Chapter 57
Chapter 57
VENUS
I woke from the most pleasant sleep I’d had in ages and guess what?
Bam-it was Monday.
Aaron wasn’t there when I opened my eyes. Not surprising. The man was probably halfway through conquering the world already. I stretched, yawned, and forced myself out of the cocoon of warmth I’d melted into overnight.
Upstairs, I freshened up and got dressed. Simple blouse, pencil skirt, hair pulled back tight. If I was going to face him in full CEO mode, I needed armor.
When I came downstairs, the scent hit me first-coffee. Rich, dark, glorious.
Exactly what I needed.
I wandered into the kitchen and blinked. Aaron stood at the stove, already dressed in one of his tailored suits… with an apron tied over it.
Wow.
“Good morning,” I greeted, sliding onto a stool by the counter.
He glanced over. “Sleep well p>
“Yes.” I smiled as he placed a cup of coffee in front of me.
“Good.” He gave a single nod. “Because today you go back to work. No slacking p>
Back to being an ass, I see.
“Sir, yes sir.” I mock-saluted.
“Syrup or chocolate p>
A plate stacked high with more pancakes than I could possibly eat landed in front of me.
“Chocolate p>
“Typical p>
“Judgment-free zone p>
He raised his hands in mock surrender, though the faintest smirk tugged at his mouth.
The real turbulence began when we got to work.
In the car, he was silent-phone in one hand, eyes glued to whatever corporate war he was waging through text. The warmth from this morning had vanished like mist under the sun.
He was back to being a fully engaged CEO.
But just before we reached the office-inside the mirrored elevator-he struck.
Without looking up from his phone, he slid a hand beneath my chin, tilted it up, and brushed a soft kiss right against it. Barely there. Maddening.
“Behave,” he murmured, voice low and dark.
Then the elevator chimed, and the doors slid open. Aaron Sinclair walked out first-sharp as a blade-leaving me behind, pulse wrecked, knees a little weak.
By the time I stumbled into the office, still trying to catch my breath, Jude pounced.
“Why do you look like you just saw a ghost p>
I shook my head. “Not a ghost,” I muttered. “More like a dragon p>
“Get a room?” he teased.
I forced a smile. “Judgment-free zone p>
And marched toward my desk-knowing damn well the real turbulence had only just begun.
Richard was on a spree.
Successfully unlocked!
Although I was Aaron’s PA, he’d excused me-meme-toep with the chaos and commotion erupting across the office floor.
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Chapter 57
Apparently, this always happened when new investors were expected. My first experience with it… and God, it was something.
Phones rang nonstop. Assistants darted around like panicked bees. Documents flew between departments. I could barely hear myself think over the overlapping chatter and the occasional bark of an impatient executive.
Someone spilled coffee near reception. Another person tripped trying to avoid it. Files got mixed up. And somewhere in the madness, someone actually screamed when a printer jammed.
Organized chaos? Not even close. More like impending apocalypse dressed in designer suits.
And right in the center of it all? Richard-smug, sharp-eyed, barking orders like a general at war.
His secretary had quit last minute, and somehow, I’d been roped into replacing him for the day. I doubted Aaron would like hearing I’d been commandeered by his father, but this wasn’t the time to fight it.
Working for Richard was… different. More taxing than working for Aaron.
Not because the work was harder. With Aaron, there was an unspoken current of respect beneath the steel. With Richard? It was all game. All control. Every look, every word was a test.
I welcomed it though. It distracted me from thoughts of my mother and the whole fiasco with Dain. Though I knew I’d have to face it eventually.
Then he handed me this:
“Deliver this folder to Dorian at Sinclair HQ,” he said, sliding a thick manila file toward me. His smile didn’t reach his eyes. ” Tell him it’s urgent p>
The way
he said urgent made my stomach twist.
I hesitated. “Aaron’s in a meeting with the investors. Should I wait p>
Richard cut me off with a dismissive wave. “He won’t care about this. Run along, Venus p>
I doubted that. Very much.
But I wasn’t about to argue in front of the entire floor. So I did the next best thing-texted Aaron.
> Leaving to deliver a file to Dorian. Richard asked. Just FYI.
No reply. No read receipt. He was probably deep in boardroom battle mode.
I sighed, grabbed the folder, and made my way out.
Sinclair HQ screamed power-sharp angles and glass, polished to perfection. Now, clutching the file, I felt every eye track me as I passed reception.
Dorian’s office was on the top floor.
I took the elevator up, palms damp, trying not to fidget.
When I knocked, his voice rang out-smooth and confident. “Come in p>
I stepped inside.
And there he was-Dorian Sinclair.
Handsome as sin. A little too aware of it. His blonde hair swept back, crisp white shirt sleeves rolled, blue eyes that didn’t miss a thing.
He leaned back in his chair, long legs stretched out, phone in one hand. When he saw me, a slow, lazy smile curled across
his mouth.
“Well, well. Venus in my lair. Should I be flattered or concerned p>
I straightened. “I’m here to deliver a file. From Richard p>
“Pity.” He rose smoothly, crossing the space with a grace that made my pulse flicker. He took the folder from my hands, fingers brushing mine-intentional. Deliberate.
“Such a thankless task.” His gaze flicked over me, lingering-not quite inappropriate, but warm enough to make my skin prickle. “Aaron really should keep you on a tighter leash. Letting you wander into places like this p>
I lifted my chin. “I can handle myself p>
His grin widened. “Oh, I have no doubt p>
He flipped through the file, humming under his breath. Then looked back at me, tilting his head.
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“Since you’re already here,” he drawled, “why not stay? We could discuss business p>
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “Tempting, but I should get back p>
He leaned in slightly, voice dropping. “Tell me, Venus-how does it feel working for my brother? I hear he’s not the easiest man to please p>
I swallowed. “I manage p>
“Hmm.” His smile turned knowing. “I bet you do p>
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed. A single text from Aaron:
> Come back. Now.
I slipped the phone into my pocket. “Duty calls p>
Dorian’s laugh followed me as I turned to leave. “Another time, Venus p>
Yeah, you wish
As the door clicked shut behind me, I exhaled. Hard.
God, that man is dangerous.
And something told me this little errand was far from innocent.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.