Chapter 2 Strictly Business, Bitter Truth

I walked behind him with caution while he directed me to his office. He walked with sure grace and elegance, it was so hot. I just stood still by the door hoping the floor would literally swallow me whole. I was too lost in my thought that I didn't realize he asked me a question. "Are you going to sit or do you like standing?" he said. I blinked twice, debating if I should just say screw it and make a run for it but I needed the money! I pouted in my head. So I summoned all the courage my short self could get and walked straight to sit while avoiding his eyes.

"Now, can we get down to business? Because time to me is money, and you, my dear, just wasted it by being in your fantasy world." I tried to talk, but I had nothing to say, so instead I sat upright. "You've been hired to be my secretary," he said. The air in the room shifted. My chest tightened. This was it. No friendly banter, no mention of last night. Just business. But I couldn't pretend like it never happened. Not when it was the first time I'd let myself be that vulnerable in years. Not when the man sitting in front of me had held me like I was more than just a fleeting moment. "Dominic..." I started, my voice barely above a whisper. His name tasted different this morning. Like a secret I wasn't supposed to say out loud. He raised an eyebrow, not looking up from the stack of papers on his desk. "Miss Hart, if it's not related to your job description, I suggest we stay focused." That stung. More than I expected. He didn't even flinch. Didn't pause. Just kept flipping through the damn papers like he hadn't kissed me breathless just hours ago. Like he hadn't traced my spine with those fingers now holding a pen so indifferently. I sat back in the chair, folding my hands in my lap to keep from shaking. "Right. Of course. Strictly professional," I muttered. He finally looked up, his dark eyes meeting mine with a coldness I hadn't seen before. "Exactly. We both made a mistake last night. It was... inappropriate." Mistake. That word slammed into my chest like a punch. I wanted to laugh. Or cry. Or both. Because it hadn't felt like a mistake when he fucking me so hard and moaning breathless in my ears. It hadn't felt like a mistake when his hands explored every curve of my body like he'd been dying to touch me for years. But now, under harsh office lighting and his frosty tone, I felt small. Embarrassed. I nodded slowly, swallowing the lump forming in my throat. "Understood." He watched me for a second longer than necessary, like he wanted to say something else. But he didn't. He just leaned back in his chair and started listing my responsibilities like we weren't both aching with unspoken words. "You'll be responsible for managing my schedule, screening my calls, coordinating with clients, and ensuring all my meetings run on time. You'll have access to my calendar, my contacts, and..." he paused, his voice dipping, "my expectations." Was that a double meaning or was I reading too much into it? No. I couldn't afford to. Not anymore. "Yes, sir," I replied flatly. He stiffened a little, and I didn't miss it. Maybe he didn't like the distance I was putting between us now. But he made that call. He chose cold professionalism over warmth. And I had to do the same. From now on, he was my boss. That was it. No matter how hard my heart thudded when I looked at him. No matter how much I replayed last night in my head like a damn movie I couldn't pause. I didn't say another word as he handed me a packet of onboarding documents. I didn't meet his eyes as I took it. I simply stood, smoothed my skirt, and turned toward the door. "Miss Hart?" His voice stopped me mid-step. I turned halfway, keeping my face neutral. "Yes?" His jaw clenched, like he was struggling with himself. "Welcome to the company." I forced a polite smile. "Thank you, Mr. Steele." And with that, I walked out of his office, head high, heart shattered. I made my way down the hallway, trying to ignore the burn in my chest. Each step I took echoed with the sound of reality crashing down. I didn't expect fairy tales. I wasn't naive. But a little honesty? Maybe even a soft look? Anything but the cold rejection he'd just handed me. I ducked into the staff restroom before anyone could see the shake in my hands. The mirror didn't lie. My face was pale, eyes rimmed red, and I looked like I hadn't slept in days. Maybe because I hadn't. I gripped the edge of the sink, taking slow breaths. It's just a job. That's all. You came here to work, not catch feelings. Even if those feelings came crashing into you like a storm last night. Even if the man behind that office desk made you feel more alive in one night than you had in years. I splashed water on my face and dried it quickly. There was no time for falling apart. This was a fresh start. A paycheck. A chance to finally get my life together. He didn't want more than that night? Fine. He wanted professional? Then that's exactly what he'd get. I walked out of that bathroom with my back straighter than ever. My heels clicked against the tile with new purpose. If he could be cold, then I could be ice. Let him regret it later. Let him wonder what he threw away. But I wouldn't beg. And I wouldn't break. Not for him. Not again. I returned to the front desk, where a kind-looking woman with salt and pepper hair and cherry red glasses greeted me with a warm smile. "You must be Miss Hart. I'm Sheila, the office manager. I'll be showing you around today." Her voice was gentle, like a hug I didn't know I needed. "Hi, yes. It's nice to meet you," I replied, managing a polite smile. She gave me a knowing look but didn't press. Just handed me a visitor's badge and motioned toward the hallway. "Let's get you settled. We've got a lot to cover." I nodded and followed her, letting her voice carry me through the motions offices, printer codes, email systems. All the while, I kept my eyes straight, my mind split in two. Part of me was memorizing room numbers. The other part? Still standing in that office, trying to figure out how someone could touch you like a promise and then treat you like a mistake. But I shoved that part down. Buried it deep. Because I wasn't here for Dominic Steele. I was here for me. And that had to be enough.