The elevator doors slid open with a hushed sigh, releasing a soft ding that echoed through the private executive floor. Ava stepped out, her heels sinking into the plush charcoal carpet that whispered of wealth, silence, and secrets. This wasn't just a place of business. It was Selene Blackwood's domain. Sleek, cold, pristine designed to command attention and fear in equal measure.
And yet, Ava felt none of the fear she probably should have.
Only the pulse in her throat told the truth she was excited.
Too excited.
Clutching her tablet and coffee tray like armor, Ava made her way toward the CEO's office, passing glass-walled conference rooms and minimalist sculptures that looked like they cost more than her rent. The entire space was shadowy and moody, dressed in deep blacks and silvers, with warm golden light flooding only where it needed to. It was theatrical. Intentionally intimidating. A stage designed for one woman and one woman only.
She hesitated outside the door that bore Selene Blackwood's name in brushed chrome.
Then she knocked.
The response came immediately.
"Come in."
Her voice was always like that. Low. Composed. With an undertone of command that made everything sound like an order. Even when it wasn't.
Ava stepped inside and found Selene seated behind her desk, back straight, gaze already locked on her like she'd been waiting. Today she wore all black tailored blouse tucked into high-waisted slacks that hugged her hips and legs like a second skin. A single gold chain circled her throat. Her nails were matte crimson.
Selene didn't move. She just watched her.
"You're three minutes late."
Ava blinked. "I— The elevator"
Selene raised a brow. "There is no excuse for being late to me."
"I understand," Ava replied, voice even. "It won't happen again."
Selene's stare lingered before drifting downward. "Is that my coffee?"
"Yes. Americano. Two shots. No sugar."
She walked forward and set it on the desk with care. But the moment her fingers released the cup, Selene reached out. Not for the coffee
for her wrist.
Ava stilled. Her breath caught as Selene's fingers closed around her skin. Soft but firm. Her pulse throbbed beneath that touch.
"You tremble."
Ava parted her lips, struggling to steady herself. "I'm not afraid of you."
Selene's lips curled slightly. "You should be."
She let go.
Ava stepped back, trying to hide the heat rising in her cheeks. This wasn't normal. This wasn't appropriate. But none of this had felt normal since the interview. Selene had looked at her that day like she was a secret waiting to be solved. And every day since, that stare had stripped her a little further.
Selene took a sip of her coffee, lips pressing against the rim of the cup Ava had just touched.
"Sit."
Ava obeyed.
They went over reports. Marketing leads. Investment summaries. Selene's tone never softened. Her instructions were precise. Her observations sharp. She spoke like someone who expected the world to rearrange itself the moment she opened her mouth.
But the tension between them was no longer silent.
It was alive.
Selene's eyes would linger longer than necessary. Her voice dipped lower when Ava stumbled over words. She watched her assistant's hands when she typed. Her neck when she drank water. Her mouth when she spoke.
Ava felt it.
And she couldn't tell which part scared her more—Selene's attention, or how much she wanted it.
They worked late. The office floor cleared out hours ago, leaving only the sound of Ava's keyboard and the low jazz that filtered in from Selene's speakers. Darkness pressed against the tall windows. The city glowed beneath them like a sea of fireflies.
Selene rose from her chair and walked around the desk. Her heels were nearly silent on the carpet. Ava didn't realize she was holding her breath until Selene stood behind her.
"Why did you apply to work for me?"
Ava turned slowly in her chair. "Because I needed the job."
"Not because you were curious?"
"No."
"You're lying."
Selene's voice was close. Too close. Ava looked up at her, defiant.
"I don't lie."
"Then tell me the truth. Why do your eyes shake every time I speak to you?"
"They don't."
"You're lying again."
Selene leaned in. One hand on the armrest. The other braced beside Ava's thigh. Her breath brushed Ava's cheek.
"You think I haven't noticed?" she murmured. "How you look at me when you think I'm not watching. How your fingers tremble when I speak your name."
Ava's throat dried.
"I don't—"
"You do."
There was a pause. Long. Thick. The kind that stretches like silk before it snaps.
Then Selene's voice dropped to a whisper.
"I could break you so easily."
Ava swallowed. "Then why haven't you?"
Selene's eyes burned.
"Because I enjoy the way you're breaking yourself."
The air collapsed between them. Ava's legs refused to move. Her skin was fevered. Her heart slammed like a drumbeat inside a locked cage.
Selene straightened.
"We're done for the night."
Ava stayed seated. Couldn't stand. Could barely breathe.
Selene walked toward the door, pausing only once before leaving.
"Tomorrow," she said softly, "you wear your hair up."
She left without looking back.
Ava sat in the silence, unable to move.
Not because she didn't know what just happened.
But because she did.
The elevator doors opened and Ava stepped out into her small apartment with trembling hands and the ghost of Selene's voice still brushing the back of her neck. Her fingers tingled where Selene had touched her. Her mouth was dry and her thoughts were thick with everything that had gone unsaid in that office. She had told herself this job would be temporary. A means to pay her rent. A stepping stone. But now it felt like a trap. A golden, velvet-lined, dangerously addictive trap with the scent of power and perfume. And she was willingly walking deeper into it.
She dropped her bag on the floor and sank onto the couch. Her legs curled under her and she held a pillow to her chest as she stared into the dimness of her living room. The silence was supposed to bring her peace. Instead, it only intensified the ringing in her ears—the echo of Selene's voice, her commanding gaze, the way she had leaned in and smelled like jasmine and heat.
Why had she told her to wear her hair up tomorrow?
Ava didn't know if she should be frightened or intrigued.
She knew only one thing.
She was going back.
The next morning Ava stood in front of her mirror in the bathroom with her hands shaking again. She had worn her hair up. A tight, slick bun that exposed the curve of her neck. Her blouse was modest but fitted. Her pencil skirt hugged her hips a little too well. The moment she had looked at herself fully dressed she realized she had done exactly what Selene wanted.
She had obeyed.
Was that what this was about? Obedience?
Her thighs pressed together as she applied a final coat of lipstick. She was already breathless and she hadn't even left her apartment yet. Her nipples were hard beneath the thin silk of her bra. Her mind kept drifting to Selene's words. Her eyes. The unbearable pressure of that presence.
She took a deep breath, smoothed down her skirt, and grabbed her keys.
When she arrived at Blackwood Enterprises the staff were already moving briskly through the lobby. Ava kept her gaze focused, heels tapping a steady beat as she entered the elevator. Several of the employees she passed gave her knowing looks. A few even smirked. Rumors had been circulating since day one. Nobody got that job without catching Selene's eye.
But Ava had told herself she wouldn't let it matter.
Now she was wondering if it had always mattered more than she was ready to admit.
The executive floor was quiet when she arrived. Her desk just outside Selene's office was organized to perfection. She sat down and began her day, answering emails, reviewing reports, and updating Selene's schedule. Every minute that passed increased the tension in her spine. She knew Selene would arrive soon.
And when she did, Ava would have to look her in the eye and pretend she hadn't dreamt about her all night.
The elevator dinged. Ava stood.
Selene stepped out dressed in a navy blue suit that made her skin glow. Her long black hair was swept to the side and her eyes landed on Ava with laser precision.
A slow smile curved her lips.
"Good. You followed instructions."
Ava's breath caught.
Selene walked past her without another word and entered her office.
"Bring the Walker file."
Her voice came from inside.
Ava exhaled, grabbed the file, and followed.
Selene's office was bright with morning light pouring in through floor-to-ceiling windows. The skyline sparkled behind her desk. She stood in front of it, her hands behind her back, waiting.
Ava placed the file on the desk.
"Do you like being obedient, Ava?"
The question came without warning.
Ava blinked. "Excuse me?"
Selene walked slowly toward her.
"I said. Do you like following instructions."
Ava's lips parted.
"I follow them because it is my job."
"That's not an answer."
Selene stopped just inches away. Her gaze dropped to Ava's neck.
"Turn around."
Ava hesitated.
"Now."
She turned.
Selene's fingers brushed the back of her neck. Just a touch. Just a single point of heat that made Ava's knees weaken.
"You listened. You wore it up. I appreciate that."
Ava closed her eyes.
"I like when people listen."
Selene's breath was warm on her skin.
"But I like it more when they beg."
Ava opened her eyes and turned around slowly. Her heart was a wild thing. Her breathing shallow.
"What do you want from me?"
Selene smiled.
"For now. Your attention."
Ava licked her lips. "And later?"
Selene's eyes darkened.
"That depends on how well you behave."
The next few days passed in a blur. Selene's behavior teetered between cold professionalism and maddening flirtation. She would assign impossible tasks and then reward Ava with a glance or a word that felt more intoxicating than any gift.
Ava began to live for those moments. For the challenge.
One night, as Ava stayed late working on a presentation, Selene walked in without knocking.
"Still here."
Ava looked up. "You said this had to be on your desk by eight."
Selene walked behind her and placed a small box on the desk.
"Dinner."
Ava looked at it, surprised. "You bought me food?"
Selene tilted her head. "You need energy."
Ava opened the box to find sushi, avocado rolls, and a little bottle of soy sauce. Her favorite. She looked up.
"How did you know I like this?"
Selene smiled. "I know everything about my assistant."
The warmth in Ava's chest was too much.
"You know you're driving me crazy, right?"
Selene walked closer.
"Good. That means it's working."
Ava stood.
They were face to face now. Inches apart.
"Why are you doing this?"
Selene's gaze locked with hers.
"Because I like control. And you, Ava Sinclair, are the one thing I haven't controlled yet."
Ava's lips trembled. "What if I don't want to be controlled?"
Selene's smile was wicked.
"Then you shouldn't have let me see how much you enjoy surrendering."
The silence stretched between them.
Ava could feel it. The shift. The line that was about to be crossed.
And she didn't step back.
She stepped forward.
Selene didn't stop her.
Their lips were close.
Breath mingling.
Ava reached up.
But Selene caught her wrist mid-air.
"Not yet."
Ava's eyes widened. "Why?"
Selene leaned in.
"Because you still haven't earned it."
And then she was gone. Out the door. Leaving Ava with shaking hands and a need that threatened to consume her.
She sat down slowly, staring at the untouched dinner.
Selene Blackwood was going to ruin her.
And God help her.
She wanted it.
Selene Blackwood arrived at the office just after six in the morning. The sun was still shy beneath the clouds and the building, though equipped with the latest security and automation, still felt like a fortress she owned and ruled. Her stiletto heels clicked purposefully against the polished floor as she made her way through the empty hallway toward the top floor.
She always arrived first. Always. Because control began before the day even opened its eyes. That was how she had built her empire. And that was how she intended to keep it.
But today was different.
When she stepped out of the private elevator and entered the executive suite, she stopped short.
There was someone already there.
Seated at her desk outside the CEO's office was Ava Monroe, dressed in a tailored navy-blue pantsuit with her legs crossed and a tablet in her lap. Her eyes lifted, cool and clear, as she rose to greet Selene.
Good morning Miss Blackwood Ava said with practiced ease her voice smooth like the surface of a still lake
Selene stared at her. The girl was unbothered poised and irritatingly confident for someone who had only just entered her kingdom
You are early Selene said moving toward her own office door but not without letting her eyes scan Ava's face from behind her thick lashes
I like to be prepared Ava answered besides I had some onboarding forms to finalize
You have access already
IT cleared it this morning I called them before five
Selene unlocked her office door but paused in the doorway
Five You called IT at five in the morning
Yes I wanted to make sure everything was set
Selene didn't smile but a sliver of interest curled at the edge of her thoughts
Inside her office she sat behind the vast glass desk and unlocked her personal system Scrolling through the alerts she found the confirmation of Ava's early access her schedule syncing and a few updates that had been submitted before dawn
She leaned back and looked toward the frosted glass that separated her from the outer office Ava's silhouette moved occasionally checking something on the tablet her posture straight her energy calm
Interesting
By the time the rest of the building had stirred to life Ava had already prepared Selene's agenda filtered and prioritized her inbox and arranged the files in order of importance
You didn't bring coffee Selene remarked dryly as Ava entered with a report midmorning
I was not aware of your preference I'll correct that tomorrow
Selene leaned back and studied her
You seem to think this is going well
Ava didn't flinch
I think I'm doing what I was hired to do
Selene arched a brow
We'll see
The first week passed with mechanical efficiency Ava learned fast adapted faster and never once asked a question that had not already been considered or researched Her precision was unsettling
Most assistants tried too hard or too little Ava didn't try she simply delivered
That weekend Selene remained late on Saturday night alone in her office reviewing documents when she noticed the light from Ava's desk still glowing
She stepped outside
You know it's Saturday Selene said casually
Ava looked up surprised but unruffled
I figured you'd be in and there were still files to organize
You could have left them for Monday
I like things to be ready
Selene crossed her arms leaning slightly against the doorframe
You're too efficient Monroe
Would you prefer I made mistakes Ava asked lifting an eyebrow
The corner of Selene's mouth quirked
Not necessarily but I do prefer honesty
Ava stood slowly her hands clasped before her
Then I'll be honest I intend to become indispensable
That's a bold thing to say to your boss
It's a calculated truth Miss Blackwood Ava replied her voice lowering slightly I know who you are and I know what working here means I'm not here to be liked
Selene's gaze sharpened
Is that so
Ava nodded
Then come in let's see how well you manage under pressure
She turned and walked into her office leaving the door open
Ava followed
Selene poured two glasses of bourbon from the decanter on her shelf and handed one to Ava without ceremony
Drink
Ava took it with a steady hand and sipped
Tell me about your previous employer
Ava set the glass down
Private investor discreet work I signed multiple NDAs but I managed her portfolio and helped execute overseas transitions
You were a fixer
I still am
Selene laughed soft and wicked
And you think you can fix me
Ava's eyes didn't waver
I think you're not broken but even a fortress needs reinforcement
The room stilled as Selene moved closer placing her glass down beside Ava's
You're very bold
You already knew that
Selene stopped inches away from her the scent of Ava's perfume warm and floral making her head tilt slightly
Why did you take this job really
Because I want to learn from the best and because I don't believe in playing safe
Selene reached out brushing a loose strand of hair behind Ava's ear then pulled back just as quickly
Go home Monroe you're done for the night
Ava's eyes flickered but she obeyed turning without another word
Selene watched her go her heart beating slightly faster than it had in months
The following week brought an industry gala one of the rare public events Selene attended personally Ava accompanied her in a striking emerald gown that clung to her like a secret and high heels that made her almost Selene's height
You clean up well Selene remarked as they stepped out of the black car onto the red carpet
So do you
They posed briefly for photos then walked inside their arms never touching but their proximity tight
Throughout the evening Ava intercepted conversations redirected attention and whispered critical updates into Selene's ear without ever missing a beat
By the time dessert was served half the room had mistaken her for an executive partner
You're causing confusion Selene murmured at one point her mouth close to Ava's ear
Good Ava replied her lips curving If they're looking at me they're not watching you
Selene's eyes narrowed
And who's watching you then
Ava met her gaze evenly
You are
After the gala the silence in the car was thick and charged
You enjoy pushing buttons don't you Selene said
Only the ones that respond
When they arrived back at the building Selene lingered by the car door
Come up I need you to send a file before morning
Ava said nothing but followed
Inside the penthouse office Selene removed her jacket and heels while Ava stood by the console typing
You've been remarkably useful Selene said after a long pause
I intend to remain that way Ava answered
Selene stepped closer her fingers brushing Ava's shoulder as she reached for a document
And what else do you intend Miss Monroe
Ava turned slightly her voice barely above a whisper
To know you better
Selene's smile was slow and sharp
Careful Ava that sounds personal
It is
The silence between them was no longer quiet it pulsed
Selene leaned closer her breath warm near Ava's ear
Then earn it
Ava's breath caught but she nodded and turned back to the screen
Selene returned to her desk smiling to herself for the first time in weeks
The game had begun
And she had never lost a game in her life
Ava remained at the console, pretending to focus on the document Selene asked her to prepare. But her mind was sharp, cataloging every word and every glance that had passed between them that evening. Selene Blackwood was a mystery layered, powerful, and perfectly polished on the outside—but Ava had seen it. The glint behind her gaze. The brief but unmistakable moment when control had almost slipped.
Selene stood by the floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the city skyline. The night glowed with a thousand lights, but nothing in that glittering sprawl was more captivating than her. She held a glass of whiskey in her hand, the ice clinking softly as she swirled it. Her reflection in the window shimmered like something out of a dream dangerous, unattainable, and yet impossibly near.
"You always follow commands so precisely," Selene said, her voice low and amused. "Is that how you were trained? Or are you just naturally obedient?"
Ava didn't look away from the screen.
"I follow when it's worth it."
Selene's gaze flicked over her shoulder. "And am I?"
"I haven't decided yet," Ava said.
That earned her a pause a delicious pause that hummed with tension. Selene turned around, taking a slow step toward her.
"You do realize who you're speaking to."
"I do," Ava said, her voice unshaken. "And you like it."
Selene's smile was slow. She set her glass down and approached Ava, her steps unhurried, like a lioness circling a challenge. When she reached her, she placed a hand on the desk beside the tablet, her other hand brushing lightly over Ava's forearm as if it had simply wandered there.
"Tell me what you're playing at," Selene murmured.
Ava looked up, her mouth dangerously close to Selene's.
"I don't play," she said. "I plan."
Selene's fingers lingered at Ava's wrist, then moved upward slowly deliberately. Her nails grazed the fine fabric of Ava's blouse, and she could feel the tension crackle between them like lightning in a still sky.
"You want something," Selene whispered. "And you're hoping I'll give it to you."
"I want everything," Ava whispered back.
The air snapped between them. But before the space could collapse entirely, Selene pulled back, straightened, and smirked.
"Finish the file," she said coolly, retreating to her desk.
Ava exhaled slowly, watching her. That had been close. Too close.
But she'd learned something in that moment Selene might have ruled her company with iron precision, but she wasn't immune to desire. She wasn't untouchable.
And that meant Ava could reach her.
Even if it meant burning in the process.
The following Monday, the atmosphere shifted.
Selene was sharper than usual—more clipped, more commanding. But Ava matched her stride for stride, managing the week's chaos with the same grace and cunning as before.
By Thursday, a last-minute crisis threatened to unravel the company's entire international partnership deal. Legal had missed a clause in the new contract, and the partners from Dubai were flying in the next morning.
"Find the file. Fix it," Selene barked, barely looking up from her screen.
Ava was already moving. "On it."
She didn't ask questions. She didn't pause. She worked past midnight, cross-referencing details, consulting private contacts in the legal world, and finally rewriting the proposal with an airtight clause that not only resolved the issue but gave Blackwood Industries an advantage they hadn't anticipated.
When Selene saw the revision on her desk the next morning at six sharp, she said nothing at first.
Then: "How did you pull this off?"
"I don't sleep much," Ava said, sipping her coffee.
Selene rose from behind her desk and came around slowly, her gaze unreadable.
"You're dangerous."
Ava met her eyes. "You knew that when you hired me."
Selene's hand drifted toward Ava's, their fingers brushing briefly before Selene pulled back, shaking her head.
"We'll talk about it after the meeting," she said.
But they both knew the conversation had already started.
Later that evening, the meeting was a resounding success. The partners left impressed, and Selene—though she never said it out loud—knew they had Ava to thank for salvaging the deal.
She returned to her office and poured herself a drink. Ava followed quietly, but this time she didn't stop at the threshold.
Selene handed her a glass without a word, and Ava accepted it.
"You saved my company," Selene said finally.
"I just did my job."
Selene turned to her. "You went above and beyond."
"I told you," Ava said softly. "I intend to be indispensable."
Selene studied her for a long, silent moment.
"Why?" she asked. "Why are you really here?"
Ava's reply came slowly, but without hesitation.
"Because I want to see what happens when someone like you loses control."
Selene's jaw tensed. Her eyes darkened.
And yet she said nothing only walked to the window, drink in hand, staring out at the night.
Ava stood beside her, the distance between them as fragile as a breath.
They didn't touch. Not yet.
But everything had changed.
And there was no going back now.
Silence sat thick between them.
Not awkward. Not tense. Just charged—like the moment before a storm breaks, when the world holds its breath.
Selene leaned against the glass with her arms folded, posture relaxed but energy anything but. She took a slow sip of her whiskey and finally said, "Tell me something true, Ava."
Ava turned her head toward her. "Like what?"
"Something raw. Something that doesn't fit into your pretty little resume."
Ava paused, thinking. She knew what Selene was doing—probing her edges, trying to peel back the mask. But Ava had played this game before. The trick was offering just enough truth to keep control, while slipping beneath the radar.
"I used to lie for a living," she said eventually.
Selene arched a brow. "Professional liar?"
"Professional survivor."
Selene studied her. "You're not like the others who've worked here."
"No," Ava said softly. "I'm not."
"And what about you?" she asked suddenly, turning the tables. "Tell me something true."
Selene let out a breath that was almost a laugh. "You assume I'm hiding things."
"I know you are."
Selene didn't answer immediately. Her eyes returned to the city, as if the answers might be written in the skyline.
"I never let anyone get close," she said finally.
"Why not?"
"Because I can't afford to," she said. "Because every time I have, they've tried to use me. And I've learned that love and loyalty don't mix well with power."
Ava looked at her for a long moment.
"I don't want your power, Selene," she said. "I just want you to see me."
Selene turned sharply, the words hitting something deep. Her gaze locked onto Ava's, no longer guarded. For one breathless second, the mask cracked—and Ava saw it.
Loneliness. Buried. Walled off. And starving.
Selene stepped closer, so close Ava could smell the faint scent of cedar and champagne clinging to her skin. Her hand lifted, brushing Ava's hair back behind her ear, fingers trailing against her cheek.
"You have no idea what you're doing to me," Selene whispered.
Ava leaned in slightly, heart pounding. "Then show me."
Selene's breath hitched. But just as their mouths might've met, a sound outside the office broke the moment—the click of heels approaching, sharp and abrupt.
Selene stepped back immediately, face hardening.
"Get your things," she said, voice cold again. "We're done for tonight."
Ava blinked. "Selene—"
"I said we're done."
Ava stiffened, but nodded. She gathered her tablet and papers in silence, heart still thundering from the almost-kiss that hung in the air like ghost smoke.
As she walked out, she didn't look back.
But Selene did.
Once Ava was gone, Selene stood alone in her office, pulse erratic, glass untouched.
She had let her walls down for a second. Just one.
And that second had been terrifying.
Because Ava Maddox was no ordinary assistant.
And the game they were playing was becoming something else entirely.
The next morning, Ava walked into the office dressed in a soft grey blouse tucked into a pencil skirt that hugged her hips like a second skin. She wore it like armor, every detail deliberate. She knew Selene would notice.
She didn't expect Selene to already be waiting at her desk.
"I need you on-site with me today," Selene said, her voice clipped but calm.
"Where?"
"The luxury residence build in Tribeca. Our new investors are touring it at eleven. You'll take notes. Coordinate with the PR team. And make sure Davis doesn't speak too much—he tends to overpromise."
Ava nodded once. "Understood."
Selene turned and began walking without waiting for her.
They didn't speak during the drive. Selene was reviewing something on her tablet, while Ava stared out the tinted window at the city passing by.
But tension hummed between them.
Unspoken words. Unfinished business.
At the construction site, Selene transformed again—poised, commanding, utterly untouchable. The clients fawned over her, hanging on her every word, and Ava observed from a calculated distance. She knew exactly what was happening. Selene was reminding everyone—including Ava—who she was.
But Ava didn't mind.
Because she was playing the long game.
And she wasn't afraid of getting her hands dirty.
After the tour ended and the investors were escorted out, Selene dismissed her entourage and walked toward the far end of the rooftop, away from prying eyes. Ava followed.
When Selene stopped, Ava stepped beside her, the wind catching the strands of her hair.
"You're angry," Ava said, voice soft.
Selene didn't respond.
"You pushed me away last night."
"I had to."
"Why?"
"Because you make me forget," Selene said. "And forgetting is dangerous."
Ava touched her arm lightly. "Maybe remembering is worse."
Selene turned, her eyes blazing.
"You think you have me figured out?"
"No," Ava whispered. "I think you're terrified I might."
Selene didn't answer.
Instead, she reached out and ran her thumb along Ava's jaw, tilting her face up slightly. The touch was intimate. Barely there.
But it burned.
"You need to stop pushing me," she said.
"And you need to stop pretending you don't want to be pushed."
Selene stepped back sharply. "Enough."
But Ava didn't flinch.
She stood her ground and said quietly, "I'm not the girl who backs down, Selene."
And that was the moment Selene knew it.
This woman wasn't just playing games.
She was rewriting the rules.
Selene's phone buzzed, but she didn't look at it. She kept her eyes on Ava, locked in something unspoken that neither woman wanted to name out loud.
"I'm not afraid of you, Selene," Ava said finally.
Selene's lips curved ever so slightly. "You should be."
"Why? Because you're powerful? Because you could ruin me with a phone call?"
"No," Selene said, moving closer. "Because I don't play fair when I want something."
Ava didn't step back. "Then take it."
The wind swirled around them. Ava's challenge lingered like perfume.
Selene's jaw clenched, muscles taut beneath her suit. She closed the space between them until there was only a whisper of air separating their bodies. Her breath brushed Ava's lips.
"I'm not done testing you, Ava."
"Neither am I," Ava replied.
They didn't kiss. Not yet. But the promise was there—sharp as glass, hot as fire.
Later, as they rode back in silence, something had changed.
No one said it.
But both of them knew the line had been crossed, even if their lips hadn't.
It was only a matter of time now.
Ava spent the next few days navigating Selene's shifts in mood—ice cold one moment, intense the next. She watched the way Selene moved, spoke, controlled every room she walked into. But Ava had power too—quiet power. Emotional intelligence. The gift of reading between every line.
And she used it.
Late one evening, as she was reviewing a file Selene had requested, she heard the familiar click of heels outside her temporary office. She looked up just as Selene stepped inside.
"I thought you left for the night," Ava said.
Selene closed the door behind her. "I needed to see how you were doing with the Harrington case."
Ava held up the folder. "Almost finished. Just needed to double-check the merger timelines."
Selene didn't respond.
Instead, she stepped closer.
Ava stood, pulse fluttering.
Selene stared at her. "There's something about you."
"I know," Ava said softly.
Selene's eyes searched hers. "You make it hard to think straight."
Ava's voice was a whisper. "Then stop thinking."
For a moment, it looked like Selene might.
But then she turned, her voice sharp. "We can't do this."
Ava stepped in her path. "You already are."
Selene froze.
Ava placed the folder on the desk and walked around it, so close that her arm brushed Selene's. She leaned in, just enough for her voice to skim over Selene's ear.
"You want me," she whispered. "Say it."
Selene turned, hands clenching. "I want you. There. Are you satisfied?"
Ava smiled. "Not yet."
And then she walked past her, hips swaying.
Selene stayed there, staring after her, fingers twitching at her side.
The game was no longer about who wanted whom.
Now it was about who would break first.
Selene Hart didn't make idle decisions, and she certainly didn't waste time on distractions. But ever since Ava Monroe stepped into her building, her rules had started to feel like chains digging into her own wrists.
It had been a week since the gala—the night when a moment had stretched too long, when Ava's soft defiance had made Selene hesitate.
Selene hated hesitating.
She sat in her glass-walled office now, reviewing quarterly numbers, but the lines on the page blurred. Ava was in the next room, door ajar, the soft sounds of paper shuffling and typing faint through the walls.
She'd given Ava her own office—temporarily, she'd said. In truth, it was so Selene could keep her close.
Not that she'd admit that aloud.
Selene rose, tugging her jacket straight. It wasn't her usual routine to visit subordinates unless necessary. But rules were for everyone else. Not for her.
She pushed open the door and stepped into Ava's office.
Ava looked up from her desk. Her blouse was unbuttoned just enough to show the delicate curve of her collarbone. Her hair was tied up today—neat and professional—but a few strands had slipped loose, framing her face.
Selene didn't speak immediately. She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.
"You didn't reply to my memo," she said.
Ava gave her a calm look. "I wanted to review the numbers again before responding. Accuracy over speed, right?"
Selene raised a brow. "Don't quote me back to myself."
"Just showing you I listen."
The tension in the room shifted—coiled, electric. Ava set down her pen and stood, slowly walking around the desk.
Selene's eyes followed every movement. "You're pushing your luck."
"And yet, you're still standing there," Ava said softly.
Selene stepped inside and closed the door behind her. The sound echoed between them like a challenge.
"You think you know what you're playing with?" Selene's voice was low, lethal.
Ava smiled without fear. "I think I'm figuring it out."
Selene took two steps forward. "Don't mistake curiosity for control."
"And don't mistake dominance for invincibility," Ava replied, voice silk over steel.
Selene's eyes flickered. For a heartbeat, something unguarded passed through her gaze—something that looked a lot like hunger.
She turned away first.
"You're not ready," Selene muttered.
Ava's voice came from behind her. "Maybe I am. Maybe you're the one who isn't."
Selene stopped, her back straight, then walked out without another word.
But the war had already begun.
That afternoon, Selene summoned Ava to her penthouse office on the top floor.
Ava had never been there before. Her shoes echoed on the polished black marble as she stepped inside. The walls were lined with books and abstract art, the city skyline blazing through the glass.
Selene stood near the window, phone pressed to her ear. She didn't turn as Ava approached.
"Yes. Approve the third clause but double-check the tax offsets. No mistakes," she said coldly, then ended the call.
A beat of silence.
"You're late," Selene said without turning.
"It's two minutes before the scheduled time."
Selene turned slowly. "And yet I was here first."
Ava held her ground. "Maybe I didn't want to seem too eager."
Selene's lips twitched. "Eager would've been easier to manage."
She circled the desk, leaning back on it. Her long legs crossed, the slit in her pencil skirt rising slightly. Ava tried not to stare.
"You intrigue me, Ava," Selene said.
"I'm flattered."
"Don't be. I don't like being intrigued. It clouds judgment."
Ava stepped closer. "Then stop watching me."
Selene tilted her head. "That's the problem. I can't."
Silence hung heavy between them. Ava felt her pulse racing, but she didn't step back.
"Did you call me up here to confess that?" Ava asked.
Selene laughed softly. "You wish."
She gestured to a thick folder on her desk. "Review the merger breakdown and highlight every discrepancy in legal phrasing. I want a full report on my desk by morning."
Ava reached for the file, their fingers brushing briefly. The touch was light, but it burned.
Selene didn't pull back.
Her voice dropped an octave. "You're still playing with fire, Ava."
"I haven't even started yet," Ava murmured, lifting her chin.
Selene's eyes darkened, but she let Ava walk out.
The door clicked shut behind her.
And Selene finally exhaled.
That night, Ava couldn't sleep.
She sat on her bed in her apartment, documents spread out in front of her. But her mind kept drifting back to Selene's voice. Her touch. Her presence.
Everything about her was addictive.
Powerful. Dangerous.
And completely irresistible.
Ava leaned back against her pillows, staring at the ceiling.
She wasn't just falling for her boss.
She was falling for a woman who could break her without lifting a finger.
But that only made it worse.
Or better.
The next morning, Ava arrived early, coffee in hand, wearing a fitted navy dress that clung to her body in all the right places.
Selene noticed.
She didn't say a word, but the way her eyes swept over Ava's figure said everything.
They met in her private conference room.
Ava laid out her findings confidently, highlighting areas that would save the company thousands.
Selene listened in silence, nodding occasionally.
When Ava finished, Selene stood and walked around the table to stand behind her.
"You're brilliant," she said, voice low.
Ava turned slightly. "Thank you."
Selene leaned down, her breath tickling Ava's ear. "But brilliance comes with a price."
Ava shivered. "What's the price?"
Selene smiled darkly. "Me."
Later that week, they were scheduled to fly to Miami for a business retreat.
Private jet. One hotel suite.
Just the two of them.
Selene had arranged it without explanation, and Ava hadn't objected.
The flight was quiet.
Selene worked.
Ava watched her from the corner of her eye, wondering what it would take to make the woman crack.
In the suite, Ava unpacked her things while Selene poured herself a drink.
The tension hadn't left. It had only sharpened.
That night, Ava stepped out of the bathroom in a silk robe.
Selene looked up from the window, glass in hand.
Neither spoke.
The silence was deafening.
Finally, Ava walked past her to the bed, letting her robe slip slightly off one shoulder.
Selene's eyes followed the motion like a hawk.
"I'll be in the lounge," Selene said tightly.
And she left.
The door clicked shut.
But they both knew it was only temporary.
The dam would break.
Soon.
The next day at the retreat, Selene delivered a speech in front of dozens of CEOs, investors, and partners.
Ava watched from the crowd, proud and awed.
Selene owned the stage.
She was untouchable.
Unreachable.
Except Ava had touched her.
Reached her.
Cracked her armor.
That night, after cocktails and whispered conversations in dark corners, Selene cornered her by the elevator.
"You've been teasing me for weeks," she said.
"You've let me," Ava replied.
Selene's hands gripped the elevator rail. "I won't be gentle when I take what I want."
Ava leaned close. "I don't want gentle."
The elevator opened. Neither moved.
Selene's gaze dropped to Ava's lips.
Then back to her eyes.
"Go to your room," she said hoarsely. "Before I make you mine right here."
Ava stepped in and hit the button.
The doors closed on the heat of Selene's stare.
And her knees almost gave out.