### **Chapter 2: The Obsession Begins**
Mia didn't like being kept waiting. But as she sat in the sterile, glass-walled conference room of Knight Enterprises, waiting for Alexander Knight's next move, she couldn't shake the feeling that the power dynamic between them had shifted in ways she hadn't anticipated.
She had expected a no-nonsense business meeting, a handshake, and a polite "thank you, we'll get back to you." What she hadn't expected was the cold, calculating gaze that Alexander had locked onto her during their meeting. It felt as if he could see straight through her, like he was reading her mind, dissecting her every move. That thought made her skin crawl.
Her phone buzzed in her bag, snapping her out of her reverie. It was a message from her friend, Clara.
**Clara:** *How'd it go?*
Mia hesitated for a moment before replying.
**Mia:** *He's… something else.*
**Clara:** *Something else? Like what?*
**Mia:** *Cold. Arrogant. Totally used to getting what he wants.*
**Clara:** *Sounds like every billionaire. So, he likes you then?*
Mia rolled her eyes. *Yeah, sure. Likes to mess with me, maybe.*
She pressed send before slipping her phone back into her bag. The thought of Clara's question made her uneasy. Of course, Alexander Knight wasn't interested in her. He was interested in power, control, and winning, nothing more. But she had felt something in that room—something she didn't want to admit. A slight warmth beneath his cold demeanor, an undertone of something dangerous, something seductive.
The door to the conference room opened with a soft whoosh, and in walked Alexander, his tall frame cutting an imposing figure. He wasn't wearing the suit jacket he had worn earlier, just a crisp white shirt that clung to his broad shoulders. He looked even more intimidating up close, his sharp jawline and piercing eyes making her feel small.
"Ms. Adams," he said smoothly, his voice cold but with a hint of amusement in it. "I trust you've been comfortable?"
Mia stood up, resisting the urge to cross her arms defensively. "I'm fine, Mr. Knight. Is there something you need from me?"
His eyes glinted with something unreadable as he moved toward the table, his movements controlled, deliberate. He stopped just in front of her, looking down at her with that disconcerting gaze that made her feel like he could see straight through her walls.
"I believe we've had enough of the formalities, don't you think?" he said, voice low.
Mia's brow furrowed. "I'm not sure what you mean."
"I mean," he began, leaning slightly forward, "I think it's time we stop pretending that this is just about a rebranding project. I'm sure you know exactly why you're here."
Mia's heart skipped a beat. Was he suggesting what she thought he was? Her instincts screamed at her to pull back, to maintain control. "I'm here to present my proposal, Mr. Knight. Nothing more."
A small, amused smile played at the corners of his lips. "Oh, I'm sure you're here for the proposal. But I'm afraid I'm not so easily satisfied. I want to see what you're really made of."
Mia's throat tightened. She had expected his arrogance, but something about the way he spoke to her now sent a ripple of unease through her. She couldn't afford to get distracted. She couldn't afford to let him play his games.
"Listen," she said, trying to steady her voice, "I'm here to work. If you're interested in my proposal, we can discuss it. If not, I'll be on my way."
For a moment, Alexander just stared at her, his eyes searching her face. There was a long, drawn-out silence before he finally spoke, his voice as cold and calculated as ever.
"We'll see, Ms. Adams. I think you'll find that I always get what I want."
The words hung in the air like a challenge, and Mia stood there, feeling the weight of them settle over her like a heavy cloak.
She wasn't sure whether it was his words or the cold look in his eyes that unsettled her most. All she knew was that she had to get out of there before she lost control.
---
### **Chapter 3: A Virgin's Resolve**
Mia walked out of the building, her steps brisk and purposeful, as though she could outrun the unsettling encounter. She didn't stop until she reached the nearest café, where she sat down at a corner table, her thoughts swirling in a haze of confusion.
She had encountered powerful men before—rich, arrogant men who believed the world revolved around them. But Alexander Knight… he was different. There was something about him that was both infuriating and magnetic. She couldn't deny it, no matter how much she wanted to.
Her phone buzzed again, pulling her from her thoughts. It was Clara.
**Clara:** *So?*
Mia stared at the screen, unsure of how to respond. How could she explain the pull she felt toward a man like Alexander Knight? A man she knew was dangerous—not just because of his power, but because of what he made her feel. She was scared, scared of what he could do to her, scared of what might happen if she let herself fall for him.
**Mia:** *He's persistent. And he's got this way about him… like he can control everything around him.*
**Clara:** *Sounds like he's got you hooked already.*
Mia's fingers hovered over the screen as she struggled to find the right words.
**Mia:** *I'm not hooked. I just need to get the job done. I'm not like other women, Clara. I don't fall for men like him.*
Her words felt like a lie, even as she typed them. She didn't fall for men like him. She never had. She wasn't going to start now.
But deep down, she couldn't ignore the fact that Alexander Knight had gotten under her skin in a way no one ever had before.