Page 5 of Ardent Desires

It’s almost 9 p.m., and I’m ready to collapse. My feet are killing me, and my back aches, but I’m stuck here, in a cocktail dress that’s way too tight and serving drinks at this stupid corporate event.

All because Jameson Reed—my boss—decided there was some “emergency corporate meeting” and that all the assistants had to help with drinks. Right. Because that’s definitely part of my job description.

I glance around the room, all polished people in their designer suits and fancy dresses, laughing like they don’t have a care in the world. The ballroom is massive, with chandeliers and goldaccents that scream wealth. I’m just trying to get through the night without making a fool of myself.

“Sanders!” Reed’s voice snaps me out of my daze.

I spin around, spotting him near the grand entrance. He’s waving me over, already looking irritated, as usual. He’s standing with a group of big-shot executives, including someone I instantly recognize.Alexander Blackwood. The CEO.

Tall, dark hair, blue eyes that seem to cut through the room. He moves like he owns everything in sight—because, well, he kind of does. The second he steps into the room, everyone gets quieter, the tension rising like we’re all waiting to see what he’ll do.

I hurry over, balancing the champagne tray. “Champagne, sir?” I manage, keeping my voice steady.

Reed nods, not even glancing at me as he tries to catch Blackwood’s attention, all smiles and schmooze. “Mr. Blackwood, I’d love to—”

But before I can even process what’s happening, I trip. My stupid heel catches on something, and the tray tilts. I watch in horror as the champagne spills—all over Alexander Blackwood’s pristine suit.

The entire room goes silent.

Oh. My. God.

My heart plummets. I’m standing there, frozen, with the empty tray in my hands, champagne soaking into his expensive jacket, and everyone is staring at me.

“I—I’m so sorry,” I stammer, trying to recover, but it’s too late. Blackwood’s icy blue eyes are locked on me, and the look he gives me sends a shiver down my spine.

Reed is gaping, but Blackwood just steps back, his voice dangerously calm. “Follow me.”

Before I can argue or explain, he grabs my arm—not hard, but firm—and starts leading me through the crowd. I can feelthe stares, hear the whispers, but I can’t focus on anything other than the fact that I just spilled champagne onthe CEOof Blackwood Enterprises. I’m dead. So dead.

He pushes through a door, pulling me into a small powder room. The second the door clicks shut, he lets go of my arm and turns to face me, his expression cold.

“Do you have any idea how much this suit costs?” His voice is low, furious.

“I— I’m really sorry,” I stammer, grabbing a towel from the counter, trying to wipe at the champagne stain. “It was an accident—”

He grabs my wrist, stopping me mid-motion. “I don’t need you to clean me up,” he snaps, his voice rough. His eyes are burning with anger, but there’s something else there. Something intense.

I swallow hard. “I’ll get more napkins.”

I rush out, grab the napkins from a nearby server station, and dart back into the room, my hands shaking. Blackwood is still standing there, waiting, his suit ruined.

“I’m really sorry,” I whisper again, holding out the napkins. “It was an accident.”

“Accident or not,” he says, his voice sharp, “you’ve just ruined a suit worth more than your monthly salary.”

I feel like I’m going to throw up. “I—I didn’t mean to—”

“What’s your name?” he asks.

Bile sours my throat. “Ellie. Ellie Sanders.”

He steps closer, and suddenly, there’s hardly any space between us. I’m looking up at him, and his eyes—they’re sharp, but there’s something else there, something dark and heavy that makes my stomach flip.

“What I want,” he says, his voice dropping to a dangerously low whisper, “is for you to learn how to carry yourself, Ms. Sanders. Because if you can’t, I’ll make sure you understand exactly what that means.”

I can’t breathe. I can’t move. I’m standing there, frozen, staring up at him like an idiot. The air between us is thick, heavy, and I don’t know what’s happening, but something has shifted. Something’s changed.

And then, just as suddenly, he steps back, his face hardening again.

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