10 An Intoxicating Disturbance Liam's POV " She's something else , isn't she ? " Damian's smug voice broke through my daze . I tore my eyes away from the closed door , where I could still picture her - Hazel Vance , standing tall and poised in that perfectly fitted navy dress , her striking green eyes meeting mine with a mix of nervousness and determination . Her long black hair was pulled up , exposing the elegant curve of her neck . " Who ? " I asked , feigning disinterest . Damian laughed , dropping into one of the chairs opposite my desk . " Don't play dumb , Sterling . Your new assistant . I saw your face when you looked at her . " " I have no idea what you're talking about . " I busied myself with unpacking my laptop , refusing to acknowledge how my heart had nearly stopped when I'd first seen her . " The great Liam Sterling , struck speechless by a woman . Never thought I'd see the day ." Damian leaned back , grinning . " Those green eyes alone could stop traffic ." I shot him a warning glare . " She's an employee , Damian . " So ? Doesn't mean I can't appreciate the view ." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively . Something hot and possessive flared in my chest . " Stay away from her . " Damian's eyebrows shot up in surprise . " Whoa there , boss. Getting territorial already ? " " Don't be ridiculous , " I snapped , loosening my tie . The office suddenly felt too warm . " I just don't need you distracting my assistant with your pathetic attempts at flirting ." " My attempts are never pathetic ," he countered with mock offense . " But seriously , what's going on ? You're acting weird ." I ran a hand through my hair in frustration . " Nothing's going on . I just- " " Just what ? Got hit by a lightning bolt of attraction ? Because that's what it looked like ." " Drop it , Damian , " I warned , my voice low . But Damian , being Damian , pressed on . " You know , the last time I saw you this rattled 20:37 1/0 ( < 10 An Intoxicating Disturbance by a woman was- " " I said drop it ! " I slammed my hand on the desk , making pens jump . He raised his hands in surrender , but his smirk remained . " Fine , fine . But for the record , if you're not interested , maybe I should ask her- " " You won't be asking her anything , " I growled . " She's not here for office romances . She's here to work . " Damian laughed outright. " Oh man , you've got it bad . I was just messing with you , but now I'm genuinely concerned." I was about to respond when raised voices from outside caught our attention . " I'm sorry , but if you're looking for Mr. Sterling , you'll need an appointment ." Hazel's professional voice was firm but polite . A shriller female voice responded , " I don't need an appointment . Tell him Vanessa is here . Now . " I groaned , recognizing the voice immediately . Isabella Clairemont . The woman couldn't take a hint . " Sounds like your favorite stalker is back , " Damian commented dryly . I pinched the bridge of my nose . " I told her last week I wasn't interested ." " Maybe she needs a more direct approach . Like a restraining order ." The confrontation outside escalated . Isabella's voice grew more hostile . " I'm not leaving a message . I'm going to tell that bastard exactly what I think of him to his face! " " I'm afraid I can't let you do that . " Hazel's voice remained calm but resolute . " Get out of my way before I make you regret it ." At that threat , I was on my feet in an instant , striding to the door and yanking it open . What I saw made my blood boil . Isabella , dressed provocatively as always , was glaring daggers at Hazel , who stood firmly between Isabella and my office door . Hazel's spine was straight, her shoulders / back , her expression professionally neutral despite the clear threat she was facing . 20:37 C 2/8 < 10 An Intoxicating Disturbance " Is there a problem here ? " I asked , deliberately positioning myself behind Hazel , close enough that she'd know I was there to support her but not so close as to undermine her authority . Isabella's face transformed instantly into a cloying smile . " Liam , darling . Finally ! Your watchdog here was refusing to let me see you . " I felt Hazel stiffen at the insult but admired how she kept her composure . " Mr. Sterling , this is- " she began . " Vanessa ," I cut in , not bothering to correct the name . It didn't matter what I called her . " What do you want ? " " What do I want ? " Isabella's voice rose shrilly . " You stood me up last night ! No call , no message . I waited at the restaurant for an hour ! " I heard Damian mutter behind me , " Oh boy . Here we go again . " " I never agreed to meet you , " I stated coldly . " As I've told you repeatedly , I'm not interested in pursuing any kind of relationship with you ." Isabella's face contorted with anger . " You think you're too good for me ? Is that it ? " " This isn't appropriate workplace behavior ," I said firmly . " I suggest you leave before security escorts you out ." Her gaze shifted to Hazel , who still stood between us . " Is this why ? You're screwing your secretary now ? " Rage coursed through me . " That's enough ! " My voice boomed through the office . " Ms. Vance is a valued employee , and I won't have you insulting her . " " You'll regret this , " Isabella hissed . " My father plays golf with half your board members ." Hazel stepped forward , her voice calm and professional . " Ms. Clairemont , I've called security . They'll be happy to show you to the exit . " Isabella's eyes narrowed dangerously . " You little bitch . Who do you think you are ? " Before I could intervene , she lunged forward , grabbing Hazel's arm roughly . I moved instinctively , reaching to separate them , but Hazel smoothly sidestepped , causing Isabella to stumble in her ridiculous heels . 20:37 3/6 10 An Intoxicating Disturbance " Please don't touch me , " Hazel said , her voice steady despite the situation . " Security is on their way up . " As if on cue , the elevator dinged , and two security guards stepped out . " This isn't over , " Isabella spat , directing her venom at both of us before allowing herself to be escorted to the elevator , making a dramatic scene the entire way . The office fell silent after she left . Hazel turned to me , professional mask still in place despite the slight tremble in her hands . " I apologize for the disturbance , Mr. Sterling . Would you like me to bring you coffee while you continue your meeting with Mr. Knight ? " I stared at her , impressed by her composure . " No apology necessary . You handled that perfectly . " A slight blush colored her cheeks . " Thank you , sir . " Damian cleared his throat behind me . " I should head back to my office . Those quarterly reports won't review themselves ." He winked at Hazel as he passed . " Nice job , Ms. Vance . Our CEO here needs someone who can hold their ground . " Once Damian left , I turned back to Hazel . " Are you alright ? Did she hurt you ? " " I'm fine , " she assured me . " It's not my first encounter with an entitled client . " Her green eyes met mine directly , and something electric passed between us . I found myself staring at her lips for a moment before catching myself . " Right . Good ." I stepped back , needing space between us . " I should- " The elevator dinged again , and we both turned , half - expecting Isabella's return . Instead , Evelyn rushed out , looking concerned . " I just passed security escorting Isabella Clairemont downstairs . What happened ? " While Hazel explained the situation to Evelyn , I retreated to my office , shutting the door perhaps harder than necessary . My heart was racing , my thoughts jumbled . What was wrong with me ? I never lost control like this . Minutes later , a soft knock came at my door . " Come in ," I called , composing myself behind my desk . ( < 10 An Intoxicating Disturbance Hazel entered , carrying a cup of coffee . " I thought you might need this after all . " " Thank you ," I said , accepting the cup . Our fingers brushed , and that same electric current shot through me . I nearly spilled the coffee . " Will there be anything else , Mr. Sterling ? " I made the mistake of looking up at her . Something about her seemed hauntingly familiar , though I couldn't place it . " No , that will be all , Ms. Vance ." She nodded and turned to leave . In my distracted state , I suddenly stood , intending to open the door for her . Instead , I misjudged the distance and bumped into her . The impact sent her stumbling forward . Acting on instinct , I reached out , catching her around the waist and pulling her against me to prevent her fall . Time seemed to stop . Her body was pressed flush against mine , her hands on my chest for balance . I could smell her perfume - something delicate and floral that triggered a distant memory I couldn't quite grasp . Her green eyes widened as she looked up at me , lips slightly parted in surprise . My body reacted immediately and unmistakably to her proximity . I held her there a moment too long , my hands burning where they touched her waist , my heart thundering so loudly I was certain she could hear it . " I - I'm sorry ," she whispered , her breath warm against my chin . But I couldn't speak . Couldn't move . Couldn't do anything but hold her against me , fighting every instinct that screamed at me to lower my head those few inches and capture her mouth with mine . We stood frozen , trapped in each other's gaze , as the atmosphere around us charged with dangerous , forbidden electricity .