Chapter 3 One Reckless Night

"Stop pacing, Maya. You're making me dizzy," Lottie groaned from her couch, clutching her mug of herbal tea.

Maya ignored her, storming back and forth across the tiny living room. Her heels clicked furiously against the tiled floor. "He wants me to work under him, Lottie. Six a.m. every day. Do you know what that means?"

"It means you'll finally get promoted faster than the rest of us," Lottie said with a smirk. "Look on the bright side."

"There is no bright side," Maya snapped, running a hand through her curls. "It means humiliation on repeat. It means seeing his stupid handsome face every morning. It means-"

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She froze, yanking it out so fast she nearly dropped it. Her heart thudded when she saw the caller ID.

Liam Knight.

"What the-" Lottie whispered, eyes wide. "He's calling you at nine p.m.?"

Maya swallowed hard, thumb hovering over the screen. "What does he want now?"

"Answer it!"

Taking a deep breath, Maya pressed accept and put the phone to her ear. "Hello?"

"Be at The Vesper Hotel. Rooftop bar. Now."

Her chest tightened. "Excuse me?"

"I said now, Maya."

The line went dead. She stared at the screen in shock.

"What did he say?" Lottie asked urgently.

"He... he wants me to meet him. At The Vesper. Tonight."

Lottie's jaw dropped. "Are you going?"

Maya clenched her phone tighter, adrenaline surging through her veins.

"Yes."

Snow fell in thick, quiet sheets as Maya stepped out of the cab. The Vesper Hotel loomed above her, sleek glass and steel glowing under the city lights. She pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders and took a deep, shaky breath.

What am I doing here?

Inside, the lobby was quiet and opulent. A concierge greeted her with a polite bow. "Miss Williams, Mr. Knight is expecting you. The rooftop bar is on the 45th floor."

Her heart slammed against her ribs. He told them my name. Heat rose to her cheeks as she thanked the concierge and stepped into the mirrored elevator.

As it climbed, her reflection stared back at her. Flushed cheeks, bright eyes, lips pressed together to hide their tremble. She had changed into a simple black sweater dress and knee-high boots before leaving Lottie's apartment, but suddenly she wondered if she looked too casual. Too plain.

The elevator chimed open, revealing the rooftop bar bathed in warm golden lights and lined with glass walls revealing the glittering skyline. Soft jazz music played in the background. Her gaze darted around the nearly empty bar until it landed on him.

Liam sat at a corner table, nursing a glass of scotch, his gaze fixed on the city below. Even seated, his presence was magnetic, dark, and commanding.

Taking a deep breath, Maya walked over. "You called?"

He looked up slowly, his icy eyes unreadable as they roamed her face and down to her boots before returning to her eyes.

"Sit," he ordered softly.

Maya sat across from him, every nerve ending on edge. A waiter appeared instantly, placing a fresh drink in front of her without asking.

"You ordered for me?" she said, raising an eyebrow.

"You like lavender gin," Liam replied without blinking. "You ordered it at the gala."

She stared at him, thrown. He remembered. Why?

"Why did you ask me here?" she asked, forcing her voice to stay calm.

Liam took a sip of his scotch, eyes not leaving hers. "Because I don't like distractions, Maya. And lately... you've been a distraction I can't stop thinking about."

Her throat tightened. She wasn't prepared for this.

"Is this some kind of power move?" she asked. "You humiliate me, then reel me back in to remind me you're in control?"

He gave a half-smile. "If that's what I wanted, I wouldn't have invited you here. I could've just crushed your transfer and forced you to stay."

Her eyes narrowed. "So you did see the transfer notice."

He leaned forward, elbows resting on the table. "I see everything. Including that the woman I dismissed at the gala is now the only person whose work I actually respect."

Heat crawled up her neck, confusion tangling with pride and caution. "Are you saying you regret what you said to me that night?"

He was silent for a moment. Then he said, very quietly, "I'm saying... I haven't stopped thinking about that night since."

Maya's breath caught. His gaze burned into hers, and for a second, it felt like the whole city fell away.

She forced herself to swallow, her heart thudding painfully against her ribs. "Liam... what is this?"

He leaned back in his chair, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "It's simple. I want you."

Her breath hitched. "You want me... for what? A quick distraction? Another night you'll forget by morning?"

His eyes darkened, and for a moment she saw raw hunger flicker in their depths before he masked it with cool indifference. "One night. No strings. No regrets."

Maya clenched her fists under the table. Rage and longing battled within her. "You humiliated me. You don't respect me. And now you want me in your bed like I'm nothing but... but-"

"But what?" he cut in softly. "Because when I look at you, Maya, I don't see nothing. I see a woman who challenges me, annoys me... and makes me want things I shouldn't."

Her chest tightened painfully at his words, tears burning the corners of her eyes. Don't fall for it, Maya. Don't.

She stood abruptly, grabbing her purse. "I'm not one of your disposable toys, Liam. Find someone else to warm your bed tonight."

She turned to leave, but his hand shot out, gripping her wrist firmly.

"Don't go."

She froze, pulse hammering in her throat. His voice was low, almost pleading. The grip on her wrist loosened, becoming gentle as his thumb brushed her racing pulse.

"Stay," he whispered.

She turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze over her shoulder.

His eyes searched hers, and for the first time, she saw something beyond the ruthless CEO mask. Vulnerability. Loneliness. Desire that scared him as much as it scared her.

"Why, Liam?" she whispered, voice trembling. "Why me?"

He stood slowly, towering over her as his hand slid from her wrist to her fingers, intertwining them with his own. "Because you're the only woman who has ever told me no."

Her breath caught. The rooftop bar disappeared around them, the music fading into the thundering of her heart. Snow drifted gently against the glass walls, city lights blurring beyond.

He pulled her closer, so close she felt the heat radiating from his body. His free hand lifted to cup her cheek, thumb brushing her bottom lip. She shivered at his touch.

"Stay with me tonight, Maya," he murmured, his voice husky and low. "Just tonight. No business. No power plays. Just... us."

Tears burned her eyes. Every part of her screamed to run, to protect her heart from the man who could crush it with a single careless word. But her body ached with need, her soul yearning for something she knew he could never give.

"Please," he whispered.

She closed her eyes, a single tear slipping down her cheek.

"Okay," she breathed.

His lips crashed onto hers, hot and desperate, sending sparks down her spine as he pulled her into his embrace. The world fell away, leaving only the taste of his kiss and the pounding truth in her chest.

This is a mistake. A beautiful, reckless mistake.