Beneath His Touch

imalist art, dark wood accents giving the space an air of quiet authority

him, trying not to squirm in the luxurious leather chair. The tension between them was palpable, so thick she could almost taste

eyes-dark, piercing-never left her. It felt like he was reading her, examining her, and she couldn't fi

e that seemed to vibrate through the air. "Tell me,

s, a kind of intensity that made it feel like the interview was less about her qualifications and

ork ethic and the ability to manage my time efficiently. I've studied English Literature extensively, and I believe I can bring a fresh p

back in his chair, studying her with a

oving? It was hard to tell. "What's your biggest challenge, Ms. Greene? Su

hing she was struggling to keep hidden. She tried to keep her expression neutral, to avoid giving

in front of Stefan Blackwood, it felt like there was no choice but to be honest. "I help take care of my younger brother, Ben. He's been in the hospital for years. Leukemia." Sh

t slightly. Katherine couldn't decipher what he was thinking, but the air felt charged with something she couldn't pu

for a split second-so fast, she wasn't sure if it had been real. "But survival is only part of the equ

oice firmer now, the words more certain than she felt. "I've b

s. The sudden proximity sent a ripple through her, and she had to fight the urge to pull back. There was so

the question held an edge-like he was challenging her, testing her. "You're young. You've be

ed. There was something in his gaze-something cold and calculating-that made her feel small a

f thoughts in her head. "I've had to grow up faster than most people. I've had to lear

as if he were measuring her, evaluating whether she was worthy of the position. Katherine fought the urge to squi

ng else in his eyes-a glint that might have been amusement, or perhaps something

herine couldn't help but wonder what he meant by t

ice broke through her thoughts, his tone sharp, but wit

"I-" She stopped, unsure of what to say. There were so many things s

time in her life, Katherine felt like she was th

to continue. "Good. I

between them still hummed in the air, crackling just beneath the surface. Katherine