Chapter 3 Terms and Boundaries

Ari strode into the sleek glass-walled boardroom, her heels clicking on the polished floor. Her pulse quickened, a mix of nerves and determination tightening her chest. She knew today would be a turning point, but she hadn't expected it to feel like this.

Sebastian Hayes, the CEO of Hayes Industries, sat at the head of the table. His intense gaze followed her every movement as if he could see right through her. The air between them crackled with an energy she couldn't ignore.

"You're late," he said, his voice deep, almost velvety, but carrying an edge of authority that made her heart flutter. His dark eyes never left hers.

"I had a prior meeting," Ari replied, keeping her tone even, though she couldn't suppress the way his proximity made her feel exposed.

Without a word, he gestured for her to sit. She did, reluctantly, knowing this meeting would set the stage for whatever came next between them.

"You know why you're here, don't you?" Sebastian's voice cut through the silence, his fingers steepled in front of him, exuding an air of calm dominance.

Ari met his gaze head-on. "To discuss the terms of our working relationship. You said it was urgent."

A slight smirk tugged at his lips. "You're perceptive. I like that."

"Then get to the point," she said, her voice tight, feeling the heat rising in her cheeks. She refused to let him get under her skin-not today.

"Very well," he said, leaning forward. His broad frame seemed to dominate the space between them, and his presence filled the room. "We have a lot of work ahead of us. I don't believe in wasting time or beating around the bush, so let's get to the terms."

Ari braced herself, wondering where this was going.

"I propose we establish clear boundaries. A working relationship with... limitations."

Her brows furrowed. "Boundaries? What do you mean?"

"You'll be handling a few high-stakes projects for the company, but there will be no personal entanglements. I don't mix business with pleasure, Miss Carter. Ever."

Ari's heart skipped a beat. Was he suggesting something more than just a professional partnership?

"I never asked for anything personal," she replied, her voice sharp. "I'm here for the work."

Sebastian's eyes darkened, his gaze unwavering. "That's exactly why I'm making these boundaries clear now. Because I don't want any misunderstandings."

His tone was icy, but there was something else there-something unspoken that made Ari's pulse race.

Ari sat back in her chair, her fingers curling into fists on the armrests. The meeting had barely begun, but it already felt like a battle of wills.

Sebastian continued, his voice low and commanding. "You'll be expected to meet deadlines, but I don't tolerate mistakes. Ever. If you slip up, there will be consequences."

"Consequences?" she repeated, her mouth dry. "What kind of consequences?"

He leaned forward, his expression unreadable. "I'm not a man of half-measures, Miss Carter. I expect results. You'll be accountable for everything you do here. And I will hold you to the highest standard."

His words were harsh, but there was an undercurrent of something she couldn't place. Maybe it was the way his gaze lingered on her lips or the tension that lingered in the air between them. Was this a warning, or was he testing her?

"And if I fail?" she asked, despite herself.

Sebastian's smirk deepened, his gaze never leaving hers. "Failure isn't an option, Miss Carter. But... if it were, I'd be more than willing to... help you pick up the pieces."

Ari's breath caught. There was no mistaking the implication in his words. He wasn't just setting professional terms. He was drawing a line between them, a boundary she wasn't sure she wanted to cross.

The meeting stretched on, each moment becoming more tense than the last. Ari tried to focus on the contracts and the plans Sebastian laid out, but his presence was magnetic, almost suffocating.

She kept stealing glances at him, his tailored suit hugging his broad shoulders perfectly, his sharp jawline adding to the aura of control he exuded. Every word he spoke seemed calculated, designed to keep her off balance.

At the end of the meeting, when they were both standing, preparing to leave, he caught her eye one last time. "Don't forget our terms," he said, his voice softer now, almost... tempting.

"I won't," she said, her voice steady, though her heart was racing. She turned to leave, but as she did, his hand brushed lightly against hers.

A shock of electricity shot up her arm, and for a moment, she was frozen in place. His touch had been so casual, yet so intimate.

"Careful, Miss Carter," Sebastian said softly. "The lines between work and... something else can blur faster than you think."

Ari swallowed hard, her mind swirling. She was stepping into dangerous territory. And she didn't know if she was ready for what came next.

Ari walked briskly through the halls of Hayes Industries, trying to shake off the lingering sensation of Sebastian's touch. It had been only a brief moment, but it left her feeling unnerved and more aware of him than she liked.

She focused on the papers in her hands, the projects she had to complete, but nothing seemed to erase the memory of that small interaction. He was dangerous in a way she hadn't anticipated, and that made her pulse race in ways she didn't want to admit.

As she rounded the corner to her office, she collided with someone. Papers flew from her hands, scattering across the floor.

"Sorry," she muttered, crouching to gather them.

The figure before her leaned down, his sharp voice cutting through the chaos. "No need to apologize. It's my fault. Let me help."

Ari's breath hitched when she looked up to see Sebastian standing there, his gaze fixed on her with a knowing glint in his eyes.

"I-" she started, but he was already picking up the papers, moving closer than was strictly necessary.

"No need to explain," he said smoothly, handing her the last of the scattered sheets. "I just wanted to make sure you were... keeping up."

Ari swallowed hard, her cheeks flushing. "I'm perfectly capable of keeping up, thank you."

Sebastian's smirk curled upward. "I have no doubt. But we'll see if you can handle the pressure."

His eyes held a challenge, and Ari bristled, wanting nothing more than to walk away from the quiet tension between them. But she couldn't. Not yet.

The next few days passed in a blur of meetings, emails, and pressure. Ari kept her focus on the work, trying to ignore the subtle tension that seemed to grow between her and Sebastian.

It was in the way he watched her during board meetings-always evaluating, always calculating. And when he spoke to her, it was with an edge, as if he was both testing her and pushing her limits.

Finally, it happened.

She was late on a report. A small delay, nothing catastrophic, but she knew it was unacceptable in Sebastian's eyes. The moment she walked into his office, he was already standing, waiting, a calculating look in his eyes.

"I trust you have an explanation for this, Miss Carter?" he asked, his voice smooth but hard, the weight of his gaze locking onto hers.

Ari met his stare, refusing to look away. "Yes. There was an unexpected complication, but it's been resolved."

He took a step toward her, his presence looming. "I expect results. Excuses don't matter here."

Ari's heart raced as the space between them seemed to shrink. She could feel the tension building, the air thick with unspoken words.

"I'm not one to make excuses," she said, her voice tight. "And I won't start now."

Sebastian's lips quirked into a slight smile. "Good. I like someone who takes responsibility."

Then, without another word, he walked toward the door and opened it. "I'll give you one more chance, Miss Carter. Don't waste it."

The sharp click of the door closing behind him left Ari standing alone in his office, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air.

The office lights dimmed as the workday came to a close. Ari gathered her things, exhausted, but there was something pulling her back.

She couldn't stop thinking about Sebastian's words, his presence. She needed to clear her head, but as she turned to leave the building, she found herself standing face to face with him again.

He was leaning casually against the doorframe of his office, his posture relaxed, but his eyes sharp.

"I didn't expect to see you still here," she said, her voice betraying the unease she felt.

"I could say the same about you," he replied with a small, knowing smile.

She swallowed, avoiding his gaze. "I've got a lot to catch up on."

Sebastian took a step closer, his voice dropping lower. "I didn't think you were the type to back down from a challenge. The report is only one test. We both know there's more at stake here."

Ari's heart skipped a beat. "And what exactly are you testing, Sebastian?"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached out and gently traced a finger along her arm. The light touch was electric, sending a surge of warmth through her body. His eyes never left hers, and for a moment, the world outside seemed to fade away.

"I'm testing your limits," he said softly. "Seeing how far you'll go."

Ari's breath hitched. She didn't know what to say, didn't know how to react. All she knew was that every fiber of her being was telling her to step back. But something in her wanted to take a step forward.

"I'm not sure I understand," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

Sebastian's eyes darkened, the smirk slipping into something more dangerous. "You will," he said quietly, his lips dangerously close to hers.

Just when she thought he would kiss her, he stepped back, leaving her standing there, breathless and confused.

"Good night, Miss Carter," he said, his voice now colder. "I expect better results tomorrow."

Without waiting for a response, he walked back into his office and shut the door. Ari stood frozen for a moment, her pulse racing. The line between professional and personal was blurring faster than she could handle, and she wasn't sure she was ready for what was coming next.

The following day, Ari couldn't shake the tension from her mind. Sebastian's words, his touch, everything from the night before lingered. She tried to focus on her work, but her thoughts kept returning to him-how he made her feel vulnerable yet somehow more alive.

As the day wore on, she tried to ignore the pull between them, but when her phone buzzed, the name on the screen made her stomach flip. Sebastian Hayes.

She hesitated for only a second before answering. "Ari Carter."

"I need to see you tonight," Sebastian's voice came through, low and authoritative. "There's a gala this evening. You'll accompany me as my guest."

Ari's heart skipped. She didn't have time for a gala. But she knew there was no turning down Sebastian, especially after the way he had spoken to her yesterday.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea," she replied, her voice slightly strained. "I have work to do."

"I didn't ask," he said firmly. "You'll be there. And you'll wear the dress I've picked out for you."

Ari was about to argue, but he hung up before she could say another word.

Her hands clenched around her phone. The gall. The nerve of him to dictate her evening like that. Yet, despite her annoyance, she couldn't deny the rush of excitement that swept through her.

By the time Ari arrived at the venue, a lavish ballroom overlooking the city, her mind was a mess of mixed emotions. The dress Sebastian had chosen for her was beautiful-black silk, cut just low enough to show off her collarbone, the hem brushing the tops of her high heels.

She'd never been one to enjoy public events, but this one felt different. The moment she stepped inside, all eyes turned toward her. Sebastian stood by the entrance, his presence commanding the room, a sharp contrast to the chaos swirling around them.

He was waiting for her. Of course, he was.

When he saw her, his lips twisted into a small, satisfied smile. "You clean up well, Miss Carter," he said, his voice rich with approval.

Ari couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes, but she wasn't surprised by his reaction. She had expected this type of flattery.

"Is this really necessary, Sebastian?" she asked, keeping her voice steady despite the heat rising in her cheeks.

He gave a casual shrug. "You're mine for the evening. Play your part, and I'll play mine."

The words sent a shiver down her spine. They were just words, right? But the way he said them... the way he looked at her, like he owned her for the night, made her question everything.

"Let's just get this over with," she muttered under her breath.

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I intend to make it worth your while."

Before she could respond, he offered his arm. She hesitated for a moment, but then placed her hand on his sleeve, allowing him to lead her through the crowd.

The night stretched on, a blur of champagne glasses and polite conversations. Ari felt out of place in the midst of the glittering guests, all of them far more comfortable in their high-society world than she was.

But Sebastian didn't seem bothered by the attention. He thrived in it, moving through the crowd with confidence. And every now and then, his eyes would meet hers, a reminder that he was still watching her, still assessing.

Then, the music shifted. A slow, sensual melody filled the room, the atmosphere shifting as couples made their way to the dance floor.

Sebastian turned to her, his eyes dark with intent. "Dance with me."

Ari froze for a moment, the weight of his request hanging heavy in the air. She had no intention of letting him pull her into some romantic charade. She was here to work, not to play.

But before she could refuse, he grasped her hand firmly and led her to the floor. She had no choice but to follow, feeling every eye in the room on them.

His grip on her waist was possessive, a stark reminder of his control over the situation. Ari's breath hitched as she felt the heat of his body so close to hers. His touch was electric, his presence overwhelming.

"You seem nervous," Sebastian murmured, his voice just above her ear.

"I'm not nervous," she shot back, trying to keep the edge from her voice.

He chuckled, the sound rich and low, sending a flush through her. "Good. Because there's nothing to be nervous about. I'm just testing your limits, Miss Carter."

Ari's stomach fluttered. "Testing them how?"

Sebastian's lips hovered just above her ear as he leaned in slightly. "You'll see. Just trust me."

His words left a heavy tension in the air between them. His hand moved lower on her back, pulling her even closer, if that was even possible. The closeness felt too intimate, too dangerous.

Her mind was racing, trying to stay calm, trying to keep her composure. But Sebastian wasn't making it easy. He was pushing every boundary, every limit she had. And somehow, it felt like he wasn't done.

She wanted to pull away, to keep her distance. But as the music swirled around them, and Sebastian's breath brushed against her skin, all she could do was stay there, caught in the storm he was creating.