The next morning began like any other day in Adrian’s empire.

Elena sat at her desk outside his office, fingers flying over the keyboard as she answered emails, handled tasks, and scheduled meetings.

Her came out of his office suddenly, his broad figure blocking the doorway. The navy suit fit him perfectly, his dark gaze pinned on her face.

“Follow me,” he ordered.

She stood up immediately, grabbing her notepad.

When they reached the elevator, he stepped inside and held the door with one hand. The action seemed polite, but it wasn't, it was an order without words.

Elena stepped in, her heart racing.

The elevator made a soft sound as the doors slid shut. Adrian didn’t press a button. Instead, he turned to her, and he placed one hand on the wall above her head. The tight space felt smaller, leaving her with nowhere to go.

She swallowed. “Did I… do something wrong?”

His eyes moved to her lips before gently meeting her eyes. “You breathe. You talk. You look at me like you hate me.” His voice was soft this time. “It’s distracting.”

“Then stop looking back,” she fired back immediately.

For a moment, his face stayed the same.

Then a slight smile appeared, his hands touched hers slightly, but on purpose.

The atmosphere became tense. Goosebumps rose, Elena’s breath stalling.

The elevator dinged, the doors opened, and just like that he moved away. That was the end of the moment.

He walked out without looking back, leaving her breathless, angry … and shaken.

⸻

The afternoon offered no break.

Adrian dragged her into meeting after meeting, his shadow swallowing her whole. He called for her at random, asking her to fetch documents he didn’t need, to bring coffee he barely touched—just to watch her walk across the room.

During one stressful meeting, Elena stood quietly at his side, taking notes. The clients looked at her often. She wasn't bothered, she just kept on doing her work.

⸻

By evening, she was extremely tired.

She packed her bag, eager to leave, when his voice cut across the office.

“Not yet.”

She froze, holding the strap. “It’s past eight. You said—”

“I know what I said.” He stood by the window, the city light behind him. “Sit.”

Something in his tone made it impossible to refuse. Her legs carried her back to the chair across from his desk, though her heart pounded.

Adrian walked across the room, unbuttoning his jacket as he moved close to her. He leaned down, he laid his hand flat on the arm of her chair, so close his thigh brushed hers.

“You think you can keep fighting me? he said softly, Sooner or later, you’ll understand. Everything you do… every breath you take here in my presence… is mine.”

Her heart raced. The heat of his body surrounded her, his cologne sharp and heavy.

Then—his fingers lifted a strand of hair from her cheek, brushing it back with gentle care.

Elena’s breathing seized. The touch felt like fire, but it burned. She leaned toward him before she could stop it.

His gaze grew intense.

For a second, his lips moved too close to hers that he felt he might kiss her.

And then—he pulled back.

“Go home,” he ordered, his face cold again.

Elena dashed out of his office, her body still burning, confusion in her mind.

And for the first time, she admitted the truth that had been hurting her.

She realized Adrian Voss doesn't want control of her.

It was that part of her that was starting to wonder what it would feel like to let him have it.