Desiree’s POVI pressed my ear tightly against the door of Warren’s office, heart pounding in my chest. My breath caught just a little with anticipation.After the way he’d just looked at me… I was fairly certain I was onto something.And then—there it was. Faint, but unmistakable. Through the door drifted the low moans, the provocative whispers, the explicit soundtrack of the video I had carefully, oh-so-innocently planted that morning.Bingo. A sly smile tugged at the corners of my mouth.I could almost see the clips playing, as if through his eyes. The images flickering in his mind, searing themselves into his thoughts.He was watching her—the woman on the screen, the one who looked a little like me—slowly undressing, a teasing smile on her lips as she leaned closer, seducing her stepbrother.Every movement, every lingering touch was designed to seduce, to draw him in.And I knew. I knew Warren was sitting there, watching. His pulse racing, his throat tightening. His mind drifting i
Warren’s POVWith a heavy sigh, I grabbed my jacket from the coat rack. I rolled my shoulders to shake off the tension.I needed to get out of here—anywhere but trapped in this damn office. Maybe a few minutes in the smoking room would help clear my head.Just as I was pushing open the door, my assistant, Lewis, nearly crashed into me. "Sir! Mr. Hale!" he stammered, clutching a tablet to his chest.I stopped, exhaling through my nose. "What is it, Lewis?"Lewis gave me that nervous, tight-lipped smile of his. The one he wore when he knew I was seconds from biting his head off. "Just a reminder, sir… the new project proposal presentation is scheduled in ten minutes. You, uh, signed off on it yesterday."I ran a hand through my hair, biting back a groan. "Tell them I can’t make it. You can take my place."Lewis blinked, looking both startled and panicked. "Sir… you want me to sit in for you?""That’s what I just said, isn’t it?" I snapped. "Write up a report so I can give the partners f
Warren’s POVI sat stiffly in my office chair, barely hearing a word coming from my assistant. Lewis stood on the other side of my desk, rattling off the latest hotel reports."…so unfortunately, the month-end numbers show a continued decline in the group bookings, and the VIP suites are underbooked again this quarter," Lewis was saying carefully. His eyes nervously darted to the side as if hoping I wouldn’t snap.I clenched my jaw. My temples throbbed. "So you’re telling me, Lewis, we’ve been underperforming across the board and you’re only bringing this to me now?"Lewis’s face paled. "Sir, I thought you were aware. We’ve been monitoring—""Lewis." I raised a hand, my tone low but sharp. "That’s enough. Leave the report on my desk. I’ll review it myself."He let out a shaky breath. "Thank you, sir," he murmured, quickly placing the folder down and disappearing out the door.The moment I was alone, I stood and paced the office.Damn it.Everything was piling up. Work was slipping thr
Vienna’s POV"Present the live broadcast? Me?" I asked, eyes wide. I blinked at Fred like I hadn’t heard him right."Yes, you. All you have to do is be yourself, Vienna." Fred smiled that cool, easy smile of his. "Just focus on what you do best—making stunning, innovative, delicious desserts. We want people to see the magic you create with your hands."I felt a rush of nervous excitement shoot through me. "Wow… okay," I murmured, my fingers twisting slightly in my lap. "That’s… a huge opportunity."Ashley’s voice piped up beside me. "Why not me, Fred?" she asked. "I’ve done live features before, you know. It’d be easier to stick with someone experienced." Her tone was light, but her eyes narrowed just a fraction. Fred turned to her, calm as ever. "Ashley, you’ve been on the show before, twice. It’s time to give the newcomer a chance, don’t you think?"Ashley gave me a long look. "You’ve only been here a short time, Vienna. And after today’s mistake… do you really think you’re ready
Vienna’s POVFred didn’t answer Ashley’s bold question right away. Instead, he gave her a calm, even look and said, “Ashley, don’t joke around like that.”Ashley gave an innocent shrug, her voice light but edged. “I’m just saying… you’ve never taken any other pastry chef out for coffee after work. Not even me—and I’ve known you my whole life.” She let the words hang between us, her eyes glancing pointedly from me to Fred.Fred sat back slightly, his fingers tapping lightly on the side of his cup. “Ashley, I was concerned because Vienna made an unusual mistake today. I thought something might be on her mind. That’s all. Just concern for a new colleague.”Ashley leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. “Oh? But if there’s no special feelings, Fred, why did you personally go to explain the delay to the customers today? That’s never happened before. You’ve always sent the manager.”Fred’s jaw tightened slightly. “Ashley,” he said, his voice sharp, “as the CEO of Taste Royalty, I don’
Vienna’s POV"I know," I rushed to explain, my words tumbling out faster than I could control. "It probably sounds crazy after everything, but… things have been complicated. He’s really trying, and…" I trailed off, realizing just how messy and tangled my feelings were. And how inappropriate it was to expose all of it to my boss.But Fred just gave a slow, thoughtful nod. His green eyes studied me carefully. "That’s… big news," he said softly.I forced a small, slightly nervous smile. "Yeah. I suppose it is.""Well," Fred added after a moment, "children need their father, after all. I can understand why you’d want to give him another chance."That sentence made something in my chest tighten. I let out a small breath. "Thanks. But let’s, uh, steer back to work, if you don’t mind," I added quickly. "Probably not the smartest idea to pour out my personal life to my boss."Fred chuckled, his gaze softening. "Fair enough. But just so you know, you can always talk to me. We’re a team here."