THE BILLIONAIRE’S WARMTH

I blinked, still in shock. “You’re..hiring me? He went back to his desk and started unbuttoning his wet shirt slowly. The fabric opened more, showing his strong, tanned chest. My legs felt weak. How was this happening to me? “Don’t make me regret it,” he said. His voice was low, like a warning that made my stomach twist. I stood up. My legs were shaking. I walked to the door. When I got there, I stopped and turned around. “Mr Voss?” He looked up. His shirt was half-open now. The wet material stuck to his body in places that made my mouth go dry. God, he was perfect. Overwhelming. Dangerous. Everything the rumors said and more. “I won’t”, I said softly. The words came out breathier than I wanted. His eyes stayed on my lips for a long moment. They looked dark and intense. “We’ll see”. I closed the door behind me and leaned against the wall in the hallway. I put my hand on my chest. My heart was beating too fast. What just happened? I spilled coffee on him like a total i***t, and he still hired me. But the way he looked at me..like he wanted something more. This is crazy. I had just met Alexander Voss. But I knew the trouble was just starting. And honestly? I didn’t want it to stop. I had dreamed about my first big day in New York so many times. I pictured bright lights everywhere. I saw myself walking with confidence down busy streets. The city felt like it belonged to me in those dreams. But real life was different. The sidewalks were wet from rain. They almost made me slip every step. My stomach was empty and growing because I skipped breakfast to save money. The coffee was hot in my hand as I ran to Voss Tech Empire. I prayed the bus being late wouldn’t ruin my chance. I was five minutes late. In this world, that felt like hours. Why did I think I could do this? I’m just a girl from the town of Ohio. Dad’s hospital bills kept piling up. Mum worries all the time. I need this job more than anything. The building was huge. Fifty floors of black glass and steel stood tall against the gray sky. I went through the revolving doors into a lobby full of rich vibes. Shiny marble floors,big crystal lights hanging down and security guards looking serious and important. I held my bag, my portfolio, and my coffee tight. The rain had made my navy skirt stick to my legs. My white blouse was wet at the collar and stuck in places. I felt messy. Please don’t let me look too nervous. Let him see I’m good for the job, not just a clumsy girl. I took the elevator to the 48th floor. I then took a deep breath, but it didn’t calm the nerves in my stomach. The doors opened to quiet luxury. Dark wood everywhere. Expensive art on the walls. The air smelled like rich cologne. This is it. Don’t mess up, Bella. The receptionist smiled at me. “Miss Harper? Mr Voss is ready”. Ready? That word made me shiver. I felt excited and scared at the same time. Alexander Voss. He was 32 years old. A billionaire. A smart genius. And from all the sites I checked on the bus,super handsome. Cold in business. Hard on people. No one got close to him. Why am I here? One look from him and I’ll forget everything. I stopped at the door that said A. VOSS. I took one last sip of coffee for courage. I fixed my shoulders and ignored how the wet blouse pulled tight. I knocked. “Come in”. His voice was deep and strong, a bit impatient. It made my skin tingle. I opened the door and walked in. I almost dropped my things. The office was big. Big windows with a view of Central Park in the fog. A big desk in the middle. And there he was, Alexander Voss. He was way too much,tall even sitting down. His presence filled the room. Big shoulders filled his white shirt. The top button was open,showing some skin. Black hair neat. Face sharp, high cheeks, string jaw and gray eyes like a storm. He was on his laptop, fingers moving fast. Then he looked up. His eyes locked on mine. I couldn’t breathe. His look was strong. Like he saw everything about me. God, he’s hotter in person. Scary hot. Why is my body feeling this way? Like I want him to keep looking. Then it happened. My heel stuck in the thick rug. I tripped forward. My arms waved. The coffee flew out. Hot liquid hit his shirt perfect. It soaked fast. The shirt stuck to his chest. It showed every muscle, dark hair under. Drops on his desk, papers and neck. One drop ran down slow. Everything stopped. My face got hot with shame. No. This can’t be. My job gone because I’m clumsy. “Oh my God.. I’m so sorry”. He didn’t move. He looked at the wet shirt, then at me. The shirt stuck to him. It showed everything. My mouth went dry. I couldn’t stop looking. He’s perfect, mad perfect. Why am I getting hot instead of scared? He spoke. His voice was low and calm but dangerous. “You have ten seconds to explain why I shouldn’t have you removed from this building.” “I..I tripped,” I said. My voice sounded small. “The rug..my heel..I didn’t mean to..”. You brought open coffee in here.” “I was nervous,” I said fast. “Coffee helps me think. Usually.” His eyebrow went up. His eyes moved slow. From my face, down to my wet blouse that stuck to me and to my legs in the skirt back up. His look changed. Not only mad,but hot. Real hot. “ You’re nervous now,” he said. His voice got deeper. My heart beat loud. Yes, because you look at me like that. “Yes,sir.” He leaned back. He crossed his arms. The wet shirt got tighter on his chest. I swallowed. “ Sit,” he said. I sat fast,put my hands together to hide the shaking. Don’t look at his body. But how?. He stood up. He was tall and strong. He came around the desk and stopped close. Too close. My breath stopped. He was big over me. I smelled coffee and cologne. His body came closer,and I felt his warmth. I saw the pulse in his neck. He wiped the shirt,and the fabric moved and showed his chest more. My face got hot, but my eyes looked away. A drop ran down his throat. He caught me staring. He slowed down, his eyes met mine. Dark and strong. “Enjoying the view, Miss Harper?” I looked up fast. “ No! I mean sorry..I didn’t..” A small smile almost came, then gone. “Tell me why I should hire someone who destroys things when she walks in.” I looked up and held his eyes. Because I need this. I’m good. One mistake not me. “Because I’m the best assistant you’ll have,” I said. My voice was better now. “Organized, fast and loyal. I learn quick. One coffee spill is not who I am.” He looked at me for a long time, like he saw inside of me. What is he thinking? Does he feel this pull too? Then he leaned down. His hand on the chair arm. Close but not touching. His face was close. I saw silver in his eyes. “And what if I want to define you by it?” he said low. His voice made me ache inside. My heart beat very hard. The air felt thick with want. What is he doing? Why does his voice made me want bad things? Why do I want him closer? He stood up fast. He pressed the intercom. “Margaret, clear my morning. Tell HR to proceed with Miss Harper. One-month probation.” I blinked. “You’re..hiring me?” He went back to his desk. He unbuttoned the shirt more. “Don’t make me regret it.” I stood up. My legs were weak. When I got to the door. I stopped. “Mr. Voss?” He looked up. Shirt open more, his body showed. It made my knees weak again. “I won’t,” I said soft. His eyes on my lips. “We’ll see.” The door closed . I leaned on the wall. My heart beating fast,my body hot. He hired me. After that? But it feels like more than a job. Like I stepped into something big. I survived Alexander Voss l. But the trouble was just starting. And me? I was very much eager.