Tangled in Temptation

CHAPTER7

It was long after they came back to the penthouse that Amelia still heard Sebastian's voice in her head. "You made a bargain with the devil… and the devil always collects."

Standing in front of her vanity, she slipped off the diamond earrings glistening under the bathroom lights. Her reflection gazed back at her—graceful, poised, unerringly composed. But under that facade was a storm she could not quite control.

Sebastian could irritate her without any effort. It was as if he knew precisely how to keep her on edge with every look, every deliberate word, every small challenge. And the worst part was that she wasn't sure she loathed it.

No, what frightened her more was how much she was starting to miss the fire he set into her. She was starting to fantasize about running back to him and begging for more.

She was playing a part, yes. But so was he. And whatever lay beneath Sebastian Hawke’s cool, controlled mask was far more dangerous than she’d anticipated.

Amelia got to Hawke Industries the next morning earlier than she usually would. The scent of fresh coffee and low conversation permeated the office, but everything dropped into a hush once she entered the executive floor.

Eyes followed her—curious, calculating, some impressed, others judgmental.

She knew what they saw: the boss’s wife. The secretary who had ascended to the top floor not through promotions but through a wedding ring.

Let them think about what they want. She’d earned her place in this building long before any contract had been signed.

With practiced grace, Amelia walked across the glass-walled hallway, her heels thudding loudly on the gleaming floors. There, the executive assistant with a finely done bun and sharp eyes, greeted her with an artificial smile just outside Sebastian's office.

"Mrs. Hawke," Eva said, standing. “He’s in, but he has a call scheduled in five minutes.”

Amelia offered her a cool smile. "Then I guess I shall speed this up."

She didn’t wait for a reply. She pushed the door to Sebastian's office open and went inside.

Reading over a collection of files, Sebastian sat behind his glossy black desk. He didn’t look up immediately. Flipping a page, he said, "You're early."

She said, closing the door behind her, “I have a proposal."

That made him glance up. “Already?”

She approached his desk, extracted a folder from her bag, and pushed it towards him. "You said we'd get started with the charity gala." I want more than just a pretty dress and a camera-ready smile this time. "I want to lead the planning for our part of the event—press coverage, branding, and the corporate donations we’re tying to the appearance.”

Sebastian arched an eyebrow. “You want control over our presentation at one of the city’s most high-profile events?”

Amelia folded her arms. “You married me because you wanted a partner the world would respect. So let me show them why I’m not just here for the show.”

For a moment, he said nothing. Just stared at her, tapping a pen slowly against the folder.

Then, without a word, he opened it and began scanning.

Amelia stopped breathing.

He gave the folder a close after several minutes before leaning back in his chair. "You're either bold or reckless."

She said without blinking, "I'm both."

Sebastian's lips turned just a bit. “Fine. Take the lead. But if you make one misstep in front of the board or the press—one—I'll pull you from the spotlight entirely. This isn't just about how you look in a gown, Amelia. The people at that event are sharks. They will eat you alive should you bleed even a little."

She muttered, "I have swum with sharks before. And I bite back.”

Their eyes locked again, that same friction sparking between them—like flint on steel.

Walking around the desk, he stopped until there was only a whisper from her. “You’re getting too comfortable,” he murmured. “You forget who holds the leash in this arrangement.”

Amelia raised her chin against resistance. "You'd far better close your hold then. I might start pulling.”

His voice a faint murmur against her ear, he leaned in just a bit. "Careful, Mrs. Hawke. You might like it too much.”

She could sense the way his presence engulfed all the area around her and the warmth emanating from him. It felt like the tension between them might snap for a second only.

But he stepped back just as quickly, picking up his phone as it buzzed.

“This conversation is over,” he said coolly. “You have your green light. Don’t make me regret it.”

Amelia nodded once, turned on her heel, and walked out with her spine straight.

But her heart was racing.

By afternoon, she had assembled a team from PR and branding, reserving a full conference room and outlining her vision. She gave orders without hesitation, pulled in the marketing director for a strategy alignment, and scheduled a private press conference to be held after the gala.

She didn’t care if people whispered behind her back. She didn’t care if the other executives watched her like a hawk.

She was going to own this.

The gala wasn’t just a showpiece—it was her first real opportunity to carve a place for herself in the company and the world Sebastian dominated.

But just as things seemed to be falling into place, a message flashed on her office screen.

CONFIDENTIAL EMAIL: URGENT – FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

She clicked it open.

From: Anonymous

Subject: Do you know the man you married?

Attachment: [IMG_3445.jpg]

Her breath caught as the photo loaded.

It was grainy, taken through a long lens—but unmistakable.

Sebastian… standing outside an unfamiliar building. With Isabelle Mercer. His hand was on her waist. Her hand was on his chest. Their faces were close. Too close.

It could mean anything, she told herself.

But her gut twisted.

She watched the screen, heart pounding in her ears.

This was not according to plan. This wasn’t part of their agreement.

The lines between business and betrayal were beginning to blur.

And Amelia Hawke had no intention of being blindsided.

Not again.