Chapter 47: Intoxicating Jealousy

Oliver and Evan continued discussing business and Harper left Oliver’s office. As Harper left, Evan glances at her backside, watching her hips sway slightly as she walked. A flicker of desire crossed his brown eyes, before his gaze return to Oliver. Oliver’s knuckles whitened as he gripped the edge of his desk, catching the fleeting glance Evan directed at Harper’s retreating form. The subordinate’s obvious appreciation for her figure sent a jolt of someone dangerous through him– a primal instinct to stake his claim that bordered on irrational. “Evan,” Oliver’s voice dropped to a dangerously low register. “Your attention should be focused on the quarterly reports, not my secretary’s assets.” He slid a folder containing sensitive financial projections across the polished mahogany surface, his movements deliberate and controlled despite the storm brewing behind his icy blue eyes. “There numbers show a twelve percent increase in market share since last quarter. Your team’s projections were off by nearly five percent. Care to explain that discrepancy?”

“Of course,” Evan began. He then dove into explanations and discussions. Ten minutes later the meeting was done and Evan left, only to be replaced by Sally Anders, from production. “Oliver, ready for our quarterly financial review?” Sally asks quickly, clearly in a hurry. Sally was wearing a tailored dark suit with a fitted blazer and matching trousers, paired with a light blue blouse. Her hair is medium-length, wavy and brown, falling loosely around her shoulders. She stood near the office door, with one hand on her hip and her body slightly angles towards Oliver who was still seated at his desk. As Sally spoke, Oliver noticed through his open office door, Evan standing next to Harpers desk, with his back to Oliver. Oliver’s jaw clenched as he watched Evan linger near Harper’s desk, his broad shoulders blocking Oliver’s view of whatever interaction was happening between them. Sally’s question hung in the air, but his attention was solely focused on the scene unfolding outside his office door. “Sally, give me five minutes,” he said curtly, not taking his icy blue eyes off Evan. The subordinate’s posture radiated casual confidence as he leaned against his desk, probably making small talk or flirting under the guise of work-related questions. The protective instincts Oliver had been suppressing all day surged to the surface. Every fibre of his being screamed to march over there and remind Evan exactly who Harper belonged to– but as CEO, he couldn’t afford to look like a jealous lunatic in front of another department head. “Is there a problem with Evan?” Sally asked curiously, following his line of sight. “He seems to be having a long conversation with your secretary.”

At her desk, Harper lightly shook her head at something Evan said, then Evan straightened up and turned to leave. Oliver’s expression remained neutral as he watched Evan Walk away, but the muscles in his jaw worked visibly beneath his stubble.  Once Evan was gone Harper looked over at Oliver, through his open office door, with a slightly guilty expression on her face, before turning back to her monitor. The brief glimpse of guilt on Harper’s face only fuelled the protective fire burning inside him. “Sally,” he said finally, forcing his attention back to the production manager. “My apologies for the distraction. Evan’s department has been consistently underperforming lately, and I am concerned about potential issues with team morale.” He gestured for Sally to take a seat, his tone shifting back to CEO authority. “Let’s focus on your projections. I want to understand what factors might be influencing productivity levels.” While listening intently to Sally’s presentations, Oliver kept on ear turning to the sounds coming from Harper’s desk.

Sally quickly ran through her presentation with precision and then let in a hurry. As she walked out Harper stood up from her desk and went to stand in the doorway of Oliver’s office. “Mrs. Felix from sales sent an email, she is running a bit late,” Harper said professionally. Oliver watched her appear in his office doorway from his desk, the professional mask she wore doing little to hide the lingering tension between their bodies. The news about Mrs. Felix’s delay was relevant information, but his mind was already racing ahead to what happened during Evan’s visit. “Mrs. Felix can wait,” he said dismissively, setting aside the production reports Sally had just presented. “Close the door.” His tone left no room for argument, carrying that authoritative command he reserved for moments when his patience had reached its limit. The click of the lock engaging echoed loudly in the sudden silence between them. Oliver stood slowly from his chair, rolling up his sleeves as he rounded the desk toward Harper. “Tell me what Evan wanted,” he demanded quietly, stopping just shy of invading her personal space.

Harper’s heart hammered against her ribs, there was something intoxicating about his tone of voice and the way he moved, just like this morning when he got jealous. “It’s not important,” she said softly, avoiding his eye contact. Oliver’s icy blue eyes narrowed at her deflection, his patience wearing this after watching another man flirt with her right outside his office door. The professional distance they were trying to maintain only highlighted how vulnerable she looked when caught in a lie. “Not important?” he repeated sharply, closing the remaining gap between them. His larger frame boxed her in against the door, one hand slamming flat against the wood beside her head. “I saw him looking at your ass while you walked away, Anna. Don’t treat me like I am stupid.” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, icy blue eyes boring into yours with an intensity that made her heart race. “What did he say to make you look guilty afterward? Did he ask you out? Try to touch you?” each question was punctuated by a small step closer, crowding her personal space until there was barely room to breathe. The controlled CEO facade had shattered completely, revealing the possessive man underneath who couldn’t tolerate other men coveting what was his.