บททั้งหมดของ Lust & Love: บทที่ 51 - บทที่ 60

Hazel nodded slowly, completely unsure why he was telling her this. "I'm sure they can find someone more qualified by tomorrow.""I don't have until tomorrow," Xavier snapped, his voice dropping into a dark, commanding rumble. He walked around the edge of his desk, completely closing the distance between them. "I am closing a massive acquisition with a London firm this week. The files are highly confidential. I do not trust a random temp from a staffing agency to handle my private communications, and I do not have the time to train someone."He stopped right in front of her. He looked down, his intense gaze locking onto hers."You are taking over her desk," Xavier ordered.Hazel’s breath completely stopped in her lungs. She stared up at him, entirely convinced she had misheard him. "What?""You heard me," Xavier said smoothly. "You are moving out of the marketing department. You are my interim executive assistant, effective immediately.""Xavier, no," Hazel argued, her voice rising in

"You are attending with me," Xavier stated, his voice completely flat. "The event is at the Pierre Hotel. It starts at eight o'clock."Hazel’s heart gave a violent, painful jolt. She dropped the invitation back onto the desk. "Xavier, no. Absolutely not. That is a highly exclusive event. The entire board of directors will be there. The press will be there. If I walk into a ballroom on your arm, people will talk. It completely violates the boundaries of the contract.""It violates nothing," Xavier replied coldly, shutting down her argument instantly. He leaned forward, placing his large hands flat on her desk, completely dominating her space. "You are my executive secretary. It is completely standard protocol for my assistant to accompany me to corporate events.""I am an analyst playing secretary for a week!" Hazel argued fiercely, her chest tightening with panic. The idea of standing in a crowded ballroom with him, wearing a formal gown, pretending they were just colleagues while she

She was trying to do her job. She was trying to focus on the corporate espionage he had assigned her.But her heart was hammering a frantic, terrified rhythm against her ribs. She was waiting for him. Every time the heavy brass doors opened, her breath stalled in her lungs.At exactly eight-thirty, the low hum of conversation in the ballroom suddenly shifted. The energy in the massive space changed instantly, heads turning and conversations pausing as a ripple of attention completely swept toward the front entrance.Hazel lowered her champagne glass. She looked toward the doors.Xavier Sterling walked into the ballroom.Hazel’s chest completely caved in. Her lungs stopped working.He looked terrifyingly handsome. He was wearing a custom-tailored, pitch-black tuxedo that fit the massive, broad lines of his body with absolute perfection. The crisp white shirt and dark bowtie sharply highlighted the hard, ruthless angles of his jaw and his piercing blue eyes. He radiated a dark, completel

He was showing her exactly where she belonged. He had brought her here to watch him operate, completely blind to the fact that forcing her to watch him with another woman was tearing her to shreds.Two hours passed in pure, unadulterated agony.The dinner plates were cleared. The charity auction began on the main stage. The heavy doors to the terrace were opened, letting the cool night air filter into the overheated ballroom.Hazel had not moved from her corner. Her feet were screaming in pain from the towering stilettos, and her jaw physically ached from keeping her teeth locked tightly together. She had finished her glass of champagne an hour ago but hadn't grabbed another one, terrified that any alcohol would completely strip away the fragile, professional mask she was holding up.Across the room, the auctioneer called out a staggering price for a piece of modern art.The crowd clapped politely. Xavier stood up from the VIP table. He buttoned his tuxedo jacket and whispered somethin

Hazel’s eyes snapped open. She immediately stood up straight, turning off the gold faucet and reaching for a thick, monogrammed hand towel. She wiped her damp fingers, forcing her posture into a rigid, professional line as she looked through the mirror to see who had walked in.Victoria Kensington let the heavy door swing shut behind her.The tall, stunning heiress walked into the marble room, her silver gown shimmering fluidly with every step. She didn't look tired. She didn't look flushed from the heat of the ballroom. She looked completely immaculate, her blonde hair sitting perfectly over her shoulders, the massive diamond necklace resting heavily against her bare chest.Hazel’s chest tightened. She placed the damp towel on the edge of the sink and picked up her black clutch, intending to walk straight out the door."Don't leave on my account, Miss Evans," Victoria said smoothly. Her bright, melodic voice echoed clearly in the quiet room.Hazel paused. She turned slightly, keeping