Page 10 of His Dark Pull

“Yes, today, of course!”she chirps. “What are friends for?”

“Right, thanks, Sarah, it means a lot.”

“Of course.”

Sarah is more than just a friend. She’s a sister, a confidante. As I hang up the phone, my breathing slows down. But the brief respite is shattered by the insistent ringing of my phone once again. This time, it’s Tyler.

“Hey, what’s up?”I answer, trying to inject enthusiasm into my voice.

“Just wanted to make sure we’re still on for tonight,”he says.

Oh shit, Tyler. I forgot our date.

I had been looking forward to our date, a chance to escape work pressures and lose myself in Tyler’s company. But the project Cole dumped on me is a looming deadline I can’t ignore.

“I won’t be able to make it,”I say,my voiceapologetic. “Cole just dumped this huge project on me, and I need to finish it tonight.”

A sigh escapes Tyler’s lips,the sound ofhis disappointment a physical blow. “Okay,”he says. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m so sorry. I was looking forward to some grease overload,”I say, hoping to lighten the mood.

“Right, grease overload. And cheesy bare-chested male action. You’ll be missing out, Ava,”he replies, a hint of a smile in his voice.

“I’ll make it up to you, okay? I promise. Tomorrow, Steven Seagal, on my couch? Including some sort of Chinese food.”

“Okay, I’m in. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

We hang up, and I turn back to my computer, determined to conquer the mountain of work before me. The hours tick by, the office around me slowly emptying as my colleagues head home for the night. I barely take a break, fueled by caffeine and the promise of Sarah’s help.

Tyler would have known what to do. He’d have a plan, a logical solution, a way to navigate the complexities of code and deadlines. But Alexander—he thrives in chaos, in the shadows where rules were meant to be broken. And a part of me, a part I try to bury, misses that wildness, that sense of living on the edge.

* * *

The clock ticks past nine, and the bustling office is now quiet. The rhythmic tapping of my keyboard fills the silence as I race against the clock to finish the project.Just asI reach a breakthrough, the door creaks open, and Cole’s smug face appears in the doorway.

“Ava,”he says, his voice dripping with a false charm that sets my teeth on edge. “I need to speak with you. In private.”

A knot of unease tightens in my stomach as I follow him into his office.

Floor-to-ceiling windows now reflect the city lights like a fragmented mirror, yet the distance feels insurmountable, isolating us in this cold space. His desk of polished wood is devoid ofanypersonal touches, its surface reflecting the harsh fluorescent lights overhead. He closes the door behind us with a soft click, the sound echoing in the confined space. His predatory gaze chills me as if icy fingers traced a path of terror along my back.

What does he want?

There’smore to this than just work, a voice whispers in my head.

“You know, Ava,”he begins, taking a step closer, his voice smooth and calculated, “you’re a very talented graphic designer. I could use someone like you on my team.”

I take a step back, feeling trapped.

His team? What is he talking about?

“I’m already on your team,”I reply, my voice a tremor.

He chuckles a low, humorless sound. “On my private team,”he clarifies, his eyes glinting with hunger.

This isn’t about work. This is about power, about control, my inner voice screams.

“You’re doing a great job, Ava,”he continues, his voice a low purr as he moves closer, effectively blocking my escape. With a swift motion, he locks the door, the click of the lock sealing my fate. “But I think there’s more we could be doingtogether.”

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