Kissed by a Stranger

Chapter 2: The man behind the mask

Lena couldn’t focus.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, the white page on her laptop screen glaring back at her. Words refused to come, her mind stuck on that one kiss that one stranger. His lips had been warm, firm, tasting faintly of champagne and danger.

She groaned softly and buried her face in her hands.

“What were you thinking, Lena?” she muttered to herself.

It was supposed to be harmless a midnight dare from her best friend at the masquerade party. “Kiss the first man who makes your heart skip,” her friend had teased. And she had.

But she hadn’t expected him to kiss her back like that like he already knew her soul.

She shook her head. It didn’t matter. She’d never see him again.

Or so she thought.

---

By Monday morning, Lena walked into Blake Publishing for her first day as a contracted editor. Her palms were sweaty, her nerves stretched thin. It was her dream job the start of something new.

The office smelled of coffee and fresh paper, the walls lined with framed book covers. She smiled slightly. This is where stories are born.

“Miss Carter?”

Lena turned. A tall woman with sleek hair and sharp heels smiled at her. “Welcome aboard. The CEO asked to meet you personally before your orientation.”

“The CEO?” Lena blinked. “But I— I just got hired last week”

“Yes. Mr. Blake likes to know the people joining his team.”

Lena followed her through the glass hallway, trying to calm her heartbeat. She hadn’t even seen his picture online. He’s probably some older executive, she thought. Calm down, Lena. Act professional.

The office door opened.

And the world stopped.

There he was.

The man from the masquerade. The stranger she kissed.

His mask was gone, but there was no mistaking those steel-gray eyes the ones that had pinned her in that dim ballroom.

He looked up from his desk, surprise flashing in his gaze before something darker replaced it.

“You.”

Her throat went dry. “M—Mr. Blake?”

A slow, knowing smile curved his lips. “Miss Carter. Or should I say... the woman who ran off after stealing a kiss?”

The assistant politely excused herself, closing the door behind them.

Lena’s heart pounded so loudly she could barely hear. “That— that was a mistake. I didn’t know who you were—”

“Oh, I believe you,” Ethan said, standing. He moved with quiet confidence, like a storm in a tailored suit. “But I also believe in fate. And fate clearly has a strange sense of humor.”

He circled his desk, stopping just inches from her. “Tell me, Miss Carter… should I welcome you as my employee or as the woman who still owes me a proper introduction?”

Lena took a step back, her breath trembling. “I’m here to work, Mr. Blake. Nothing more.”

Ethan’s eyes softened, but a playful smirk remained. “We’ll see about that.”

He handed her a file, a new manuscript to review. “Let’s start with this. I’ll expect your notes by tomorrow.”

She nodded quickly, eager to leave the tension-filled room.

But just as she reached the door, he said quietly,

“Oh, and Lena?”

She froze.

“Next time, if you’re going to kiss a stranger…” His voice dropped, teasingly low. “Make sure you remember his name.”

Her cheeks burned. Without another word, she fled the office, her heart thundering.

Outside, she pressed her back against the wall, exhaling shakily.

This wasn’t just a coincidence.

It was the beginning of something she couldn’t run from no matter how hard she tried.