Tangled Temptataion: A one night stand with my boss

had become the most whispered

m, the stares that lingered a beat too long, the tight smiles that didn't quite reach her eyes anymore. Blackwood En

ay, and yet, somehow, it was like his presence wrapped arou

the strategy bullpen. "You are officially the headline i

eak stride. "

k like you're in control. I've aged

ything," Ava said t

runs on two things-results and rumors. You gave them

e copy station, he

. Ava caught the blurred photo over her shoulder-her profile at Valen lounge, unmistakable in the

omach

did that come fr

whispered. "But it'

She hadn't even known who Grayson was that night-hell, he hadn't known who she was. But logic didn't matter

to balance, creative briefs to review-but the tension in her spine never eased. Every pa

.m., her i

nference Ro

G. Bl

ext or ex

ing. Around her, the world kept turning.

but she st

the far end of the room with his hands braced on the window ledge, city skyline bleed

h

rry," h

er arms. "For

not recognizing you at the meeting

ot handling

ed. "That's no

r voice low. "Do you have any idea what it looks like? That I got pro

looks. That's why I haven't said a word.

to going around. Someone took a shot of us at the lou

slowly. "I did

ation. People already thought I didn't earn the cam

"You and I both kn

out Monica? HR? T

ned away, furious with herself for hoping he would h

Paris campaign," he offe

d. "You think

it prot

ould only prove the whispers right. That I didn't earn it. That I

oice urgent now. "Then tell me

an from Friday night again-the one who spoke like his mouth had bee

said. "I want n

bbed the door h

voice was sharp, clear. "Then prove it. Stay out of my way.

*

very team member detailed briefs, held her own in morning scrums, and even charmed one of the pricklier board advisors into signing off on the European

emails. Not even a nod in passing. It was like a switch had flipped. Like they'd become

l Fr

the Paris pitch visuals one last time. She was so lost in co

issed

od in the doorway, his tie loosened

we had plans,"

"Monica invited the campaign team out. Pub

flatly. "Too bus

silence stretched,

ust good at your job, Ava.

oat tig

tion was already approved when I came in. The

spond. She di

uld know," he said. "In

turned and wal

n't feel discarded; sh

felt