Four

The next morning, Izzy walked into the office feeling as if she hadn’t slept at all.

She had replayed last night’s scene over and over... the way Dominic looked at her, the weight in his voice when he said I remember everything.

It had been the kind of moment that lived somewhere between danger and desire.

Now, she had to pretend it never happened.

Her steps echoed in the hallway as she reached her desk. The first thing she noticed was that Dominic’s door was already open. He was inside, phone to his ear, voice low and even.

When he saw her through the glass, he gave a small nod... nothing more. No hint of what had happened the night before.

Professional. Controlled. Cold.

Izzy straightened her back and focused on her computer.

The morning passed slowly. Dominic barely spoke to her, giving short instructions and brisk responses.

Once, when she brought in a report, their fingers almost touched.… almost.… but he pulled his hand back before they did.

The message was clear.

Boundaries.

At lunch, Maya called.

Maya: You sound stressed. Don’t tell me your boss is a nightmare already.

Izzy: He’s not a nightmare. Just… complicated.

Maya: Complicated as in you like him?

Izzy: Maya…

Maya: Oh my God, you do.

Izzy sighed, lowering her voice. “It’s not like that. He’s my boss. And…” she hesitated, glancing at Dominic’s office, “we might’ve met before.”

Maya: Met? Or met-met?

Izzy: The second one.

Maya: Oh, Izzy. That’s not complicated. That’s a movie waiting to happen.

Izzy groaned. “It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

She ended the call with a weak laugh, but her chest felt heavy.

When she returned to her desk, Dominic called her name.

“Miss Hart, can you step into my office?”

She froze for half a second, then walked in, keeping her expression calm.

“I’ve reviewed your proposal revisions,” he said. “You’ve got a good instinct for tone. I’ve moved you onto the Harper account. It’s a senior-level project, so consider this a test.”

Her eyes widened. “Already?”

He leaned back in his chair. “You earned it. Unless you think you’re not ready.”

“No,” she said quickly. “I’m ready.”

“Good.”

Their eyes met. Neither spoke for several seconds.

Something in his gaze shifted...softer for just a heartbeat before it hardened again.

“About last night,” he said.

Izzy’s breath caught.

“You were right,” he continued, tone steady. “You’re my employee now. And for that we need boundaries. I'll keep that in mind.”

“I understand,” she said quietly.

He nodded once. “Good. Close the door on your way out.”

She turned, hand trembling slightly on the handle. His voice was even, but she could feel the tension he was fighting just as much as she was.

The rest of the day dragged. Dominic kept his distance, and Izzy buried herself in work. Still, whenever she looked up, she caught him watching her... quick, unreadable glances that made her pulse jump every time.

By evening, most of the staff had left again. Izzy stayed, lost in her laptop screen. She didn’t notice Dominic approach until he spoke.

“You’re doing it again,” he said quietly.

She looked up. “Doing what?”

“Working late on your second day.”

She smiled faintly. “Habit, I guess.”

His eyes softened slightly. “You don’t have to prove yourself every night, Izzy.”

She blinked at the sound of her name. He rarely used it.

“I’m just trying to keep up,” she said.

Dominic nodded. “Good. But remember… trying to prove yourself doesn’t mean pushing yourself to the edge. It means knowing when to stop.”

The words hung between them, layered with meaning.

Izzy swallowed hard. “Good advice.”

He gave a faint smile. “I rarely give it.”

Then, just as he was about to leave, he paused and looked back at her.

“Go home, Miss Hart,” he said, voice lower now. “Before you give me another reason to forget the rules.”

Her heart skipped. He left before she could reply.

Izzy sat there, staring at the glass door long after he was gone, her thoughts a storm she couldn’t name.

Whatever this was between them… it wasn’t going away.

And part of her wasn’t sure she wanted it to.

The evening air felt cool against Izzy’s skin as she stepped out of the office.

Her head was full... full of work, of tension, of Dominic’s voice echoing in her mind.

She texted Maya on impulse.

Izzy: Still up for that drink?

Maya: Always. Tell me where.

Twenty minutes later, they met at a cozy rooftop bar not far from the office. Strings of lights glowed above them, and music hummed softly in the background.

Maya waved her over with a grin. “There’s my hardworking girl!”

Izzy smiled weakly as she sank into the chair. “More like my overly complicated one.”

“Uh-oh.” Maya handed her a glass. “You sound like someone who’s about to confess something juicy.”

Izzy groaned, taking a sip. “I don’t even know where to start.”

“Start with your boss,” Maya said immediately. “You said he’s complicated. Spill.”

Izzy hesitated. “You remember that night at the club? When you ditched me to have a threesome.. I met him there.”

. “FYI, I did not ditch you, honey… mama needed to be fed.. Maya said, “Don't tell me the guy from the blurry picture? ”Maya gasped, eyes wide

Izzy nodded slowly. “It’s him. Dominic Steele. My new boss.”

Maya nearly choked on her drink. “You've fucked your boss before your first day? Izzy!”

“It wasn’t like that,” Izzy protested. “I didn’t know! I didn’t even know his name. It just… happened.”

Maya leaned in, voice lowering. “How was it… was it good.. Was it wild?”

Izzy let out a breath her face flushed. “It was… crazy.. But he pretended... Or rather, we both pretended not to know each other at first. Now we just brush it off.”

Her best friend studied her carefully. “Are you okay with that?”

Izzy looked down at her glass, watching the ice melt. “I don’t know. He’s different. He’s intense, controlled, and smart. When he talks, it’s like he’s always testing me. And sometimes, it feels like…”

“Like what?”

“Like he’s daring me to lose myself,” Izzy said softly.

Maya’s lips curled into a slow smile. “Sounds like someone’s caught feelings.”

Izzy rolled her eyes. “Don’t. It’s not like that.”

“Oh, please.” Maya leaned back. “You’re glowing and miserable at the same time. Classic sign of attraction.”

Izzy laughed despite herself. “He’s my boss, Maya. It’s impossible.”

“Impossible doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”

Izzy shook her head. “You’re no help.”

Maya raised her glass. “I’m your best friend. I’m supposed to encourage bad decisions.”

They both laughed, the sound easing some of the heaviness Izzy had carried all day. For the first time in hours, she felt lighter.

Still, when she got home later that night and lay in bed, the laughter faded into quiet thoughts.

She could still hear Dominic’s voice.

Before you give me another reason to forget the rules.

Izzy stared at the ceiling.

She wasn’t sure which scared her more... the thought of breaking those rules… or how much she wanted to.