Chapter 2 Unexpected Attraction

"Why is he here again?" Lottie whispered, eyes wide as she leaned closer to Maya's desk.

Maya kept typing her report, jaw tight. "Because he owns the company, Lottie. That's why."

Lottie peeked over her shoulder. "He's coming this way."

Maya froze, fingers hovering above her keyboard. Her heart thundered in her chest. She hadn't seen Liam Knight since the gala two weeks ago. She'd buried herself in projects, praying he would ignore her existence forever.

But here he was.

"Miss Williams," his deep voice rumbled behind her.

She swallowed hard before turning in her chair. Her breath hitched. Liam looked unfairly perfect in his black tailored suit, snowy shirt crisp against his tan skin. His hair was neatly combed back, revealing those cold blue eyes that pinned her in place.

"Yes, sir?" she managed, voice steady despite the tremble in her hands.

His gaze swept over her, lingering on the soft curls that fell to her shoulders before meeting her eyes again. "Come with me."

She blinked. "I... sorry?"

"Now."

He turned and walked away without waiting for her reply. Lottie mouthed Oh my God dramatically as Maya scrambled to grab her notepad and phone before jogging after him down the hallway.

Every employee they passed stepped aside silently, bowing their heads in reverence or fear. Maya's heels clicked against the marble floor, echoing in the vast corridor until they reached his private executive office.

Liam pushed the door open and stepped aside for her to enter first. His office smelled like expensive leather and subtle cologne. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the sprawling city skyline, snow still falling softly outside.

"Sit," he ordered.

Maya lowered herself into the sleek black chair across from his imposing mahogany desk, clutching her notepad like a shield. Her palms felt clammy as she watched him circle behind his desk and lower himself into his chair with predatory grace.

Silence pulsed between them, thick with unspoken words. Finally, he spoke.

"I reviewed your proposal on the Cressida campaign." His voice was neutral, eyes flicking briefly to her notes before returning to her face. "It was... impressive."

Her eyes widened. "Thank you, sir."

His gaze darkened as if annoyed that she sounded surprised. "You took a risk calling out the flaws in my merger plan at the gala."

Maya shifted uncomfortably. "I wasn't trying to embarrass you. I just... care about the company's future."

He leaned back in his chair, studying her silently. His eyes flicked to her lips, lingering there for a heartbeat too long. "Is that what it was? Care?"

Her throat tightened at his low, questioning tone. She forced herself to hold his gaze. "Yes."

Another pause. His fingers drummed lightly against the desk, tension vibrating through the room. Then he stood abruptly, moving around the desk until he was standing in front of her.

Maya's breath caught. His scent enveloped her, cedarwood and spice. Heat coiled low in her stomach despite herself.

"Stand up," he ordered softly.

Her brows drew together. "Why?"

"Because I said so."

Heart hammering, Maya rose slowly. She was only a few inches shorter than him in her heels, but his presence felt towering. He studied her face with unreadable eyes, his gaze dipping briefly to her lips before returning to her eyes.

"You're different," he murmured, voice so low she barely heard it.

She swallowed hard. "Different how?"

His jaw tightened, as if warring with himself. Suddenly his hand lifted, brushing a stray curl away from her cheek. His touch was gentle, the pads of his fingers warm against her skin. The simple gesture sent a shiver down her spine.

His eyes darkened, stormy and conflicted. For a fleeting moment, she saw vulnerability there, a crack in the icy armor he wore so effortlessly.

Then it was gone. His hand dropped to his side, his face shuttering back into stone.

"Don't mistake this for anything it's not," he said coldly. "I don't mix business with... distractions."

Maya blinked, anger surging through her chest at the dismissal in his voice. "Then why am I here, Mr. Knight?"

He turned away, walking back to his desk. "Because despite your reckless mouth, your proposal saved us from a six-million-dollar mistake. Effective immediately, you're being transferred to my direct project team."

Her mouth fell open. "What?"

"You'll be working under me. Close." His eyes flicked up to meet hers, something dangerous and electric flashing there. "Very close."

Her pulse raced at his words. Working under Liam Knight? Every day? Her stomach twisted with dread and something else she refused to name.

"Is that... really necessary?" she asked carefully.

A ghost of a smile touched his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You challenged me publicly, Miss Williams. I want to see if your boldness translates to actual skill."

She clenched her fists at her sides, forcing herself to remain calm. "Fine."

He raised an eyebrow at her sharp tone but said nothing. Instead, he sat back down and began scrolling through his tablet, effectively dismissing her. Maya stood frozen for a moment, staring at the man who had just upended her life with a single decision.

"Don't stand there gawking," he said without looking up. "You start tomorrow. Six a.m. Don't be late."

Biting her tongue, she turned and left his office, her heels clicking against the marble like gunshots echoing her fury. As soon as the door closed behind her, Maya leaned against the wall, exhaling shakily.

"Six a.m.?" she muttered under her breath. "What is he, a drill sergeant?"

But beneath her annoyance, her heart pounded with confusion. His touch still lingered on her cheek, burning like a brand. And that look in his eyes... that fleeting vulnerability... it scared her more than his arrogance ever could.

What game are you playing, Liam Knight?

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Pulling it out, her eyes widened at the notification flashing across the screen.

URGENT: FINAL CONFIRMATION REQUIRED FOR EUROPE TRANSFER.

Her breath caught. The transfer she applied for to escape him was finally approved.

Her fingers trembled around her phone as she read the message again.

FINAL CONFIRMATION REQUIRED FOR EUROPE TRANSFER. REPORTING DATE: NEXT WEEK.

Europe. A fresh start. Freedom from his suffocating arrogance. From this confusing, humiliating pull that tethered her to him despite every logical reason to walk away.

But now... he wanted her working directly under him. Close enough to feel his breath when he whispered, to smell his cologne every morning, to endure his cold dismissals and fleeting warmth.

She swallowed hard. The elevator doors dinged open at her floor, but she didn't move.

"Miss Williams?"

She turned to see Liam's assistant standing by the glass conference room. "Mr. Knight asked me to remind you-be ready for the 6 a.m. meeting tomorrow. Boardroom twelve."

Maya nodded numbly, the assistant already turning away to carry out another command from the tyrant CEO.

She walked slowly to her desk, every step echoing with confusion and anger. Sitting down heavily, she stared at her phone screen. Europe meant freedom. Staying meant enduring Liam Knight... and risking her heart in ways she didn't want to imagine.

Her thumb hovered over the "Confirm Transfer" button as her chest tightened painfully.

What am I doing?

"Hey," Lottie whispered, appearing beside her with wide eyes. "Why does your face look like that? What happened in his office?"

Maya blinked up, her voice a whisper trembling with dread and unspoken longing. "I don't know, Lottie... but I think I'm about to make the worst mistake of my life."