Chapter 4

SAFFRON

I wake up with a brutal headache, my skull pounding like a drum. The remnants of last night flash before me in sharp, angry waves, each memory slicing deeper than the last.

Groaning in agony, I pull myself up from the couch, where I never left, wrapped in a cocoon of my tears and broken heart. My body feels heavy, like a lead weight, but I force myself to stumble to the bathroom. I splash water on my face, hoping to drown out the rawness in my chest, the exhaustion still clinging to my bones.

At least I have one sliver of hope today. I’m getting another job. It’s something, at least.

But before I can lose myself in that thought, a sudden knock on the door jolts me from my daze. Who the hell could be visiting this early? A thousand questions spin in my head, a whirlwind of confusion. I find myself walking toward the door before I even realize what I’m doing.

I glance through the peephole and freeze.

Rehnan. Again.

Why is he here? Did he not get me the job? Or maybe… maybe he’s here to offer me my old job back. Is that even possible? Can we even work together again after everything that happened?

I hesitate, my heart pounding in my chest like a war drum. Then I open the door.

And there he is.

God.

I can’t breathe for a second.

Rehnan stands there in a navy three-piece suit that hugs his body like it was tailored for him, actually no, designed is the better word. Designed for him. The sharp angles of his jaw and cheekbones make my pulse quicken, and I can’t help but notice how the dark fabric of his suit emphasizes the muscles beneath it, the power in every movement.

His white shirt gleams under the dim hallway light, the gold of his cufflinks catching my eye, sparkling like they belong to a man who could have the world at his feet. His hair is perfectly slicked back, not a strand out of place, but all I can think about is how badly I want to tug at it, yank him toward me, and taste him.

I almost forget to breathe when he looks at me, his gaze so intense, it sends an involuntary shiver down my spine. It’s like he’s undressing me with his eyes, and for a moment, I feel like I’m the prey, and he’s the predator.

His voice pulls me back from the edge of my thoughts. Low, rough, and absolutely dangerous.

"Good morning, Saff." He says my name like it’s a secret he’s dying to uncover, like he knows exactly what it does to me.

I can barely manage a breath, let alone a word. My body is betraying me, reacting to him in ways I can't control. Fucking traitor!

"Can I come in?" He asks, his voice softer now, but the way he says it makes it clear he’s not asking.

I step aside instinctively, my heart still racing, and watch him glide past me. Every inch of him exudes power, confidence, the kind of man who takes what he wants without hesitation.

And God, his scent. Rich, earthy, and just... intoxicating. I want to bury myself in it, let it fill me, consume me whole.

I move past the mirror in the hallway, only to freeze when I catch sight of myself. I’m still in my nightie, the silk clinging to my skin, my nipples painfully hard against the fabric. Oh shit. I quickly fold my arms over my chest, but it’s too late. I’ve already caught the way his eyes lingered, a flicker of something darker passing through them.

His voice cuts through the tension, deeper than before. "Saffron... I’m sorry. About last night. I…I shouldn’t have..."

I watch him for a moment, taken aback. This isn’t the usual hard, unshakable Rehnan. This… this man in front of me looks torn, vulnerable even, and it confuses me more than I care to admit.

"I spoke to a friend of mine at Queens Global," he continues, his eyes focused on me like he’s unsure of how I’ll react. "And he’s promised that you can come work with them whenever you’re ready. They’ll take you. No questions asked."

A rush of disbelief floods through me. Queens Global. My heart skips a beat, my mind struggling to comprehend the gravity of what he’s just said. That’s the company of legends. The ones who make careers, shape futures.

“Wait… wait, what?” My voice is barely a whisper, the weight of his words sinking in slowly. “Are you serious?”

He nods, his expression still a little strained. “You have up to six months to make a decision. But whenever you’re ready, you can just walk in, like I said no questions asked.”

I feel a wave of warmth spread through me at his words—joy mixed with confusion. Six months? He’s giving me six months to decide? How much power does this man have to get Joshua Queen to agree to this?

For a moment, I’m speechless, trying to find the right words. “Thank you,” I finally manage, my voice low. “But you could’ve just called, or sent me an email... Why this? Why come all the way here?”

There’s a slight shift in his expression, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "Because some things need to be said face to face." He inches closer, just enough that I can feel the heat radiating off of him. The air between us feels thick, charged, like it could snap at any second.

I sit there, frozen, my heart racing faster than I can process. For a moment, it’s just us. No words, no space, just the intensity crackling between us.

“I feel the wetness between my thighs and I just know I want him to keep talking. I want to hear him whisper sweet nothings against my ear while fucking me slowly from behind.

“I wanted to see you again and hopefully convince you one last time to enjoy one month with me. Just one month, just spend Christmas with me Saff and you can go back to your job. This time with two million dollars as a goodbye”

My heart pounds loudly against my chest when he suddenly stands up and stalks towards me, his index finger traces my lips and I want to swirl my tongue around it. “Please Saff, just this holiday and I promise to treat you right”.

I feel my pussy clench tightly at his words and the feel of his hands on my lips.

“Since you ask so nicely…”

I suck his finger into my mouth and release it with a pop which causes him to growl in pleasure. I take his other hand and lay it on my breast, his face immediately scrunches up in a flash of lust and intense desire.

“Okay”

“What?” He asks, confused and surprised at my answer.

“Okay Rehnan, but I have rules too.