His Secret Kiss

Chapter One – The Stranger in the Rain

The night was cold and cruel and the rain fell like broken glass slicing through my skin as I ran through the dark streets clutching a torn file to my chest everything I owned was inside that file my certificates my last savings my only proof that I still existed and yet the rain was determined to wash it all away I could taste the salt of my own tears mixed with the storm and for the first time in a long time I had nowhere left to go

My name is Vera and that night the city forgot me but he didn’t

A black car slowed beside me its headlights cutting through the curtain of rain the window slid down and a man’s voice deep smooth and low drifted out of the shadows get in he said no emotion no hesitation just command I froze my heart thundering because strangers at midnight are never safe but the rain was merciless and my body was trembling so hard I thought my bones would break

He leaned forward and for a moment the light touched his face he was beautiful in a dangerous way sharp jaw clean lines eyes like silver storms waiting to swallow me whole he didn’t repeat the words he just looked at me and somehow I opened the door

The inside of the car was warm smelled of leather and rain he handed me a towel without speaking I whispered thank you but he said nothing just drove the silence between us heavy and strange

I tried to study him without staring his hands on the wheel steady veins tracing under his skin like hidden rivers he wore a simple black shirt the top buttons undone and there was something about him that felt too calm too controlled like a man used to giving orders and being obeyed

The city disappeared behind us replaced by quiet streets and glimmering reflections on wet glass he finally spoke his voice softer now where are you headed I hesitated anywhere dry I said he smiled faintly that isn’t a destination miss he murmured and drove on

When the car finally stopped it was in front of a tall building of glass and steel lights glittering like stars trapped inside he got out first opened my door again the gesture unexpected almost old fashioned come inside he said you’ll catch your death out here

I followed him through the empty lobby the marble floor echoing beneath my soaked shoes he spoke quietly to the guard who nodded immediately as if this man’s word was law then he turned to me and handed me a key card room 17A upstairs you can rest there

I tried to protest I can’t pay for this he shook his head his voice firm you don’t have to just sleep the world will still be here tomorrow and before I could ask his name he was gone the elevator doors closing behind him like a secret

I spent the night in that room listening to the rain fade against the windows wrapped in sheets that smelled faintly of cedar and something darker something like him I told myself I would thank him properly if I ever saw him again but deep down I knew I wouldn’t

Or so I thought

Three months later the sky was clear the city alive again I had found a job after endless interviews after sleeping on a friend’s couch after telling myself over and over that survival was enough

The company was Cole Group one of the biggest in the city the kind of place that hired people who wore confidence like perfume I wasn’t one of them but I had determination and sometimes that’s all it takes I walked into the building clutching my appointment letter and hope

The elevator took me to the top floor my heart racing I stepped out smoothing my skirt trying to breathe and then I froze

Behind the glass desk at the far end of the office sat the man from the rain

He was different but not really his hair perfectly styled his suit impossibly sharp his expression unreadable but those eyes I would know them anywhere silver gray and deep enough to drown me

He looked up and our gazes met for a single heartbeat everything inside me stopped then he looked away as if I were a stranger as if that night had never happened as if I had imagined him entirely

Good morning I said softly my voice almost breaking

He didn’t answer right away then he set his pen down and said Miss Vera Lane you’re early I blinked how do you know my name he lifted one brow your résumé was on my desk

I swallowed hard I’m here for the administrative assistant position yes he said his tone cool efficient I remember

He stood and crossed the room each step measured deliberate power wrapped in calm when he stopped in front of me I could feel the warmth of him even without touch

Welcome to the company he said our hands brushed and the memory of that night hit me like the rain all over again

I waited for some sign of recognition but his eyes gave nothing away

By noon I had learned three things about Austin Cole the CEO everyone admired feared and whispered about One he was brilliant Two he was ruthless Three he didn’t let anyone close

But I couldn’t stop thinking about him the stranger who had saved me the man who was now pretending not to know me

He called me into his office late in the afternoon his voice through the intercom deep and calm Vera come in please

I stepped in my hands trembling he stood by the window city lights glowing around him and said softly shut the door

I did

The silence that followed was thick heavy charged I waited not sure if I should speak first then he said you’ve been staring at me all day

My breath caught I’m sorry I didn’t mean to I just thought I’d seen you somewhere before

He turned then slowly his eyes meeting mine and for a moment I thought he would admit it that he remembered but instead he smiled a small dangerous smile is that so Miss Lane where exactly did you see me

My throat went dry in the rain I whispered the words barely audible a car a night you helped me

He tilted his head that sounds poetic he said but you must be mistaken I don’t pick up strangers in the rain

Liar my heart screamed but I stayed silent he watched me for a moment longer then said quietly you’ll find the schedule for tomorrow’s meetings on your desk don’t be late

Dismissed just like that

I worked until everyone else had gone the office dark and quiet outside the windows the city shimmered like a sea of fire I rubbed my eyes exhaustion pulling at me when I noticed something on my keyboard a folded note written in neat familiar handwriting

Lock the door before you fall apart

My chest tightened I turned but the hallway was empty still I could feel him everywhere the echo of his voice the shadow of his gaze I touched the paper like it might burn me

So he did remember

I pressed the note to my lips and closed my eyes for a moment the ghost of his touch still on my skin the man with two faces the stranger from the rain and the boss who denied me

And as thunder rolled again in the distance I knew one thing

Whatever secret Austin Cole was hiding it had already trapped me in its storm

Every glance from him felt like lightning every word like thunder rumbling too close to my skin I told myself to stay away to just do my job to forget the rain and the note and the way his eyes lingered when he thought I wasn’t looking but my heart refused to listen it kept chasing his shadow down every hallway kept waiting for that voice to say my name again

That night I left the office late the city outside washed in silver and gold rain still clinging to the glass when I stepped into the elevator he was already there his tie loose his sleeves rolled up his gaze unreadable we stood in silence the hum of the lift the only sound until it stopped between floors a soft jolt his eyes met mine and time broke

He reached out pressing the emergency switch the lights dimmed his voice low dangerous do you always tremble when you’re near me Vera

I couldn’t breathe my purse wild his hand brushed my cheek gently and burning then he stepped back as elevator started again

as his mask returned

Goodnight Miss Lane he said but his eyes said more