His Forbidden Touch

Chapter 14 : The Boss’s Invitation

Elena was reviewing a stack of documents at her desk when the intercom buzzed.

“Miss Carter.” Adrian’s voice slid through the speaker, smooth and commanding. “My office. Now.”

Her pulse quickened. Every time he called her in, her body betrayed her, remembering too well the heat of his kiss. She stood quickly, smoothing her skirt, forcing her expression into calm professionalism before entering.

Adrian was behind his desk, but not working. He was watching her. As always.

She closed the door quietly. “You asked for me, sir?”

His gaze lingered on her face for several unbearable seconds before he spoke. “There’s a charity gala tomorrow night. Important investors. I need my secretary by my side.”

Her heart stumbled. “You… want me to attend?”

“Correct.” His voice was clipped, businesslike, but his eyes betrayed something else something darker, something that made her knees weaken.

Elena shifted uncomfortably. “I… I don’t think-”

“Is there a problem?” He rose from his chair, slow and deliberate, walking around the desk until he stood in front of her. Close. Too close.

She tilted her chin up to meet his eyes, her throat dry. “It’s just… formal events like that, I’m not sure I’d fit in.”

Adrian’s lips curved into the faintest smirk, as if he’d been waiting for that answer. “You’ll fit in perfectly.” His voice dropped, lower, more intimate. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Her stomach twisted. She wanted to say no. She wanted to remind him she had a boyfriend, that she wasn’t like the women who usually surrounded him. But the words refused to leave her mouth.

Instead, she whispered, “Why me?”

Adrian’s eyes narrowed slightly, his jaw tense. He lifted his hand slowly, brushing his fingers along her arm—light, barely a touch, but enough to set her skin on fire.

“Because I want you there,” he said simply. “And when I want something, Elena… I don’t let it slip away.”

Her breath caught.

The silence stretched, thick with unspoken desire, until she finally forced herself to step back, breaking his touch. “If it’s part of my job,” she managed, her voice shaky, “then… I’ll be there.”

His smirk deepened, as though he had won.

“Good.” He leaned in just slightly, his lips dangerously close to her ear. “Wear something that will make it impossible for me to look at anyone else.”

Her entire body burned.

By the time she left his office, her heart was racing so violently she could hardly breathe.

She told herself it was just work. Just business.

But deep down, Elena knew the truth tomorrow night would change everything.