Chapter 4

HAILEY

~What’s up with Valerian?~ Hailey wondered, her head shaking in disbelief. His mood swings were becoming too much.

Did it really matter if she handed her work to him or Clara? Either way, he got the work done, didn’t he?

Hailey was seething. ~Who does he think he is? No, don’t answer that.~

~He’s your boss~, her inner voice reminded her.

She returned to her work, immersing herself until lunchtime. She hadn’t realized how quickly time had passed and her stomach was growling.

As she left her office to grab lunch, she took a left turn. She collided with someone in the front area where Clara and Maggie sat.

“Sorry,” she mumbled. She looked up and found herself staring at a striking stranger with a captivating smile.

A smile that could make you forget your own name.

“It’s fine, and who might you be?”

“Hailey, sir.”

“Please, call me Colhane,” he replied. His voice was as charming as his demeanor.

He took her hand and kissed it. ~Well, this is a spectacle.~ A few employees were watching them, their eyes filled with envy.

As Colhane’s lips left her hand, a dark figure appeared. Valerian was coming their way.

~What would he think if he saw me like this? He’d think I was shamelessly flirting! He’d probably scold me for this, as if it was my fault. Keep it together~, I told myself.

“So, you’ve met one of my interns,” Valerian said, his voice cool and composed.

Hailey couldn’t read his mood; he had hidden it too well.

Colhane replied without taking his eyes off her. “She’s quite a beauty, I must say.”

~If he’s expecting me to blush, he’s got another thing coming. But there’s no point in pretending to be modest, is there?~

“Thank you, Colhane,” she responded.

COLHANE

Colhane had run into the most enchanting creature. She looked young and vibrant, but what truly set her apart was her icy demeanor.

She seemed so tough, for such a young girl. Her eyes lacked warmth, yet they were like those of a porcelain doll—completely cold.

He could tell that his kiss on her hand and his compliment didn’t impress her.

When she said her name, he felt as if he was under a spell. The best part about her was that she seemed immune to Valerian’s charm.

Had she noticed how he also desired her?

~Who wouldn’t?~ he thought.

She was just politely distant and didn’t show much emotion.

How he longed to uncover all the secrets her eyes held. How he yearned to know what made her so cold at such a young age.

And he was determined to find out, no matter what it took.

VALERIAN

Valerian recognized her instantly, but what was Colhane doing?

~Touching what’s mine.~

He had hired her, which made her his! He wanted to pull her hand away from his lips.

How he longed to kiss every part of her and make her his and his alone. He approached them with a smooth stride.

Colhane didn’t need to tell him that she was beautiful; he already knew that.

How could he not? Her eyes could ensnare any man’s soul. Her full lips and thick, dark hair that fell to her mid-back.

Her voice could make a man forget everything and do anything she asked. Yet she seemed indifferent to any man’s attention, no matter how handsome they were.

That made her even more appealing. How he wanted to break her resistance.

Valerian turned to him and said, “Colhane, you’re here to meet me, not Ms. Hartfield. I’m sure she has plenty of work.”

“Where are you headed, Ms. Hartfield?” Colhane asked, his eyes still on her, ignoring Valerian.

“To lunch, sir,” she replied softly.

“Would you mind if I joined you?” Colhane asked.

Hailey seemed unsure of how to respond—she looked at Valerian, not Colhane.

“No, thank you, sir. I wouldn’t want to hold up your meeting,” she replied.

“Sure thing,” Colhane agreed. “Perhaps some other time.”

With those words, Hailey turned and left, not once glancing back.

He saw that Colhane’s gaze was fixed on her retreating figure, his eyes filled with intrigue.

“Shall we head to my office?” he suggested, purposefully disrupting Colhane’s focus. He didn’t want him staring at what was his.