Corporate Love

ominic's eyes seemed to follow her, or how he seemed to be everywhere she was, as if drawn to her? Every time they crossed paths

wasn't the guests that captured her attention-it was him. Dominic had a way of making everythi

brushed as they reached for the same drink at the bar, time seemed to stop. The buzz of conversation, the noise, even the air-it all

and teasing as he took the glass. "You mi

ing the flutter in her chest as

lnerable there, something unexpected-before he turned away, masking it with practic

on her, hearing his voice in the background. He made small talk with the other

hifting. She'd seen it in his eyes-the way he lingered a little too long when their gazes

ashed over Ava. The evening had drained her, emotionally and physically, but she was still standing

rough her thoughts, softer than usual. Everyon

at as she caught a glimpse of something in

ly. "Is that why you brought

unwavering. "No. I brought you here bec

honest. Before she could form a response, Dominic took a step close

said, his voice calm, but edged with something sha

t around herself started to crumble. She looked away, desperately searching the room fo

e said, her voice barely above a whi

en, as he reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The g

roximity too much to handle. This wasn't sup

from me, Dominic," she said, her voic

d, almost cold. But there was something in his eyes-something

ith a quiet intensity, a promise she couldn't ign

eave before everything they'd avoide

r voice trembling slightly as she turned toward the e

ight of his gaze following her every step as

rried a weight she wasn't ready to bear. Her head ached with confusion, her heart beat erratically with a fear she couldn't name. It was as i

as if she were seeing it through a fog. Ava sat at her desk, her hands hovering over the keyboard, but nothing came. The file she was supposed to be working

xury of falling into whatever it was that was happening between them. It was da

he memory of his touch. The softness in his eyes that,

f her thoughts. Ava quickly straightened, forcing her

from the doorway. Her pulse fluttered

before he even ste

up. She kept her voice steady, hiding th

at wasn't like him. Then the soft click o

e said, his voice lowering. "I thought you m

the gala. His face was unreadable, his expression neutral, but

er tone clipped. "Just try

ace between them. She could feel the tension, thick and palpable,

va's heart skipped a beat. She didn't want to talk

"Ava, I need you to understand something," he said, his tone serious, no longer lighthearted. I didn'

reparing for this conversation, but hearing it

m, her voice quieter now, but firm. "You can't ju

king you to stay. To be here with me. As something more than just an employee. I want to reb

. She thought they would keep things professional, distance themselves from the

ing slightly. I can't go back to tha

el the heat of his presence pressing in on her

e's something between us that neither of us can walk away from. Not now, no

and inevitable. She had to fight it. She had to walk away. But when she opened her

ck with a force she hadn't intended. "I

stood there, watching her, th

need me," he said, his voice

desk, her fingers trembling as they rested on the file in front of her.

he want from her? And more im

thing she knew for certain: Dominic was going to be a pa