ARIA
If he touched me again, I was going to stop pretending I didn't want it.
The thought came before reason, before sense somewhere between the moment Nathan's hand brushed mine and the silence that followed.
We were in his office after hours again, arguing over a presentation slide that didn't even matter anymore.
It was late, the skyline was silvered by moonlight, and the world outside had gone quiet enough for me to hear my heartbeat.
"Aria," he said. "You're shaking."
"I'm furious," I lied.
He leaned closer. "Then tell me why."
"Because you make everything complicated."
"Maybe it was already complicated before I got here."
His gaze held mine, unwavering, too calm for the storm between us.
"Stop," I whispered.
"Stop what?"
"Looking at me like that."
"I can't."
The words were soft quiet enough to be a confession.
I should've walked out right then.
Instead, I took one step back and hit the desk. He followed slow, measured, and dangerous.
For a moment, we just stood there, inches apart, the air thick with everything we'd never said.
"You're playing with fire," I breathed.
He smiled faintly. "Then maybe I should burn."
My heart stumbled. "Don't."
"Too late," he said, and his hand brushed my cheek.
Every nerve in my body went still. I didn't pull away.
His fingers traced the edge of my jaw gentle, reverent, like he was memorizing a secret.
Then he stepped back.
Just like that the heat, the tension, all of it breaking like glass between us.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "That was… reckless."
"Yeah," I whispered. "It was."
Neither of us moved.
He exhaled slowly. "You should go before I forget why we can't do this."
"I already did," I said, then left before I could regret it.
Sophie called later that night.
Her voice was soft and cautious. "You sound like someone who almost did something stupid."
"I did."
"Define almost."
"I don't want to."
"Then you should probably start being honest with yourself, Aria. Because if you keep pretending this is just about work, you're going to get destroyed and he's going to be the one holding the match."
I wanted to argue, but she was right.
Because the truth was simple: I wasn't angry because he'd almost kissed me.
I was angry because I'd wanted him to.
NATHAN
The feel of her skin still haunted my hand.
I'd spent hours staring at my reflection, wondering when I'd lost control.
She wasn't supposed to get under my skin like this.
But she did with every sharp word, every defiant glance, and every time she stood her ground when everyone else bowed.
And now, thanks to that single touch, I knew exactly how soft she felt.
I should've fired her.
Instead, I wanted to protect her from the fallout I knew was coming.
Because my mother wasn't done.
Vivian Hale didn't lose gracefully she erased.
I saw the email in my inbox that night a list of "recommended PR replacements" sent from her private address.
All of them came with neat portfolios and perfect pedigrees.
And one note at the bottom:
"You've done enough damage with this one. End it before she ends you."
I deleted it.
Then I called my assistant. "Any story leaks today?"
"Nothing yet, sir. But there's a rumor floating in media circles someone's feeding them about Ms. Collins' 'inappropriate closeness' with you."
My stomach turned cold. "From where?"
"They didn't say. But you can guess."
Vivian.
I closed my eyes, jaw tightening. She'd crossed a line.
If she wanted war, fine.
But she'd learn something about me tonight.
I wasn't my father.
And I wasn't her puppet anymore.