The weekend had brought in a chill that settled over everything as if autumn was intent on making its presence felt. Aiden felt it too, still turning over his words to Tatum, mulling over how he'd brushed her off in that moment. The flicker of hurt he'd seen in her eyes kept nagging at him, pressing the question of why he even cared. Tatum's usual cheeriness was almost an office fixture, and seeing anything less than her unbreakable joy had been... unsettling. Should he apologize?
He was pulled from his thoughts as the door slid open and Tatum entered, laughing with Kyle, her energy as bright and unbothered as ever. Aiden's brow furrowed in confusion; it seemed she'd either let the whole thing go or was simply too indifferent to care. Her resilient smile was right back in place, as though nothing had ever happened, leaving him wondering whether he'd misjudged her strength—or his own reaction.
Tatum's smile dropped as she noticed his expression.
"Well, someone's grumpy today," she remarked, dropping herself onto the sofa and stretching her legs across the table with her usual disregard.
"Good morning, sir," Kyle added, sitting in the chair across from Aiden's desk. "I talked to Mrs. Barbara—she's really not happy about the situation. She'll want to speak with you today, or else she'll—"
"Get out," Aiden cut him off sharply, his gaze fixed on Tatum, who looked back at him with a hint of confusion.
Kyle blinked, surprised, then followed his boss's stare to Tatum before excusing himself and stepping out, leaving the two alone.
"What was that?" Tatum asked, eyebrow raised, her lips curving into a grin. "Are you planning to murder me?"
Aiden stepped closer, the polished click of his black leather shoes echoing in the quiet office. His presence seemed to fill the room, and Tatum felt a shiver run down her spine despite herself. She maintained her grin, though a hint of unease flickered in her eyes.
"I am not planning on murdering you," Aiden repeated, his voice steady yet edged with a dark intensity. "I am planning on punishing you every damn time you're crossing your legs on that table."
Before Tatum could respond, Aiden reached out, his hand lightly touching her upper arm. The unexpected contact sent a jolt through her, an odd mix of tension and something she couldn't quite identify. His touch was firm, almost possessive, and she felt her heart race uncontrollably.
"Starting today," he continued, leaning in so close that their breaths mingled, "your place will be right next to my desk."
Tatum met his gaze, her mind racing. What was that strange feeling coursing through her? It was as if his touch had ignited a spark she hadn't anticipated. She felt a pull, an undeniable connection that contradicted the confusion bubbling inside her.
"And why is that?" she challenged, her voice wavering slightly. "What's so important about sitting next to your desk, sir?"
Aiden's eyes bore into hers, unwavering, his lips escaping a small sigh at the word sir. "Because I need to keep an eye on you," he stated plainly. "And maybe, just maybe, you'll stop acting like everything should be under your feet."
Tatum felt the weight of his words pressing down on her, the room seeming to shrink around them. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself against the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her.
"You think you can control me?" she retorted, her hand gently pushing against his arm to create some distance. "Mr. Black, I am offering you a reminder once only. I am not something to be managed or punished."
Aiden didn't back down. Instead, he moved even closer, his hand now resting lightly on her shoulder, his thumb brushing over her skin in a way that was both commanding and strangely comforting. Tatum could feel the firmness of his grip, the strength behind his touch, and for a fleeting moment, she felt vulnerable.
"I'm not trying to control you," he murmured, his voice dropping to a softer tone. "I just want things to run smoothly around here. For everyone's sake."
Tatum looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of the man she thought she knew. The intensity there was both intimidating and captivating, leaving her conflicted. Was this the side of Aiden she hadn't seen before—the side that could both challenge and intrigue her?
"Are you feeling like you're losing control?" she whispered, the odd feeling now a tangible presence between them. "Sometimes chaos feels better."
Aiden's grip tightened slightly, his gaze never leaving hers. Why was she so irresistible?
The air between them was thick with unspoken emotions, a silent battle of wills that neither was willing to surrender. Tatum felt her resolve wavering, the strange sensation making her question everything she thought she knew about her own feelings. Why was he so demanding all of a sudden?
As the tension reached its peak, the sound of footsteps approaching broke the moment. A redhead entered the office, her expression stern and confused as she took in the charged atmosphere between her boss and Tatum.
"Is everything alright here?" she asked, eyeing both of them suspiciously, a slight of jealousy coming up her stomach.
Aiden quickly stepped back, his composure returning as he addressed her with a forced calm. "Yes, Vivienne, please call Kyle back in the office. We have a business to do.
Tatum smirked, stepping away from Aiden, her heart still racing from the encounter. She couldn't shake the lingering touch or the conflicted emotions it had stirred within her. As her boss began to speak, she stole one last glance at him, the odd feeling still pulsing in her chest, leaving her to wonder what the fuck just happened.
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"You're telling me he actually kicked me out because he couldn't stand your feet on his table?" Kyle dipped a fry into his sauce, glancing over at Tatum with an amused smirk. "That's definitely a first."
"Yeah, he was acting... weird," Tatum agreed, crossing her arms and legs. "And seriously, dude, how can you eat like that? It's gross."
"Oh, sorry, Miss 'I-eat-with-my-pinky-up,'" he shot back, still chewing with his mouth open, making her grimace. Then, without missing a beat, he added, "Also, I think he likes you."
Tatum paused, blinking at him in surprise before letting out a chuckle.
"Kyle," she began confidently, "of course he likes me. Everyone likes me. I'm adorable and funny."
Kyle rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "And way too full of yourself."
"Too full of myself?" Tatum scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "Kyle, that's called confidence. You should try it sometime."
Kyle leaned back, tossing another fry in his mouth with a smirk. "Confidence, huh? So... is that why your face turned pale when Aiden got all intense with you before I left?"
Tatum felt her cheeks warm at the memory, her smile faltering just slightly. She rolled her eyes, hoping he hadn't noticed the tiny hitch in her expression. "Please, he was just doing his 'boss intimidation' thing. And I wasn't pale," she added, shifting in her seat.
"Right," Kyle grinned, clearly enjoying himself. "But come on, Tatum, you know something was different about him today. I saw it. The dude was acting weird, even for him."
Tatum shrugged, feigning nonchalance as she toyed with a napkin. "I don't know, maybe he was just having a bad day or something. You men act all weird when you feel trash so.." But even as she said it, the image of Aiden leaning close, his voice low and firm, sent a strange chill through her spine. It wasn't like her to get rattled, especially not by her boss. Yet, for some reason, his intensity had left her feeling... unsteady.
Had Aiden's actions been just another power play, or was there something else behind it? She found herself wondering, and a small part of her hated that it even mattered.