The conference room emptied out.

Voices faded into distant echoes as footsteps trailed down the corridor. Dhwani let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, clutching the folder against her chest like a shield.

She had to get out of there.

She turned and stepped out-her heels clicking fast down the hallway.

But halfway through, her eyes widened.

Her phone.

"Damn it," she muttered under her breath and turned back.

The room was dim now-just the soft golden gleam from the corner light, casting long shadows across the floor.

She walked in briskly, eyes locked on her phone near the chair she'd been sitting in.

She reached for it-

"You forgot something," his voice came-low, lazy, dangerous.

Her spine stiffened. The soft glow from the corner barely lit his features, but his silhouette stood tall, still, and far too close.

She turned, expecting space.

She got Darsh.

Inches away.

His eyes bored into hers-dark, greedy, unblinking.

"I said I'm done," she muttered, snatching her phone and stepping back.

He followed.

One step.

Then another.

Her back met the cold wall.

"Move," she growled.

But he didn't.

His hand lifted slowly.

Not toward her face.

Lower.

Fingers brushed against her wrist.

She flinched.

He kept going-slow, deliberate, brushing up the length of her arm... wrist to forearm... forearm to elbow... until her breath stuttered, fury prickling under her skin.

"Don't you dare touch me," she hissed.

She shoved at his chest, but he didn't budge.

In a flash, he grabbed both her wrists.

And slammed them above her head.

Pinned.

The air knocked out of her lungs.

Her eyes widened.

His face was so close now. Nose to cheek. Breath against skin.

"You think you hate me now?" he whispered, voice thick, slow, wicked. "Wait till I make you feel everything you swore you'd never want from me."

She tried to push, to thrash, but his grip only tightened.

Then-he inhaled.

A slow, deep breath by her ear.

Vanilla.

And chocolate.

His control slipped just a little.

"F**k," he muttered under his breath. "You smell like sin dipped in sugar."

Her heartbeat roared in her ears.

"Let me go, you psycho," she hissed, writhing in his grip.

His lips brushed the shell of her ear as he murmured, "Say it again."

"What?" she spat.

"That you hate me. That you wish I'd disappear. That I make your blood boil."

His eyes gleamed as he leaned back just enough to meet her gaze.

"Because I want to remember the exact look in your eyes the day you break."

Her glare burned. Her chest heaved.

He smiled.

That slow, devilish smile.

Then-suddenly-he released her hands.

Took a step back.

She staggered slightly, breath jagged.

"Sweet dreams, Dr. Singhania," he said softly, gaze never leaving her. "Try not to think of me too much."

Then he walked out.

Leaving her trembling in the dark.

With rage.

And something terrifyingly close to heat.

---