The CEO’s forbidden desire

Julian Hayes slammed his laptop shut so hard the screen flickered in protest. The rejection email still burned his eyes; we regret to inform you that your manuscript does not align with our current list. Another one. The fifth one today.His rent was due in four days and he had $47.86 in his account with a growing sense the universe has decided to personally fuck him over. He dragged a hand through his messy dark hair. He couldn’t stay in this cramped studio any second more. The walls were closing in and he felt he was suffocating with failure and fatigue.He craved release. He needed to be fucked so throughly to shut his brain entirely. He changed into a fitted black button down that clung to his lean toned torso and his finest jeans which accentuated his long legs and firm ass. He grabbed his keys and stepped outside into the cool New York night. Twenty minutes later, he pushed through the unmarked door of Velvet, an exclusive, low profile gay bar tucked discreetly in the upper eas

Julian Hayes closed the door to his small temporary office and leaned against it for a moment, eyes closed, breathing deliberately slow.His body was still buzzing from the morning confrontation. Ethan Cross — the same man who had pinned him down and fucked him like he was hungry for something— was now pretending that night never existed.Julian straightened his new dark button-down, ran a hand through his hair, and picked up his laptop and heavily detailed manuscript. He needed this contract.He needed this contract. The money would finally keep body and soul together. He couldn’t afford to let one unforgettable night ruin this opportunity of a lifetime. But that didn’t mean he had to make it easy for Ethan.At exactly 2:00 p.m., he knocked on the door of the corner office.“Come in.”Julian stepped inside. The late afternoon light poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Fifth Avenue, casting long shadows across the massive mahogany desk.Mr. Cross,” Julian said, voic

The city lights blurred past the cab window as Julian headed back to Cross Media. It was almost 8 p.m., and this would be their fifth late-night session in a row. His body felt wired, exhausted, and restless all at once. Those gray eyes. That controlled voice. The way Ethan looked at his mouth like he wanted to ruin it, kept his mind haywire.Julian adjusted himself in his jeans before stepping out of the cab. be professional, be professional. He chanted as he knocked on the office door and entered. Ethan was already there, standing by the windows with his back to the room, suit jacket off and shirtsleeves rolled up. The sight of those powerful forearms made Julian’s stomach tighten.“Mr. Cross,” Julian said, keeping his voice steady as he set his laptop down. “I brought the new revisions you asked for.”Ethan turned. For a second, something raw flickered across his face before the mask slid back into place. “Good, let’s work.”Julian opened the document and sat down.“I reworked the

Julian The whispers started even before Julian reached his temporary office.Two assistants near the coffee station at the executive office hallway stopped talking the moment they saw him. One gave him an awkward smile before turning away. The other pretended to be very focused on her phone. He hated being the recipient of such attention. This wasn’t how he planned the first weeks of his six months contract to go. Julian took a deep breath and kept his expression neutral as he walked down the hallway. This is only temporary and it will fizzle outHe let that sentence wash away his doubts and fear. He just hadn’t expected the news to travel this faster.“Julian, Hi” Sarah from marketing caught up to him as he neared his office. She offered a smile. Sarah was nice, he returned a tired smile and asked “is it so bad”?Sarah glanced around before leaning in. “People are talking. Some are saying you had a private meeting with Mr. Cross the night before you started. Others are saying it

Julian Julian closed the door to his hotel room and leaned against it for a long moment, letting out a slow breath. The day had been something to say the least, productive, quite exhausting but also enjoyable. This was his first business trip and he felt really important. He kicked off his shoes, loosened his shirt and walked over to the large window overlooking Long Island Sound. The moonlight dances on the dark water, calm.. he felt calm, a smile playing along his lips.He replayed the day like a film reel he couldn’t pause.First the awkward car ride with Ethan, him all quiet and stealing glances at Julian. Julian had caught him more than once, then the meeting itself. Julian had desperately wanted to impress the distributors and his Boss. He had managed to contribute without tripping over his words which felt like a personal victory. And dinner…Dinner with Mr Richard Harrington and of course Ethan and the other guy whose name he had forgotten.Julian groaned and covered his fa