Charlotte sat at her desk, her fingers hovering over the keyboard, but her mind was elsewhere. The memory of last night's encounter at the company gala lingered like a soft perfume—Ethan's gaze, his hand brushing hers just long enough to make her pulse race. She shook her head, trying to focus on the quarterly reports before her, but the numbers blurred into abstract shapes.
The office was quiet this early in the morning, a rare tranquility she cherished. Until the soft click of her office door snapped her back to reality.
"Good morning, Charlotte," Ethan's voice said, smooth as silk, yet carrying that subtle authority that always left her both intrigued and nervous. He leaned casually against the doorframe, his tailored suit fitting him perfectly, emphasizing the broadness of his shoulders and the strength of his frame. Even in the harsh fluorescent light, he looked effortlessly commanding—and impossibly handsome.
"Good morning," Charlotte replied, keeping her tone steady, though her heart had betrayed her with a sudden leap.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," he continued, stepping into her office. His cologne—a mix of cedarwood and something warm she couldn't quite name—enveloped her senses.
"You're not," she said, trying to maintain composure. "I was just reviewing the reports for the Henderson account."
He smiled, a small, knowing curve of his lips. "I can see that. But I thought maybe I could help you… or at least make it a little less boring."
Charlotte raised an eyebrow, sensing the teasing undertone. "Is this your way of saying you're here to supervise me?"
"Perhaps," he replied, moving closer. "Or maybe I just wanted an excuse to spend a few minutes in your company."
Her breath caught. There was something in the way he said it, the subtle intensity in his gaze, that made her knees feel just a little weaker.
As he leaned over her desk to look at the spreadsheets, Charlotte noticed the faint heat radiating from his body. Her mind screamed at her to focus, to act professional, but every instinct she had wanted to linger closer to him. She quickly typed a formula into the spreadsheet, her fingers shaking slightly.
"Impressive," Ethan murmured. "You always handle these with such precision. I admire that about you, Charlotte."
The compliment, so simple and genuine, sent a flutter through her chest. She looked up, meeting his eyes, and for a brief moment, the office seemed to shrink around them. The hum of the air conditioner, the distant sound of phones ringing—everything faded except him.
"I—thank you," she said softly, unsure why her voice seemed smaller in his presence.
He straightened, and a playful smile tugged at his lips. "You know, Charlotte… I've been meaning to ask. Would you join me for a late lunch today? I think it's time we got to know each other beyond office emails and boardroom meetings."
Her heart raced, but she forced herself to stay calm. "I—I'd like that," she managed, her fingers curling around the edge of her desk.
Ethan nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Great. Noon. My office. Don't be late." With that, he turned and left, his presence lingering like a soft echo in the room. Charlotte exhaled deeply, trying to calm the rapid beating of her heart.
By noon, Charlotte found herself in Ethan's office, the afternoon sunlight casting a warm glow through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Ethan was already there, seated behind his massive mahogany desk, his expression relaxed yet magnetic.
"Charlotte," he greeted, standing as she entered. "You look… radiant today."
Charlotte felt her cheeks warm. "Thank you, Mr. Ethan." The formal title slipped out before she could stop it, making her cringe inwardly.
"Please," he said, waving her over. "Call me Ethan. No need for formalities when it's just us."
She nodded, taking a seat across from him. The office was lavish but understated, with modern art on the walls and an impressive view of the city skyline. Yet all she could focus on was the subtle way he watched her, the intensity of his gaze making her feel exposed and noticed in the best possible way.
They spoke about work at first, projects and plans, but slowly, the conversation drifted toward more personal topics—favorite books, childhood memories, and small quirks that revealed who they were beyond their corporate personas. Charlotte found herself laughing, a sound that surprised her with its ease. Ethan, too, seemed genuinely interested in her words, his attention unwavering.
At one point, their hands brushed while reaching for the same file. The contact was brief but electric, sending a shiver up Charlotte's spine. Ethan's eyes met hers, dark and knowing. "You have no idea the effect you have on me," he said softly, almost a whisper.
Charlotte's pulse quickened. "Ethan…" she breathed, unsure whether to scold him or lean closer.
He leaned back slightly, giving her space, yet the heat between them was undeniable. "Patience, Charlotte. All in due time."
The words hung in the air, charged with promise. Charlotte knew the game they were playing was dangerous—for her heart, for the boundaries she had worked so hard to maintain—but she also knew she couldn't resist the pull she felt toward him.
When she left his office later, the sky was painted in hues of amber and rose. The city seemed to sparkle with possibility, and Charlotte felt a thrill she hadn't felt in years. She didn't know what awaited her with Ethan, but one thing was certain: nothing in her life would ever be ordinary again.
As she walked back to her own office, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the glass walls. Her hazel eyes shimmered with excitement—and maybe a hint of danger. She was stepping into uncharted territory, and part of her couldn't wait to see where Ethan would lead.