Karen didn't turn back after he spoke. She kept walking, her legs feeling heavier with each step.
"Don't wear that perfume next time,it makes it harder to forget you".
The words echoed in her mind like a warning, but somehow it hadn't sounded like one.
It sounded like a need.
By the time she got to her desk, her palms were sweaty. She sank into her seat, trying to focus on the screen, but her thoughts were miles away. How had a comment that cold made her heart race?
"Karen?"
She looked up to see Dami holding a folder. "He wants you to personally take this to his office."
Karen blinked. "Me?"
"Yeah. He said your name specifically."
Karen stood slowly, smoothed her skirt, and took the file with a nod. Her heels clicked softly against the floor as she made her way back to the top level her stomach twisting tighter the closer she got.
Alex didn't look up when she entered. He stood with his back to her, staring out the tall windows, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a glass of something dark.
"You brought the file?" he asked, voice low.
"Yes, sir," she replied, stepping forward to place it on the desk.
He didn't turn. "You always wear that scent?"
She froze.
"Just a question," he added, still not facing her.
"I, uh… it's the only one I have," she said awkwardly.
A long silence followed. She shifted on her feet, unsure if she should wait or leave.
"You can go," he said quietly.
She turned and left, but the moment the door clicked shut behind her, Alex exhaled sharply and turned to stare at it.
He hadn't meant to ask about the perfume again. Hell, he shouldn't have even noticed it. But the truth was it had been in his head since she walked out earlier.
Light, sweet, something warm in a world that had always been cold for him.
Karen returned to her desk, confused. Something had shifted since this morning.
Why had he asked again? Why did he look at her like she'd done something wrong just by standing there?
Dami passed by and whispered, "Is it just me, or is the boss acting weird lately?"
Karen didn't answer. She just stared ahead.
She didn't realize it yet, but she had become the only crack in Alex Knight's armor.
And cracks always let something in.