24 When Business Gets Personal Hazel's POV I stared at my closet with determination . Today , I would wear something professional and forgettable - nothing that might catch Liam's attention . After last night's charged conversation , I needed to regain control . The navy pantsuit seemed perfect . Conservative , serious , and completely unsexy . My phone buzzed with a text from Chloe : " Breakfast before work ? I'm outside your building . " Twenty minutes later , we sat at our favorite café , coffee and pastries between us . " A pantsuit ? " Chloe raised an eyebrow , examining my outfit . " What happened to the pencil skirts Liam can't keep his eyes off ? " I sipped my coffee . " That's exactly why I'm wearing pants ." " Trying to be invisible ? " She smirked . " Honey , you could wear a potato sack and that man would still devour you with his eyes . " " That's the problem ! " I groaned . " Things are getting complicated . " " Getting ? " Chloe laughed . " They've been complicated since day one . Spill everything about last night ." I told her about dinner and the car ride home , how Liam had admitted our chemistry and proposed we stop fighting it . " So he basically gave you permission to flirt back ? " Chloe clapped her hands . " And you're wearing a pantsuit ? That's like bringing a knife to a gunfight ! " " I need professional boundaries , " I insisted . " No , you need to accept that you want him ." She checked her watch . " I have to run . I'm assisting Adrian Cole at his Apex meeting with Sterling Group today ." I nearly choked . " That's at our office ! I'm taking notes for that meeting ! " Chloe's eyes widened . " Well , this just got interesting . " 20:44 C 15 24 When Business Gets Personal At the office , Liam was in rare form . Before noon , he'd already demanded three coffee refills , snapped at Damian about quarterly projections , and called for an emergency meeting with legal . When I brought in his latest coffee , he glanced up from his laptop . " The pantsuit is an interesting choice , Ms. Vance ," he remarked casually . " Though I must admit , I miss the view of your legs . " Heat rushed to my face . " I thought it would be more professional ." His eyes traveled slowly from my face down to my shoes and back up again . " Professional , perhaps . Disappointing , definitely . " " I'll try to contain my remorse ," I replied dryly , earning a rare smile that transformed his face . " See , there's that fire I mentioned last night . " He leaned back in his chair . " The Apex meeting is at three . Be ready ." By lunchtime , I needed air . I met my colleague Owen in the cafeteria . " You look like you're having a day , " he commented as we found seats . " Is it that obvious ? " I sighed . " Let me guess - Sterling is being Sterling ? " Owen bit into his sandwich . " He's particularly demanding today , " I admitted . Owen nodded sympathetically . " Word around the office is that he's different with you . More … invested . " " That's ridiculous , " I protested , though my cheeks betrayed me . " Is it ? " Owen smiled . " He called you ' our pretty woman ' yesterday . In front of me . " I focused intently on my salad . " It's just a joke . " " If you say so . " Owen checked his watch . " Better hurry . The Apex meeting is soon , and rumor has it Adrian Cole is quite the charmer . At precisely three o'clock , I entered the conference room with my tablet and a pitcher of water . Damian was already there , reviewing documents . 20:44 24 When Business Gots Personal " Hey , beautiful , " he greeted me . " Ready for the Adrian Cole experience ? Man's a notorious flirt . " " Great ," I muttered . " Just what I need . The door opened , and Chloe walked in with a tall , handsome man with wavy brown hair and a confident smile . Adrian Cole looked exactly like a CEO from a business magazine cover . " Ms. Dalton ," I greeted professionally , though I wanted to hug my friend . Chloe winked subtly . " Ms. Vance . Mr. Cole , this is Hazel Vance , Mr. Sterling's executive assistant ." Adrian took my hand , holding it a moment too long . " The pleasure is absolutely mine . Liam didn't tell me he had such gorgeous staff . " " Mr. Cole ," I replied smoothly , withdrawing my hand . " Welcome to Sterling Group . " " Adrian , please ," he insisted , still standing unnecessarily close . The conference room door swung open with force . Liam entered , his violet - blue eyes . immediately narrowing at the scene before him . " Cole , " he nodded curtly . " I see you've met my assistant . " " Indeed I have , " Adrian smiled . " You're a lucky man to work with such beauty every day . Something dangerous flashed in Liam's eyes . " Shall we begin ? " Throughout the meeting , Adrian found reasons to direct questions my way , compliment my insights , and " accidentally " brush his hand against mine when passing documents . Damian caught my eye across the table , subtly rolling his eyes at Adrian's obvious tactics . Even Chloe looked uncomfortable with her boss's behavior . When I leaned over to refill water glasses , Adrian commented , " Ms. Vance , that color suits you perfectly . Navy brings out the green in your eyes ." Before I could respond , Liam's voice cut through the room like ice . " Martin , keep your hands and eyes off my assistant . " 20:45 - 3/5 24 When Business Gets Personal The room fell silent . I froze , water pitcher suspended midair . Adrian's smile grew wider . " Protective , aren't we , Sterling ? " " Just establishing boundaries , " Liam replied , his jaw tight . Damian cleared his throat , clearly fighting a grin . " Maybe we should return to the Apex proposal ? " " Of course ," Adrian agreed , though his eyes sparkled with amusement . " Though I have to say , I've never seen you territorial over staff before , Liam . Must be something special about Ms. Vance . " I carefully set down the water pitcher , my hands slightly trembling . Liam's eyes followed my movements , his expression unreadable . " Hazel is an exceptional assistant , " Liam stated , his voice controlled . " And I don't appreciate my employees being made uncomfortable ." " No discomfort intended , " Adrian raised his hands in surrender . " Just admiring excellence when I see it ." " Then admire the excellent contract terms we're offering " Liam redirected , flipping open his folder . The tension gradually dissipated as the meeting returned to business matters . Chloe shot me questioning glances whenever she could , clearly dying to discuss what had just happened . When the meeting adjourned , Adrian shook Liam's hand firmly . " Always a pleasure , Sterling . Your possessiveness notwithstanding ." " Business is business , Cole ," Liam replied evenly . " Personal is personal ." " And yet you've made your assistant very personal , Adrian observed with a knowing smile . " Interesting development . " As they walked out , Damian hung back , sidling up to me with a mischievous . expression . " So , " he whispered , " how long have you had our fearless leader wrapped around your finger ? " 20:45 4/6 24 When Business Gets Personal " I have no idea what you're talking about , I whispered back . "Sure you don't , " Damian chuckled . " I haven't seen him this jealous since- " he paused , " actually , I've never seen him this jealous . It's entertaining as hell . I gathered my notes quickly . " It's not jealousy . It's professionalism . " " Is that what we're calling it ? " Damian grinned . " Well , ' professionalism ' just caused him to stake a public claim on you . Hope you're ready for what comes next , Hazel . " I watched through the conference room windows as Liam escorted Adrian and Chloe to the elevators , his posture rigid . What had he meant by calling me " his " assistant that way ? And more importantly , how was I supposed to face him now ? The strangest part was the warm flutter in my chest when he'd spoken up . Despite my better judgment , despite all my attempts at professionalism , I'd liked it . I'd liked that Liam Sterling had publicly drawn a line around me that said " mine. " And that realization terrified me more than anything else . Comment 20.45