Chapter 2 First Days, Stolen Glances

Elise Harper's first day at Kane Enterprises was a whirlwind of schedules, emails, and the constant hum of corporate ambition. The glass-walled offices buzzed with activity, executives darting between meetings while assistants juggled calls and deadlines. Her desk, strategically positioned outside Alexander Kane's corner office, was both a command center and a stage-every move scrutinized by colleagues curious about the new secretary who'd caught the CEO's eye.

She adjusted her headset, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she organized Alexander's calendar. A 9 a.m. board meeting, a lunch with investors, a late call with Tokyo. The man's life was a tightly wound machine, and she was determined to keep it running flawlessly. Yet, beneath her focus, a current of awareness simmered. Every time Alexander's door opened, her pulse quickened, anticipating the moment he'd step out.

He did, just before noon, his navy suit impeccable, his dark hair slightly tousled as if he'd run a hand through it. "Miss Harper," he said, pausing at her desk, his voice low and commanding. "I need the quarterly reports for the board meeting. And coffee-black, no sugar."

"Reports are already on your desk, Mr. Kane," she replied, meeting his gray eyes. "Coffee's on its way. I anticipated you'd need it before the meeting."

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, followed by that ghost of a smile she was beginning to recognize. "Efficient. Good." He lingered, his gaze dipping briefly to the curve of her blouse before snapping back to her face. "Keep it up."

Her cheeks warmed, but she held his stare. "Always."

As he disappeared into the boardroom, Elise exhaled, her heart racing. The air between them crackled, a dangerous dance of power and desire. She couldn't afford to falter-not when every eye in the office seemed to watch her. The other assistants, a tight-knit group led by a sharp-tongued woman named Carla, had already sized her up. "Don't get too comfortable," Carla had whispered during orientation. "Kane's secretaries don't last long."

Elise pushed the warning aside, focusing on her tasks. But the office wasn't the only battlefield. Victoria Langston's presence yesterday had left a shadow, her parting smile a promise of trouble. Elise sensed the ex-fiancée's influence lurking, a thread waiting to unravel her carefully laid plans.

The day stretched into evening, the office emptying as colleagues trickled out. Elise stayed, organizing files Alexander had requested for a late-night review. The city lights glittered through the windows, casting a soft glow over her desk. She was deep in a spreadsheet when the elevator dinged, and a courier delivered a stack of contracts. "For Mr. Kane," he said. "Urgent."

She glanced at Alexander's closed door, the faint glow of his desk lamp spilling through the glass. He was still here. "I'll handle it," she said, signing for the package. But the contracts needed his immediate review, and the coffee shop downstairs was her only chance to fuel herself for the long night ahead.

"Mr. Kane?" She knocked lightly, entering when he called out. He looked up from his laptop, his tie loosened, sleeves rolled to his elbows, revealing strong forearms. The sight sent a flutter through her stomach.

"Contracts," she said, placing the stack on his desk. "They need your signature tonight. I'm grabbing coffee downstairs. Can I get you anything?"

He leaned back, studying her. "You're still here. Most would've left hours ago."

"I don't leave things unfinished," she said, a touch of defiance in her tone.

His eyes darkened, a hint of something unspoken passing between them. "Black coffee. And... join me. We'll review the contracts together."

Her breath caught. It was a simple request, but the weight of it-the invitation to cross an invisible line-hung heavy. "I'll be right back," she said, retreating before her resolve wavered.

The coffee shop was quiet, the barista quick with her order. As she balanced two steaming cups, her phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number: Careful, Elise. Alexander's attention comes with a price. – V.

Victoria. Elise's grip tightened on the cups, her mind racing. How had she gotten her number? The threat was clear, a reminder of the stakes. She deleted the message, steeling herself as she returned to the office.

Back at Alexander's desk, she set down the coffee, their fingers brushing as he took his cup. The contact was brief, electric, and their eyes locked, the silence thick with unspoken desire. "Let's get to work," he said, his voice rougher than before.

As they pored over the contracts, their shoulders inches apart, Elise felt the pull of something inevitable. This was more than a job, more than a moment. It was the start of a fire she wasn't sure she could control.