He found himself watching her again, studying the delicate way her lashes brushed her cheek when she blinked, the subtle arch of her brow as she read something on her phone. She was…ordinary. And yet, not.
He cleared his throat, a sound that echoed a little too loudly in the quiet car. "You're remarkably composed for someone so new to this job. Are you always this calm, or is it just for me?"
Ava glanced at him, her blue eyes cool, her lips twitching. "Oh, it's not just you, Mr. Vale. I treat everyone the same. You're just conveniently seated next to me right now."
A huff of laughter escaped him before he could stop it. Damn her.
And there it was—that flicker of something dangerous and unfamiliar unfurling beneath his skin. Something that made him want to test her composure, to shatter it, to see if those cool eyes would spark at him.
But she just turned back to the window, as if he were the most boring man she'd ever encountered.
The rest of the ride was cloaked in silence, broken only by the soft hum of the car and her occasional, almost inaudible hum as she scrolled through her phone. She was either oblivious to the tension thickening the air or simply choosing to ignore it—and he didn't know which was more infuriating.
When the car finally glided to a stop at Twilight's entrance, Dominic opened the door and stepped out, holding it for her.
"Home sweet fortress," Ava said dryly as she stepped onto the gravel driveway, glancing up at the imposing structure of the mansion.
He arched a brow, lips quirking. "You're not intimidated?"
"Of the house?" She shrugged. "I've lived with scarier decor choices."
That drew a real, low chuckle from him, warm and rich, surprising even himself. She was walking ahead of him now, toward the front entrance, her stride confident and light.
Dominic lingered for a moment, watching her silhouette against the moonlight.
"Miss Ellis," he called softly, his voice carrying in the cool night air.
She paused at the door, turning just slightly to look back at him. "Yes, Mr. Vale?"
He held her gaze for a beat longer than necessary, then gave a small, almost imperceptible shake of his head. "Never mind. Goodnight."
She tilted her head, a faint smile playing at her lips as she turned and disappeared inside.
Dominic stood there for a long moment before following her in, the night suddenly feeling far too quiet.
...
Ava stepped into the grand foyer of Twilight, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. The sheer size of the place still struck her—a mansion as stark and imposing as its owner.
"Finally some alone time," she muttered under her breath, tugging her ponytail loose as she headed towards her assigned quarters. The cool air brushed against her skin, carrying the faint scent of cedar and something darker, something undeniably male.
She glanced down at her phone. Several missed messages from Diana and a meme from Leah that made her lips twitch. She was still smiling when she felt a presence behind her.
Turning, she found Dominic leaning against the doorway of the sitting room, his arms crossed. His black shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, a hint of throat visible—something she absolutely didn't notice.
"Miss Ellis," he said quietly, his voice smooth as silk but carrying a sharper edge than before. "You seemed in quite a hurry to escape earlier."
She arched a brow, her lips quirking. "Was I? I don't recall fleeing. Just walking briskly."
"That's what we're calling it now?" His lips twitched—a rare, fleeting smile.
She tilted her head, crossing her arms in mirror of his stance. "Mr. Vale, are you implying I was running from you?"
He pushed off the doorway, stepping closer, shadows playing along the sharp lines of his face. "Not from me. Perhaps…from something else?"
Ava held his gaze, her heart skipping—not that she'd ever admit it. She let out a soft huff, breaking the tension. "If you're referring to the pasta I abandoned at lunch because someone decided they couldn't eat without their personal secretary—"
"That someone has a name," he interjected, stepping closer.
Her lips twitched. "Yes, and he's a very demanding boss who couldn't possibly survive without my assistance. Imagine the horror."
Dominic chuckled, a sound low and warm that stirred something inside her.
Before she could react, he closed the distance between them—not too close, but enough for her pulse to quicken. His voice dropped, silk and steel. "Miss Ellis, has anyone ever told you that you're…unexpected?"
She blinked, momentarily caught off-guard, but quickly regained her composure. "Well, I do try to keep things interesting, Mr. Vale. After all, life's too short for predictable."
Their eyes locked, the air crackling with something unspoken. For a fleeting second, she thought—just maybe—that he was about to say something more.
But then his phone buzzed, shattering the moment. He glanced at it, his jaw tightening.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he said, stepping back.
Ava gave a mock bow, her voice light. "Your kingdom awaits, my liege."
That earned her a genuine, if brief, laugh as he turned away, his shadow retreating down the hall.
As she made her way to her room, Ava felt the echo of his presence lingering, unsettling her in ways she couldn't quite define.
Behind his closed office door, Dominic stood in silence, his phone forgotten in his hand.
What is it about her?
He didn't have an answer. But for the first time in years, he realized he wanted to find out.