Liam kept smiling to himself as he walked up the stairs. He had no idea their argument would end like that.

He had been suspecting that Macy was somewhat attracted to him, he just didn't know it was that deep. He stood in front of her door, unsure if she would want to see him. He knocked and waited for her response but it was quiet.

Was she asleep?

Probably, she had been in there for quite some time. He knocked again, same thing. Maybe she didn't want to see anyone.

It didn't matter because he wanted to see her.

"Just so you know, your friend left." He leaned closer to the door and a slow smile found its way to his lips. So she did want to see him. "Three, two, one." The door flew open and he smiled.

"What do you want?" She frowned but Liam could easily see through her facade.

He stared at her for a second, waiting for a signal and he got one when her gaze lowered to his lips. He leaned closer, expecting her to back away but she didn't.

When their lips met, he felt her hesitate so he ended the kiss with a light brush against her lips. "Does that answer your question?"

She stared up at him, her double colored eyes sparkling with an emotion that he was too familiar with.

Lust.

★

The entire family was gathered at the dining once again, including Liam this time. He glanced at Macy but she shied away from his gaze.

Nothing had happened between them other than the childish kiss they shared but she was finding it impossible to stare at him, much less talk to him.

"Well, I don't intend to take much of your time," Liam's father started, drawing his attention back to him. "I already mentioned this to Macy before but I would like to make it official."

Liam turned to Macy and saw that she didn't look embarrassed anymore, instead she looked almost...angry? What was going on?

"Hey, are you-"

"Liam, I have decided that I will be retiring in a month's time and when I do, you'll be taking over as CEO."

Macy's frown grew deeper as he made his announcement. So that was it!

"I also have something else to say. Now I don't want this to come as a shock or anything but, Nora and I have decided to get married."

"What?!" Macy and Liam chorused.

"Married? But you can't!" All eyes turned to Macy when she said that. Even Liam seemed a bit surprised by her reaction.

"Why can't they?" He asked, even though he knew her reason.

Why can't they? Why would he ask her that?

"What about us?!"

"Us?" Liam raised his brow at her. "Whatever do you mean, big sis?"

"Big sis?" What about the kiss they shared? It meant nothing to him? When she saw that all eyes were on her and it was obvious that Liam wasn't backing her up, she decided to let it go. "I guess I was just really surprised."

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner honey."

She smiled at her mother's apology. If only she knew what was on her mind.

Mr. Darwin said the wedding would be held in a month, after his retirement party but they had made their relationship official. So Macy and William were practically siblings already, making a relationship between them forbidden.

★★★

The days flew by so quickly that before Macy knew it, the day of the wedding had arrived. "Looks like you're becoming my big sis after all." She turned to face Liam but she didn't say anything.

She had been trying her best to keep her distance since that day.

Macy had mistaken his interest in her for love and she had asked him to inform his father of their feelings, but it didn't go as she planned.

"Feelings?"

"Yes. Our parents can't get married, cause if they do, nothing can ever happen between us."

"Macy, I have a girlfriend. Did you think anything was actually going on? Damn, you're way more inexperienced than I thought. It was just fun, we were just having fun."

Fun. Teasing her, making her heart flutter and even kissing her. All that was just fun, he was just toying with her emotions.

"I want no part in your fun anymore." She had declared coldly and he didn't bother her anymore. She was relieved that he didn't but also somewhat disappointed.

Liam was to best his father and he was looking extremely good looking in his tuxedo. His shoulder length silver hair had been held up in a neat man bun, giving him a more mature and-as much as Macy hated to admit it- sexy look.

Macy was putting on a dark blue sleeveless dress. It hugged her body tightly and it went all the way to her ankles, with an open slit that reach her thigh. She thought about tying her hair up but for some reason, Liam's words came to her mind and she decided to leave it down.

The wedding was a simple one, with only friends and family. She didn't have any family so Sage and Grayson filled that spot.

For the first time since his arrival, Macy met Liam's girlfriend. She was nothing like Macy, rather she had more similarities to Sage.

She was slender, tall and she had bright blonde hair. Her skin was perfectly smooth, everything about her was flawless like some kind of goddess.

After the party, the couple decided to spend their night at a hotel. Sage and Grayson had gone home and Liam left with his girlfriend, leaving just Macy at home. She didn't change out of her dress, instead she marched straight to the bar and grabbed a bottle of whiskey.

She didn't know why but she was feeling alone-no, not alone, lonely. She couldn't get her eyes off Liam all day, seeing him with another girl made her feel terribly jealous.

"What are you doing drinking all by yourself?"

She shot up as she heard his voice. He was still in his tux, but he had removed his bow tie and the first two buttons of his shirt were opened. The living room was fairly dark but Macy could still see the contours of his masculine beauty.

"Shouldn't you be with your girlfriend?" She tried to sound tough, but her voice betrayed her.

"I drove her home." He answered, not taking his eyes off Macy's. "Do you want me to leave?"

"No." She answered softly, then added after a few seconds. "Was it really all just a game to you?" Her voice sounded like a whisper, maybe because she was trying to keep herself from crying.

"I'm here now, aren't I?"

It was obvious that he didn't love her, sure he was interested in her but it was probably just lust. Was that what she wanted?

She wasn't sure.

All she could think about was his presence, the way she was feeling in that moment. It might not be love, but at least it was something. And that was enough.

She let the bottle in her hand fall to the ground and she moved to where he stood. Throwing her arms around his neck, Macy had to rise to her toes before she could reach his lips.

At the touch, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him and she tightened her grip on him, not wanting to be anywhere but in his arms.

Macy woke up with a pounding headache and a throat so dry she felt like she had swallowed fire. A low groan escaped her lips as she pushed herself upright, every movement sending a dull ache through her body.

Her sheets still smelled faintly of him.

His cologne.

His skin.

His breath.

His hands.

"Oh... God..." she whispered to herself, pressing her palms to her burning face.

Every memory of last night flashed like lightning-his mouth on hers, the way he pulled her closer, the way her body melted against him as if it had been waiting for him all her life.

She stumbled out of bed, desperate for water, for air, for anything to distract her mind from the way her lips still tingled.

The house was dim and quiet, early dawn stretching soft shadows across the hallway. Macy dragged herself to the kitchen, barely awake-

And froze.

William stood in front of the fridge in nothing but his briefs.

His back was turned, muscles shifting under smooth, fair skin. That signature platinum blonde hair-longer now, tousled from sleep-fell messily down his neck. His hips were lean, his body powerful in a way that made her thighs clench.

He turned his head, noticed her, and his slow, knowing smirk appeared.

"Well, good morning, beautiful."

Her breath vanished.

Just like that.

Color flooded her cheeks, hot and humiliating and erotic at the same time. Every memory from last night hit her again, harder.

"G–good m–morning," she managed, voice embarrassingly small.

He shut the fridge and leaned his shoulder against it, arms crossing over his bare chest. His eyes dragged over her-sleep-mussed hair, the thin strap of her tank top falling down her shoulder, her flushed morning face.

"I'd ask how you slept," he said, voice dripping with heat, "but I already know you didn't get much rest."

Her entire body flushed.

William chuckled softly, stepping closer-close enough for her to feel his warmth, smell the faint scent of his skin.

"Well," he murmured, "I should get ready. You should too."

"Ready... for what?"

He gave her a look that made her heart tighten. "Work, Macy. We resume today."

Work.

Right.

Reality.

Disaster.

"We leave by seven-thirty," he added. "Be ready."

And then he walked past her-his bare chest brushing her arm, his scent wrapping around her like a trap.

Her knees nearly buckled.

Back in her room, Macy ripped open her wardrobe, adrenaline mixing with humiliation. She needed to look powerful. Unshakable. In control.

Not like the girl who had melted under William Sinclair's touch.

She needed an outfit that said confidence. Authority. Power. A boss lady with taste, intelligence, and control.

But she also wanted to look just a little sexy...

Okay, maybe more than a little.

She wanted William to choke on his coffee the moment he saw her.

Red.

Red was bold. Red was lethal. Red said, Don't play with me unless you can handle me.

She pulled out her red jumpsuit.

It hugged her body like a lover-tight at the waist, dipping low enough at the chest to make a man lose his mind. The fabric clung to her hips, her curves, her every outline.

Her hair went up into a sleek, serious bun.

Her makeup-bold lips, flushed cheeks, eyes that could kill.

She wanted to look like the kind of woman who could destroy a man like William.

A knock.

"Macy?" His voice, deep and impatient. "We're going to be late. It's seven already."

"I still have thirty minutes," she replied, pretending she didn't care.

"I leave at exactly seven-thirty," he warned. "With or without you."

She smirked.

He wouldn't dare.

She finished dressing, added silver jewelry, grabbed her heels and purse-and rushed downstairs two minutes late.

"William, I'm so sor-"

He wasn't there.

Not in the living room.

Not in the kitchen.

Not in his room.

He had actually left her.

After last night.

Her heart cracked in a way she refused to acknowledge.

Anger burst through her veins-hot, sharp, shaking her entire body.

He left without her.

He left her after touching her like she meant something.

He left her like she was nothing.

Fine.

She'd show him nothing.

Her blood boiled so hot she almost saw red.

Storming out and locking the door behind her, she marched to the street and waved down a taxi.

"Where to, miss?" the driver asked.

"Fourth Avenue. SnA Mega Corp."

"Alright. Off we go."

As the car pulled away, Macy's anger throbbed in her chest. SnA-the company her new stepfather built from nothing-rose tall like a monument of success.

Macy knew the story by heart: the small dusty storage room, the sleepless nights, the name "SnA" chosen to honor his mother Sofia and his middle name, Adam.

It was a legacy.

A legacy she thought she deserved.

A legacy William had stolen.

Her chest tightened again. She still couldn't believe he left without her. Furious and embarrassed, she crossed her arms and stared out the window.

He was so infuriating.

And irresistible.

And infuriating.

But mostly infuriating.

"Miss, we've arrived."

The driver's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

The SnA tower rose before her-beautiful and intimidating-but the fire in her chest flickered again. The closer she came to the entrance, the more her anger trembled into anxiety.

She suddenly wished William were standing beside her.

She took a shaky breath and forced herself forward.

One step.

Then another.

Then another.

"Macy?"

She froze.

That voice.

She turned slowly. "Ajax?"

"Ajax... it really is you." Macy barely stopped herself from gasping as she threw her arms around him. "It's been so long."

"Yeah," he murmured, hugging her back with a warm, familiar squeeze. "Too long."

They separated, smiling at each other with that odd mixture of nostalgia and surprise. Ajax looked almost exactly the same as the boy she knew in high school-except polished, taller, sharper around the jaw, and wrapped in the scent of expensive cologne and old money.

He still had that sun-kissed blond hair, now swept back a little longer, and he still dressed like someone whose clothes never touched a sales rack.

And he still had that cocky glint in his blue-gray eyes.

"So, you work here now?" Macy asked as they stepped inside the building. "When did that happen? You used to brag about taking over your father's company."

Ajax smirked. "Relax, princess. The plan to inherit the empire is still alive and well. My father's just refusing to retire. Says he's 'in his prime.'" He rolled his eyes affectionately. "So he sent me here as a favor to the CEO. Something about 'learning from the inside'."

"Oh. Makes sense."

"And you?" He eyed her playfully. "The Macy I knew wanted to run off to art school and draw naked Greek statues."

She laughed weakly. "Plans... change."

She absolutely was not about to explain the entire disaster of almost becoming the CEO, losing it to her insanely attractive stepbrother, and then having sex with said stepbrother last night.

Ajax leaned a little closer, lowering his voice. "Well... I'm glad they did."

"Oh?" she teased. "And why's that?"

"Because I get to see you again." His gaze softened-warm, nostalgic, and flirtatious all at once. "This time, I don't plan on letting you disappear."

Macy blinked at him, caught off guard. Was he flirting with her?

She cleared her throat. "It's my first day and I'm already late. Where's the conference hall?"

"I'll take you there." He extended his arm dramatically. "Your loyal escort awaits."

She took it, laughing.

But the moment they stepped into the elevator together, she felt eyes on her.

Lots of eyes.

Workers stared, whispered, nudged each other. Macy frowned. Was she imagining-

No. Definitely not.

Ajax seemed unfazed as they reached the top floor. He stopped in front of a huge, polished wooden door.

"Behind these doors," he whispered dramatically, "lies a pack of rich, soulless demons who pretend to be human. Enter at your own risk."

Macy snorted, unsure if he was joking.

They walked in-

And the very first person she saw was Liam.

He didn't even bother hiding the irritation in his eyes.

"You're late," he said flatly.

"Yeah, sorry. My Uber driver abandoned me and I couldn't find another one."

"Well," William replied, eyes narrowing just slightly, "maybe try waking up earlier."

The tension between them was sharp enough to cut glass.

The meeting dragged on endlessly. Macy kept sneaking glances at William, but he never looked her way-not once. His jaw was tight. His shoulders stiff.

Was he ignoring her?

Was he angry?

Was he... jealous?

She didn't know. But it was driving her crazy.

She tried to talk to him all day but he was busy with one thing or the other. Finally she was able to catch up with him at lunch.

"William! Hey!" She jogged to his side. "Do you want to eat together?"

"Sorry," he said without even looking up, "I'm meeting someone else." His voice held no emotion and he didn't look or sound genuinely sorry about it.

Her smile fell instantly. "Oh... I thought you-"

"Yo, Mace!" Ajax's voice cut in as he approached with that same bright grin.

William's eyes flicked up-cold, sharp, unreadable.

"Am I interrupting something?" Ajax asked innocently.

"No," William answered before Macy could speak.

"Perfect." Ajax hooked Macy's arm smoothly. "Let's go. Got us reservations."

"Really?" Macy's face lit up.

"Yup."

As Ajax led her away, Macy felt William's stare on her back. Burning. Heavy. Frustrated.

He clenched his jaw, watching her laugh with Ajax as if she hadn't melted in his arms last night.

His lunch date approached. "I'm here. You ready?"

"Not today." His tone was low. "Suddenly lost my appetite."

And he walked away-anger simmering beneath every step.

★★★

After work, Macy stood outside the gate, waiting. Ten minutes. Twenty. Thirty. No sign of him.

She called but it went straight to voicemail.

"Great," she muttered. "So he left me again."

"Or..." A voice spoke behind her. "You could let me give you a ride?"

She flinched as she spun around. "Geez Ajax! You nearly gave me a heart attack."

He smiled his boyish, ridiculously charming smile. "Sorry, sugar. Need a lift?"

"Oh no, it's fine. I don't want to bother-"

"I insist." He made a dramatic bow. "As a gentleman, I can't abandon a damsel in distress."

She laughed and curtsied. "Why thank you, kind sir. Didn't think gentlemen still existed."

"Oh, we do, milady," he said in a posh accent. "We're just... endangered."

They both giggled as he guided her to his sleek car.

"Quick reminder, I have no idea where you live, so unless you want me to take you back to my place, I suggest you give me directions." He said after a while.

"Oh right." She told him where to go and he inputted the location in his car GPS.

Macy smiled as she listened to him rant on about the dream house he wanted on an island that would have a stable for horses and his own personal yacht for whale watching and shark fishing.

"Shark fishing?" she gasped. "Are you insane?"

"It's catch and release!" he defended proudly.

She laughed so hard her chest hurt.

Honestly... without Ajax, her first day would have been awful.

"Hey, Ajax?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. For today."

"Anytime." His eyes softened. "It's always a pleasure to make a pretty girl smile."

Her cheeks warmed.

When they reached her house, she hesitated before getting out.

"Thanks for the ride..." she murmured.

"It doesn't have to be one time," he said gently, taking her hand. "I can pick you up tomorrow. And the next day. And the next."

"You're sure?"

"One hundred and ten percent."

She grinned. "Alright. But if you're late, I'll strangle you."

"Ooh, terrifying." He grabbed his throat dramatically, making her laugh. "Goodnight, Macy."

"Goodnight."

She was halfway to her door when he called out softly:

"Macy?"

She turned back.

"It really was nice seeing you again."

Her smile lingered long after she walked inside.