Scarlett's POV.
Ace's eyes glinted with pure and unadulterated want, hinting at a vulnerability I couldn't explain. For a moment, I got lost in his deep blues, my lips parting slowly.
But then I thought, 'this could ruin my career.' I sobered up immediately, drawing back.
No way in hell was I losing the only thing I had to hold on to. I needed to remain level headed. Mr. Knight might've been physically attracted to me, but a flimsy fling with him wasn't worth my future. I had too much to lose and it was the opposite for him.
I forced a laugh.
"I appreciate your humor but our food is getting cold and I'm starving." His eyes flashed with confusion then in one swift motion he pulled away, straightening his suit jacket.
I quickly slipped into the bathroom to wash my hands and calm my racing heart.
I slapped my face with water, trying to cool away the pathetic looking blush on my cheeks.
"You have to keep it together." I whispered to my reflection, dabbing my face with a tissue before walking out and almost running into his broad chest.
He reached for my shoulders, steadying me.
"Careful." He hissed and I nodded, my gaze fixated on his immaculately polished shoes.
Slowly, he removed his hand from my shoulders, stepping into the bathroom behind me.
I staggered to my seat, the spot where his hands had been burning a searing heat deep into my skin
I couldn't pinpoint what exactly I was feeling. Was it lust, a crush, genuine interest? I couldn't tell but it scared me how much power that man seemed to have over me.
The door of the bathroom suddenly swung open and I stuffed a piece of steak into my mouth so I wouldn't have to talk but the taste of the steak had me moaning in pleasure.
"This is amazing." I complimented as he took a seat opposite me, swallowing while I reached for a spoon of rice.
"Not so fast or you'll choke." He advised, his shoulders less rigid than before.
"I think I know how to eat." I replied, my tone laced with sarcasm. His eyes narrowed into slits, his lips upturning for the fraction of a second and I paused my munching mid air.
Right. He's my boss.
"Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. It just slipped out. I don't always think before I talk. Not to say I never think, I do but-"
"Scarlett." He cut me off, calling my actual name for the first time since we met.
"Sir?" I winced, awaiting a scolding or worse.
"Just eat." He stated, reaching for his own food. I nodded, making an effort to remain quiet.
We settled into silence, finishing up our meals before getting back to work.
We worked from then till late evening. I cracked my fingers as the sound of printing filled the room. I was finally done with my analysis. I couldn't believe it actually took one whole day.
"The files are printed." I announced, gathering them by the printer in a corner hidden from sight.
"Thank you. Bring them here." My heels clicked against the marble floors as I walked back to his desk, setting the sorted files in front of him.
His eyes were still glued to his screen. Underneath his laptop it read 6:53pm. The sun was beginning to set, lighting up the L.A sky with a pinkish hue.
"Aren't you going home? Or do you live here?" I questioned, bemused and impressed all at once. How could he work for several hours and not get tired?
"Very funny. I just need to send this email then we'll be done." I nodded, going to gather my things at the other side of the desk.
"Are you leaving already?" He asked, his typing halting as I closed the laptop I'd been using.
"Yes. You said we're basically done for today. Or did you want me to do something else?" I asked and he paused for a moment, eyes roaming the glass table as if in search of something. They stopped at the analysis file I'd dropped on the desk before he looked back up.
"Yes, actually. I need you to carry this down to the car for me. So we'll just leave together." He turned back to his computer and I watched him type for a few seconds more in silence before closing the laptop and slipping it into his briefcase.
'Why couldn't he just carry the file in the briefcase instead?' I wondered to myself as he signalled for me to carry the file, which I obediently did.
He turned off the lights as we stepped out of the office.
"Thank you." I whispered as he closed the door behind me.
The halls were quiet, and clicking of my heels echoed through the almost empty corridor, save for the security men who nodded respectfully as he walked behind me.
My whole back burned from what I assumed to be the heat of his gaze.
I turned to the elevator but his firm hand on my shoulder stopped me.
"We'll take my private elevator." He commanded from behind me, his voice taking on a husky tone and I gulped, letting him lead the way.
I followed behind him till we arrived at a golden elevator with a red vip sign at the side. He put in his thumbprint and it opened smoothly.
"After you." He said, his watchful eyes on me as I stepped into the elevator with shaky limbs.
My breathing felt heavy and it only grew more so as he stepped in beside me and the doors closed.
We were enveloped in silence, the descent of the elevator barely detectable.
"Smooth ride." I complimented, trying to savor the awkward silence but he just nodded, shifting behind to rest on the wall and I watched him from the corner of my eyes.
He was behind me now, and his burning stare once again set my body on fire. The AC in the elevator felt useless against the heat of his gaze. In mere seconds I was panting and I couldn't explain why.
Thud.
The files dropped from my hands, my fingers too limp against the force of desire pouring from my core.
"Oh, sorry. I apologized, scrambling to pick up the scattered papers and he rushed to my aid. We gathered the papers and he handed me the ones he'd picked up, our fingers brushing against each other as I took them from him, our hands lingering a bit too long.
His blue eyes assessed me, his body seeming to levitate closer. His eyes ran from my lips back to my eyes in nanoseconds and without a thought my chin tilted upwards, as if as an invitation.
Just then, the elevator dinged open, splashing ice over our heated moment.
I cleared my throat, speed walking out of the elevator and saying a silent prayer of gratitude. If only the elevator doors had opened a second longer, who knew what would've happened.
The walk to his car was drenched in awkward silence. I couldn't even look at him. As he opened his back door I just dumped the files on the back seat and walked away with a muttered "Goodnight" which he replied with a sullen tone but I didn't dare look back, I couldn't.
I sucked in deep breaths as I walked to my car, hitting my forehead to try to get my sanity back.
What was I thinking? I actually wanted to kiss my boss. I wanted him in ways too sinful to even think about, yet that didn't stop my mind from curating all sorts of images.
"Stop it." I reprimanded myself, convinced I was going mad.
"Long day?" Joshua's voice shocked me out of my thoughts and I yelped.
"Shit. You scared me." I complained, breathing harshly as he rose from my car, eyeing me with worry.
"Are you okay?" He asked and I nodded, trying to calm my racing heart.
"Yes, I'm fine. I just had a stressful day." I lied.
"I can imagine. Working with the CEO on your second day, talk about massive promotion." He laughed but I frowned in response, not finding his joke funny after the almost mishaps that had occurred under the space of a few hours.
"It was just one day." I muttered, my tone almost hostile and his laugh faded.
"Did he overwork you? I can talk to him if you want." Joshau's voice was laced with care and guilt lodged itself into my heart. I shook my head, trying to appear to be in a better mood.
"Not at all. The work was fine. It was just a bit nerve wracking, you know?" He nodded, his dimpled smile returning.
"Of course. He can seem a little intimidating. But it'll be fine, not like you're his secretary or anything."
I frowned again. Was Joshua trying to get on my nerves? Did he know something? I couldn't tell but all his words seemed to hit at an offense.
"Yeah." I laughed a dry laugh, hoping he wouldn't notice.
"Why are you still here?" I inquired, seeing as most of the employees had left.
"I was waiting for you." My heart skipped a beat.
"Why? I told you Layla gave me one of her cars."
"That's not why. It'll be Layla's birthday soon. I've made most of the plans. Like the apartment and invitation cards but I need to get her a gift. I have some ideas but I'd really appeciate your input so I wanted us to go to the mall together and pick out some gifts for her." He said and my heart warmed.
Every year Layla's brothers, Joshua and Kenneth, threw her a birthday party. She was their only sister and the last child, so they treated her like a precious jewel. I admired the closeness of their family, happy that I had least had Liam by my side. No matter how crazy our parents got, I always remained bestfriends with my brother.
"Early as always." I laughed, some of the bad energy dispelled by his contagious excitement about shopping for his sister.
"But how about we do that tomorrow. I'm really exhausted from today's work."
He nodded in understanding.
"Alright then, I'll hold you to that. Goodnight, Scarlett. Drive safe."
"You too. Goodnight." I waved him goodbye as he walked to his car.
Opening the car door, I settled into the driver's seat. I tried to rev the engine awake but it made an odd noise and went mute.
I frowned, trying again but the same thing happened. Then I remembered that I was supposed to call a mechanic but because of how busy I'd been I forgot.
"Shit." I cursed, stepping out of the car with my bag in hand.
'I guess I'll have to call an Uber.' I thought to myself, entering the app just as a car stopped in front of me.
I looked up to see a pitch black mustang and I froze.
Mr. Knight.
He stepped out of the car and my tongue went numb. I thought I was done with his domineering presence for today but I guess the universe liked to watch me suffer.
"Scarlett. What's wrong?" He asked, looking between me and my car.
"It's nothing. My car's just having some issues so I'm calling an Uber." I explained, hoping he would nod and get back into his car but he closed the door instead and I groaned internally as he rounded the car, opening the passenger door.
"No need for that. Get in" He said; more like ordered but my feet stayed glued to the ground.
Every part of me knew that nothing good could come out of being in a car alone with this man. And at that moment, I would've preferred to walk home in heels.
Before I could decline, a familiar grey Lamborghini stopped beside Mr. Knight's car and Joshua stepped out.
Great! My life had turned into a telenovela series.
"What's going on?" Joshia asked as he stepped out, looking between me and Mr. Knight who stared back at him with an almost murderous look.
Fuck my life.