CHAPTER 6: The Kiss
The storm had passed, but something between them had changed.
Ever since that night they were trapped in the office, Richard couldn't stop thinking about Ann. The way she looked at him. The way her voice calmed him. The way she didn't pull away when he touched her hair. He hadn't kissed her. But he wanted to. And that want grew stronger every day.
Ann, on the other hand, was trying hard to stay focused. She came to work on time, did her job well, and avoided Richard's gaze as much as she could. But it wasn't easy. Not when her heart beat faster every time she passed his office. Not when she kept replaying that night over and over in her mind. He had been gentle. Honest. So different from the cold, ruthless man everyone feared. And now... she didn't know what to do.
It was Monday morning. The office buzzed with activity. Ann sat at her desk, reviewing documents for a major presentation. It was an important day Knight Global Holdings was closing a deal with a new international partner, and everything had to go smoothly. She had worked all weekend preparing the numbers, double-checking every detail.
At 10 a.m., Richard entered the conference room, followed by executives, lawyers, and two board members. Ann was already seated, ready to present. Richard's eyes met hers for a second. It was brief. But it was enough. She felt the pull again. The need.
The meeting lasted two hours. Everything went well. The clients seemed impressed. But just as they were about to wrap up, one of the board members asked a question. A difficult one. Ann answered it clearly, confidently, and with facts. The room went silent for a moment. Then one of the clients smiled. "Very sharp. You've got someone special on your team, Mr. Knight." Richard's face didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes. After the room cleared out, he turned to her. "Come to my office. Now."
Ann followed him, heart pounding. As soon as the door closed, Richard turned to her.
"What was that?"
"What was what?" she asked.
"You went off script."
"I gave the right answer."
"It wasn't your place."
Her eyes narrowed. "So I'm only valuable when I stay silent?"
He took a step toward her. "That's not what I said."
"But that's what you meant."
"You embarrassed me in front of clients."
"I saved your deal."
"I didn't ask you to!"
"And I didn't need your permission!"
His jaw clenched. "This is exactly why I didn't want you close."
Ann's face flushed. "Because I speak my mind?"
"No. Because you make me lose control!"
She froze.
His chest rose and fell quickly. He looked like he wanted to say more but didn't know how.
Ann's voice dropped. "Maybe the problem isn't me. Maybe it's you."
Richard took another step forward.
They were close now.
Very close.
"You drive me crazy," he said, voice low.
She swallowed. "Good."
His eyes burned into hers. "You're the most stubborn, frustrating woman I've ever met."
"And you're the most arrogant, cold man I've ever worked for."
"Yet you're still here."
"Because I need this job."
"Is that the only reason?"
She didn't answer.
The silence between them pulsed with heat.
His hand brushed her arm. "Say something."
"I can't think," she whispered.
"Me neither."
And then he kissed her.
It was sudden. Hard. Like something snapping. She gasped, but didn't pull away. Instead, she grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer. His hands slid into her hair, tilting her head. Their lips moved together, rough and desperate. Like they'd been holding back for too long and couldn't anymore. It wasn't gentle. It was fire. All the tension, all the late nights, all the unsaid words poured into one kiss. Her back hit the wall. His body pressed into hers. The room felt too small. Too hot. For a moment, nothing else mattered. Not the job. Not the rules. Just them.
Then she pulled back. Breathing fast. Eyes wide.
"We shouldn't," she whispered.
"I know," he said.
But he didn't move.
Neither did she.
Her hands were still on his chest.
His lips were inches from hers.
She looked into his eyes. "Why did you do that?"
"Because I couldn't help it."
"That's not good enough."
He swallowed hard. "Then let me try again."
But she shook her head.
"I need to think," she said, stepping away.
He let her go. Didn't stop her. Just watched as she left the room quiet, fast, like she was afraid of what might happen if she stayed.
Ann walked down the hallway, heart racing. What had just happened? It wasn't just a kiss. It was more. Too much. She touched her lips, still warm from his. Everything had changed. And she didn't know if it was a beginning or a mistake.
Back in his office, Richard stood still. He could still taste her. Feel her. And the way she kissed him back? She felt it too. He ran a hand through his hair, staring at the door she had just walked through. He had crossed a line. But it was too late now. There was no going back.