Chapter 3: A Dangerous Game

Mia couldn't focus. Not after what had happened last night. The kiss had been unexpected, fiery, and completely unprofessional. She should have pushed him away, set clear boundaries, but she hadn't. And now, as she sat at her desk, reviewing reports, her mind kept drifting back to Adrian Blackwood—his touch, his voice, his intoxicating presence.

A sharp knock on her desk pulled her from her thoughts. She looked up to find her best friend and co-worker, Emily Carter, smirking at her.

"Earth to Mia? You've been staring at that document for the last fifteen minutes," Emily teased, leaning against the cubicle wall.

Mia cleared her throat and shut the folder in front of her. "Just trying to focus."

Emily raised an eyebrow. "Sure. Nothing to do with a certain boss of ours?"

Mia shot her a warning look. "Drop it."

Emily chuckled. "Fine, fine. But seriously, be careful. I hear Adrian Blackwood doesn't exactly do relationships."

Mia knew that. She had read enough about him to know that the billionaire CEO was notorious for keeping things strictly business. Yet, the way he had kissed her last night had been anything but businesslike.

Before she could respond, a voice interrupted them. "Miss Donovan, in my office. Now."

Mia stiffened. She turned to see Adrian standing by his office door, his expression unreadable. Her stomach flipped, but she forced herself to stand calmly, smoothing out her blouse as she walked past him and into his expansive office.

The moment the door shut behind her, Adrian turned to face her. "That can't happen again."

Mia's breath caught. So that's how he was going to play this? Like it was a mistake?

She folded her arms. "I agree."

Something flickered in Adrian's gaze—surprise, maybe even disappointment. "Good."

Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. Mia felt the weight of his stare, the tension still thick between them.

Then, he stepped closer. "But I have a problem, Mia."

She swallowed. "What problem?"

Adrian's voice dropped to a husky whisper. "I can't stop thinking about it."

Her heart skipped a beat. "That sounds like your problem, not mine."

A slow, wicked smirk spread across his lips. "Then why do you look like you want me to do it again?"

Mia opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, he was there, his hand tilting her chin up, his lips hovering just inches from hers.

"I should walk away," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin.

"Then do it," she whispered back, but neither of them moved.

Seconds stretched into eternity, and then, Adrian's lips brushed against hers again, slow and deliberate. Mia knew she was playing a dangerous game, but in that moment, she didn't care.