18 A Devious Peace Offering Liam's POV I slammed the door to my office and loosened my tie . The woman was driving me insane . I couldn't focus . I couldn't think straight . All because of Hazel Vance and her maddening green eyes . " Rough morning ? " Damian asked , leaning against my doorframe with a knowing smirk . I glared at him . " Don't start ." Damian walked in and dropped into the chair across from my desk . " Too late . That little scene I walked in on ? Pure gold ." " I've lost my damn mind , I muttered , running my hands through my hair . " Or found something worth losing it for , Damian countered . " Did she accept your proposition ? " I paced the length of my office . " She's thinking about it . Damian whistled low . " You actually propositioned your assistant for a one - night stand ? Bold move , Sterling . Even for you ." " I had to do something ! " I snapped . " This … whatever it is between us … it's affecting my work . " Right . Your work ." Damian's tone dripped with sarcasm . " Nothing to do with the fact that you want her more than your next breath ." I stopped pacing and glared at him . " Are you here for a reason ? Besides annoying me ? " " Just checking on my best friend who seems to be in the middle of a meltdown over a woman . " Damian leaned forward . " When was the last time anyone got under your skin . like this ? " Never . That was the truth , but I wasn't about to admit it . " She challenges me ," I said finally . " No filter . No fear . She walked into my office yesterday and deliberately provoked me . " 18 A Devious Ponco Offering " And you loved every second of it . " I didn't respond . I couldn't deny it . " So what's your plan if she says no ?" Damian asked . I hadn't considered that possibility . The thought of Hazel rejecting me made my stomach twist uncomfortably . " She won't , " I said with more confidence than I felt . " And if she does ? " I sat heavily in my chair . " Then I'll respect her decision and maintain professional boundaries . " " Bullshit , " Damian laughed . " You're not wired that way , my friend . Especially not with her . He was right . The mere thought of Hazel with someone else - like that assistant Owen who'd taken her to lunch - made my blood boil . " I need to regain control ," I admitted . " She's making me lose it . " " Why fight it ? Just go with it . " I shook my head . " I can't . Not after what happened before … " Damian's expression softened . " Not every woman is going to be like Chelsea . " The name of my ex still stung after all these years . The woman who'd claimed to love me but only wanted access to my family's fortune . The woman I'd almost proposed to before discovering her betrayal . " This isn't about Chelsea ," I lied . " Isn't it ? You've kept everyone at arm's length since then ." Damian stood up . " Look , I'm not saying marry the girl . But maybe stop treating this like a war you need to win ." After Damian left , I stared out the window at the Manhattan skyline . He didn't understand . This was a war - one where losing meant giving up control I couldn't afford to surrender . If Hazel was going to push me , I would push back harder . I picked up my phone and dialed . " Janet , I need you to go shopping for me ." 20-42 275 18 A Devious Peace Offering An hour later , I held a small gift bag containing my latest tactical move . Inside was a delicate black lace thong wrapped in silver tissue paper . A replacement for what I'd destroyed - and a message that our game was just beginning . I smiled to myself . Two could play at this game of provocation . When I returned to the office , I spotted a slice of chocolate cake sitting on Hazel's empty desk . Perfect . " Ms. Vance , " I called out , watching her head snap up from her computer screen . " I need those financial reports for the Peterson account . They should be in the archives on the fortieth floor . " Her brow furrowed . " I don't recall any Peterson account in my files . " " That's because Evelyn handled it before you arrived , " I replied smoothly . " Ask the archivist for file P - 478 , " " Of course , Mr. Sterling . " She stood , smoothing her skirt . " I'll retrieve them right away . " As soon as the elevator doors closed behind her , I walked over to her desk and picked up the cake . I knew for a fact there was no Peterson account , and no such file number . The wild goose chase would keep her occupied just long enough . Back in my office , I waited . Twenty minutes later , my phone buzzed . " The archivist can't locate file P - 478 ," Hazel's voice came through the speaker . " How frustrating " I replied , barely suppressing a smile . " Come to my office when you return . We need to discuss the quarterly projections . " When she finally entered my office , her cheeks were flushed from rushing between floors . " I apologize , Mr. Sterling . The file couldn't be located . " " Don't worry about it . I must have confused the reference number ." I gestured to the chair across from me . " Please , sit . We have work to do . " For the next hour , I kept her engaged in actual , productive work . I watched her relax gradually , falling into the rhythm of our professional dynamic . She was undeniably competent - another quality that attracted me to her . 20:42 3/5 18 A Devious Peace Offering " I think we've covered everything " I said finally , leaning back in my chair . Relief flashed across her face . " Will there be anything else , sir ? " " Just one thing ." I reached for the plate beside me . " Would you like some cake ? It's quite delicious . " Her eyes widened as she recognized her missing dessert . " That's my cake " " Is it ? " I asked innocently , taking a deliberate bite . " I found it unattended ." Her green eyes narrowed dangerously . " You sent me on a wild goose chase to steal my cake ? " " Steal ' is such a strong word , " I replied , taking another bite . " Consider it … reallocation of resources ." " You are impossible ," she muttered , her hands clenching in her lap . I couldn't help but smile at her frustration . " Before you go , I have something for you ." I pulled out the small gift bag from my desk drawer and placed it between us . " What's this ? " Suspicion laced her voice . " A peace offering ," I explained . " To replace what was … damaged during our previous encounter . " Confusion flickered across her features as she hesitantly took the bag . Her fingers brushed against the tissue paper but didn't pull it out . " Open it later ," I suggested . " In private ." Her eyes met mine , wariness battling curiosity . " Why are you doing this ? " I leaned forward , dropping my voice to a near whisper . " Because every game needs clear stakes . And make no mistake , Hazel - this is definitely a game ." Her breath hitched slightly . " And if I don't want to play ? " " You already are . " I leaned back in my chair . " That will be all , Ms. Vance . " As she stood to leave , clutching the gift bag , I admired the graceful curve of her spine , the proud set of her shoulders . She paused at the door , turning to look at me one last time . 20:42 415 18 A Devious Peace Offering " Thank you for the … peace offering , Mr. Sterling " she said carefully . " But don't think . for a second this means you've won ." I smiled slowly as the door closed behind her . Let the games begin . Comment Leave the first comment for this chapter Send Gift Swipe left to continue > 20.42