Chapter 50
Rachel's polite smile faltered. "Mr. Garrison, this is a direct order from—"
"I don't care whose order it is." Julian stepped into the doorway. "Maya stays."
"The chairman has the authority to reassign staff as needed. Ms. Bennett's transfer is effective immediately."
"Then the chairman can come tell me himself." Julian's jaw tightened. "Because I'm not letting her go."
Oh God.
Every pair of eyes in the secretarial pool turned toward us.
I stepped forward. "Mr. Garrison, it's fine—"
"No." His gaze snapped to mine. "You're my assistant, Maya. Not Thomas's."
Rachel cleared her throat. "Mr. Garrison, I suggest you discuss this with your father—"
"Stay here," Julian said to me, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Don't move."
Before I could respond, he was already striding down the hallway toward Thomas's office, his shoulders rigid with fury.
---
I sat.
And waited.
And tried not to think about what the hell Julian was saying to his father right now.
Why is he fighting so hard to keep me?
Because of what he said yesterday.
Because he wants to marry me.
The thought made my stomach twist.
Forty minutes later, Julian emerged from Thomas's office.
His face was dark, his expression thunderous.
But when he saw me still sitting there, he stopped in front of me and said quietly, "You're staying. I talked to Thomas. You're staying in my office."
Then he turned and walked into his office without another word.
The door closed behind him with a sharp click.
---
At 4:30, I worked up the nerve to knock on his door.
"Come in."
I stepped inside.
The air was thick with the scent of cigarette smoke.
Julian was leaning back in his chair, a half-empty pack of Marlboros on the desk in front of him, an ashtray overflowing with butts.
He looked exhausted.
Defeated.
"Mr. Garrison," I began carefully, "I need to pick up some documents from Sterling Global. Thomas asked me to retrieve the Friday meeting materials."
Julian's gaze lifted to mine, his blue eyes dull and distant.
"Maya. About yesterday. What I said. Let's just... forget it, okay? Call it a bad joke."
My eyes widened.
A joke?
Relief crashed over me like a wave.
"Mr. Garrison, you can't just—" I shook my head. "You scared the hell out of me. I was ready to quit."
"Quit?" Julian's eyes flashed. "What's so wrong with me that you'd rather quit than consider it?"
I froze.
Shit.
"That's not what I meant." I swallowed hard. "Julian, I respect you. I do. But you're my boss. That's all this is. If we crossed that line, we'd ruin it. I can't risk that."
He stared at me for a long moment.
Then he took a deep drag from his cigarette and exhaled slowly.
"Go get those documents."
---
The receptionist at Sterling Global greeted me with a polite smile. "Ms. Bennett! Mr. Sterling is still in a meeting. Mr. Cooper is with him as well. You can wait upstairs if you'd like."
She pressed the elevator button for me.
Floor 26.
An assistant I didn't recognize led me to the conference room. "Mr. Cooper will be with you in a few minutes."
I sat.
And waited.
Ten minutes later, James Cooper appeared, holding a thick sealed envelope.
He smiled warmly. "Ms. Bennett, sorry to keep you waiting. Here are the materials for Friday's meeting."
I took the envelope and inspected the seal. Intact.
"Thank you, Mr. Cooper."
"Actually," James said, his tone shifting slightly, "Mr. Sterling wanted me to let you know that there are some details he'd like to discuss with you. He asked if you could stop by his office before you leave."
"It'll only take a few minutes," James said smoothly.
---
James led me down the hallway to Adam's office.
The door was ajar, and I could see Adam's silhouette through the frosted glass, pacing as he spoke into his phone.
James knocked lightly, then pushed the door open. "Mr. Sterling, Ms. Bennett is here."
Adam's gaze snapped to me immediately.
He said something brief into the phone, then hung up.
"Maya." His voice was neutral, but his eyes were anything but.
James excused himself and closed the door.
Leaving me alone with Adam.
---
Adam stood near his desk, one hand loosening his tie slightly.
He was wearing a charcoal gray suit today, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms.
Stop looking at his forearms.
I cleared my throat and held up the envelope. "Mr. Sterling, I have the materials. Is there something specific you needed to clarify?"
He stood, his fingers moving to unbutton his suit jacket with deliberate slowness.
Then he walked toward me.
I took an instinctive step back.
Don't.
Don't come closer.
Five years ago, Adam used to hit the gym every weekend, his chest and back sculpted from hours at the boxing club.
He still looked just as fit now. No sign of the softness that came with age.
My gaze dropped to his collar, slightly open, revealing the sharp lines of his collarbone.
His throat moved as he swallowed.
God, what am I doing?
I snapped my eyes away, heat flooding my face.
Adam was already standing in front of me, close enough that I could smell his cologne.
He looked down at me, his voice low. "Maya. What are you looking at?"
My face burned. "Your tie. It's... crooked."
"Is it?" He raised an eyebrow. "Then maybe you should fix it for me."
I froze.
If I reach up to touch his tie, we'll be standing even closer.
"I don't—"
Before I could finish, his fingers closed around my wrist.
Gently.
He pulled my hand forward until my palm was pressed against his chest, right over his tie.
I could feel the heat of him through the fabric of his shirt.
His heartbeat under my hand.
Strong. Steady.
"I don't know how to—" I tried to pull my hand back.
"I'll teach you." His voice was soft, almost amused.
His hand covered mine, guiding my fingers to adjust the angle of his tie.
My entire body went rigid.
This is too intimate.
Just like five years ago.
When we were together, I used to straighten his tie for him before he left for work.
He'd always lean down with that lazy smile, letting me fuss over his collar.
Sometimes he'd steal a kiss when I wasn't looking.
The memory hit me like a wave.
My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could feel it.
I yanked my hand back and stumbled backward. "There. It's fine now."
Adam's gaze lingered on my flushed ears. "Thank you, Ms. Bennett."
"About the materials—" I forced my voice to steady.
"Sit." He gestured toward the couch area, then walked over and sank into the leather sofa, crossing one leg over the other.
I hesitated, then perched on the edge of the single armchair across from him.
Adam poured two cups of tea from the pot on the table, sliding one toward me.
"Drink. Your face is red. You look thirsty."
I stood abruptly. "I have the materials. If there's nothing else, I should go."