The Billionaire's Forbidden Touch

f which had been easy to keep up with, but all of which she'd handled with precision. She'd even managed

administrative position. He demanded perfection. No slip-ups. No excuses. And yet, despite the pressure, despite the fast-paced chaos, s

following week. By noon, she'd already experienced several rounds of intense, impersonal exchanges with him, but not

uiet when she re

her end said, "Mr. Ashcroft needs

No warning. No prep. She grabbed her tablet, took a

to-ceiling windows, staring out at the city bel

was low, almost c

ent before sitting across fr

face her, his expression unreadable

a slap. "I believe so, sir

dying her. "You believe s

but she kept her voice st

f-fact. "You're quick, but there's hesitation in your decisions.

ck down. "I haven't second-guessed mys

k, he walked toward his desk, pulled open a drawer, and retrieved a stack of

project, every decision made at this l

in front of her. "I want this sorted. Now. It'

hrough the documents. Contracts. C

project I haven't seen be

think the board gives me time when something goes wr

e, not at this scale. She could feel the tension radiating off of him- his unwavering gaze, the cool control in his every movement.

was about making her bend-break, even-under the weight of his dem

steady despite the nerves twisting in h

as the briefest flash of something human, but it was there

nd laser-focused as she tackled the mountain of data and details in front of her. Every fig

minute feeling like an eternity. There

page of the report on his desk, her fingers

yping at his computer, as if the entire situation didn

yes flicked over the report with a c

r a long pause, "thi

n't allow herself to fully re

ng back in his chair. His gaze flickered to her once more, but

aid quietly. "But don't

art was pounding in her chest. S

f he were daring her to prove that this wasn't the end of their intera

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wing at her insides. His praise, while faint, was the only acknowledgment she had received so far

sn't just about efficiency or competence; it was about endurance. He wanted to see if she could withstand the pressu

said, his voice snappin

? In the brief silence, she caught sight of him in his chair-leaning back with his hands steepled in front of his

tillness of the room. "I expect you to keep your performance at

ht off guard. "Ye

my office. There's

as it had begun. Elena nodded again, turning to leave. But

t looking up. "I won't tolerate mistakes.

gh something deeper was being implied- something beyond the typic

y elsewhere, his gaze fixed on the screen of his comp

afford to dwell on his cryptic words. Not when there was more work waiting fo

ress him, but she couldn't shake the feeling that John was still watching her, waiting for something. Her mov

ntally alert. The office was quieter now, the bustling energy of the morning h

e distinct sound of John's footsteps approaching. Her pulse qu

ingle brow raised in silent judgment. The tension betwe

simply, his tone col

nsion are ready for your review," she said quickly, grabbing the folder she had prepped earlier that day. She stood and h

ly flip through the pages. His eyes met hers, an

g down our necks, competitors closing in on us, and a mountain of obstacles to clim

a replied, though he

k she'd compiled. She didn't dare interrupt as he read, her nerves dancing beneath the

his expression unreadable. "You've

had learned by now that this- whatever this was- wasn't a gam

hcroft," she said evenl

her face in a way that made her feel like she was under th

ected," he finally said, his

nked. "

xpected someone more... ord

could stop herself, her curios

those inscrutable looks that always left her guessing. "I don't like being disappointed," he

ange dynamic between them. The challenge in his voice

at pushed her to be more, to do more. She wouldn't b

he movement. "Keep this up, and maybe I'll start trusting you wi

firmly, her voice steady

the exchange. John Ashcroft, the man who had turned her world upside down in just one day,

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