Page 7 of Ardent Desires

I sit down behind my desk, but my mind’s not on the work in front of me. Ever since last night, all I can think about isher. Ellie Sanders. Reed’s assistant.

I sip my coffee, flipping through the resumes Lena handed me, but my attention drifts back to that moment in the powder room. Her big doe-like brown eyes, the nervous stammering, the way her hands shook as she tried to apologize. She’d looked so frazzled, spilling champagne on me like that. Most people wouldn’t have dared show their face again, but she stood there,eyes wide, blubbering some apology. And something about it stuck with me.

“Here are the staff documents you asked for, sir,” Lena says, interrupting my thoughts as she sets another file on my desk.

“Thanks, Lena,” I say absently, flipping open the file. “Can you also tell Miss Sanders to come see me as soon as she gets in?”

Lena arches an eyebrow, but she doesn’t say anything. She never does. Just a quick nod before she leaves the office, heels clicking in that efficient way of hers.

I glance down at the resume in front of me.Ellie Sanders. Twenty-six. Graduated with a marketing degree from some decent college. Worked part-time at a luxury resort while she was in school. Interesting. I wonder why she ended up as Jameson’s assistant.

I could use that. Someone with experience in luxury hospitality could be valuable, especially with the European expansion we’ve got lined up. I file that thought away for later.

I lean back in my chair, rubbing my jaw as I scan through the rest of her details. Her employment history is... limited, but she’s got potential. And potential is useful to me.

Still, there’s something else about her, something I can’t quite put my finger on. I liked having her close, despite the mess. The vanilla perfume she wore, the nervous energy crackling off her in waves... I shake my head. Not where my mind should be.

I force my focus back to the business at hand. I’ve got enough on my plate as it is. I’m working on expanding Blackwood Enterprises into the European luxury hotel market, and we’re making strides. Since I took over from my father, I’ve grown this company beyond anything he ever imagined. We were always big in real estate and hospitality, but the tech division—that’s where I made my mark. AI-driven infrastructure, smart home systems, data security for high-net-worth individuals—that’s the future. And the profits? Well, let’s just say the board’s no longerworried about having a “tech bro” at the helm. Not after I’ve increased margins by nearly a billion.

I glance at the proposals sitting on my desk. The next big deal is the European market—luxury resorts in the French Riviera, Italy, Spain. It’s ambitious, but Blackwood Enterprises was built on ambition.

My phone buzzes, interrupting my thoughts. I glance at the screen and see Vanessa’s name pop up. I groan, immediately swiping to ignore the call. Last thing I need isherdrama right now.

Vanessa Chase. She’s persistent, I’ll give her that. But I’m done with her. Hell, I’ve been done with her for a long time. We had our time, but she wants more than I’m willing to give. She’s elegant, sophisticated—everything a man’s supposed to want, but... she’s also exhausting. I have no interest in going down that road again.

Lena’s voice crackles through the intercom. “Miss Sanders is here to see you, sir.”

I exhale, bracing myself. The last time I saw her, she was spilling champagne all over me. I shouldn’t be this curious about her, but I am.

“Send her in,” I say, straightening my tie and smoothing my lapels. No need to dwell on last night. I’m a professional, and I have business to handle.

The door opens, and Ellie steps in, looking hesitant but determined. She’s dressed simply—a pencil skirt and blouse—but there’s something about the way she carries herself today. More confident, maybe? But still... cautious.

I can’t help but notice the way her red lipstick pops against her skin. And those lips... Damn, my mind’s going places it shouldn’t.

She’s trying to stay composed, but I can see it. She’s nervous. And a little pissed, too, judging by the way she’s holding her chin up.

Before I can even say anything, she blurts out, “Look, if you’re going to fire me over last night, I just want to say that’s unfair. I’ve workedhardsince I started here. Serving drinks wasn’t even part of my job description, and I’m not about to lose my career over some spilled champagne.”

I blink, surprised. That’s not what I expected.

She keeps going, her voice rising just a bit. “I mean, yeah, it was a screw-up, but I’ve been busting my ass here, doing whatever Reed’s thrown at me, and I’m not going to just—”

“Are you done?” I cut in, raising an eyebrow.

She stops, her breath coming in quick bursts, and I can see her cheeks flush red. She’s pissed. And she’s cute when she’s pissed, too. My eyes flick to her lips again, and for a second, I wonder what it would be like to taste that red lipstick off her.

I push the thought away, leaning back in my chair. “Sit.”

She exhales, clearly trying to calm herself, and sits down, folding her hands in her lap. Her eyes flick up to meet mine, then dart away.

I lean back, watching her carefully. “Miss Sanders, you’ve been here for three months, correct?”

“Yes, sir,” she says, her voice quieter now. Controlled.

“And how have you found your time at Blackwood Enterprises?”

She hesitates, clearly unsure how to answer. “It’s... it’s been good. Busy, but good.”

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