft hum of conversations. I tried to steady my nerves, adjusting my bag on my shoulder.

A woman in her thirties approached us shortly after, her heels clicking confidently on the marble floor. "Mr. Louis? And you must be Sienna. I'm Elena, Mr. Ashford's assistant. Please, follow me. He's expecting you."

We rode the elevator up in silence, my pulse quickening with anticipation. When the doors opened on the executive floor, Elena led us down a wide hallway lined with modern art and straight to a set of heavy oak doors. She knocked once before opening them.

"Mr. Ashford, Mr. Louis and his daughter have arrived," she announced.

I stepped inside behind my father, my eyes adjusting to the spacious office with its panoramic city views. And then my world tilted.

The man rising from behind the massive desk, extending a hand to my father with that familiar, commanding presence..

It was him. The same dark hair, the same intense eyes that had locked onto mine last night on the yacht. Dylan Ashford. My father's friend. The one I'd spent the night with.

My stomach dropped, heat rushing to my face as recognition hit us both at the same moment.