17 The Boss's Heated Proposition Hazel's POV The Sterling Group buzzed with carly morning activity as I arrived , still feeling vulnerable without underwear after yesterday's encounter . My torn panties were still in Liam Sterling's possession - a trophy from our heated battle on his office couch . The memory made my cheeks flush as I settled at my desk . " Good morning , Hazel ! " I looked up to find Owen Harris , Damian Knight's assistant , standing by my desk with a warm smile . His friendly demeanor was a welcome distraction from my current . predicament . " Morning , Owen ," I replied , returning his smile . " You're in early . " " Same as you . Thought we could sync up on today's schedule before the bosses arrive ." Owen was tall , blond , and undeniably handsome with his boyish charm and kind blue . eyes . Under different circumstances , I might have been interested , but my body still tingled from Liam's touch . " Great idea , " I said , pulling up my calendar . " Mr. Sterling has the budget meeting at nine and lunch with the board at noon ." Owen nodded . " Mr. Knight will join for both . Should we coordinate their afternoon as well ? " As we compared notes , the elevator chimed . Damian Knight strolled in , his tailored suit accentuating his athletic build . When he spotted us , a mischievous grin spread across his face . " Well , well ! My two favorite assistants looking cozy ," he teased , leaning against my desk . " How are you settling in , Hazel ? Is our fearsome leader treating you well ? " Before I could answer , Liam emerged from his office . His violet - blue eyes narrowed at the sight of Damian hovering by my desk . I have vo " Knight , don't own assistant to bother ? " Liam's voice carried a sharp edge . 20:42 1/6 20:42 17 The Boss's Heated Proposition . Damian's grin widened . " Just checking on the new blood . Someone has to make her feel welcome ." " I believe that's my job ," Liam replied coldly . I couldn't help myself . " Is it ? I must have missed that in the employee handbook ." Damian burst into laughter while Owen's eyes widened in shock . Liam's gaze locked onto mine , promising retribution . " Ms. Vance , my tea , he commanded before retreating to his office . " Someone's in a mood , " Damian whispered with a wink . " Good luck . " As Owen and Damian walked away , I prepared Liam's tea . My hands trembled slightly as I added a single sugar cube - exactly how he liked it . The smart move would be delivering his tea with an apology and professional demeanor . But I wasn't feeling smart today . I was feeling bold . I walked into Liam's office without knocking , deliberately letting my hips sway . His eyes tracked my movement like a predator . " Your tea , Mr. Sterling , " I said , placing it on his desk and leaning forward slightly more than necessary . " Thank you , " he replied , his voice tight . " That will be all ." I didn't move . " Is there anything else you need , sir ? " His jaw clenched . " Testing me again , Ms. Vance ? " " I'm just being thorough , " I replied innocently . Liam stood suddenly , circling his desk with deliberate steps . I backed away until I hit the wall . He placed his hands on either side of my head , caging me in . " I warned you yesterday , " he growled , his face inches from mine . " Or did you forget what happens when you provoke me ? " My heart hammered in my chest . " I remember . " " And yet here you are , " he whispered , his breath hot against my ear . " Without panties , if I'm not mistaken ." 10 276 17 The Boss's Heated Proposition 1 gasped . " How did you- " " I know every inch of your body's reactions now ," Liam stated , his his eyes dark with desire . " The next time you come in here swaying those hips and batting those eyes , I will forget you're my assistant . I will bend you over this desk and take you until you beg me to stop . " Heat pooled between my legs at his raw words . My breath caught as his hand skimmed lightly down my side , stopping at my hip . " Do you understand me , Hazel ? " His voice was dangerously low . Before I could answer , the door swung open . Damian froze in the doorway , taking in our compromising position . " Well , " he drawled , " I was coming to grab you for the conference call , but maybe your need a minute ? " Liam stepped back immediately . " We were just discussing proper office protocol . " Damian's eyebrow shot up . " Against a wall ? Interesting teaching method . " I straightened my skirt , face burning . " Excuse me ." " Actually ," Damian said , blocking my exit , " I think we should address the elephant in the room . The sexual tension between you two is suffocating everyone around you . " " Damian ," Liam warned . " No , let me finish ," Damian continued . " Just sleep together already . The whole office is taking bets on when it happens , and frankly , I'd like to collect my winnings . " " That's inappropriate , " I stammered . " What's inappropriate is watching you two circle each other like hungry wolves . It's inevitable , so stop torturing yourselves - and the rest of us ." With that bomb dropped , Damian walked out , leaving a heavy silence in his wake . Liam ran a hand through his hair . " I apologize for his behavior . " " It's fine , " I muttered , desperate to escape . " I should get back to work . " The morning dragged by in uncomfortable awareness . Every time Liam emerged from 20:42 3/4 17 The Boss's Heated Proposition his office , my body tensed in anticipation . By lunchtime , I needed distance . Owen caught me in the break room . " Want to grab lunch in the courtyard ? I packed extra " His friendly offer was exactly what I needed . " That would be lovely . " We ate sandwiches on a bench beneath a sprawling oak tree , chatting about everything except work . Owen was easy to talk to - no hidden agendas , no power plays . " So how are you really doing here ? " he asked . " Evelyn says you've been handling Sterling better than anyone expected ; I smiled . " It's challenging but rewarding . Mr. Sterling is … intense ." " That's putting it mildly ," Owen laughed . " The man has gone through three assistants in the past year . " " I'm not planning to become number four ," I said firmly . When we returned , Liam was waiting by my desk , his expression unreadable as he watched us approach . " Enjoyed your lunch break , Ms. Vance ? " he asked coolly . " Yes , thank you ," I replied , sliding into my chair , " Good . My office in five minutes ." As he walked away , Owen whispered , " Good luck ," before returning to his desk . I took a deep breath , checking my appearance in my compact mirror before heading to Liam's office . The lack of underwear still made me feel exposed , something I couldn't remedy until after work . I knocked tentatively . " Enter , came his curt reply . I stepped inside , carefully closing the door behind me . Liam stood by the window , his broad shoulders tense beneath his tailored jacket . " You wanted to see me ?" I asked , keeping my distance . He turned , his violet - blue eyes intense . " Yes . About what happened earlier - what Damlan said … " 20:42 17 The Boss's Heated Proposition My stomach clenched . Was this my termination ? Had our inappropriate behavior finally crossed too many lines ? " This situation between us has become untenable , " Liam continued , stepping closer . " The attraction is affecting our work . " I nodded stiffly . " I understand . If you want my resignation- " " Resignation ? " He looked genuinely surprised . " That's not what I'm suggesting at all ." " Then what are you suggesting ? " I held my breath . Liam's eyes darkened . " A proposition . One night together to get this out of our systems . No strings , no complications . After that , we return to a strictly professional relationship . My mouth fell open in shock . " You want us to sleep together ? " " One night of absolute discretion , " he clarified . " Then we can focus on work without this … distraction . " The proposal hung in the air between us , dangerous and tempting . One night with Liam Sterling . The very thought sent heat coursing through my body . " And if I say no ? " I managed to ask . His expression hardened slightly . " Then we continue as we are , pretending we don't want to tear each other's clothes off every time we're alone ." My heart pounded in my ears . This was madness . He was my boss. I had Leo to think about . A thousand reasons to refuse . But only one overwhelming reason to accept : I wanted him more than I'd ever wanted anyone . " Think about it ," Liam said softly , his voice like velvet . " Let me know your answer tomorrow ." As I walked back to my desk on shaky legs , his words echoed in my mind . One night with no strings . A way to exorcise this craving . Could it really be that simple ? The more pressing question burned within me : Could I say no to the proposition when every fiber of my being was screaming yes ? 20:42