The thought that had been consuming Maxwell's mind like wildfire, making his eyes blaze with fury was simple yet terrifying in its intensity;
"*How dare anybody try to harm her?*"
He had listened to every word of her press conference, watched her gorgeous face as she spoke of the murder attempt and with each syllable, his rage had built to a crescendo that threatened to consume him entirely.
When he finally reached her, pinned against the window like a cornered bird, Maxwell didn't hesitate.
His large hands grabbed her waist and pulled her so close to his body that there wasn't even a breath of space between them, her soft breasts rubbing against his hard chest.
Bending slightly because of the height difference; he towered over her petite frame, his nose buried itself in the curve of her neck.
He inhaled deeply, as if he was trying to memorize her scent, to reassure himself that she was real, alive, and in his arms and those who dared to harm her didn't succeed.
The warmth of his body combined with his intoxicating cologne wrapped her mind in a cocoon of comfort, making her unable to distinguish between what was right or wrong at the moment.
Her eyes closed gently as if she would fall asleep but she wasn't sleepy, she was receiving all the warmth his embrace could offer.
It was strange but it was helping her relax.
After many minutes that felt like a mere second for the duo, he spoke against her skin, his breath hot and urgent;
"Why would you torture me like that? Sending me out of your house after... Only because I wanted to get rid of your tormentor. Making me behind myself for a whole day like a madman."
"I was so close from tearing down the whole of New York..." He added with a low snarl that vibrated through her body.
At this information, Lydia was completely taken aback. Her mind jumped as she tried to process his words.
"He was close from tearing down the whole of the city because I sent him out of my house?"
She didn't know what to do with this revelation. She barely knew this man.
Why was he acting like she was the air he breathed?
"I... I don't understand. You're a stranger, why would you..." Before she could finish her sentence, his hand had moved to hastily cup the back of her neck, his fingers threading through her silky hair.
Then his lips crashed down on hers, cutting off her words and her breath.
Lydia was shocked. She knew she was supposed to be angry, supposed to fight him off, but her treacherous body was instantly reacting to him.
Her knees went weak, and if not for his strong arm around her waist, she would have melted to the floor.
His lips devoured hers like he had been starving for this contact.
He caught her lower lip between his teeth, tugging fiercely as if he would cut off the lip and keep it with him so he'd have access to it every minute!
Then he sealed her mouth again in a move that left no room for doubt; it was his to take, his to own.
The kiss was claiming, possessive and while at it, his hands roamed her body with a desperation that spoke of barely controlled desire. One hand tangled in her hair while the other pressed against the small of her back, molding her against him.
When he finally pulled away to allow her breathe, their faces remained close, foreheads almost touching. Lydia could feel his ragged breath against her lips, could see the storm brewing in his dark eyes.
Then Maxwell spoke, his voice husky and dangerous;
"I listened to your press conference." His face darkened, the tenderness from moments before replaced by something much more terrifying.
"Tell me who orchestrated your car accident. Who dared to touch what's mine?" The possessive words made Xu Mei's heart skip, but not in a good way.
"I want just a name. Right now. So I can hunt them down and finish them off completely for you."
As if to emphasize his point, his fist suddenly punched the window frame beside her head with such force that the glass rattled ominously.
Lydia flinched at the sudden violence that wasn't directed at her but was close enough to terrify her. She gulped fearfully at his words, at the cold calculation in his eyes, at the way he spoke of murder as casually as discussing the weather.
He looked absolutely ruthless at that moment, like a predator who had found his prey's enemies and was ready to tear them apart with his bare hands.
But when his eyes caught her scared ones, something in his expression immediately softened.
"Don't be afraid of me, love. It's not you I want to hurt. It's your enemies; those who dared to harm you, that I want to destroy." He said gently, his voice a complete contradiction to the violence he had just displayed. His hand came up to cup her cheek with surprising tenderness.
Lydia wanted to speak, wanted to tell him that his intensity was frightening, that she didn't understand why a stranger would be so invested in her safety. But her voice seemed to have abandoned her completely.
"This isn't normal... Why can't I find my voice?" She yelled mentally.
Then the door opened again.
"Lolo, I managed to calm David down, and I think..." Rose's voice cut off abruptly as she took in the scene before her.
Her boss was pressed against the window by a tall, intimidating man in an expensive suit, both of them looking disheveled and breathing heavily.
Rose didn't hesitate. She rushed forward with just a silk scarf in her hand; the only weapon available, and started hitting Maxwell's broad shoulders with it.
"Get away from her!" She shouted, striking him repeatedly.
She cursed under her breath when she realized the delicate scarf was doing absolutely nothing against his well-built frame. It was like trying to stop a bull with a feather.
Maxwell turned around slowly, his dark eyes fixing on Rose with an expression that made her blood freeze.
"Who are you?" Rose demanded, trying to not stutter from his intimidating gaze on her.
Maxwell straightened to his full height.
"Maxwell Salvador." He introduced himself simply, as if that explained everything.
And it actually did!
"Maxwell..." Lydia mumbled the name under her breath. She had no idea why. It just sounded right, rolling from her tongue.
Rose's eyes widened in recognition. Of course she knew the name; everyone in business did. Maxwell Salvador, the ruthless young billionaire who had built his empire from nothing and crushed anyone who stood in his way.
She just hadn't been sure it was him when she first saw his face, and besides, what reason would he have to be in their office?
"Mr. Salvador, how can we help you today?" She said carefully, trying to regain her professional composure.
"You can help me by stepping out of my way. I need to leave with your boss." Maxwell replied, his tone polite but stern which made it clear this wasn't a request.
That was when Lydia finally found her voice.
"Leave? To where?" She asked, her voice slightly shaky from their intense encounter.
Maxwell's expression softened again as he looked at her.
"Somewhere we can talk and be together without all this noise and interruption." He told her.
Before anyone could react, he reached over and snatched the scarf from Rose's startled hands. In one smooth motion, he draped it over Lydia's head and face, covering her completely.
"What are you doing?" Her muffled voice came from beneath the silk.
Rose immediately took a fighting stance, ready to protect her boss from whatever this madman was planning.
But Maxwell simply bent down and scooped Lydia into his arms, lifting her as easily as if she weighed nothing at all.
"There are reporters outside. This is the quiet way to get you out without causing a scene." He explained to her gently.
"Put her down right now!" Rose moved to block his path.
Maxwell glared at her with an intensity that made her lips trembled slightly.
"Miss, you wouldn't stand a chance against me, so I suggest you step out of my way." He said, his voice sharp and audacious, carrying an undertone of violence that made it clear he meant every word.
Rose was frightened by the sheer confidence in his voice, by the way he spoke as if he could destroy anyone who opposed him without breaking a sweat. And she knew he could.
She had been hearing things about him; how he usually get rid of his business rivals.
Lydia, still covered by the scarf but secure in Maxwell's strong arms, managed to catch Rose's eye through the silk.
"It's okay, Rose. I'll see you later." She said with certainty and the assistant's eyes widened in disbelief.
Did her boss not find that man scary?
Before she could protest further, Maxwell strode toward the door, carrying Lydia as if she belonged in his arms, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.
As they left the office behind, Lydia's mind raced with questions and confusion.
Where was he taking her?
And why did some traitorous part of her feel safe in his arms despite the danger he clearly represented?