Nina's advisor, Professor Chen, peered at her over wire-rimmed glasses with an expression that suggested she knew exactly where Nina's mind had been during their meeting and it wasn't on developmental psychology theories.
"Ms. Watts, this is the third time I've asked about your methodology."
Nina snapped back to attention, heat creeping up her neck. "I'm sorry, Professor. I was thinking about the longitudinal component"
"You were thinking about something, but I doubt it was your research design." Professor Chen closed the proposal draft, folding her hands on top of it. "Nina, you're one of my most promising students. But I've noticed a shift these past few weeks. You're distracted. Your last draft was technically sound but lacked the passion that made me accept you into this program in the first place."
The words hit harder than they should have. Nina had been so careful, so determined not to let her arrangement with Adrian affect her work. But apparently, she hadn't been careful enough.
"I've had some personal complications," Nina admitted carefully. "But I'm managing them."
"Are you?" Professor Chen leaned back in her chair. "Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like something or someone is pulling your focus. And at this stage of your doctorate, you can't afford distractions."
Nina wanted to argue, to insist she had everything under control. But the evidence was literally sitting between them in the form of her subpar draft.
"I'll revise it," she said firmly. "Have it back to you by Friday with the depth you're looking for."
Professor Chen studied her for a long moment. "I hope so. Because you have real potential, Nina. Don't throw it away for whatever's currently commanding your attention." She pushed the draft across the desk. "Passion is good. Obsession will destroy your career before it begins. Remember which one drives meaningful work."
As Nina left the building, the professor's words echoed in her mind. Was she becoming obsessed? Last night had been… intense. This morning, sitting in Adrian's kitchen while he fired people and orchestrated business moves, she'd felt like she was watching someone conduct a symphony of calculated ruthlessness.
And instead of being repelled, she'd been fascinated.
Her phone buzzed. Adrian.
How did the meeting go?
Nina stared at the message, then at the draft in her hand with Professor Chen's notes scrawled in red ink throughout. She could lie, say everything was fine. Or she could be honest about the fact that their relationship was already bleeding into the rest of her life.
Need to talk. Not emergency, but soon.
His response came immediately: My office. 4pm. I'll clear my schedule.
The fact that he'd drop everything made something warm unfurl in her chest. But it also made Professor Chen's warning ring louder.
Adrian's office was on the forty-third floor of a building that bore his company's name in sleek chrome letters. Nina had never been here before their arrangement had deliberately kept her separate from this part of his life. Walking through the polished lobby, past security who waved her through after a quick phone call, she felt like she was crossing another invisible line.
The elevator opened directly into a reception area where a sharp-eyed woman in her fifties looked up from her computer.
"Ms. Watts. Mr. Voss is expecting you." She gestured toward the double doors. "Go right in."
Adrian's office was exactly what she'd expected massive windows overlooking the city, dark wood furniture, an air of understated power. He was standing by the windows, phone to his ear, but ended the call the moment he saw her.
"Nina." He crossed to her immediately, hands finding her waist. "What's wrong?"
"I'm failing." The words tumbled out before she could stop them. "My advisor basically told me I'm distracted, that my work is suffering, that I'm going to destroy my career if I don't get my head back in the game."
Adrian's expression darkened. "She said that?"
"Not in those exact words, but yes." Nina pulled away, pacing toward the windows. "She's right, Adrian. I turned in a mediocre draft because I was too busy thinking about you. About us. About last night and this morning and every complicated thing that comes with this relationship."
"So we'll adjust."
"Adjust how?" She spun to face him. "You can't make my thesis write itself. You can't make me stop thinking about the fact that I'm dating someone who fires people before breakfast and has enemies who might try to use me as leverage."
"Dating." He said it like he was testing the word. "Is that what we're calling this?"
"What would you call it?"
Adrian moved to his desk, pouring two glasses of water from a carafe. He handed her one, his movements deliberate, buying time to think. "I'd call it complicated. Intense. More than I expected it to be." He met her eyes. "But if it's affecting your work, then we need to set boundaries."
"What kind of boundaries?"
"You tell me." He leaned against his desk, watching her with that calculating gaze she was beginning to recognize. "What do you need to make this work? Both the relationship and your degree?"
Nina took a breath, organizing her thoughts. "I need dedicated work time. Days where I'm not coming to events or staying at your place. Where I can focus entirely on my research without worrying about your world."
"Done. What else?"
"I need you to stop trying to manage every aspect of my life. The driver, the security detail I understand why you think they're necessary, but they make me feel like I'm living in a gilded cage."
His jaw tightened. "The security isn't negotiable."
"Then make it less obvious. I don't need bodyguards following me to the library."
"You do if Marcus decides you're worth targeting."
"Adrian." She set down her water glass, moving closer. "If we're going to make this work, you need to trust that I can take reasonable precautions without a full security detail. I'll check in. I'll be careful. But I won't be a prisoner in my own life."
They stared at each other, wills clashing in the space between them. Finally, Adrian exhaled roughly.
"Compromise. You keep your phone on you at all times. You tell me where you're going to be. And when you're out late or in unfamiliar areas, you have security. The rest of the time, they keep their distance."
"I can live with that."
"And I want three nights a week, like we agreed. But on your work nights, I won't contact you unless it's important. You get your space to focus."
Nina nodded slowly. It wasn't perfect, but it was workable. "Okay."
"Okay." He pulled her into his arms, and she let herself lean into his warmth for a moment. "For what it's worth, I don't want to be the reason your career suffers. If anything, I want to be the reason it succeeds."
"That's not how this works. My success has to be mine."
"I know." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "But I can still want it for you."
Her phone buzzed in her purse. She pulled away reluctantly to check it Rachel, asking when she'd be home.
"I should go," Nina said. "I have a lot of revision to do."
"Want me to have"
"I'll take the subway," she interrupted with a small smile. "Part of keeping my normal life, remember?"
Adrian didn't look happy about it, but he nodded. "Text me when you get home."
"I will." She headed for the door, then paused. "Adrian? Thank you. For listening."
"That's what people do when they care about each other." He said it simply, like it was obvious, but something in his expression suggested the words didn't come easily to him.
Nina left feeling lighter than when she'd arrived, but also more uncertain. They'd set boundaries, made compromises, agreed to make this work. But as she rode the elevator down, she couldn't shake Professor Chen's warning.
Passion was good. Obsession would destroy her.
The question was: which one was she feeling for Adrian Voss?
And more importantly did he feel the same way about her?