Chapter 3 An Unexpected Spark

Ava took a deep breath before walking into Marc Stallion's office. She'd received the key to her new home that morning – a mansion, fully furnished and elegant beyond anything she'd ever imagined for her family. The letters with her children's school placements were waiting at the doorstep, and even the lingering medical bills were all neatly taken care of. Stallion had ensured that every detail was in order, and for the first time in years, Ava felt a weight lifting from her shoulders.

As she entered his office, she caught Stallion in the middle of organizing papers, his brow slightly furrowed as he scanned through documents. Dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, he looked every bit the powerful businessman she knew him to be. But there was something else about him – something that stirred a quiet excitement in her whenever she was around him. She'd pushed the feeling away, reminding herself that he was her employer, but it lingered, growing stronger with each encounter.

When he looked up and saw her, his expression softened, and he offered a small smile. "Ms. Bennett," he greeted, his tone warm yet reserved. "Come in. Is everything alright?"

"Yes, sir," she replied, moving closer to his desk, her heart beating faster than she wanted to admit. "I just wanted to thank you – for everything. The house, the schools, the support with the medical expenses...it's all so generous. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

His eyes softened as he gestured for her to sit. "You don't need to repay me. I just want you and your kids to have what you deserve. It's the least I could do."

Just as she opened her mouth to respond, his phone buzzed, flashing a caller ID she couldn't quite read. He glanced at the screen, hesitating for a split second before answering and placing the call on speaker. Before he could say anything, a bright, feminine voice filled the room.

"Hey, dear! I missed your call."

Ava's stomach sank. The playful warmth in the woman's voice was unmistakable, and before she could hide her expression, she found herself staring down at her lap, her face growing warm. Stallion quickly hung up, his expression momentarily flickering with discomfort. Almost immediately, the phone buzzed again. He cleared his throat, then picked up, his voice tense as he said, "I'll call you back later." He shot a quick glance at Ava, a hint of apology in his gaze.

"Please, sir," she murmured, keeping her eyes down. "You can take your call. I don't mind."

"No, don't worry about it," he said with a dismissive wave. "It can wait." He shifted his attention back to her, his gaze steady. "Now, have you received everything you need?"

She nodded, composing herself. "Yes, I have. Thank you again, so much. You've given me and my children more than I could have ever hoped for."

"You're welcome," he said, his tone softening as he looked at her. "There's no need to thank me. I hope this makes things easier for you."

Ava smiled, and for a moment, silence filled the room, thick and electric. She could feel his eyes on her, taking in her red sleeveless dress, the way she'd pinned her hair up, leaving her neck bare. It wasn't anything extravagant, just something she'd found at a second-hand shop, but she felt his gaze linger as if he were seeing her for the first time.

His eyes were fixed on her cleavage.

Stallion forced himself to look away, clearing his throat as he shifted the papers on his desk. He was really drawn to Ava the first time they met, but after he learned about her past, her sufferings, all he wanted to do was just help her. And now, each time he saw her, he felt something far more complicated, something protective. He wanted to build a fortress around her, shielding her from all the hardships she'd endured, a fierce, unexpected urge he hadn't felt for anyone before.

"Ms. Bennett," he said finally, his voice lower, more measured, "do enjoy your new place. Extend my regards to your children. I hope I get to meet them soon."

She offered a polite smile, hesitating before she replied, "Of course." She glanced at him one last time, sensing the unspoken words between them. "Well, I'll be going then. Thank you again, sir." With a final nod, she left, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

As the door closed, Stallion leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. What was happening to him? He'd always been a bachelor, free to come and go as he pleased, with no commitments and no complications. His parents often teased him, claiming he'd never settle down, and until recently, he'd thought they were right. But Ava was different. She wasn't like the women he usually met. Her strength and resilience drew him in, her quiet beauty and modesty setting her apart in a way he hadn't anticipated.

Yet he wasn't ready to let go of his old ways. He still had women in his life, casual dates that provided entertainment and kept things light. And if he were being honest, the thought of pursuing Ava terrified him. She wasn't someone he could play games with; she was a mother, a woman who had survived hardships he couldn't even imagine. The attraction he felt toward her was complex, filled with a mix of admiration, protectiveness, and something deeper, something that felt almost...vulnerable.

Over the following weeks, their paths continued to cross, each interaction bringing them closer. They shared coffee in the mornings, discussing work or exchanging stories about their lives. He'd ask about her children, and she'd ask about his latest project, their conversations comfortable yet charged with an unspoken tension. He found himself looking forward to these moments, stealing glances at her across the office, catching the subtle smiles she tried to hide.

One evening, he invited her to join him for a quick dinner, nothing fancy, just a quiet meal at a small restaurant around the corner. She hesitated at first, but eventually agreed, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and caution.

As they sat across from each other, the atmosphere shifted. There was no formal office setting, no paperwork between them, just the two of them, and an unspoken awareness that made her heart race. They talked about simple things – music, favorite movies, places they wanted to visit. But as the conversation deepened, they began sharing pieces of themselves they rarely revealed.

"Why did you decide to help me?" Ava asked quietly, her eyes searching his.

Stallion hesitated, his gaze flickering with something she couldn't quite name. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just...I wanted to. I imagined how much you've been through, how hard you fight for your kids. It felt like the right thing to do."

Ava grumbled about her feet hurt because she had been wearing those shoes all day.

"Place your feet on my laps," Stallion said.

"What? No way," Ava laughed softly.

"I'm serious. I happen to be really good at giving foot massages," Stallion boasted.

Ava placed her feet on Stallion's laps from underneath the table. And as soon as he touched them, Ava moaned.

"Oh...this feels so good.*

He was just massaging her feet. What if he stroked her? Her voice was too melodious, it could get any man in the mood.

Their eyes met, and in that moment, the attraction between them was undeniable. It wasn't just physical; it was a connection that ran deeper, rooted in mutual respect and a growing sense of trust. She felt herself softening, her fears and reservations beginning to slip away. But just as quickly, she reminded herself of the risks, the dangers of letting herself fall.

As the night wore on, he walked her home, their steps slow, reluctant to end the evening. They lingered at her doorstep, silence filling the space between them.

"Thank you, sir," she said softly, looking up at him. "For everything. Really."

He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering for a fraction longer than necessary. "You don't have to thank me, Ava," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I just want you to be happy."

In that moment, she felt the pull between them, an undeniable force that drew her closer. But before either of them could make a move, she stepped back, offering a small smile as she said goodnight.

As she closed the door, she leaned against it, her heart pounding. She couldn't deny the growing attraction, the warmth she felt whenever she was near him. But she wasn't ready to let her guard down, not yet. And as for Stallion, he stood outside her door, hands in his pockets, his mind racing with thoughts he hadn't planned for. He'd wanted to be her protector, her friend, but now he found himself wanting more.

As they walked separate paths back into their lives, both knew that this was only the beginning of something far more intense than they had ever expected.