The night clung to Alicia skin like silk and shadow. Liam's touch still echoed in her body, lingering in every place his breath had grazed, every whisper that had tangled with her heartbeat. The city slept beyond the glass walls, the hum of its lights faint against the sound of her own uneven breathing. She lay there, half covered by the sheet, her mind trying to steady itself but failing miserably.
He was still awake. She could feel it even before she turned to him.
Liam sat against the headboard, bare-chested, the sharp lines of his jaw lit by the dim glow from the balcony. He had that same unreadable expression, the one that made her feel as if he were both guarding and studying her at once.
Her voice came out soft, raw. "You are still awake."
His eyes slid to her, dark and patient. "You move too much when you pretend to sleep."
She froze. "I wasn't pretending."
He hummed low in his throat, the sound sending a chill down her spine. "Then you were dreaming of something that made you tremble."
Alicia swallowed hard, pulling the sheet closer to her chest. "Maybe it was a nightmare."
His gaze dropped to her lips, then back to her eyes. "You have the kind of face that doesn't lie well."
She turned away, cheeks heating. The air between them was charged again, thick with unspoken things. His words always had a way of finding the places she tried to hide.
"You should rest," she murmured. "It's late."
He shifted closer, brushing her hair away from her neck. The smallest touch of his fingers made her heart skip. "Sleep if you can. But remember, Alicia…" his tone dipped lower, "…the night does not end until I say it does."
Her pulse leapt. He leaned in, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath against her shoulder. It wasn't just desire, it was a quiet possession, a silent vow she didn't understand but couldn't resist.
When his lips touched her skin, everything inside her melted into silence. The world, the fears, the whisper of Selena's face flashing in her thoughts, all disappeared into the dark rhythm of his control.
By the time dawn crept in, Alicia no longer knew where the night ended or where she began.
The Next Morning
The sound of the shower came first, followed by the scent of his cologne, clean, expensive and utterly him. Liam stood before the mirror, buttoning his cufflinks with military precision. Alicia sat on the edge of the bed, dressed already in her work blouse and skirt, trying to stop her fingers from trembling as she tied her hair.
She couldn't tell if she was nervous or guilty, or both.
When Liam turned, their eyes met in the reflection. "You will return to the office today," he said calmly, fastening his tie. "I've arranged everything."
She nodded quickly. "Thank you."
His lips curved slightly, but not kindly. "You sound relieved."
Her voice wavered. "It has been… a while since I've been there."
He walked toward her, stopping only when he was close enough that she had to tilt her chin up to meet his gaze. "You begged to go back," he said quietly, running a hand through her hair. "Do not mistake my permission for freedom."
Alicia's breath caught. "I understand."
His eyes searched hers, something fierce flickering there, possession, suspicion, maybe something darker. Then, without warning, he bent and pressed a slow kiss to her forehead. "Be good," he murmured. "Do not make me regret this."
She left soon after, his words following her like a brand.
At KnightCorp
Every step inside the building felt strange, like walking through a dream that had shifted. The moment Alicia entered the lobby, heads turned. She could feel it, the curious glances, the whispers she couldn't quite hear. Even the receptionist blinked in surprise before greeting her a little too brightly.
"Alicia! You are back?"
She forced a small smile. "Yes… I am."
As she took the elevator up, her stomach tightened. The air in KnightCorp had changed, colder, heavier with unseen eyes. The staff in her department whispered in corners, smiles too quick, stares too sharp. She knew why. She could feel the rumors already rippling through the building, the kind that always start with a truth too dangerous to speak aloud.
She tried to ignore them, walking straight to her desk. Her chair was exactly where she left it. Her files untouched. Yet it all felt different, like someone else's space.
Then came the voice that froze her in place.
"Well, if it isn't the company's newest mystery."
Alicia turned slowly.
Selena stood by the glass partition, a faint smirk curving her red-painted lips. Her sleek black hair shimmered under the office light, and her fitted white dress looked like it had been chosen to draw attention and it worked.
For a moment, Alicia could not breathe.
"Selena…" she whispered, barely believing what she saw. "You are…."
"Working here?" Selena finished sweetly, glancing down at her ID badge. "Surprise."
Her last name glinted from the card, Selena Hart.
Alicia blinked. "Hart?"
Selena gave a delicate shrug. "It has a better ring than Blake, don't you think? Sounds… powerful." She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "You would know how useful power can be. Especially when you are so close to the one who owns it all."
The words stung. Alicia forced herself to stand tall, hiding the tremor in her voice. "You shouldn't be here."
"Oh, but I belong here now," Selena said smoothly, eyes glinting with mischief. "And I plan to stay. It seems KnightCorp has excellent opportunities, if you know how to charm the right people."
Alicia's breath hitched. The meaning behind those words wasn't lost on her. She stepped back, her hands tightening around her files.
Selena smiled wider, watching her reaction like a cat with cornered prey. "Relax, sister," she whispered. "We are all adults here. I am sure Mr. Knight values loyalty. Maybe he will value mine too."
The elevator doors opened just then, a sound that cut through the tension like a blade. Liam stepped out with two senior executives at his side, his commanding presence swallowing the entire room. The chatter stopped instantly.
Alicia's heart jumped painfully.
He looked flawless as always calm, elegant, distant, yet when his eyes found hers, there was a flash of something burning beneath the surface. Possession. Warning.
Selena turned too, her smile tightening, but her gaze never wavered from the man walking toward them. She tilted her chin slightly and murmured under her breath, "Mr. Knight is Handsome indeed."
Alicia's pulse raced as Liam stopped before them. His expression was unreadable, but she could feel the storm beneath his composure.
"Miss Hart," he said, his voice smooth and deep. "You are settling in, I hope?"
Selena's smile glowed. "Perfectly, Mr. Knight. It is an honor to work under your leadership."
His eyes flickered briefly, first to her badge, then to Alicia's pale face beside her, before returning to Selena. "Good. I expect excellence."
And just like that, he moved on, disappearing into his office, leaving both women standing in the silence he always seemed to command.
Selena turned her head slowly toward Alicia, a shadow of victory curling at her lips. "He knows who I am now," she whispered. "Let us see which of us he remembers longer."
Alicia's hands trembled slightly, but she said nothing. She only turned back to her desk, pretending to work, pretending not to feel the invisible chains tightening again, the ones Liam had placed around her heart long before she even realized it.