The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 15

15 Crossing the Line After Dark

Liam’s POV

I paced my penthouse living room, unable to shake the image of Hazel Vance from my mind. Those fierce green eyes, that defiant tilt of her chin, her lips parted in anger. My body reacted instantly to the memory.

“Damn it,” I muttered, pouring myself a scotch. Three fingers, neat.

I took a long sip, welcoming the burn down my throat. The intercom buzzed, announcing Damian’s arrival. Perfect timing- I needed a distraction from my inappropriate thoughts about my assistant.

“You look like shit,” Damian greeted cheerfully, walking in and heading straight for my bar cart.

“Thanks for the assessment,” I replied dryly.

Damian poured himself a drink and settled into my leather armchair. “So, what’s got you all worked up? Let me guess the new assistant?”

I shot him a glare. “Is it that obvious?”

“Only to someone who’s known you since you were ten.” He grinned. “Plus, I saw how you looked at her today. Like you wanted to either fire her or fuck her.

I winced at his bluntness. “It’s inappropriate. She works for me.”

“Since when has that stopped you?” Damian raised an eyebrow. “Remember Sophia from Accounting?”

“That was different,” I argued. “She didn’t report directly to me.”

“Ah, so you admit you’re attracted to Hazel,” Damian looked smug.

I downed the rest of my scotch in one gulp. “What I feel doesn’t matter. I have rules.”

“Your rules, not company policy.” Damian shrugged. “But if you’re not interested, I might ask her out myself.”

The glass nearly slipped from my hand. “You wouldn’t dare.”

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15 Crossing the Line After Dark

Damian’s eyes widened at my reaction. “Wow, you’re actually serious about this one.”

“I’m not serious about anything” I snapped. “I just don’t want office complications.”

“Sure, that’s it. Damian nodded, unconvinced. “Nothing to do with how she’s the first woman since the masquerade girl who’s gotten under your skin.”

I refilled my glass, ignoring his comment. “She challenges me. Refuses to be intimidated. Do you know what she said today? She told me I was being unreasonable.”

Damian laughed. “I like her already.”

“She’s infuriating,” I admitted. “And completely different from anyone I’ve ever worked with.”

“Different how?”

I struggled to find the right words. “She’s… authentic. No games, no hidden agenda. Just raw honesty and this fierce determination.”

“And she’s gorgeous, Damian added helpfully.

“Painfully so,” I agreed before I could stop myself.

Damian leaned forward. “So what’s the problem? Ask her out.”

“Did you miss the part where she works for me?” I ran a hand through my hair. “Besides, she has a child. That’s a complication I don’t need.”

“Since when is a kid a dealbreaker?” Damian asked, surprised. “You love children.”

“I’m not looking for a family, Damian. I’m not looking for anything”

Damian sighed. “It’s been three years, Liam. Your parents would want you to live your life, not bury yourself in work.”

I stared out the window at the city lights below. “I’m fine the way things are.”

“Are you? Because you haven’t been this worked up about a woman since…”

“Don’t,” I warned.

Damian held up his hands in surrender. “All I’m saying is that Hazel Vance has obviously gotten to you. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing”

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15 Crossing the Lins After Dark

“It is when she’s my assistant,” I insisted.

“So what’s your plan? Ignore the attraction until it goes away?”

1 nodded. “Exactly.”

“Good luck with that, Damian laughed. “That woman Isn’t the type you just forget.”

After Damian left, I tried to distract myself with work. But by midnight, my mind kept circling back to Hazel. Her fire. Her defiance. The way her blouse had clung to her

curves.

Almost without thinking, I grabbed my phone and pulled up her contact information. This was crossing a line, but I couldn’t stop myself.

“Having trouble sleeping, Ms. Vance?” I typed, then hit send before I could reconsider.

Three dots appeared almost immediately, surprising me. I hadn’t expected her to be awake, let alone respond.

“Is this a test, Mr. Sterling? Because I’m pretty sure contacting employees at midnight isn’t in the company handbook.”

Her quick wit made me smile despite myself. The fact that she didn’t back down, even in a text, was both frustrating and fascinating.

“Just checking your responsiveness. Clearly, you’re dedicated.” I paused before adding, “Or you have no life outside work.”

“Says the man texting his assistant at midnight on a weekend,” came her immediate. reply.

I chuckled. This woman never missed a beat.

“Fair point. What’s keeping you up so late?”

“Wondering if my boss is always this inappropriate or if I’m special,” she responded.

My pulse quickened. Was she flirting back?

“Trust me, Ms. Vance. You’re definitely special.” I hesitated, then added, “Though not always in a good way.”

“Careful, Mr. Sterling. That almost sounds like a compliment.”

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15 Crossing the Line After Dark

I grinned at my phone. This exchange felt dangerous, exhilarating. I hadn’t bantered like this with anyone in years.

“Don’t get used to it. I’m still your boss.”

“A fact you never let me forget,” she replied. “Is there an actual work reason for this midnight chat?”

I couldn’t resist pushing further. “Just wondering if that sharp tongue of yours works as well in other circumstances.”

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