Beneath The Billionaire's Shadow

the Mayor's 3 PM

cretary who I'd come to know far too well in the last few weeks, was standing in the doorway of my small office with

ine, when inside, I was anything but. "Yes, I've

ng to the desk before landing on my face again. "You

le I didn't feel. "Just ti

an understatement. I was more than exhausted-physically, emotionally, mentally. I was living in a world I never expecte

t wasn't an opportunity I could refuse. Not with my family's financial struggles stil

step up from my last position, a chance to work in th

ings Ca

of power and control, his presence demanding respect without uttering a single word. He walked into a room, and the air shifted.

ford to think about him. Not now. Not when I was finally

od up and straightened my blouse, glancing at my reflection in the mirror. I had never felt more out of place than I

apers I'd prepared for the meeting, my hands be

e Mayor's office, my he

front of the sleek, dark wood door of the Mayor's office. I knocked lightly, but the

ce, smooth and cold,

side, trying not to let my nerve

lders taut with quiet confidence. I could see the faintest hint of stubble on his jaw, as if he hadn't bothered to shave

ge my presence. My mind raced with thoughts-thoughts I couldn't allow myself to entertain. But

rief flash of something flickered in his eyes-something I couldn't quite place. His

l that sent a shiver down my spine. "I trust

e the turbulence I was feeling i

uments on the desk between us. The space felt too small, too intimate, and I

h was, every time our eyes met, it felt like we were on the verge o

brief, barely a touch, but the shock of electricity that ran through my body was anything but subtle

This whole situ

ciency that somehow made everything seem even more surreal. I focused on the ta

wasn't

e documents. The connection between us was undeniable, and no matter how hard I

his voice low, almost like a whisper, though there was no

"I'm not avoiding you," I said, trying to

tense, searching, and I felt an uncomfortable heat creep up my neck.

raid of. The pull between us was impossible to ignor

s a knock on the door, cutting t

anor shifting back into his usua

didn't recognize. He was tall, with dark hair an

in," the man said, his eyes flicking briefly

ngering on me for just a second longer

elp but feel the weight of th

astillo's voice stopped me.

t voice, the one that made everything in

ng to steady myself. "I don't un

rner of his mouth twitched. "

oward the door with that same confident stride, I couldn't help b