The tension from the night before didn't disappear.
It grew.
Stronger.
Heavier.
Impossible to ignore.
Isabella tried to focus on her work, but it was useless.
Every time she lifted her head—
Her eyes found him.
And every time…
He was already looking at her.
Alexander wasn't any better.
He had tried to bury it. Ignore it. Control it.
But it was getting harder.
Because she was right there.
Close.
Real.
And slowly breaking down every wall he had built.
"Isabella."
Her name rolled off his tongue again.
Soft.
Dangerous.
She stood up immediately and walked into his office. "Yes, sir?"
He stared at her for a moment.
Too long.
Too intense.
"Close the door."
Her heart skipped.
She did as he said.
The room suddenly felt smaller.
Quieter.
Charged.
"Come here," he said.
She hesitated for just a second… then stepped closer.
And closer.
Until she was standing right in front of him again.
Just like yesterday.
But this time—
It felt different.
Stronger.
"You don't listen, do you?" he said quietly.
Isabella frowned slightly. "About what?"
"I told you to stay away from me."
Her heart pounded. "And I told you… maybe I don't want to."
That was it.
The last thread of control snapped.
In one swift movement—
Alexander pulled her closer.
And kissed her.
It wasn't soft.
It wasn't hesitant.
It was everything he had been holding back—
All the tension.
All the frustration.
All the desire.
Unleashed in one moment.
Isabella froze at first, her eyes widening in shock.
But only for a second.
Because deep down…
She had been waiting for this too.
Slowly—
She melted into the kiss.
Her hands gripping his shirt as her heart raced wildly.
Time seemed to stop.
The world outside disappeared.
There was no office.
No rules.
No boss and assistant.
Just them.
When he finally pulled away—
They were both breathless.
Their foreheads almost touching.
Eyes locked.
Everything exposed.
"This…" Alexander whispered, his voice rough. "This is exactly why I told you to stay away."
Isabella's lips parted slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Too late."
A faint, dangerous smile touched his lips.
"Yeah…"
Too late.
And in that moment—
They both knew.
There was no going back anymore