The Edge of Control

Ash's POVAs soon as Zane walks out of my office, my chest tightens with the weight of what just happened. The kiss—no, the explosion between us—was inevitable, but it felt like setting off a fuse I can't control.I sit down heavily at my desk, trying to gather my thoughts. I've been in tough spots before, but nothing like this. I've been reckless, letting my guard down around him, letting my desire cloud my judgment. He's not just an employee anymore; he's a liability to everything I've built. And yet, he's all I can think about.It's not just about the sex. Hell, I've had plenty of that without this level of complication. Zane's in my head, under my skin in a way no one has been before. But if I let him in fully, everything I've worked for could come crashing down.My phone buzzes, dragging me back to reality. It's a text from Harper:We need to talk. Something came up with Zane.I stare at the screen, my pulse racing. Harper wouldn't reach out like this unless it was serious.I grab my jacket and head out of the office, the lingering heat of the kiss still smoldering in the back of my mind. I've got bigger problems now. Whatever Harper found, it can't be good.Zane's POVI'm still buzzing when I step out of Ash's office. The kiss, the way he pulled me in—it felt like everything I'd been waiting for finally burst open. But now, as I walk back to my desk, the rush fades and reality sets in.What the hell am I doing?I've been trying so hard to prove myself at this company, to get out from under the weight of my past. But now I'm in too deep with the one person who can destroy all of it—Ash Gonzalo.I sit at my desk, staring blankly at the computer screen. Part of me wants to pretend that everything's normal, that I can keep doing my job and just... compartmentalize whatever the hell this is between us. But I'm not that naive.My phone buzzes on the desk, and I pick it up, surprised to see a text from Harper.Can we talk? It's important.I frown, unsure what she wants. Harper's always been a little mysterious, and I've never quite figured her out. She's sharp, though, and she knows how to read people. I wonder if she knows something about me and Ash—something I didn't want her to know.I send a quick reply.Yeah, meet me by the elevators in five.Whatever this is, I need to face it head-on. If she knows something, I'll deal with it. But if she's fishing for information, I'll have to be careful. Ash and I haven't exactly been subtle, but I can't afford to let anyone else in on what's happening.When I see Harper waiting by the elevators, her expression is unreadable. She gestures for me to follow her, leading me to a small conference room on the far side of the building. The second the door closes, I can feel the shift in energy."I'm just going to cut to the chase," Harper says, crossing her arms. "What's going on with you and Ash?"I freeze, my mind racing. She knows. Of course, she knows. But I can't just admit to it—there's too much at stake."I don't know what you're talking about," I say, trying to sound casual. "Ash is my boss. That's it."Harper narrows her eyes, not buying it for a second. "Cut the bullshit, Zane. I've seen the way he looks at you, and I've seen the way you look at him. You're not exactly hiding it."I swallow hard, unsure how to respond. Harper's always been sharp, but I didn't think she'd pick up on this so quickly."What do you want?" I ask, leaning against the table. "If you're here to threaten me, you can save it. I'm not some pawn in a game."She smirks, clearly amused. "I'm not here to threaten you, Zane. I'm here to warn you.""Warn me about what?""Ash," she says simply. "You think you know him, but you don't. You don't know what he's capable of."I bristle at her tone, but there's something in her eyes that gives me pause. "What are you talking about?"Harper sighs, pacing the room like she's debating how much to say. "Ash is dangerous, Zane. More dangerous than you realize. He didn't build this company by playing nice, and if you think you're the exception, you're wrong.""I'm not scared of him," I say, though my voice betrays a flicker of uncertainty. "I know what I'm doing.""Do you?" she asks, stopping in front of me. "Because I've seen people get close to Ash before, and it never ends well. He'll use you, chew you up, and spit you out the second you become a liability. You're playing with fire, and it's only a matter of time before you get burned."Her words hit harder than I want to admit. I want to believe that what's happening between Ash and me is different, that I'm not just another casualty in his world. But deep down, I know there's truth in what she's saying."Why are you telling me this?" I ask, my voice quieter now.Harper shrugs, but there's a glint of something almost protective in her eyes. "Because I've been there. I've seen how he operates, and I don't want to see you get hurt. You think you're in control, but you're not. No one is when it comes to Ash Gonzalo."The room falls silent, her warning hanging in the air between us. I don't know what to say. Part of me wants to brush it off, to pretend like I'm immune to whatever game Ash is playing. But another part of me can't shake the nagging doubt she's planted in my mind."I'll keep that in mind," I say finally, though the words feel hollow.Harper watches me for a moment longer, then nods. "Just... be careful, Zane. You're in deeper than you think."With that, she turns and walks out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.Ash's POVWhen I walk into the bar later that night, Harper's already waiting for me at a corner table. She looks up as I approach, her expression grim. Whatever she's about to tell me, I can already tell it's not good."You wanted to talk," I say, sliding into the seat across from her.Harper doesn't waste time. "It's about Zane."I freeze, my eyes narrowing. "What about him?"She takes a deep breath. "He's getting too close, Ash. You need to cut him loose before it's too late."The words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I don't let it show. "What are you talking about?""You know exactly what I'm talking about," Harper says, her voice low and urgent. "You've let him in too far, and if you don't end it now, it's going to blow up in your face. You can't afford this. Not with everything else going on."I grit my teeth, the heat of anger simmering beneath the surface. "I'll handle it."Harper leans forward, her eyes intense. "You're not handling it, Ash. You're losing control, and if you don't act fast, Zane is going to be your downfall."Her words hang in the air like a dark cloud, and for the first time in a long time, I feel something I'm not used to: doubt.