The assignment

Mia didn’t sleep that night.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Harry Declan’s face—the way he looked at her, like he could see straight through her defenses. Like she was a challenge he had already decided to conquer.

She wasn’t sure what scared her more: that he hadn’t fired her… or that she didn’t want him to.

At 8:00 a.m. sharp, she arrived at Declan Enterprises in a navy blouse and tailored slacks that felt like armor. She’d barely made it through the lobby when a voice crackled from the front desk.

“Miss Williams?” the receptionist called, brows raised. “Mr. Declan would like to see you in his office. Now.”

Heads turned. Whispers followed.

Mia swallowed hard and forced a polite nod. “Thank you.”

By the time the elevator doors opened on the top floor, her palms were sweating.

The door to his office stood wide open this time. Like an invitation or a trap.

“Miss Williams,” he greeted without looking up. He was seated behind his massive black desk, sleeves rolled, tie loose, fingers scrolling through a document on his tablet. Relaxed, but no less dangerous.

“I didn’t expect to see you again so soon,” she said carefully.

“I changed my mind,” he said, finally lifting his gaze. “You’re not going to Accounting.”

Her stomach dipped. “I’m not?”

“You’re assisting me. Directly.”

Mia blinked. “But—I wasn’t hired as your personal assistant”

“I know what you were hired for.” He stood slowly and walked around the desk. “And I also know I’d prefer someone I can keep an eye on. Someone… who understands the value of discretion.”

He stepped closer.

Too close.

“Think of this as a promotion. With conditions.”

Mia’s mouth was dry. “What kind of conditions?”

“You’ll work out of the executive suite. No gossip, no office politics. Your hours are mine to set. You’ll attend private meetings, take notes, and handle personal tasks as needed. Is that clear?”

She hesitated.

It wasn’t a job offer. It was a contract.

Unspoken, but binding.

And completely inappropriate.

Yet somehow… she wanted to say yes.

"Yes," she said, her voice more confident than she felt.

He studied her for a long, loaded moment, then gave a single nod. “Good. Let’s test your ability to follow orders.”

He walked to a locked cabinet behind his desk and pulled out a thick manila envelope. “This is the preliminary contract for the Korelli merger. I need it reviewed and summarized for a 3:00 meeting.”

She took the file. “Got it.”

“And Mia,” he added, his voice velvet-soft. “Read every line carefully Korelli hides clauses like landmines.”

She turned to leave.

"Oh, and Miss Williams?”

She paused.

“You’re wearing perfume.”

She frowned, confused. “Is that… a problem?”

He smiled—just slightly. “It’s a distraction.”

Mia’s desk in the executive suite was just outside his office—isolated, with no cubicles or coworkers. She didn’t know if it was a promotion… or a cage.

She was knee-deep in fine print when a text pinged.

Harry Declan: You missed a clause on page 9. I don’t like mistakes.

Her heart stopped. How—?

Before she could respond, another message came in.

Harry Declan: Bring it to me. Now.

Mia stood, folder in hand, spine straight. She was going to walk into that office like she belonged there. Like she wasn’t unraveling every time he looked at her.

As she opened the door, he was already watching her.

And God help her she's falling for it.

She liked it.