Nathaniel Grey was the kind of man who commanded a room. At 46, he was a titan in the corporate world, known for his ruthlessness in boardrooms and his charm at black-tie galas. But to Amara Reyes, his 32-year-old executive assistant, he was more than that. He was the man who made her pulse race with a single glance.

Tonight, the office was silent. The city lights cast their glow against the glass walls as Amara finished reviewing a contract. She was startled by the sound of Nathaniel’s low, smooth voice. “Still here?”

She looked up, meeting his piercing gray eyes. “The project deadline’s tomorrow. I wanted to make sure everything’s perfect.”

He walked closer, his footsteps deliberate. His tailored suit jacket was off, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar. “You’re always perfect,” he said softly, his gaze lingering on her.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she managed a small laugh. “That sounds suspiciously like flattery, Mr. Grey.”

“Just Nathaniel,” he corrected, his voice low, intimate. He leaned against her desk, his proximity overwhelming. “I can’t ignore it anymore, Amara. Every late night, every moment we’ve shared—I’ve been fighting this. But I don’t want to fight it anymore.”

She swallowed hard, her mind racing. “Nathaniel, this is... dangerous.”

“Loving you is the only risk worth taking,” he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

His touch sent a shiver down her spine, and when he kissed her, the world melted away. His lips were firm, claiming hers with years of suppressed passion. Her hands found their way to his chest, gripping the fabric of his shirt as he pulled her closer.

The hours blurred as they gave in to the desire that had simmered between them for so long. On the sleek leather couch in his office, their bodies entwined, they became something more than boss and assistant—they became two souls finally unburdened by fear.

When dawn broke, he traced soft circles on her back, his voice a husky whisper. “Stay with me, Amara. Not just tonight. Always.”