His Favorite Confession

Crossing the line

The sleek black sedan glided through the rain-slicked city streets in comfortable silence.

Alora sat in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed on the passing streetlights reflected in the windowpane. Beside her, Hayden drove with effortless grace, one hand casually resting on the leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The contrast was dizzying. Just eight hours ago, she was terrified of this man's sharp tongue and ruthless expectations. Now, she was sitting in his luxury vehicle while he drove her home like a long-time partner.

"You're overthinking again," Hayden's deep voice broke the silence, smooth and low against the hum of the engine.

Alora turned her head to look at him. "How can I not? If anyone from the office sees us—"

"No one will see us," Hayden interrupted softly, glancing over at her with a reassuring warmth in his dark eyes. "My private driver was dismissed for the night, and we left through the executive underground garage. Your reputation at Vance Enterprises is completely safe, Star."

Alora leaned back against the headrest, a small, involuntary sigh escaping her lips. "You really have an answer for everything, don't you?"

"Only when it comes to keeping you safe," he replied, his tone shifting into something far more serious.

He pulled the car to a smooth stop right outside her apartment building. The rain had slowed to a gentle drizzle, painting the street in soft streetlamp glows.

Alora reached for her door handle, but hesitated. She turned back to look at him, her pulse quickening as she took in the sharp line of his jaw and the gentle, intense way he was watching her.

"Thank you for the ride... Mr. Vance," she murmured teasingly.

Hayden chuckled—a rich, velvet sound that vibrated right through her chest. Before she could react, he reached across the console, his fingers gently catching her chin. He didn't pull her close; he simply held her gaze, his thumb softly brushing against her lower lip.

"Tomorrow morning at 9 AM, I will be Mr. Vance," Hayden whispered, his eyes dark with an unmasked desire that made her whole body tingle. "I will critique your reports, I will challenge your numbers, and I will demand excellence."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Alora whispered back, her breath catching in her throat as his face drifted inches closer.

"But tonight," Hayden continued, his voice dropping to a husk, "remember who is waiting for your call at midnight."

He leaned in and pressed a lingering, soft kiss to her cheek, just below her ear. The heat of his lips burned against her skin, leaving her completely breathless.

When he pulled back, he gave her a faint, devastating smirk and unlocked the doors. "Goodnight, Alora."

Alora practically floated out of the car and up the stairs to her apartment. Her heart was beating so hard she could hear it in her ears.

She closed her apartment door behind her, leaned against the wood, and took a deep, trembling breath. Slipping her phone out of her bag, she opened *Echo*.

A new message notification from **Midnight** popped up instantly:

> *“Get inside, get warm, and make your tea. I’m waiting.”*

Alora smiled, a sudden wave of sheer happiness washing over her. She wiped a stray droplet of rain from her cheek and tapped the call button.