Intimate Night With My Boss

Chapter 2: No Where to Hide Now

Luca Carter sat back in his chair, his eyes sharp on the resume in his hand. His head pounded, the aftermath of the previous night’s chaos lingering like an unwelcome guest. But the memory that radiated the brightest was the noise of soft cries below him, her body trembling, and a weak smell of mint that clung to her skin.

The room was dim, and the alcohol in his veins had dulled the sharp edges of his usually keen mind. He couldn’t remember her face, but he could remember her long, dark hair and her soft warmth. Something had snapped in him last night after years of control.

The events were hazy. He remembered it was a business cocktail party where an underhanded competitor probably drugged him. His body burnt when he reached his suite, and the air was too thick to breathe. Uninvited but somehow perfect, she appeared; the rest was a blur.

He woke up to find her gone. There was only the faint scent of her on the sheets and a resume on the carpet.

He looked down at the document once more. He called, his tone clipped, "Damien."

His assistant, Damien Finn, stepped into the room, having worked with him for eight years, which was the only thing keeping the usual calm expression on his face from faltering at the storm brewing in Luca’s eyes. “Yes, Mr. Carter?"

Luca handed him the resume. “Find her. Don’t scare her, and make sure you check her background. 'Also,'" his voice took on a tone of cold hostility, "end all agreements with Tailgate Holdings."

Damien’s eyebrows shot up. Ending a partnership with Tailgate Holdings would shock the business world. Damien replied under his breath, his tone neutral, although interest smoked inside him. Luca Carter had never been close to women; they were distractions. What made this one different?

Damien nodded without another word, exited the room, and left Luca to his thoughts.

---

So Cassie Jones buried herself in work at Carter LLC, hoping this would keep her busy and keep her mind off the lingering anxiety twisting in her gut. The night before was a shadow. Why would someone like him care about an intern? She tried to convince herself that Luca Carter wouldn’t remember her.

One task followed another.

“Print these reports for me, Cassie."

“Cassie, I need these files sorted."

“Cassie, grab me a coffee."

But she was too busy dealing with the endless requests to let her mistake keep her up at night, even if part of her knew all it would take was for Luca to discover the truth.

Cassie finally found a moment to herself by mid-morning. She poured a glass of water and walked into the corridor; she needed fresh air. She stood against the wall, looking out the window at the busy city below. Her life probably looked enviable from the outside. It was a prestigious job for many, and she landed an internship at Carter LLC.

In reality, however, it was much less glamorous.

Cassie graduated from Chaste Pace University with honours but did menial jobs. She was an intern, but most days, she felt more like an assistant to an assistant. She expressed her frustration by drinking some water and letting out a sigh.

A voice interrupted her moment of quiet.

You’re exhausted, Cassie. “Why don’t you take a break in my office?"

She saw Martins, a colleague from the operations department, standing just a little too close. He was balding in his early thirties and full of misplaced confidence.

"But I have documents to deliver," she replied politely, "thanks, Martins."

Martins didn't let it deter him. “You work too hard. Let me take you out tonight. I have dinner reservations and two movie tickets. “I’d hate for them to go to waste; they’re about to expire.”

She forced a tight smile, growing discomfort. ‘That’s kind, but I’m with my fiancé.’

“Fiancé?” Martins blinked, obviously surprised.

Cassie answered smoothly, holding her hand as if to show off a ring that wasn’t there. “Later, he’s picking me up for dinner."

Martins shifted uncomfortably. “Well…" He muttered something about returning to work and walked away, his confidence leaking.

Cassie exhaled in relief; her made-up fiancé had been short-lived.

It was a short-lived moment of triumph.

She turned around, and her heart stopped. He was standing a few feet from her, his piercing gaze on hers.

She caught her breath, panic gripping her. Did he recognise her? Was he here to confront her? Cassie's mind raced, weighing all her options. Should she run? Beg for forgiveness? Confess and hope for mercy?

Luca’s voice broke the low and commanding silence before she could decide. “Look at me."

Cassie stopped, her instincts blaring at her to fly away, but she compelled herself to look at him.

Luca’s eyes darkened as he looked at her. He smelt a faint scent of mint, a flicker of something he had forgotten, like recognition.

Though his voice was low, the raw intensity in his tone was undeniable.

Cassie’s hands trembled as she clutched the glass of water, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it.

“Something’s on your mind?” He spoke in a calm yet authoritative tone, prompting Luca to enquire.

Cassie opened her mouth, but nothing came out. His gaze was too much for her carefully constructed walls to bear.

He walked away without looking back, his dismissive tone silencing any reply, leaving Cassie frozen in place, replaying his words endlessly in her mind.

---

When Luca found himself in his office, he leaned against his desk, the thoughts swirling in his head. He had seen her fear, explicit and raw. However, he couldn't quite pinpoint the other emotion in her eyes.

Luca broke the silence, calling, "Damien."

“Yes, Mr. Carter?"

Luca instructed him to continue investigating her background. “Don’t let her know I’m watching."

Damien nodded, but the curiosity about the young intern peaked even further, as his boss seemed to have a particular interest in someone new.

His mind was already racing, and Luca turned back to the window. He didn't know what it was about Cassie Jones that unsettled him. He hated it for the first time in years, feeling uncertain.

Her scent, touch, crash, and faint memories of her presence haunted him. He didn’t know what he was looking for, but one thing was clear: He wouldn’t stop until he got his answers.