“She’s having lunch with me today.”
The voice from the doorway makes my entire body go rigid, but I can’t stop my eyes from looking in that direction.
Kain.
He’s leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, his expression unreadable but his gaze locked on me with an intensity that makes my pulse race.
“Excuse me?” I turn to face him fully, anger already bubbling up inside me.
“Lunch,” Kain says, pushing off the doorframe and walking into the room. “We need to discuss the updated security protocols for your department.”
“We don’t have any updated security protocols,” I say through gritted teeth.
“You’re about to.” He’s standing close now, too close, and I can smell his scent—pine and earth and something uniquely him that makes my traitorous body want to lean in. “It’s important. Won’t take long.”
David shifts uncomfortably, glancing between us. “If it’s work-related, I guess—”
“It’s not work-related,” I interrupt him, still glaring at Kain. “And I’m not having lunch with you.”
“Yes, you are.” His voice is calm, but there’s steel underneath. “One hour. We can discuss it in my office if you prefer.”
The way he says it makes it sound professional, reasonable. But I can see the possessiveness in his eyes.
David clears his throat. “Maybe another time, Anne. We could do dinner instead?”
Before I can answer, Kain speaks again. “She’s busy tonight, too.”
“Stop it,” I snap at him, then turn to David. “Dinner sounds great. Text me the details.”
I grab my coffee and storm out of the break room, my heart pounding and my hands shaking with fury. I can feel Kain’s eyes following me all the way back to my desk.
The restof the day passes in a blur of tension. Every time I look up, I swear I catch Kain watching me from across the office. He doesn’t approach, doesn’t try to talk to me again or force me to have lunch with him, but his presence is constant. Oppressive.
The flowers sit on my desk, reminders that I can’t escape.
By the time five o’clock rolls around, I’m exhausted. Emotionally drained. I just want to go home, crawl into bed, and pretend this day never happened.
I’m gathering my things when I sense him behind me.
“Let me walk you to your car,” Kain says quietly.
“No.”
“Anne—”
“I said no.” I start moving toward the elevator bank. He follows.
“You can’t avoid me forever.”
“Watch me.”
We step into an elevator together. I punch the button for the lobby harder than necessary. The doors close, trapping us in the small space.
“The bouquet—” he starts.
“Was manipulative,” I cut him off. “How did you even know white lilies are my favorite? You said you don’t remember anything about me.”
His jaw tightens. “I—I don’t know. They just felt right.”
