Chapter 2 — Marked by Intensity
The next morning, Lena arrived early, determined to make a good impression. She kept her pace steady, her mind focused, but no amount of preparation could quell the undercurrent of anticipation running through her.
By mid-morning, she was summoned to Adrian's office. "Now," said the assistant, voice tight.
The word alone made her heart race. Now. That single word carried weight, demand, and the unspoken warning of what would happen if she faltered.
Adrian Cross didn't greet her. He stood with his back to the window, arms crossed, and the faint light outlined the angles of his face, sharp and mesmerizing.
"Sit," he said, and Lena obeyed, careful not to look anywhere but the floor. But his eyes found her anyway, and it was impossible to hide.
"You'll start by managing schedules, coordinating meetings, and shadowing me," he said, voice low, deliberate. "I need someone who notices everything, someone I can trust. Are you capable of that?"
"I… yes," Lena said, steadying her voice, though her hands itched with nervous energy. "I can do it."
He didn't answer immediately. He tilted his head slightly, eyes piercing. There was a weight in his gaze that made her pulse accelerate. He wasn't just evaluating her ability; he was aware of her presence in a way that was almost… territorial.
"You'll start immediately," he said finally. He returned to the documents on his desk but didn't look away completely. His presence followed her like a shadow, magnetic and unsettling.
Lena stepped back, her chest tight. His attention lingered, not just in glance but in the subtle way it pressed against her, marking her. She had never felt noticed like this—truly noticed—and the effect was disorienting, intoxicating even.
As she left, she tried to calm her racing thoughts. Her life had changed overnight, and she was acutely aware of it. Adrian Cross had chosen to notice her, and instinctively, some part of her wanted more—even though every rational thought screamed caution.
She didn't understand him. She didn't know his intentions. But she knew one thing: she couldn't forget the feeling of his gaze, or the quiet intensity that promised he would not release his focus on her, no matter what.
Something dangerous and irresistible had begun. And for the first time in a long while, Lena Hart didn't want to run.