ARIA
My heart was pounding too fast, each beat echoing in my ears. I could barely catch my breath. His question — What was so funny? — wouldn’t stop circling in my head. I didn’t even know how to answer, or if I should.
My gaze flicked from his face to his chest, to the steady rise and fall that only made my pulse stumble harder. Why is he asking me this? He’s my boss. He shouldn’t care.
I tried to pull away, but his hand didn’t move. His grip wasn’t harsh — just unyielding, like he was daring me to challenge him.
“Mr. Grey, this isn’t right,” I finally managed, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. “You can’t just ask me that. It’s… personal. And besides, you’re my boss. You can’t corner me like this — it’s unprofessional.”
I surprised even myself. The timid version of me
