Chapter Four: Crossing a Line

(Lior's POV)

The soft click of a lock snapped my attention back.

I hadn’t even realized Adrian had walked toward the far end of his office until I saw him push open what I thought was part of the wall. Only it wasn’t a wall. A door swung inward, and beyond it was something I never in my life expected to find inside a CEO’s office: a full master bedroom.

A bed, polished and massive, sat against the wall with sheets so crisp they could probably cut me. A closet took up an entire side. There was even a restroom door, slightly ajar, hinting at marble tiles inside. Who the hell keeps a whole house inside their office?

“Go inside,” Adrian said simply, his voice the kind that doesn’t invite argument. “Take a quick shower. An outfit’s already prepared on the bed.”

I blinked at him, my brain tripping over itself. “Uh… what?”

His eyes flicked to me like I’d just asked if the sky was blue. “You’ll be representing me today. You can’t show up in what you’re wearing. Go.”

That was it. No more words. Just the steel of command wrapped in calm indifference. I swallowed hard, murmured something that wasn’t quite agreement, and stepped into the room.

The shower was fast, like really fast because I didn’t want him waiting, fast because I didn’t want to think too much about the fact that I was naked in Adrian Valehart’s private sanctuary. The clothes were waiting, exactly as he’d said: white pants, sleek enough that my fingers hesitated before pulling them on, and a matching shirt with buttons hidden so neatly it looked tailored by magic.

When I slid the last button into place and stood in front of the mirror, my throat dried.

The shirt stopped just before it could cover my collarbone fully, exposing the pale stretch of my neck, a hint of chest. The fabric clung in a way that left no room for pretense. I wasn’t hiding behind my usual oversized layers anymore. Petite. That’s how I looked. Delicate. Anyone with eyes could tell that I'm an Omega.

I hugged my arms around myself, shifting from one foot to the other, not sure how I was supposed to step back out there looking like this.

The door opened before I could figure it out.

“Done?”

Adrian’s voice rolled in first, low and even. Then him: broad shoulders filling the doorway, taller, larger, everything I wasn’t. He stepped inside and for some reason didn’t stop until he was right behind me.

Through the mirror, I saw us.

He stood like a shadow behind me, massive in comparison. I looked… small. Smaller than I’d ever let myself look. His presence wasn’t just physical; it pressed into the space, into my lungs. He didn’t touch me, but I felt the weight of him anyway.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

I startled a little. “I—” My eyes dropped to the floor, then back to the reflection, then away again. “I’m not sure this looks good on me.”

His gaze held me through the glass, unreadable, but sharp enough to pin me still. Then, evenly:

“It looks perfect. You look perfect.”

The words landed heavy, like they were something more than just about the clothes. My pulse jumped, and I hated how aware I was of it.

Adrian didn’t give me more time to spiral. He reached for the cuff of my sleeve, adjusting it like it mattered, then turned toward the door.

“Come. We’re leaving.”

And just like that, I was walking out beside him, still wondering how I was supposed to breathe in clothes that made me feel so exposed, and under a gaze that made me feel even more so.

By the time we walked off the building, his driver was already there. The driver opened the door to the backseat for us and we got in. The backseat smelled faintly of leather and Adrian’s cologne; sharp, commanding, like something that lingered long after he left a room. I sat with my hands folded in my lap, too aware of the small space, too aware of the Alpha sitting beside me. His gaze flicked toward me between swipes on his phone, and every time it did, my chest tightened like I’d been caught doing something wrong.

The driver took us through the glittering city streets until the mansion finally loomed ahead, light spilling from every window, laughter and music already pulsing through the air.

The moment we stepped out, recognition rippled like a wave. The host hurried forward with an effusive smile.

“Adrian Valehart. You honor me by coming.”

Almost immediately, a server appeared with two crystal glasses balanced on a silver tray. Adrian accepted his without hesitation but waved away the second.

“He won’t be drinking,” he said, his tone so final it didn’t leave room for argument. He didn’t even glance at me when he said it.

The host only chuckled, leading us inside where men in expensive suits clustered together like predators, their conversations low and territorial. “Come, there are many eager to meet you.”

And eager they were. Hands reached for Adrian’s, voices bent toward him, names exchanged like currency. I stayed a quiet shadow at his side, bowing politely when introduced, speaking carefully when I had to. Nothing about me belonged in that room, but I’d learned how to take up as little space as possible.

It might have worked if not for him. An Alpha with too-slick hair and eyes that lingered too long. He leaned toward me, his smile too sharp.

“You’re wasted in that corner. Come sit with me, I’ll show you a better view.”

I shook my head quickly, keeping my tone polite. “Thank you, but I’m fine here.”

The Alpha smirked, stepping closer, his breath brushing my ear. “You sure? Pretty things shouldn’t be left standing alone.”

Heat crawled up my neck. Before I could form another refusal, Adrian’s voice sliced the air, cold, sharp, final.

“Walk away.”

The man took a few steps backwards, throwing his hands in the air. Adrian hadn’t raised his voice, but the weight of it dropped like heavy metal. After a beat, the Alpha muttered something under his breath and slunk off.

Soon the host ushered us upstairs to a private balcony overlooking the chaos below. The table there was crowded with expensive liquor, cigars, and men who only spoke in numbers and power.

Adrian sat with his usual gravity. I sat beside him, wishing I could disappear into the chair.

The host poured a drink, sliding the glass toward me with a grin. “Surely the young one can handle at least a toast? Or does Adrian keep him on a leash?”

The table laughed. Adrian’s jaw twitched, but he stayed silent. My throat tightened. Refusal would come off as disrespectful. So I lifted the glass. One sip turned into two. Two became more.

The warmth hit fast. My ears burned, my face flushed, and still the men droned on and on about things I didn’t care to understand.

Finally, I leaned toward Adrian, lowering my voice. “I… need a moment. Just some air.”

I stood, bowed politely, and slipped out into the quieter hall. Music dulled to a distant throb. My shoulders sagged with relief as I exhaled.

Then I heard footsteps.

“Are you alright?” Adrian’s voice, low and sharp.

I straightened instantly. “I’m fine. Just needed… a breath.”

He stepped closer. Too close. His gaze searched my face as if he could peel me open, see what I was hiding. His scent rolled over me, rich, heady, impossible to ignore. My heart hammered painfully in my chest.

And something reckless snapped inside me.

Before I could stop myself, I tipped onto my toes and pressed my lips against his.

For a moment, silence. Shock. My heart stopped. Then his arm locked around my waist, pulling me in hard, his mouth claiming mine with a demand that stole every ounce of air from my lungs. The kiss was hot, demanding, overwhelming— Alpha through and through.

My head spun. I shouldn’t—couldn’t—

And then a vibration cut through the moment. He stilled. With one hand still clamped on my waist, he pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen. His jaw tightened.

He looked at me once, his expression unreadable, and said flatly, “It’s my wife. I have to take this.”

He turned, phone pressed to his ear, voice calm, practiced, polite.

But I didn’t hear a word of it.

My pulse roared in my ears, drowning out everything except those three words, echoing like a cruel chant.

‘It’s my wife.’

My chest constricted. My stomach twisted. My hands trembled at my sides.

I just kissed my Boss. He kissed me back. And he has a wife.