Dangerous current.

"Adrian Blackwood?" I muttered under my breath, the name slipping past my lips as the boardroom doors swung open.

The air shifted the moment he stepped in and I almost forgot how to breathe for a second. He was nothing like Ethan who carried an icy, controlled authority.  Adrian exuded an effortless, dangerous confidence that seemed to flood the room before he even opened his mouth. He wore a tailored dark suit that hugged his broad shoulders perfectly, the top buttons of his crisp white shirt undone just enough to reveal a glimpse of a chiseled chest. His hair was slightly tousled, as if he'd run a hand through it on purpose, and his sharp, assessing eyes swept the table.

He was devastatingly attractive in a way that felt seductive, almost forbidden. He was the kind of man who screamed trouble, and yet, you couldn't help but want to get yourself in his web.

His gaze landed on me. It wasn’t a polite flicker, not a brief acknowledgment, it was deliberate, almost intimate. It lingered, like he was stripping away layers I didn't even know I had. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I quickly dropped my eyes to my tablet, pretending to type. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his lips curve into a faint, knowing smile, as if he'd caught my reaction and found it amusing.

He moved to Ethan's side, gripping his brother's shoulder lightly. "Good morning, everyone," he said, his voice deep and smooth, laced with a hint of amusement. "I'm Adrian Blackwood, as Ethan already introduced. I look forward to working with each and every one of you."

He flashed a smile, revealing those perfect white teeth, killer dimples that deepened just enough to make my stomach flip. The room instantly responded, as introductions followed, each executive taking their turn to stand, announce their title, and subtly brag about their shares or influence. Typical corporate shenanigan.

Then Adrian took the empty seat beside me and the  subtle warmth of his body heat reached me, along with the intoxicating scent of his cologne. It was warm, woody, and expensive. As the meeting dragged toward the end, I struggled to focus because every time Adrian directed a question to the room, his eyes stayed locked on me unwavering, like they were meant for me.

To my own surprise, I answered them flawlessly, going beyond what he expected. Even the table fell quiet a few times, as heads turned in mild shock. Even Ethan glanced at me once, eyebrows raised. Each time I finished speaking, Adrian's gaze sharpened, as if he was memorizing every detail of my face, committing it to memory.

When the meeting finally wrapped up, everyone filed out with Ethan leading, of course. I stayed behind to clear the room, stacking empty water bottles, gathering stray wrappers.

"You know," a low, velvety voice said behind me, "you're wasting your talents hiding behind a laptop." I jumped, spinning around with a handful of bottles. I hadn't heard him slip back in. Adrian leaned casually against the doorframe,his hands in his pockets, watching me with that same intense amusement.

"I'm sorry—what?" I asked, my voice softer than intended, confusion flickering across my face.

He pushed off the frame, closing the distance slowly, as he slightly bent to read my name badge pinned to my blouse. His proximity sent a shiver down my spine. "Lena, is it?" he said, straightening with a slow smile. He extended his hand. "I'm Adrian Blackwood."

I took it nervously, my palm brushing against his warm, firm grip. A jolt shot through me. "Yes, I know, Mr. Blackwood," I managed, forcing a professional smile. "You introduced yourself earlier. It's nice to meet you. It’s Lena Marsh." I correctly politely, pulling my hand away quickly as I felt it tremble. 

He chuckled softly. "Please, call me Adrian. 'Mr. Blackwood' makes me feel ancient, and honestly, I'm not that old." His tone was light, teasing, as he stepped closer, his hands sliding back into his pockets.

"Right Mr Blackwood—I mean Adrian," I corrected, meeting his gaze again despite the flutter in my chest. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

He shook his head, leaning against the conference table and folding his arms across his broad chest. The movement pulled his shirt tighter. "Not at all. I'm just impressed at how you handled those questions earlier. Honestly, I wasn't expecting your answers to be thorough, which is why I say you're wasting your talents being just an assistant to Ethan. With your knowledge and insight, you could easily run a department yourself."

I smiled politely, nodding as I gathered the last empty wrappers and tossed them into the bin. "Thank you for the compliment, Mr Blackwood but I have Mr Blackwood to thank for pushing me to be this efficient. I love my job and I’m okay being his assistant."

Just as he opened his mouth to respond, the door swung open again. "Lena," Ethan's sharp voice cut through the air. He stood in the doorway, one hand in his pocket, posture rigid. "What are you still doing here? I need those emails forwarded to the clients before close of business. Stop slacking and get back to work."

I nodded quickly. "Yes, sir. Right away."

I brushed past Adrian on my way out, our arms grazing for a split second and I caught the faint smirk on his lips as I hurried out the door. My cheeks turned red the moment I stepped into the hallway. Heat crawled up my thighs, as I practically fled to my office. I shut the door firmly behind me, leaning against it for a moment to catch my breath.

Why did he look at me like that? Like I was a woman he wanted for himself. Like he saw me, the real me, not just the invisible assistant in the corner.

I replayed every moment, the flash of desire in his eyes when he leaned down to read my badge, the genuine admiration in his compliments, that knowing smirk as I left. All the things I hadn't felt in years with Noah, being seen, being desired, being alive, all came suddenly rushing back with this stranger. Adrian Blackwood. The infamous black sheep of the family, notorious for his various scandals, and irresistible to women who threw themselves at him without hesitation.

Was wanting him wrong? Was craving every inch of my body being explored by this dangerously seductive man a betrayal? I couldn't tell, but one thing was crystal clear, for the first time in forever, I felt desired, intoxicatingly desired. I straightened my blouse, smoothed my hair, and unlocked the door. I sat at my desk, opened my laptop, as I sat smiling, lost in that whirlwind of painful desires and forbidden pleasures. Then my phone buzzed on the desk. It was an sms from Sophia, Noah's mother.

I exhaled heavily, as a knot formed in my stomach. Anything from her always made me anxious, jumpy, maybe that’s because she never liked me, or because she thinks I stole her son away from her, or because she blames me for being the reason why we hadn't had children yet, the obstacle to her perfect plans for him.

I opened the message as my eyes scanned it. Leave my son alone, you witch. Since you aren't ready to bear him children, let him move on and find someone who will. The clock is ticking, Lena’.

The phone slipped from my hand, and landed on the desk. And for a moment, the world blurred. My office suddenly felt suffocating, as I began to have a panic attack. I stood up abruptly, pushing the chair back, I fled to my safe haven, a quiet stairwell corner on a rarely used floor. I collapsed onto the cold concrete stairs, burying my face in my hands as I sobbed uncontrollably.

Sophia never really liked me even when I was just dating Noah. She'd accused me of brainwashing him into marriage, and that I didn’t fit into the plans she has for him. After our first year, that’s when it became more serious. Insinuations about my "failure" to get pregnant, subtle jabs at family gatherings. I'd told Noah countless times, begged him to intervene but he always brushed it off by making it seem like I was overreacting, or that I should give her some time to come around. It’s been 3 years and rather than getting better, it got worse.

I don't know how long I sat down there, lost in the storm of tears and ragged breaths that I didn’t realize when a warm presence settled beside me. I was startled as I made to stand up but a gentle hand caught mine, pulling me back down tenderly as he lifted my chin to his face, those piercing eyes gleaming now with concern. 

"Anyone or anything that makes you shed tears like this," Adrian said softly, his voice low and steady, "isn't worth being in your life."