Chapter 04
an odd feeling
Cecily
The late light spills through the glass panes of the sunroom, catching on the edges of my notes scattered across the table.
I’m bent over my editor’s remarks when the sound of Colin’s key turning in the lock breaks the hush. His footsteps follow, steady and unhurried, until they stop behind me, close enough that I feel his presence before he says a word.
Without speaking, his arms slide around me. His breath brushes my ear a heartbeat before his lips find the curve of my neck.
“Hi, love," he murmurs, the sigh that follows almost unraveling.
“Long day?” I ask, leaning back against him, offering my cheek for a kiss.
“The longest one.”
He presses his lips to mine. His hand cupping my face like he needs the contact more than conversation.
Then he drifts away, crossing to the small couch and sinking into his usual spot, his shoulders giving in to the cushions as the quiet settles around him.
“Another chronicle?” he asks, voice softer now, though his gaze lingers not on the pages. But on me.
I narrow my eyes at him. “You know I write articles, not chronicles.”
He smirks, asking what this one is about. It’s the same question he asked when I got the assignment, and again a few days ago, when I told him about my last meeting with one of my sources.
Instead of repeating myself, I say, “Why don’t you go take a shower while I finish here? I’ll be up in a bit.”
He sighs, rises, and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Don’t be long. I’ll wait for you in bed.”
I smile back, but an odd feeling flickers in my chest, slipping past before I can name it.
Maya
The phone on my desk rings, and when I see Colin’s office extension, my hand moves before I can think.
“Colin,” I answer, a little breathless.
“Maya. Good morning.” His tone is clipped, professional, but beneath it, there’s that faint trace of amusement I’ve come to recognize. “I checked, and there are no urgent tasks for you today. I thought I could make good use of your services.”
The way he says your services makes something tighten low in my stomach.
“Yes, of course. What do you need?”
“Meet me in the lobby in ten minutes.”
He hangs up before I can reply.
We’re going out.
For a brief second, my heart skips. Is he…?
No. Not yet, anyway.
I don’t waste another moment.
I toss what I might need into my bag and rush to the bathroom to touch up my lipstick, ignoring Lavender, the trainee in the cubicle next to mine.
Seven minutes later, I’m in the lobby, standing in front of the elevators when the middle one opens.
Colin steps out, and everything about him feels purposeful. The stride, the posture, the effortless authority. There’s something predatory in his composure, and beside him, it’s impossible not to feel like prey.
“Let’s go,” he says. Not a question, but a command, motioning for me to follow.
“Can I ask where we’re going, or is it a secret?” I try to sound playful, though I know he can hear the truth under the tease. That I want it to be a secret. Our secret.
“Didn’t you want to know what it’s like to be at the top?” he asks, one brow lifting. “I thought I’d give you a little glimpse today.”
And he does.
He shows me far more than he intended to.
We spend the day in meetings. I take notes, follow every instruction Colin gives—just as he briefed me on the way to the first one—and pay attention to everything.
It doesn’t take long to realize that everyone he meets today belongs to that rare circle of people who shape industries. The kind whose fortunes turn the economy itself.
But no matter how much money these men have in their accounts, when it comes to power, none of them touch Colin.
In every room, he stands apart. It’s the kind of presence you feel as tangibly as heat, like a flame pulling every moth in its orbit.
I see it in the way women’s eyes trail after him, in the way men square their shoulders or grip his hand a little too firmly. Each one trying to level themselves with him, none succeeding.
And the whole time, he looks utterly unfazed. For him, power seems as natural as breathing.
“Wow, the way he looked at you when you said you’d walk if the counteroffer wasn’t ready by the deadline.” I laugh, shaking my head. “I thought he was going to faint right there.”
Of course, they’d never risk it. They all know the weight Montgomery Clifford & Co. carries, and Colin’s name with it.
It’s past two, and we’re back in his car. The light turns red. He grips the wheel with one hand, the other resting casually on his thigh. I curl my fingers into fists in my lap, fighting the ridiculous urge to reach out, to trace my finger along the back of his hand.
Without looking at me, he says, “My time is worth more than money. It’s about respect, about knowing your place.” Then he glances over, his eyes briefly catching mine. “People will always treat you the way you allow them to.”
I swallow hard. I’d let you treat me however you wanted.
I turn to the window, pretending to admire the passing storefronts when I spot the familiar sign.
“Oh, I love that coffee shop,” I say, brightening my tone. “Do you mind if we stop? You wouldn’t even have to get out… I can grab something for both of us.”
He studies me for a moment, considering. Then, softly, he says, “No trouble at all. You did good today. You deserve a treat.”
The compliment sends a spark through me, and I smile.
He parks in front of the coffee shop, and we walk side by side to the counter. When I reach for my wallet, his hand stops me, fingers wrapping lightly around my wrist.
“I’ll pay,” he says, leaving no room for discussion.
Before he can pull away, I cover his hand with mine and smile softly. “Thank you. You’re a perfect gentleman.”
My thumb grazes his fingers before I release him.
We take our drinks to a small table in the back corner. I want to sit beside him, close enough to breathe him in, but I choose the opposite seat.
For a while, neither of us speaks. I find myself watching the hypnotic movement of his throat as he drinks his coffee. Black, no sugar, extra strong.
“So,” I finally ask, “did you always know you wanted to run a mergers and acquisitions company?”
He smirks faintly. “It wasn’t a childhood dream, if that’s what you’re asking.” His voice lowers, as if lost in thought. “I was always good with numbers and reading people. I saw patterns others missed. It just made sense.”
“I think it’s fair to say you’re far more than just good at what you do. The role of president at Montgomery Clifford & Co. doesn’t just fit you,” I say softly. “It defines you.”
Colin smiles at me, amusement flickering in his eyes before he takes another sip of his coffee.
We talk for a while, about risks, early deals, near failures. He tells me about the company’s first acquisition, how it almost fell through, and how he saved it at the last minute. I listen, utterly absorbed.
When he finishes, I take a risk. I reach across the table and place my hand over his.
“Thank you, Colin. You have no idea how important today was for me. I don’t think I’ve ever learned so much in one day.”
He squeezes my hand twice, his eyes holding mine with a softness I’ve never seen from him before. “You have a lot of potential, Maya. I’m sure you’ll make good use of it.”
His touch lingers a heartbeat too long before he lets go.
We finish our coffee and head back to the car. The entire ride, I can’t wipe the smile from my face. I sit quietly, watching the city rush past the window… and every so often, I bring my hand to my nose, as if the scent of him and the warmth he left behind might still be there.
The next day, I almost don’t catch a glimpse of Colin, though I try. As always.
The building is nearly empty by the time I reach his floor. I knock three times before letting myself in. By now, he knows it’s me. I always come at the same time. Always.
I’ve already slipped off my jacket and unbuttoned two more buttons on my blouse, four undone now, just enough to make it seem accidental. Not enough to look desperate.
“How can I help you today?” I ask, setting my tablet on his desk and leaning in slightly, waiting for him to look up before I sit.
His eyes lift, tracing my body, lingering just a second too long at the opening of my blouse. He doesn’t say anything, only hands me a stack of contract drafts. I already know what he needs.
Half an hour later, I glance up and see him looking at something on his phone. For a moment, I wonder… is he talking to her? His wife?
The thought makes my jaw tighten.
Taking it as a sign to push further, I rise and move to his side. “I’m not sure about this clause,” I say lightly, placing the document in front of him. “How would it apply in case of a violation?”
Colin turns just as I lean over. For a moment, he looks startled, then he doesn’t move. Doesn’t ask me to step back. Not once.
He sets the phone aside and begins to explain, voice even, but I can feel his attention slipping. Every time his eyes flick to me, they never quite reach my face. I move closer, slowly, until I can feel him breathing me in.
“Well, now I feel stupid,” I say with a soft laugh. “It makes perfect sense. I don’t know why I didn’t catch it before.”
“With time, you’ll get the hang of it,” he says, not condescending, but with an easy confidence that makes me feel seen.
As I step back, my heel catches on a chair leg. I stumble, and in an instant, he’s on his feet, strong hands on my waist, steadying me. My palms land against his firm chest, the heat there despite the fabric.
“Careful,” he says, voice low, rough. “Heels that size should come with a warning.”
I smile, breath catching. If he notices my heels, he notices everything else.
“Yes… sir,” I tease, voice barely above a whisper. Then I lick my lips.
His eyes drop, following the motion… and for a heartbeat, the space between us narrows. My pulse hammers. Our lips almost touch.
Then his phone rings.
He drops his hands as if burned, stepping back. I brace myself against the desk, trying to steady the sudden rush of disappointment.
He picks up the phone, frowning, but doesn’t answer.
“Your wife?” The question slips out before I can stop it.
He doesn’t respond. And though I want to push, I don’t.
“I should get going,” I say instead.
He stands there, still silent, eyes fixed on the phone like it might hold the answer he’s looking for.
Say something. Ask me to stay. Ask me to finish what we started.
He says nothing.
The sting blooms in my chest. I gather my things and walk to the door. At the threshold, I pause. “See you tomorrow, Colin.”
He nods without looking at me. It’s enough. It has to be. I tell myself as I walk toward the elevator.
On the ride down, the disappointment fades as quickly as it came, replaced by something far more accurate. Anticipation.
From the way he reacted. The way his hands held my waist. Being that close, his lips just a breath away from mine.
I know it won’t be long now.
Not until it happens. Until I finally get a taste of him.
The thought makes me smile all over again.
Colin
I don't leave the company immediately after Maya leaves my office. I need time to cool down, to not think about anything. So I work for a few more hours, not letting my mind wander.
In the car on the way home, I call my dad back. He answers on the second ring and starts on me for not answering his call earlier. If he only knew.
I let him distract me with his commanding tone and his plans for his birthday next month. He tells me Mom is always complaining that she doesn’t see the grandchildren enough, the words carrying the weight of an accusation.
It’s not as if they live in another state, but crossing the bridge always seems like too much effort for them. I can’t even remember the last time they visited us at our place. Most of the time, we’re the ones who go to them. Never the other way around.
I enter the bedroom as quietly as possible so I don't wake Ceci. On my way to the shower, I stop by the bed and lean over to kiss her forehead… but something holds me back, and I head to the bathroom.
In the shower, unwanted thoughts creep in, leaving me instantly hard. I can't help it, it's involuntary. I push the thoughts aside and finish washing.
I turn off the water and step out, towel in hand, pausing in front of the mirror. My reflection catches my gaze, and for a moment, I study the tension in my shoulders, the way my body still hums with heat I'm trying to ignore.
“And even through the suit, I can see yours are very… strong.”
I shake my head, trying to push the voice in my mind away. I dry off quickly, put on my pajamas, slip into bed, pull back the covers, and lie down next to Ceci.
But sleep doesn't come. I toss and turn for ten minutes until, unable to take it anymore, I pull back the covers and lower my pants, freeing my hard cock.
I glance at Ceci, considering waking her, but I quickly change my mind. I can't do this.
I exhale softly, my left hand wrapping around my cock while my right hand delicately nudges aside the covers on her side. One strap of her nightgown has slid down her shoulder, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of the upper curve of her breasts… perfectly shaped, as if made to fit in my hands.
I stroke myself in slow movements, pausing now and then to draw the pleasure out. All the while, I don’t take my eyes off Ceci for a second. I could make watching her my second job.
When I can’t hold back any longer, I pick up the pace, the familiar tingle building in my balls. Even with my eyes open, fixed on Ceci, a forbidden image takes shape in my mind, and I hear it as clearly as if she were beside me… her breathless voice teasing me: Yes… sir.
I come hard, the sensation spreading through me as cum spills across my stomach.
“Fuck,” I whisper, my eyes on Ceci, still sleeping peacefully.
I head to the bathroom to clean up the mess I made.
When I return to bed, I adjust Ceci’s nightgown strap, straighten the covers, and kiss her forehead.
“I love you,” I murmur, letting my lips linger.
When I rest my head on the pillow, I stare at the ceiling.
What the hell am I getting myself into?