Chapter 5 That night

~005

Lines We Shouldn't Cross

---

Bella's breath hitched as Xavier closed the distance between them. The cool air in his office suddenly felt thick, too tight, like the walls themselves were holding their breath.

"I never wanted it to stay in the past," he repeated, his voice low-measured, but with an edge that sounded far too close to confession.

Bella looked up at him, keeping her chin high even though every nerve in her body told her to run. Her fingers clenched the sample folder she still held in her hands, anchoring her to the moment.

"This isn't why I came here," she said quietly. "I want this job. I earned it. But if you brought me here because you thought this was going to be some kind of... continuation of that night, then I need to make it clear-we are not picking up where we left off."

Xavier's expression didn't change, but something in his eyes softened. He stepped back, just slightly, giving her space again.

"I didn't bring you here for that," he said.

She didn't believe him. Not entirely.

"You could've ignored my application like everyone else did."

"I could have," he agreed.

Bella's eyes narrowed. "But you didn't."

"No," he said. "Because I wanted to see you again. That's the truth."

She flinched.

"And I didn't know another way."

Bella swallowed hard, her pulse hammering behind her ribs. "So you staged an interview? Created a job opening just to see me again?"

"No," he said calmly. "The opening was real. Clara had requested a junior creative for the textiles division a week before the gala. Your name came across her desk. I simply... moved things along."

She stared at him, searching for a lie, but found none. Just quiet, brutal honesty.

"I still don't know if I should be flattered or insulted," she said after a long pause.

Xavier gave her a look that could've been a smile if it wasn't so restrained. "You should be furious. I'd understand."

"I am," she said. "And I'm also confused."

"I can imagine."

There was another long silence. The kind that usually came before something broke.

Bella shifted her weight and held out the file. "These are the drafts you asked for."

Xavier took them from her gently, his fingers brushing hers. The contact sent a flicker of warmth up her arm, and she hated herself for feeling it.

He glanced at the pages without really reading them, then set them on his desk.

"You're talented," he said. "More than you realize. Clara saw it. I saw it too, that night."

"That night had nothing to do with design," Bella snapped, sharper than she meant to. "Don't pretend it did."

Xavier's jaw tightened. "I'm not pretending. But I saw the way you carried yourself. You weren't like the others."

Bella folded her arms. "And what am I, then? Some underdog with fire in her eyes? A pet project? A novelty?"

"No," he said. "You're the only person who's made me feel something real in a very long time."

She froze.

Those words hit harder than they should have.

"You don't even know me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I know what I felt," he replied. "And I'm not asking for anything, Bella. Not now. Not ever, if you don't want it. But I won't lie to you-I remember that night. I remember you. And I won't pretend it didn't change something."

Bella took a shaky breath and looked away, unsure what to do with the truth when it came so plainly.

"You're my boss," she said.

"Yes."

"This can't happen again."

Xavier didn't argue. He simply nodded. "Understood."

She turned to leave, but before she could reach the door, he added, "Bella?"

She paused, her hand on the handle.

"I won't get in your way here. You'll rise because of your work, not because of me. But if, at any point, you want to talk... even if it's just to yell at me-I'll listen."

She didn't respond.

Didn't turn back.

But something in her chest twisted-an ache that felt far too much like temptation.

---

The days that followed were a test of endurance. Bella threw herself into work, ignoring the butterflies that fluttered every time she spotted Xavier across the office floor or heard his voice echo from the boardroom.

He stayed true to his word. He didn't approach her. Didn't corner her. Didn't use his power to bend her toward him. He was present, but distant. Observing. Respectful.

And somehow, that made everything worse.

Because she couldn't stop thinking about him.

She would sit at her desk, sketching mockups, and suddenly remember how his lips felt against her collarbone. She would sip her morning coffee and taste the wine they'd shared. Her mind betrayed her, again and again.

It wasn't just the physical memory-it was the strange emotional gravity of that night. He had touched her like she mattered. Spoken to her like he wasn't just trying to get laid. And that terrified her.

Because if he was being genuine... what did that mean for her carefully planned life?

She had always wanted success. To stand on her own. To prove herself.

But now, here she was, working under the man who haunted her dreams.

And no matter how many times she reminded herself that he was dangerous-that power like his always came with strings-she couldn't deny one simple, terrifying truth:

She still wanted him.

---

At the end of the week, Clara called Bella into her office.

"You've impressed me," she said simply. "You work hard. You're quick on your feet. Your instincts are good."

"Thank you," Bella said, surprised and relieved.

"We'd like to extend your position beyond the trial. If you're interested."

Bella nodded slowly. "I am."

Clara smiled. "Good. You'll be working more closely with the executive team next week. Expect more pressure, faster timelines, and higher stakes."

Bella's stomach fluttered.

Higher stakes.

More time near Xavier.

She walked out of the office with the offer letter in hand, her mind already spinning with what it all meant. She'd wanted this. She'd earned this.

But as she stepped back into the elevator, her reflection staring back at her in the polished chrome doors, she whispered one truth she couldn't ignore:

She was already in too deep.