Chapter 4 Between Fear and Desire

Ava sat in her new apartment later that night, her mind still spinning with the events of the evening. The conversation with Stallion, his touch on her shoulder,the foot massage , the unspoken connection – they all felt like pieces of a puzzle she wasn't ready to solve.

But the truth was, she was scared. Terrified, even. She had been burned before. She had trusted her ex-husband once, and that had led to years of heartache, pain, and betrayal. How could she possibly trust Stallion now, even if he seemed sincere? Even if he made her feel like she was more than just a cleaner – more than just a single mother?

She couldn't fall for him. She couldn't let herself go there.

But deep inside, she knew she was already beginning to. Most times, when he touched her even slightly, she dripped wet. It had been so long she felt the touch of a man since her divorce from her ex.

If he made a move for her, she wouldn't resist. She longed to feel like a woman again. And he had done so much for her and her kids after all.

What was she even thinking about? He hadn't even asked her out –yet. He wouldn't stoop so low. Whatever it was she was imagining, she had to snap out of it.

As she sat on the couch, staring out the window at the city lights below, her phone buzzed on the coffee table. It was a message from her best friend, Sarah.

"I hope you're getting some rest tonight! You deserve it after all the hard work! Just wanted to check in on you. I miss you!"

Ava smiled softly at the message, feeling a pang of longing for her old life – before all of this had started. Before Stallion had come into her life and turned everything upside down.

But then another message popped up – this time, from an unknown number.

"Hey, it's me. I've been thinking about you. Let's talk tomorrow. I'll be waiting."

It was from Stallion.

Her heart skipped a beat. Let's talk tomorrow. The message was simple enough, but she felt it meant something more.

With the luxury came pressure. Ava couldn't shake the feeling that she was somehow out of place. She had never been surrounded by so much wealth, so much luxury. It was both exhilarating and intimidating.

And then there was Stallion.

At first, he had been nothing but a kind, supportive employer. But slowly, she started noticing the way he looked at her when they were alone – like she was something more than just an employee. She saw the way his gaze lingered a little too long, the way his voice softened when he spoke to her.

It was all so confusing.

She had been hurt before, and her trust had been broken. She wasn't ready to put herself back out there. But the pull she felt toward him was undeniable.

Whatever it was he wanted to talk about, she knew she wasn't ready to be in any relationship with anyone just yet, or ever, much less a Casanova.

It would be strictly professional.

As she rose up to go upstairs, to her room, her phone rang. It was Stallion. Perhaps he wanted to confirm if she received his text message.

"I'm at your door. Please, open up," he said as soon as she answered the phone.

The phone was wedged between her ear and shoulder when she opened the door and saw Stallion standing there.

He drove back? What could he want?

"Do you need anything?" She asked professionally.

"I need you." There was fire in his eyes. His erection was visible.

"What...." Stallion didn't let her finish before his lips covered hers.

Ava wanted to push him away, but she needed him too. She had longed to be touched for so long.

Stallion was skilled. Damn. He kissed her everywhere – from ears, to her lips, down to her neck, her breasts, and down below. He laid her on the couch, undressed her and dipped his finger inside of her. She cried in ecstasy. She fought hard not to listen to her mind telling her she'd regret this. Suddenly, she pushed him away.

"What happened? You don't want me?" He asked, confused, because he could see that she felt him too.

"Goddamn it! Come in. Give it to me," She pulled him back, and he entered her and rocked her slowly. She moaned softly but sweetly. No one had ever made love to hear like that before.

- -

Ava imagined how her, whose life had always been simpler, less adorned; who had come from a world where luxury meant having a Saturday to herself or treating herself to a new coat when winter came, had become so different. Now, her daily surroundings had transformed to marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and a view that overlooked the city like a king surveying his kingdom. And though she tried to appreciate it, she couldn't shake the creeping sense that she didn't belong here.

With each passing day, the pressure grew. She wondered if her colleagues whispered about her behind closed doors or if she'd ever be able to truly fit into this world. Even the clothes she wore felt like costumes – beautiful, but foreign. Ava had been hired by Stallion to help manage his life, an intimidating and unpredictable job, but she was determined to do it well. She told herself that if she worked hard enough, she might one day feel at ease here. Yet, no amount of effort erased the invisible barrier she felt around her.

Stallion, himself, was different. He seemed genuinely invested in her, going out of his way to make her feel comfortable. At first, she saw him as the model employer – kind but professional, willing to give her the guidance she needed to find her way in this vast, glittering world. But after the night they made passionate love, everything changed.

It was subtle at first, just small things – a gentle hand on her shoulder, a lingering smile; until it finally happened. She wondered if he saw her as vulnerable or cheap. She didn't want to regret that moment, because it was very sweet, but she knew it didn't define anything. They were back to normal. She was simply his PA.

They spent long hours together, often in his office where the city lights formed a dazzling backdrop to their conversations. His gaze would hold hers for a little too long, his voice softening in a way that made her feel seen, noticed in a way she hadn't felt in a long time. And she had to admit, there was a magnetism about him. His confidence, the way he carried himself, the way he looked at her. There was something in his eyes that made her pulse quicken. Yet, a warning echoed inside her, reminding her of past heartbreaks and betrayals. She wasn't ready to let herself be vulnerable, not again. It had happened that once and was just about it. They had never spoken about it since it happened.

Stallion had a way of disarming her defenses without her even realizing it. He would ask about her day, her dreams, her goals – conversations that felt so personal, so intimate, that she found herself opening up in ways she hadn't anticipated. She felt her guard slipping, little by little, as his attentiveness made her feel special. Still, doubt lingered. Was this just a game for him? A passing interest in the newest face in his life?

One evening, after a long day of meetings and planning, they ended up alone in his office. He had poured himself a glass of whiskey and offered her one, which she politely declined. He didn't seem to mind and settled into the chair across from her, studying her with an intensity that made her feel both nervous and excited.

"You know," he began, his voice low and thoughtful, "you're not like the others who work here."

She felt her cheeks warm under his gaze. "How so?"

"You have something... different. A strength, maybe. A determination." His eyes met hers, and she felt a jolt. "I admire that."

"Thank you," she murmured, unsure of how to respond. No one had ever spoken to her like this. She felt exposed, as if he could see right through the walls she'd built around her heart.

He smiled, a slow, lingering smile that made her heart flutter. "I don't know if I tell you often enough, but I'm grateful for everything you do here, Ava. This place feels... brighter with you in it."

The words hit her like a wave, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to drift into their warmth or shield herself from the undertow. She'd been swept up before, only to find herself broken and alone on the other side. She wanted to just keep things strictly professional, but the pull she felt toward him was undeniable. It was like a slow-burning fire she couldn't put out.

"Thank you, sir. That means a lot." Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper. She was going extra to keep things professional and Stallion observed it.

"Stallion. Please, call me Stallion," he corrected.

They sat there in silence for a moment, the air thick with tension. She could feel his eyes on her, and though she tried to focus on the papers in front of her, her mind was racing. What did he see when he looked at her like that? Was it genuine, or was she just another woman for him to charm and discard?

As she gathered her things to leave, he stopped her, reaching out to touch her hand. His fingers were warm against hers, sending a shiver down her spine. She looked up, meeting his gaze, and saw something in his eyes she couldn't quite decipher; something intense, almost vulnerable.

"Ava," he said softly, "you know you don't have to leave now, right?"

Her heart pounded in her chest. The implication in his words hung heavily between them, and she didn't know how to respond. Part of her wanted to stay, to see what would happen. But another part of her, the part scarred by past betrayals, screamed at her to run.

"I... I think I should go," she stammered, her voice barely steady.

A flicker of disappointment crossed his face, but he nodded, releasing her hand. "Of course. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

She forced a small smile, though her emotions were a storm within her. "Goodnight, Stallion."

"Goodnight, Ava," he replied, his gaze lingering on her as she left the room.

As she walked down the empty hallway, her mind was a whirlwind of emotions. She couldn't deny the pull she felt toward him. She had been hurt before, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to open herself up to that kind of pain again.

When she finally reached her apartment, she leaned against the door, trying to steady herself. The memory of his touch, his words, his gaze – she couldn't shake them. And she knew that this was just the beginning. Whatever was happening between them, it was far from over.

As she drifted off to sleep, one last thought crossed her mind, lingering in the shadows of her consciousness:

What if Stallion wasn't even the man he appeared to be – kind and generous?

A chill ran down her spine as her mind clung to that thought, wrapping around it like a vine. What if he was hiding something? The way he looked at her, the way he spoke, it was all too intense, too consuming. And as much as she was drawn to him, a growing fear gnawed at her, whispering that she could be stepping into something dangerous.

Ava's last thought before she succumbed to sleep was a question that left her uneasy, her heart pounding even in the silence:

What if Stallion wasn't even what he appeared to be?