Chapter 4 THE KISS.

Sasha had just sat down when the elevator doors opened.

All conversation paused.

She stepped out like she owned the floor - tall, blonde, wrapped in winter-white silk and designer heels that whispered elegance and cruelty. Her lips were crimson. Her perfume, sharp. Her presence, loud.

Sophia Laurent.

She didn't glance at anyone. Her stilettos clicked across the polished floor as she walked straight into Xavier Blackwood's office without knocking.

The glass doors shut behind her like a warning.

Whispers flew.

"I heard she's his fiancée-"

"No, his father's business partner's daughter."

"They've been seen together for months-"

"She's the Sophia Laurent. That woman eats assistants like her for breakfast."

Sasha clenched her jaw.

Then her phone buzzed.

Internal Line – Mr. Blackwood: Bring the Q4 projections. Now.

She stood, clutching the file.

Her heels felt heavier with every step.

She opened the door-

And stopped.

Sophia was half-seated on Xavier's lap, her hand in his hair, her lips pressed against his - slow and hungry. His hand was curled loosely around her waist, like muscle memory. Her legs were draped over the edge of his desk.

The file nearly slipped from Sasha's fingers.

She didn't know why it hit her so hard.

She had no claim. No right.

But something twisted in her stomach - ugly and sharp.

She cleared her throat.

Sophia pulled back lazily, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Oh. The little assistant."

Xavier didn't move.

Didn't speak.

Didn't even blink.

Sophia smiled sweetly. "You're early."

"I was summoned," Sasha said evenly, stepping forward.

Sophia narrowed her eyes. "You're quite pretty. For a secretary."

Sasha ignored her.

Sophia stood, running her fingers along Xavier's chest. "Be careful, darling. Pretty girls with no titles have a tendency to... forget their place."

Sasha's voice was steady, but her hands shook. "If you're so confident in your place, I don't see why you're threatened by mine."

Sophia's expression faltered.

And then-

"I've seen his kind chew up girls like you," she said coldly. "You'll end up nothing more than a rumor under his desk."

Sasha opened her mouth, but Xavier rose from his chair.

Slowly.

Deliberately.

"Enough."

Sophia turned to him with venom. "You let her talk to me like that?"

His tone didn't change. "You're done here."

Sophia blinked. "Excuse me?"

"I said leave."

She stared at him, stunned.

Then she looked back at Sasha with a glare that could shatter glass.

Her lips curled. "Fine. Enjoy your pet."

She stalked out, heels stabbing the floor.

The door clicked shut.

And the silence that followed was thick with heat.

Xavier turned to Sasha, voice low. Controlled.

"You need to learn when to shut your mouth."

"I was defending myself."

"You were playing with fire."

She crossed her arms. "Should I have just stood there while she insulted me?"

"You're my employee. Not my equal."

"I didn't forget that."

He stepped closer, slow.

"But I wonder if you forgot whose car you got into last night."

Her eyes widened, breath catching.

He kept walking.

"Martin Lark," he said darkly. "You went home with him."

"I-he offered."

"You accepted."

"Why does it matter?"

His eyes flicked over her-lingering.

He stopped in front of her.

"Because I can still smell his cologne on you."

Her heart stuttered. "It was just a ride-"

"I don't give a damn what it was."

Then suddenly-

He grabbed her.

Lifted her onto the desk like she weighed nothing.

Papers flew.

Her gasp was swallowed as his mouth crashed into hers - rough, breath-stealing.

His hand slid under her blouse, finding her breast. She arched into his palm with a moan she didn't mean to let out. His tongue traced hers, desperate and commanding. She felt like she was drowning, melting, unraveling all at once.

Nothing about it was gentle.

And yet she wanted more.

Then, just as suddenly - he froze.

Pulled back.

Breathing hard, chest rising and falling.

He looked at her like he didn't recognize himself.

And with a voice carved from stone:

"Get out."

She blinked, dazed. Lips swollen. Breath shaky.

But she didn't speak.

She just slid down from the desk and walked out - not daring to look back.

Behind her, Xavier ran a hand down his face, dragging his fingers through his hair.

Then picked up his phone.

To: Cody

> I need a drink.

Meet me at the club tonight. Don't ask questions.

He tossed the phone onto his desk.

She had ruined him.

And he hadn't even tasted her yet.