12 The Boss's Possessive Claim Hazel's POV I collapsed into my office chair , my heart still racing wildly . My skin tingled where Liam had touched me , and my mind replayed our encounter on an endless loop . Those violet - blue eyes , his hard chest against mine , his strong arms … I couldn't believe how my body had betrayed me . One touch , and I'd practically melted into him . What was wrong with me ? I was a professional , a mother . Not some hormonal teenager . I pulled out my phone with shaky hands and texted Chloe . ME : You won't believe what just happened . My new boss caught me when I tripped, and I felt … everything . EVERYTHING , Chloe . And then his crazy ex burst in and called me an office slut . I hit send and immediately regretted oversharing . Before I could send a follow - up text , a soft knock interrupted my spiraling thoughts . " Come in , " I called , attempting to compose myself . bianca peeked her head in , looking apologetic . " Ms. Vance ? I wanted to apologize for letting Ms. Clairemont up . She bullied her way past security . " I waved her concern away . " It's not your fault . And please , call me Hazel . " Bianca stepped fully into my office , closing the door behind her . " That woman is a nightmare . She's been chasing Mr. Sterling for years ." " Really ? " I couldn't help but be curious . Bianca nodded eagerly . " Isabella Clairemont thinks her family's connections entitle her to anything - or anyone - she wants . She's been trying to get her claws into Mr. Sterling since before his parents died ." " And he's never been interested ? " I asked , then immediately chastised myself for prying . " Never , " Bianca confirmed with a small smile . " He's always kept his distance , but she refuses to take the hint . Gets especially nasty with any woman who works closely with 20:38 1/6 him ." 12 The Boss's Possessive Claim My phone buzzed with Chloe's response : CHLOE : OMG !!! Need details NOW ! Is he hot ? Did he defend you ? Is this sexual harassment lawsuit territory or romance novel territory ??? I quickly flipped my phone over as Bianca continued . " I heard Mr. Sterling banned her from the building . " " He did , " I confirmed . " He called her father directly ." Bianca's eyes widened . " Charles Clairemont is on the board of directors . That's- " The door swung open , cutting her off . Damian Knight strolled in with a wide grin , followed by an elegant older woman I recognized as Evelyn Reed . " Well , well , if it isn't the woman who broke our Ice King's composure , " Damian teased , his dark eyes twinkling with mischief . Heat flooded my cheeks . " Mr. Knight , I- " " Please , it's Damian to you , " he insisted , perching on the edge of my desk . " After the show you just put on ? We're practically family . " " Damian , stop terrorizing the poor girl , " Evelyn scolded , though her lips twitched with amusement . She turned to me with warm eyes . " Don't mind him , dear . He lives to stir up trouble . " Bianca excused herself , shooting me a sympathetic look as she slipped out . " I wasn't terrorizing ," Damian protested . " I was congratulating ! Do you know how long I've waited to see Isabella Clairemont get her comeuppance ? And to witness Liam's face when he … " He paused dramatically . " Let's just say your meeting was quite unconventional , Ms. Vance . " " Hazel , " I corrected automatically , wishing the floor would open and swallow me whole . " Hazel ," Damian repeated , his smile widening . " Beautiful name for a beautiful woman . No wonder Liam was- " " That's enough, " Evelyn interrupted firmly . " We came to welcome Hazel properly , not 20:38 C 2/6 12 The Boss's Possessive Claim embarrass her . " Damian placed a hand over his heart , feigning offense . " When have I ever embarrassed anyone ? " Evelyn rolled her eyes and turned to me . " Ignore him . He and Liam have been friends since childhood , which is the only reason he gets away with such behavior ." My phone buzzed again . I ignored it . " So , " Damian leaned closer , lowering his voice conspiratorially . " What did you think of our illustrious leader ? Besides his impressive reflexes , of course ." " He seems … " I searched for an appropriate word . " Intense ." Damian burst out laughing . " Intense ! That's diplomatic . Most people say ' terrifying ' or ' intimidating ' after their first meeting . " " He can be quite focused , " Evelyn acknowledged . " But he's an excellent boss . Demanding but fair . " " And filthy rich , " Damian added with a wink . " Single , too ." " Damian ! " Evelyn scolded . ' What ? I'm just stating facts , " he said innocently . " Though I should warn you , Hazel , that Liam specifically told me you're off - limits . Very specifically . With a glare that could freeze hell ." My mouth fell open . " He what ? " Evelyn shot Damian a warning look before turning back to me . " What are your impressions so far ? Beyond Mr. Sterling's intensity ? " I hesitated , trying to form coherent thoughts . " He seems very dedicated to his work . And his eyes are quite unique . Actually … " I paused , remembering something that had been nagging at me . " My son has the exact same color eyes . That violet - blue . I've never seen it on anyone else before . " Something flickered across Evelyn's face - surprise , curiosity , I couldn't quite tell . " Your son ? " she asked carefully . " How old is he ? " " Leo's two ," I answered , reaching for my phone to show her a picture . " He's everything Even studied the photo , her expression unreadable . " He's beautiful . Those eyes are Indeed remarkable " They're extremely rare . Damian commented , peering over Evelyn's shoulder at my phone . " In Liam's case , they're a Sterling family trait . His father had them too ! " Would you like to see more pictures ? " I asked , feeling the familiar maternal pride swell . " Actually , if you're not busy this weekend , you could meet him . Chloe - my best friend - and 1 are having dinner at my place on Saturday " rd love that , " Evelyn said , her smile genuine . The intercom on my desk buzzed . " Ms. Vance , please come to my office . Bring Damian and Evelyn with you . Liam's deep voice sent an involuntary shiver down my spine . " Duty calls ," Damian announced , standing . " Don't worry about Isabella , by the way . Liam's handled her , but her father might be another story . " My stomach tightened with anxiety . " What do you mean ? " " Charles Clairemont isn't used to being told no ," Damian explained as we walked toward Liam's office . " And now his precious daughter has been humiliated and banned om the building . He'll want someone to blame . " " And that someone will be me , " I guessed , my newfound job security suddenly feeling very precarious . " Possibly , " Damian admitted . " But don't worry . You've got protection now ." Before I could ask what he meant , he pushed open Liam's door without knocking , Liam stood by the window , his powerful silhouette backlit by the afternoon sun . He turned as we entered , his gaze immediately finding mine . " The Clairemonts will be a problem , " he stated without preamble . " Isabella is spreading rumors , and Charles is threatening to make an issue at the next board meeting . " My heart sank . " Mr. Sterling , I'm so sorry . If I hadn't been so clumsy- " " This isn't your fault , " he cut me off sharply . " Isabella has been a problem for years . This Was inevitable . " 12 The Boss's Possessive Claim " What's the plan , boss ? " Damian asked , dropping casually into a chair . Liam's eyes never left mine . " Ms. Vance will need to be prepared . The Clairemonts will target her specifically . " " Target me ? " I repeated nervously . " They'll try to undermine you , question your qualifications , possibly spread rumors ," Evelyn explained gently . " It's nasty business . " " I won't let that happen , " Liam stated firmly , his jaw tightening . " How exactly do you plan to prevent it ? " Damian asked , his tone suddenly serious . " Charles has influence . " Liam's eyes darkened as he looked at me with an intensity that made my breath catch . " From now on , I'm the only one allowed to touch Catherine's behind ! " The room fell silent . Damian's eyebrows shot up practically to his hairline . Evelyn coughed delicately . And I … I stood there in complete shock , my face burning so hot I thought I might spontaneously combust . Had my boss - my extremely powerful , impossibly handsome boss - just staked a possessive claim on me in front of his closest colleagues ? And had he just called me Catherine ? The way he'd said my name, my real name , with that deep , commanding voice … it had triggered something primal within me . Something I hadn't felt since that night at the masquerade ball three years ago .