ZOE’S POV
“Maybe you shouldn't have come at all.” I bit out as my hand tightened around my bag. I turned away before the familiar ache in my chest could find a foothold. I looked around subtly,to make sure we didn't have an audience but just as I feared, the security and a few of my colleagues were idling around,pretending that they weren't listening. Oh for the love of God. I turned and started walking away trying to look for a more secluded spot. The sound of my heels against the pavement echoed through the quiet street, a rhythm that matched the irritation burning through my veins. “Zoe, wait—please!” Liam’s voice followed me sounding desperate but I ignored it. I didn't have to turn around to know that he had a desperate, pleading, pathetic look on his face. But then I heard his footsteps quicken behind me as he caught up with me and thZOE’S POV My eyes widened till they were nearly popping out. He wants me to unzip his pants with my teeth? How was I supposed to do that? But the thought of actually doing something so risque made me more excited and I felt my arousal pool between my legs, soaking my panties through. “Why are you staring at me like that Kitten?” his deep voice cut into my flustered thoughts. “You don't think you can handle it?” His voice was low, but I could hear the subtle tease in his words. And at that moment something in me snapped and I wanted to prove him wrong, prove that I wasn't shy or timid. So I moved. Slowly and Carefully. I reached for the buckle of his belt, hesitating just long enough for his mouth to curve in that wicked, knowing way. For a second, I couldn’t breathe. The air felt too thick, like it was wrapping around me, trapping me in that small space between us. Julian didn’t move—he just watched me, his eyes dark and steady, waiting to see what I’d do. My pulse
ZOE’S POV His voice dropped, smooth and steady. “Drop it. Get on all fours and crawl to me.” For a second, I thought I’d misheard him so I just stood there, staring at him. My heartbeat thudded in my chest, loud and uneven. He’d said it so casually, like telling me to take a seat or hand him a pen. His eyes didn’t waver, he was watching me with fire in his eyes. That steady, quiet authority in his gaze was unnerving. And the worst part was how a single look from him could make my pulse trip over itself. “Julian…” I started, my voice low and unsure, an edge of disbelief scraping against it. “What are you—” He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he reached for something on the desk behind him which had a perfect view of the New York skyline —It was a familiar folder. The contract. Oh, were they two copies? I blinked. “Is that the contract you gave me yesterday?” “This is my copy. I was under the impression you would be bringing back your copy today sin
ZOE’S POV “Maybe you shouldn't have come at all.” I bit out as my hand tightened around my bag. I turned away before the familiar ache in my chest could find a foothold. I looked around subtly,to make sure we didn't have an audience but just as I feared, the security and a few of my colleagues were idling around,pretending that they weren't listening. Oh for the love of God. I turned and started walking away trying to look for a more secluded spot. The sound of my heels against the pavement echoed through the quiet street, a rhythm that matched the irritation burning through my veins. “Zoe, wait—please!” Liam’s voice followed me sounding desperate but I ignored it. I didn't have to turn around to know that he had a desperate, pleading, pathetic look on his face. But then I heard his footsteps quicken behind me as he caught up with me and th
Julian’s POV The moment the door clicked shut behind her I let out a deep exhale. Damn my traitorous body. For a long moment, I just sat there, staring at the space she’d occupied for the last ten minutes. Her scent still lingered in my office wrapping around my brain and refusing to let go. Get it together, Hart. She’s not the first woman who’s ever been in your life. You’ve had models, executives, women who would burn the world to touch you — and none of them ever mattered. So why the hell did she? I looked down at my pants and cursed under my breath. I was hard and aching. Even the memory of that damn dream was enough to undo me. Leaning back, I let out a humorless laugh. “You’re losing it, Hart.” ~•~ Zoe’s POV I told myself not to care too much. That his distance meant nothing. That it was just him sticking to the terms of the contract. Still, the fact that he had barely looked at me, or said more made something in my chest feel ho
ZOE’S POV I woke up on Monday morning feeling a bit gloomy due to the notification I had gotten yesterday about being taken off the family trust. As if that wasn't bad enough, my father had sent a message before I went to bed. I stared at my phone for a long moment, the message still sitting at the top of my notifications — “You’re no longer part of this family, Zoe. Don’t contact me again.” A clean cut. Just like that, like I was never his child to begin with. I swallowed, forcing the lump down my throat. I could’ve spent the day hiding under my sheets, feeling sorry for myself, replaying the moment the ground fell out from beneath my feet. But that wasn’t me. That couldn’t be me. I refuse to be beaten down and trampled upon anymore. If he wanted to erase me from his life, fine. I’d show him that I could exist just fine outside the shadow of his name. So instead of taking my last day off, I said fuck it and got out of bed. I took a long shower, brushed my hair and pinn
Julian’s POV My bedroom shone with golden light, the kind of light that moved across your skin in a soft and seductive manner. I sat back against the headboard, the top buttons of my shirt undone, when the door opened and Zoe walked in. She looked like sin wrapped in lace. The black lace lingerie she wore clung to her curves, the silk straps sliding down her shoulders as she moved closer to me. Her eyes, which were blown wide and hazy with lust—didn’t waver from mine. She didn’t say a word, she didn’t even need to. No words were needed at this point. “Zoe,” I murmured, the sound of her name rough in my throat. She stopped at the edge of the bed. “You’ve been ignoring me, Mr Hart,” she said, her voice low and teasing adding to my already wound-up state. Her hands trailed up my chest, slow and unhurried, her fingers igniting fire wherever they touched. She straddled my lap, her thighs pressing against me. Her scent, jasmine and honey wrapped around me until I cou