Aanya returned the next morning—sharp at 8 a.m., in flats, just as he'd told her. Her heart raced before she even entered the building.
She hated how her body remembered everything from last night—his closeness, his words, his eyes.
She knocked on the glass of his office door.This time, his voice came lower than usual.
"Come in."
Riaan was standing beside the window, a cup in hand, watching the skyline like it had dared him to feel something.
He turned slowly. Took her in from head to toe.
Flats. No lipstick. A buttoned blouse.
"You listened," he said.
"I always do."
That faint smirk returned. "You really shouldn't."
He walked past her, just a whisper of space between them. She turned, about to place the file on his desk, when she felt it—
His hand brushed hers.
Barely.
But it was enough to still her fingers.
"Relax, Miss Verma," he murmured behind her. "Or you'll drop something else."
She turned to face him. "Maybe I will."
For a second, his jaw tensed. Like control was slipping through his fingers—and he didn't hate it.
"Do you always challenge the people who sign your paycheck?" he asked.
"Only when they tell me how to breathe," she said, breathlessly.
He moved then.
Fast.
Suddenly he was in front of her, hands pressed to the edge of the desk, caging her in without even touching.
"Do you have any idea what you're playing with?"
She didn't back away. "Do you?"
His gaze dropped to her lips.
"Last warning, Aanya."
Her name sounded like silk in his mouth.
But she was done playing safe.
"Then stop warning me," she whispered. "Do something."
And he did.
His lips crushed hers without mercy, claiming, punishing, tasting.
It wasn't soft. It wasn't gentle.
It was everything she had imagined in her late-night dreams—demanding, possessive, and filled with heat that left her knees trembling.
Her back hit the glass wall as his hand slid into her hair, tilting her head, deepening the kiss like he was starving and she was the only thing that could feed him.
She moaned—and that sound did something to him.
His grip tightened. His teeth grazed her lower lip, tugging until she gasped.
When he finally pulled back, they were both breathing hard.
"Don't tempt me during work hours," he growled.
She blinked, dazed. "And after work?"
His dark eyes flared.
"That's when I stop being your boss… and start being your problem."
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Teaser – Chapter 6: "Office Hours Are Over"
"Tell me to stop."
His voice was rough, low, barely human.
Her back was against his office door—locked. Her blouse was half undone. And his fingers were trailing lines down her waist like he was writing a secret only he could read.
Aanya met his eyes, lips parted, heart out of control.
"I won't," she whispered.
He smirked. Dark. Dangerous.
"Good," Riaan said, leaning in so close she could feel the heat of his breath.
"Because after tonight, I won't pretend to be your boss anymore."