30 Power Plays and Passionate Interruptions Liam's POV " Julian , what a surprise ," I answered the phone , keeping my eyes fixed on Hazel as she straightened her skirt . She looked deliciously disheveled , her lips swollen from my kisses . " What the hell is going on with my department ? " Julian Clairemont's voice boomed through the speaker . His rage was palpable , exactly as I'd anticipated . I leaned back in my chair , enjoying his distress . " I assume you're referring to the renovation . " " Renovation ? What renovation ? No one informed me about any renovation ! " Julian was practically screaming now . " I signed off on it last week , " I replied calmly . " The memo must have gotten lost in transit ." Hazel raised an eyebrow at me , clearly catching the hint of satisfaction in my voice . She was perceptive - one of the many things I admired about her . " This is unacceptable ! " Julian continued his tirade . " My entire department is standing outside the building because their access cards aren't working ! " I suppressed a chuckle . " Yes , for security reasons . Can't have people wandering through a construction zone . " " Where are we supposed to work ? We have deadlines ! " " Finance will temporarily share a floor with marketing , " I informed him . " The arrangements have already been made . " There was a momentary silence before Julian's panicked voice returned . " What about our documents ? We have confidential financial records that cannot be- " " Already handled , " I cut him off . " Your sensitive materials were transferred to secure storage last night . You'll be granted supervised access as needed ." " Supervised ? By whom ? " Julian's voice had risen another octave . 20:48 1/5 30 Power Plays and Passionate interruptions " My security team , I said firmly . " Standard protocol for a renovation of this scale . " Hazel was watching me intently now . She was too smart not to realize this wasn't a routine renovation . I winked at her , and her cheeks flushed . " This is ridiculous ! I need to come up and speak with you immediately ," Julian demanded . " I'm afraid that won't be possible , " I replied . " Your access to the executive floor has been temporarily suspended as well . Security protocols . " " You can't block me from- * " I can and I have , " I stated flatly . " Now , if there's nothing else , I have matters to attend to ." " This isn't over , Liam . " " It is for today . Goodnight , Julian . " I hung up , enjoying the small victory . Julian's department needed a thorough investigation , and this " renovation provided the perfect cover . " That didn't sound like a friendly call , " Hazel remarked , crossing her legs . " Julian tends to overreact , " I replied , standing up and moving toward her. " Nothing for you to worry about . " She tilted her head , studying my face . " So this renovation is completely legitimate and not at all suspicious ? " I grinned , loving her directness . " Let's just say some departments require closer scrutiny than others . " " And you always get what you want , don't you , Mr. Sterling ? " I stepped closer , trapping her against the desk . " Not everything . Not yet ? Her breathing quickened as I leaned in , my lips hovering just inches from hers . The chemistry between us was explosive , impossible to deny . " We should finish what we started , " I murmured , my hand sliding up her thigh . A knock at the door interrupted us . 30 Power Plays and Passionate Interruptions " Seriously ? " I groaned . Hazel quickly moved away from me , smoothing her clothes . " Your timing could use some work ," she whispered . I walked to the door , annoyed at the intrusion . When I opened it , Damian stood there with a knowing grin . " Am I interrupting something ? " he asked , peering past me to where Hazel stood , looking flushed . " Yes , " I said bluntly . Damian chuckled . " I can see that . Hello , Hazel ! " " Good evening , Mr. Knight , " she responded , professional as ever despite her tousled appearance . " Please , it's Damian ," he insisted , stepping into my office uninvited . " Especially since it seems we're all getting rather … familiar here . " I shot him a warning glance , but he ignored it completely . " I came to drop off these reports , " Damian explained , placing a folder on my desk . " But clearly I should have called first . " " Clearly ," I agreed dryly . Hazel checked her watch . " I should be getting home to Leo anyway ." The mention of her son brought a smile to my face . I'd only met him once , but the kid was adorable - a mini version of Hazel with those same striking green eyes . " Give the little man my regards ," Damian said warmly . " Your boss keeps you here too late , " Hazel replied with unexpected boldness . " Maybe you should talk to him about reasonable working hours ." Damian burst out laughing . " Oh , I like her , Liam . She's got fire . " " Don't encourage him , " I told Hazel , though I couldn't help grinning . " He's already impossible to work with . " " Says the man who just locked out his entire finance department without warning ," she 30 Power Plays and Passionate Interruptions countered . Damian's eyebrows shot up . " You did what now ? " " I'll explain later , " I promised him before turning back to Hazel . She was gathering her things , preparing to leave . The thought of her walking out the door made my chest tighten unexpectedly . " I'll walk you out ," I offered . " That's not necessary , " she replied . " I'm sure you and Mr. Knight have business to discuss . " " Nothing that can't wait , " I insisted . Before she could protest further , I pulled her into my arms and kissed her deeply , not caring that Damian was watching . I wanted him - wanted everyone - to know she was mine . When I finally released her , her eyes were wide with surprise . " What was that for ? " she whispered . " Because I wanted to , " I answered simply . " And because Damian needs to understand that interrupting us will have consequences ." Damian cleared his throat dramatically . " Message received . " Hazel laughed , the sound like music to my ears . " I really do need to get home to Leo . My neighbor can only watch him until seven ." " Go , " I said reluctantly . " I'll see you tomorrow . " She nodded , then surprised me by standing on tiptoe to press another quick kiss to my lips . " Goodnight , Liam . " I watched her leave , unable to tear my eyes away from her retreating form . When the door closed behind her , I felt an unfamiliar ache in my chest . " Wow ," Damian said , breaking my trance . " You've got it bad . " " Shut up ," I muttered , but there was no heat in my words . " I've never seen you look at anyone like that before , " he continued , leaning against my 30 Power Plays and Passionate Interruptions desk . " Not even = " " Don't , " I warned , cutting him off . Damian raised his hands in surrender . " All I'm saying is , it's good to see . You deserve to be happy , man . " I ran a hand through my hair , thinking about how quickly Hazel had become essential to me . Her sharp mind , her dedication to her son , her body that drove me wild- everything about her captivated me . " Man , I was head over heels for this woman ! There was no turning back ." The realization hit me like a physical blow . I hadn't just fallen for Hazel Vance - I was completely , irrevocably in love with her . Comment 1 V