Aria clutched her handbag so tightly her fingers ached. The email had felt like a drea.

Congratulations, you’ve been hired. Voss Global. The kind of company she used to whisper about with Mia, back when success was just fantasy.

Now her heels clicked against polished marble floors, each step too loud in the grand lobby.

The receptionist didn’t glance up from her screen. “Name?”

“Aria Hayes.” Her voice came out thin, fragile.

The woman tapped quickly, then gave a politeIt’sle. “Conference Room A. Third floor. You’re expected.”

Aria nodded and forced herself to keep moving. Pretend you belong. Pretend you’re not seconds from throwing up.

The elevator mirrored her back at herself: pale skin, restless hands fussing with her blouse. Last night’s memory threatened to surface—the hotel room, his mouth on hers, the way her body had answered without hesitation. She shoved it down hard. That was a mistake. Reckless. Today is work. A fresh start.

The doors slid open to a glass corridor so sleek it felt hostile. She followed the signs, pushed into Conference Room A, and let out a breath.

Orientation.

Two managers sat at the head of the table, a handful of new hires scattered along the sides. Relief loosened her shoulders. This she could handle.

“Welcome, Miss Hayes,” one of the managers said with a clipped nod. “Take a seat. Mr. Voss will be here shortly.”

Aria froze halfway into her chair. Mr. Voss?

Whispers rose from the others.

“The CEO himself?”

“He never comes to these.”

“This must be big.”

Her palms dampened. She forced herself to sit, folding her hands in her lap. Maybe he’d just shake hands and leave. Maybe….

The door opened.

He stepped inside.

Aria’s breath stilled in her throat.

Broad shoulders. Sharp jaw. Those same piercing eyes. Less than twelve hours ago, that mouth had kissed every inch of her. Now it was set in a firm line, unreadable.

Liam Voss.

Her boss.

He didn’t flinch. Didn’t blink. His gaze swept the room with icy precision, skipping right over her as though she didn’t exist. In a crisp suit, he radiated command, and silence fell instantly.

He spoke about vision, loyalty, ambition. His voice was smooth, steady, so different from the hoarse whispers of last night. Not once did his eyes flick to her.

Aria sat rigid, heat crawling up her neck. Every word pressed down heavier. Could anyone hear her heart hammering? Could they see the panic in her face?

Finally, the orientation ended. He gave a curt nod. “That will be all. Miss Hayes, stay.”

The scrape of her chair was too loud. The others filed out, stealing curious glances at her. The door shut. Silence.

Liam turned.

His eyes locked on hers—cold steel, no trace of the man who had asked if she was sure before kissing her again and again.

Her mouth went dry. “I….”

He closed the distance in three long strides. His presence filled the room. “Not a word,” he said, voice low, lethal.

Aria’s throat tightened. “I didn’t know you were….”

His hand flicked, cutting her off. “I don’t care. Last night never happened. Do you understand?”

Her stomach flipped. “I wasn’t planning to….”

“Good. Because if you do, even once, it will be the end of you here.”

The words sliced through her, sharp and merciless.

She tried to steady her voice. “Do you think I want people to know? I don’t. But you could at least….”

“At least what?” His tone rose, sharp enough to sting. “Pretend it meant something? Don’t be naïve.”

The word stung.

His gaze bore down on her. “This is business. You are my employee. I am your employer. Nothing else.”

Her chest burned. She lifted her chin, refusing to wilt. “You don’t have to humiliate me.”

“Humiliation,” he said coldly, “is what happens when people find out. So keep your mouth shut.”

The finality in his voice twisted her insides.

But she wasn’t the same desperate woman who walked in trembling. She forced steel into her spine. “You don’t need to threaten me. I know how to do my job.”

For a moment, his mask cracked. A flicker—something unreadable, almost regret—flashed in his eyes. Then it vanished. He straightened, pulling the mask tighter.

“Then prove it,” he said. “Starting now.”

He brushed past her, the scent of his cologne lingering, and left the room without looking back.

The door clicked shut.

Aria sagged into the nearest chair, her legs trembling so hard she thought they’d give out. She pressed her hands against her face, dragging in a shaky breath.

Mia’s teasing voice from the night before echoed in her head: If the boss is hot, don’t forget—no fraternizing with the enemy.

Her best friend had no idea how far she’d already fallen into enemy territory.

Aria let her hands fall, staring at the glossy table. Her fresh start had lasted less than a day, and already it was tangled in a secret that could ruin everything.

One night. One mistake.

And Liam Voss wasn’t going to let her forget it.