THE BILLIONAIRE’S WARMTH

CHAPTER 3: TRAPPED WITH HIM

The next week went by faster than I could imagine. And I got into a routine that felt both safe and dangerous at the same time. I arrived early everyday because I wanted to be prepared, and I brought his coffee;black,no sugar, because I learned that fast. I also got a latte for myself to keep me going.

The days were full of work, and he gave orders in that deep voice that always made my stomach flip a little. I did them quick and right because I wanted to prove myself. He gave small nods when I did good, and those nods made me happy more than they should have.

But nights were different. We stayed late often, and it was just us with the city lights shining outside the windows. He stayed professional with cold words and short commands, but his eyes told another story.

They looked at my legs when I crossed them, and they looked at my lips when I talked. They looked at my neck when I turned my head, and I felt it every time. My body got hot, and my heart beat faster. I wondered if he knew how much everything about him affected me. I knew I wanted more, and I started to think he did too because his looks got longer and darker.

One Thursday, rain came heavy again, and it pounded the windows all day. I got to work soaked because the umbrella didn’t help much. My hair was wet and curly. My blouse stuck to me. My skirt felt tight on my legs. I stepped into the elevator, and the doors almost closed.

Then a hand stopped them.

He stepped into the elevator.

Alexander.

He looked perfect as always. Dark suit. No tie today. Shirt open at the top, showing a little skin. His eyes went over me slowly. From my wey hair to my wet clothes.

“Miss Harper,” he said.

“Mr. Voss.”

The doors closed. Just us. The elevator went up. Floor. 20. 25. 30. Then a big jolt. Lights flickered. Immediately the elevator stopped hard. I stumbled forward. His arm went around my waist. He held me steady, and his hands was strong on my side. Emergency light came on. Red glow. A voice came up from the speaker: “Power problem in the building. We fix soon. Fifteen to twenty minutes.”

Twenty minutes. Trapped. With him. He let go of me slowly, and his fingers stayed in my hip a second longer. “Sit down,” he said. We sat on the floor, opposite sides. I hugged my knees tightly to keep my balance. He stretched his long legs out, and his suit pulled tightly on his thighs. “You’re wet,” he said. His voice low. “It’s raining hard.” He took off his jacket and held it out to me. “Put this on.” “I’m okay” “Put it on.” I took it and put it over my shoulders. His scent surrounded me: cologne,warmth and masculinity. It made me dizzy.

We sat quiet for a minute. Then he asked, “Why did you really come to New York?” I looked at him. “To prove I can make it. That a girl from a small town can do big things.” His eyes got soft a little. “You’re not just any girl, Isabella.” He said my full name, and it felt good. Intimate. “What about you?” I asked. “Why do you work so much? You have everything.” His face got tight. “After Victoria..the betrayal almost broke the company. I built it back stronger. So no one can take it from me again. Work keeps me safe.”

I felt sad for him. “But safe can feel lonely.” He held my gaze for a moment. “Yes. It does.” We got quiet again. I moved a little, and our knees touched. Neither of us moved away. “You’re shaking,” he said. “Small space,” I lied.

His hand came up slowly, hesitantly, as though he was giving me time to pull away. I didn’t. His thumb brushed my lower lip, light, almost questioning. “Liar,” he murmured. My breath caught in my chest. He leaned closer, so close I could see the darkness in his eyes, feel the heat of him. His gaze stayed locked on mine, searching, waiting. “Tell me to stop,” he said quietly.

I didn’t. His lips met mine-soft at first, tentative , then deeper, stronger, like he’d lost his restraint. I responded without thinking, kissing him back with everything I had. My hands slid to his chest, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt, feeling the hard muscle beneath. He made a low sound in his throat, pulling me closer, closer still, until I was on his lap. I felt him tensed beneath me. Heat rushed through me, sharp and dizzying, spreading everywhere at once. His tongue traced my lips, then slipped into my mouth, tasting of want and restraint barely holding on. His hands moved on my back, slipping beneath the jacket, touching bare skin where my blouse had ridden up, warm and deliberate.

I shifted against him. He groaned. His hands slid down to my thighs, first, possessive, nudging my skirt higher. I wanted more. Needing more. His mouth moved to my neck, kissing, nipping softly. I gasped, and then he froze. The elevator jolted. Lights flickered back on. We pulled apart instantly, breathing hard, reality crashing back in. He helped me to my feet, hands shaking slightly as he smoothed my skirt back into place.

His eyes were dark, heavy with unspoken want. “We can’t do this here ,” he said, his voice rough. “I know,” I whispered. He draped his jacket over my shoulders again, adjusting it carefully. “Keep it.” The doors opened on our floor. He held the doors for me. “Miss Harper.” I turned back. His expression was u readable now, carefully put together again. “What happened In there doesn’t leave this building,” he said quietly. “I understand,” I replied.

He hesitated, then added, “you mentioned you were struggling to focus lately. Personal matters.” My chest tightened. “Yes.” “I’ll look into them,” he said simply. “I don’t expect perfection from you. Just honesty.” I nodded, surprised by the softness in his tone. The doors close, and the elevator carried him away.

The rest of the day unfolded as usual-emails, meetings, deadlines,but something had shifted beneath the surface. When I returned to my desk, a slim folder lay neatly beside my laptop. No note, just my name written across the table. Inside was a new assignment. Detailed and important.I looked up instinctively,but his office door was already closed.

As hours passed, I understood the message clearly. He hadn’t pulled away. He hadn’t crossed a different one. And whatever waited for me the next morning, I knew it wouldn’t be accidental.