The Heat Between us

Chapter 3

The Man Behind the Curtain

Seraphina 's POV

I ended the call with my heart pounding in my ears.

Next to me, Williams sat up, the sheet barely covering his hips. Despite his tense jaw, he seemed composed. He'd received the call. It's everything. The haughtiness in Claudia's voice was still audible.

I said slowly and with wide eyes, "She knows." "I know that we slept in the same bed, Claudia."

Williams did not recoil. She does, of course. She is watching everything.

I felt my blood turn cold. "Then, why did you not warn me that she would pursue me in this way?"

He tightened his jaw. "Because she's been bothering everyone around me." She had no excuse, though, until now.

Staring at him, I looked into his face. "What is that meant for?"

He looked away for a moment, then put his raw face right into my eyes. I have s*x with you, Seraphina, but you are more than that. The only individual I've ever—"

Then I interrupted, my heart pounding. "Stop," "I'd prefer not to hear that. Not after you let me come in here and let me see nothing.

I picked up the sheet and wrapped it around myself before standing up.

When I said, "You ought to have told me who owned the resort before I accepted the job," my voice was trembling and sharp. "I ought to have known."

Without bothering to cover himself, Williams trailed me to the bed's edge. "I wanted to share with you." As soon as you arrived, I started to plan. But I could tell you hated me, Seraphina, after looking at your face and the look in your eyes.

I whispered to you, "I don't hate you." However, I believed in you. Just once.

Silence fell between us again. Thick, well-known. Many things that we ought to have said but didn't.

I turned my back on him before he could say another word. I had a racing mind. My body still hummed from all we had done, but it felt tainted now. It's not because of him that I would easily let myself fall into him.

In the restroom, I gazed at my image as though I hadn't seen the woman there before. cheeks become red. enlarged lips. Glassy eyes—and not just because of desire.

I sprayed my face with cold water, hoping to blot out the heat that was still leaking through my skin.

A knock on the door frame was heard. "Seraphina."

I remained silent.

But he went in without a word. "Allow me to put this right."

I said softly, "You can't," as I gazed at him in the mirror. You own this place, so everyone asks me questions about everything I do. every lesson I teach. I breathe every single time.

At that point, come out of the darkness," he said. "Request it. Let them see me with you.

It's not something I *want* to do, Williams. I would like to inhale deeply.

He grimaced. Just a little. I did see it, though.

Additionally, I hated that it still hurt to watch him suffer.

By the morning, the rumors had started.

Employees looked at me differently. I'm neither mean nor cruel; I'm just curious. Judging. In every glance, I felt it. whenever I got through a pause.

In the morning, I tried to keep my posture straight while teaching my yoga class. I focused on what I was breathing. balance and flow. But I kept thinking the same thing.

I slept in the same bed as the resort owner. Not to mention I didn't know he had it.

Malia approached me and discreetly gave me an updated schedule after class. "I'd like to meet with Claudia this afternoon."

She does, of course.

I nodded, clenching my teeth. "I'm grateful."

You also failed to pick up the orientation packet in the staff lounge upon your initial arrival. On page three is a list of the owners and board members.

I felt very nauseous.

Technically, he hadn't hidden it all.

But he'd certainly not *spoken* it either.

Plants and sterile smiles filled Claudia's office, which was at the end of a long glass corridor. Pulling her blond hair back into a tight bun, she sat at her desk with her lips painted blood red. Her expression was unreadable and cold.

"Miss Hart," she said, her eyes never lifting. "Take a seat."

I clenched my jaw and stiffened my back.

Finally, Claudia gave me a look. "I'll talk honestly. This resort is based on professionalism, discretion, and high standards. Executive ownership is a no-go for all of our unspoken rules.

"I had no idea that he owned the property."

She said, "That might be true," and folded her hands. Now, though, you do. Additionally, it is imperative to address the situation before it becomes... messy.

My chin went up. "Are you putting my job at risk?"

She gave a smile. "Not at all," I'm going to give you a choice.

I squinted. "What kind of choice is it?"

She said, "You can complete your contract and keep your job under two conditions." To begin with, there should be no further professional, physical, or other contacts with Mr. Black. Secondly, you will let staff members know that you were hired solely on the basis of your qualifications.

I stared at her. "Want me to lie to you?"

Let me ask you to *explain*. Otherwise, you're going to continue to distract from the scene we've set up.

I ducked down. "Is this work that you're doing for a living? You want him for yourself, or what?

Claudia's face cracked momentarily. Then she leaned back and grinned sharply. You're smart. Take advantage of that.

I didn't speak.

The light outside her office felt too bright.

I didn't go near my villa. I walked to the cliff's edge to watch the waves smash against the rocks. I felt my heart race. My brain screamed. How did I get here, caught up in the past, surrounded by new threats?

There were footsteps behind me.

I said, "I didn't sign up for any of this," as I turned. I am not here to engage in a power struggle; I am here to teach yoga.

"You aren't," said Williams softly. "You're not merely a guest, though."

Finally, I gave him a look. "You should have let me know."

"I comprehend."

I need time.

He stepped back and gave a nod. "I'll hand it over to you."

Finally, he reached into his pocket and handed me a folded piece of paper.

"What is this?"

"I wrote a note the day I departed."

He turned and left before I had a chance to read it.

I opened the page, the paper soft and creased from a hundred folds, and shook my hands.

But I couldn't read the first line.

A voice spoke up behind me. An odd, deep voice.

Isn't that Seraphina Hart?

I was surprised.

A tall man in a dark suit stood at the edge of the path, one hand holding a file.

With ease, he stated, "I work with the investors." "And we need to talk."

Just when Seraphina is beginning to face Williams's past and Claudia's threats, an enigmatic investor appears with questions and a new kind of danger.