Chapter 35
As they settled into their seats, drinks were brought to their table. I tried to focus on my notes, but my senses betrayed me. The weight of his gaze pressed on me like a tangible force, My heart skipped when I glanced up and caught him staring.
He didn’t look away. Instead, his eyes held mine with an intensity that sent heat crawling up my neck. I dropped my gaze, my breath shaky. Why did his gaze overwhelm me mote than anyone else’s?
1 clasped my hands on the table, forcing myself to focus, but my thoughts raced.
The air felt charged, the moment stretching between us until I could no longer ignore it.
The tension clung to me like a second skin as I pushed my chair back and rose. I needed to breathe. My nerves were coiled too tightly, and I felt his eyes on me the entire time, burning a trail down my spine as I walked away. Even as I turned the corner toward the bathroom, the weight of his gaze lingered, making my steps falter for just a moment.
Once inside, I braced myself against the sink, the cool porcelain grounding me. My reflection stared back, lips pressed into a thin line.
“He’s just trying to make you uncomfortable,” I murmured to myself, gripping the counter. “He wants you to quit. Don’t give him that satisfaction.”
I ran cold water over my wrists, hoping to cool the heat crawling under my skin. But as much as I wanted to brush it off, I couldn’t explain why I reacted to him the way I did. Back in the pack, rugged men had stared at me–some with hunger, some with mockery. I’d never batted an eye. Hades was no different, I told myself. Sure, he was an Alpha and wielded more power than any of them ever would, but that didn’t explain this strange, almost suffocating pressure his presence brought.
I shook my head and dried my hands. “It’s nothing,” I whispered firmly. Time to go back.
As I stepped out, I saw him seated alone at the table. His tie was slightly loosened, his posture commanding even in rest. Our eyes locked, and it was as if he silently beckoned me forward. Against my better judgment, I obeyed.
“Um… is the meeting over?” I asked cautiously, stopping a few feet away.
“Obviously.” His tone was clipped, his narrowed eyes daring me to say something else.
He loosened his tie further, muttering something about the drink’s taste. Then he coughed, his hand briefly brushing his chest.
“Should I get you water?” I asked, hesitating.
His eyes flicked to me, sharp and assessing.
“You’d prefer coffee,” I corrected quickly, earning what seemed like a faint flicker of approval in his gaze. Without waiting for a reply, I hurried to the
counter.
I watched as the coffee was made, focusing on the swirling liquid to calm my nerves. When I returned, he took the cup with a nod. His phone rang, and his gaze pinned me to my spot, silently commanding me to sit.
I obeyed, folding my hands in my lap as he answered the call. My eyes wandered, and that’s when I saw it–a fly hovering too close to the rim of his cup.
It landed.
My breath caught as the tiny creature crawled along the brim. He was still watching me, the cup raised to his lips. My mind raced, picturing him gulping it down unknowingly.
“Wait!” I bolted upright, reaching out without thinking. My fingers brushed the cup just as he tilted it.
Hot liquid spilled onto his shirt.
“What the heck?!” he snapped, his voice sharp and commanding.
I froze, my eyes wide with horror.
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Chapter 35
What have I done?
