LOGINThere's a moment of silence before she smiles, soft and sincere. "I don't doubt you'll be able to achieve your goals."For some reason, hearing her say that means more than it should. It's not flattery. It's belief. From someone who's had to fight for everything she has, and still chooses to see the good in other people.I know I shouldn't ask. It's crossing a line and I've already tiptoed over enough tonight. But my unprofessional ass asks anyway. "Do you have someone special in your life?" My voice is smooth on the surface, but my jaw is tight. "Any boyfriend that's going to miss you while you're here?""No," she says simply. "Never had a boyfriend. Never really had time." She goes on with a soft shrug. "It'd be embarrassing to bring a guy back to my place, anyway. And honestly... the guys in my town? Definitely not boyfriend material."I nod. My mind catches on the only thing that matters: she doesn't have a boyfriend. Not that I'd give a fuck if she did but hearing her say it? It
I lean back in my chair, swirling the wine in my glass just to give my hands something to do besides reaching across the table and tucking the damn loose strand of hair behind her ear."What's something you've always wanted to try but never did?"She blinks, caught off guard. Her gaze shifts up toward the chandelier, thinking about it. "Hmm... there's a lot," she murmurs, tapping her finger on her glass. "Drive a fast car with the windows down and the music blasting," she says grinning. "I've never ridden a horse, but that sounds fun."Fuck the horse. She can ride me. My jaw tenses with the thought, and I have to force myself to look away before I betray myself and say it out loud."I've never been on a boat," she adds softly. Then even quieter, almost like she was hoping I won't hear it. "And... skinny dipping."My eyes snap to her. A slow smirk spreads across my face as I raise a brow. "What was that last one?"She flushes, laughing nervously and shaking her head. "Nothing. I didn't
SilasI hear her behind me. The soft, hesitant rhythm of her footsteps and I can't help but smile.I could've eaten earlier. I should've. My dinner was already in front of me during my meeting, still warm and untouched, until Kathy mentioned Beatrice didn't come down to eat. Without thinking, I pushed the plate away. And now here I am, walking her through the halls of my home like this is some kind of date.Like I didn't wait on purpose just for the excuse to share a meal with her. Fuck.Is it bad that I just want to get to know her? Not her resume. Not how well she folds sheets or scrubs counters. I want to know what keeps her up at night. What her laugh sounds like when she's trying to hold it back. What she'd look like if she truly let her guard down.I'm her boss. I know the boundaries. I built them. And I'm already inching toward crossing every single one. She makes it very difficult, with those big fuck-me eyes and those lips... those lips were made to be tasted. Made to be tugg
Silas walks beside me. His hand stays firmly on my lower back the entire time. I try not to overthink it, but it's hard to ignore the weight of it.It's as if he doesn't want me to stray too far from him. Then again, in a house this big, getting lost wouldn't be that hard. So, I stay close. Close enough that every now and then, my arm brushes against his side and holy hell, the man is made of stone. Solid muscle beneath an expensive dress shirt. Just being near him makes my insides spark.We step down into a living room first, which dips one level lower. A sunken lounge. Sleek black leather couches are arranged in a way that makes conversation feel effortless but still commands attention toward the massive flat-screen TV mounted on the far wall. It's so big that it looks like it belongs in a movie theater.Speaking of theater, the next room he shows me is exactly that. A full-blown movie room tucked deep into the mansion, no windows, just velvet covered recliners in tiered rows facing
BeatriceI wake up before my alarm, heart racing with a strange mix of nerves and excitement. I can't believe I got the fucking job. The one job that will change everything for me. A grin stretches across my face as I sit up in bed, pulling the blankets around me like it'll somehow contain the happiness bubbling in my chest.Silas texted me last night, just like he said he would. Sebastian will pick you up at 8. Straightforward. Simple. But it was how he ended the text that had me clutching my phone. Goodnight, angel. Just one word, angel, and I swear I haven't stopped blushing since. How does one word carry so much weight? It's ridiculous. But also... kind of intoxicating.Silas Morgan. I still couldn't quite figure him out. He seemed sweet. Calm. Maybe a little flirty. Or maybe that's just how all rich men acted, charming by default. I don't know. But the way he looked at me... it made me feel seen in a way I've never felt before.Still, I remind myself that this is a job. Nothing m
It should be reassuring but it isn't. It's the first lie she's told me. Not maliciously, not even consciously. But I know she wouldn't come to me. Not unless she had no choice. She's used to swallowing things down, handling them herself, brushing off what hurts until it festers.That won't work here. Not with me. Even if she doesn't tell me, I'll find out and I'll handle it for her.Damn. I could sit here and talk to her for hours. Just listen to her soft voice, the way she pauses to think before she speaks. I've already asked every relevant question this interview requires, yet I find myself tossing out more. Stupid shit, if I'm being honest. Things I don't need to know. Like what her favorite food is. Whether she prefers sunrise or sunset. Fucking pointless. But I don't want her to stop talking.I don't normally have time for chatter. I run a multi-million dollar empire. My life is back-to-back meetings, deals, and strategic bullshit.With Beatrice, I don't feel the need to wear tha







