The Affair

Chapter 4

Mark couldn’t help but watch her leave, his eyes drawn to the perfect curve of her figure, the way her skirt hugged her hips, and how perfectly round and tight her bottom was. His jaw clenched as he forced himself to look away, but his control slipped when she reached for the door handle.

“Wait,” he called out before he could stop himself.

Kendra paused, turning slightly, her dark hair shifting effortlessly over her shoulder. The movement was so smooth, so natural it sent his pulse racing. He swallowed hard, trying to compose himself as she faced him, a single brow arched in question.

He cleared his throat, straightening in his chair. “Let’s start over,” he said, his voice calm despite the war raging inside him. “Clearly, we’re going to be… seeing more of each other.”

Kendra’s lips curled into a knowing smirk, her dark brown eyes filled with something unreadable—curiosity? Amusement? Maybe even a hint of challenge.

“Clearly,” she echoed, her tone teasing yet laced with something else, something dangerous.

Mark stood, adjusting his suit jacket as he took a step toward her. “I want to keep things professional,” he continued, though he wasn’t sure if he was telling her or reminding himself.

Kendra tilted her head slightly, her smirk never faltering. “Of course, Mr. Bennett.”

The way she said his name sent an unwanted thrill through him. He was in trouble.

Mark forced himself to exhale slowly, steadying his nerves. “I’ll have my secretary show you around the office. Your responsibilities will include organizing my schedule, handling calls, and making sure everything runs smoothly.” He paused, his eyes scanning her face. “Think you can handle that?”

Kendra crossed her arms, her burgundy lips curving into an amused smile. “I think I can manage, Mr. Bennett.”

Damn. The way she said his name—smooth, confident, teasing—made his pulse tick faster. He needed to get a grip.

Before he could respond, there was a knock at the door. The elderly secretary poked her head in, offering a polite smile. “Mr. Bennett, I can show Kendra around now if you’re ready.”

“Yes, thank you, Linda.” Mark nodded, grateful for the interruption.

Kendra turned to leave, but before stepping out, she glanced back at him over her shoulder. “See you later, boss.”

Boss.

Mark swallowed, his jaw tightening as she disappeared through the door.

He sank into his chair, running a hand down his face.

This was going to be a problem. A very big problem.

Linda led Kendra down the hall, her steps slow but deliberate as she explained everything in her usual no-nonsense tone.

“This will be your desk,” she said, stopping in front of a sleek, modern workspace just outside Mark’s office. The large L-shaped desk was positioned to give her a clear view of the main office area while still being close to Mark’s door. A dual-monitor setup, office phone, and neatly stacked folders were already waiting for her.

Kendra slid into the chair, running her hands over the smooth surface. “Not bad,” she mused.

Linda chuckled. “Just wait until you see the workload. Mr. Bennett runs a tight ship. Your primary responsibilities include managing his schedule, answering calls, coordinating meetings, and ensuring all documents are prepared before presentations. He expects efficiency, discretion, and—most importantly—no mistakes.”

Kendra raised an eyebrow. “Sounds intense.”

Linda smirked. “You’ll get used to it. Now, let’s get you logged into the system.”

She walked Kendra through the login process, showing her how to access Mark’s calendar, email, and the internal company database. “You’ll also have direct access to his private emails and messages, but only respond if he asks you to. He’s particular about that.”

Kendra nodded, absorbing every detail. “Got it.”

Linda then handed her a thick binder labeled Bennett Enterprises Protocols. “Read through this when you have time. It outlines everything from security procedures to company policies.”

Kendra flipped through the pages. “Does he really expect me to memorize all of this?”

Linda chuckled. “He expects you to know it well enough not to mess up. But don’t worry, you’ll catch on quickly.”

Kendra leaned back in her chair, exhaling. This was a lot. But she could handle it.

Linda patted her shoulder. “Welcome to Bennett Enterprises, dear. I have a feeling things are about to get… interesting.”

Kendra had no doubt about that.

Kendra spent all morning learning everything there was to know. Linda was thorough, making sure Kendra understood the ins and outs of the office. She showed her how to log into the computer system, access important files, and manage Mark’s schedule.

“This is where you’ll find his appointments,” Linda explained, pointing at the digital calendar. “Mr. Bennett likes things precise. He doesn’t tolerate lateness or disorganization.”

Kendra nodded, taking notes. “Got it. Anything else I should know?”

Linda gave her a knowing smile. “Yes, don’t be intimidated by him. He’s tough, but fair. And don’t take it personally if he seems distant—he has a lot on his plate.”

Kendra smirked. If only Linda knew how ‘not distant’ he had been just last night.

As the morning went on, she focused on her work, determined to push aside any lingering thoughts about Mark. But just as she was starting to get comfortable, the door to his office opened.

“Kendra,” Mark’s deep voice cut through the quiet hum of the office.

She looked up, surprised to see him standing next to her desk. He had his hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable.

“Come on,” he said simply.

Kendra hesitated. “Where are we going?”

Mark took a deep breath, his eyes locked on hers. “Lunch. And a chat.”

She swallowed, suddenly aware of how dry her throat was. A chat. She knew exactly what that meant.

Still, she grabbed her things and followed him, keeping her expression neutral. The moment they stepped into the elevator, the tension between them became suffocating.

Kendra did her best to keep her gaze forward, but the scent of him was overwhelming. He smelled expensive—like cedarwood and something faintly spicy. It was distracting.

Mark stood beside her, equally affected. He forced himself to look anywhere but at her, but when his eyes flicked to the side, they landed on the open top button of her blouse, revealing the soft curve of her cleavage. His pulse quickened, and he clenched his jaw, looking away.

The elevator ride felt like an eternity, but finally, the doors opened. Outside, a sleek black car was waiting for them. A driver stepped forward and opened the door.

“After you,” Mark murmured.

Kendra slid inside, feeling her heart race as he settled in next to her. The drive was silent, the air thick with unspoken words.

When they arrived at a small, upscale restaurant, they were quickly seated. Kendra barely had time to get comfortable before Mark finally spoke.

“About last night.”

She held up a hand, cutting him off. “Listen, we were both drunk, okay? All we did was kiss. We had no idea who each other was, so let’s just forget about it, okay? And for the love of God, never breathe a word of it to my mother.”

Mark exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening as he studied her. The way she dismissed it so quickly, so easily, irritated him more than he cared to admit.

“Fine,” he said, picking up the menu, though his appetite had suddenly vanished. “If that’s how you want to handle it.”

Kendra nodded, forcing a small smile. “It is.”

But the tension between them was palpable. The memory of that kiss lingered in the air, unspoken.