Those words backfired on Vasti in a way she never expected. She had always sworn she would never let any man control her. If someone ever tried, she believed she'd shut him down instantly.

She found herself wrapped up in the arms of this outrageously attractive, magnetic man, listening to him promise to take control— while every nerve in her body screamed for her to give in and let him do whatever he wanted. The urge to surrender left Vasti feeling ashamed of herself.

He moved in, his mouth hovering close to hers but not quite touching. "All you need to do is give in, Miss Phillips," he murmured. "Is this what you want?"

Almost unconsciously, Vasti nodded, her eyelids fluttering shut as she anticipated the kiss. She knew she'd probably agree to whatever he suggested—and that realization sent a silent alarm through her thoughts. Every rational part of her urged her to bolt, but her body stubbornly refused to cooperate.

Adônis MacGyver didn't waste a second. His hands slid deftly down Vasti's back, unzipping her dress and pulling it forward, leaving her exposed in front of him. He spotted her beige bra, grinned, and somehow found it more alluring than he'd expected. The pale color contrasted perfectly against her fair skin, and the lingerie added a unique elegance to her already full, rounded figure.

Flawless… he whispered, letting his hand glide across his own trousers. The sight left Vasti stunned— she had never seen a man's organ up close, at least not in person. "Is this what you want?"

I do, Vasti answered, barely recognizing the breathless, needy voice coming out of her mouth. Adônis MacGyver threaded his fingers through her loose hair, giving it a gentle but deliberate pull that made her meet his gaze and feel the subtle force of his grip.

Try again. "Yes, sir!" Vasti blurted out, still reeling. Adônis MacGyver tugged her hair once more, firm enough to send a message but not enough to hurt. "Say it again." "Yes, sir!"

Normally, Vasti would have snapped at anyone who tried to boss her around like this. But her lips betrayed her, giving in before she even had time to protest.

Yes… Yes, sir.

Adônis MacGyver rewarded her with a brief but intoxicating kiss.

That's right. Good girl. He swept his eyes over her, the approval clear. "Are you done with everything you needed to handle?"

Huh? Vasti's mind felt scrambled, barely able to process his question. "What do you mean?"

Your work. Did you finish it? he asked, his expression serious. Adônis MacGyver might have been obsessed with her, but he hadn't forgotten his responsibilities to the company. Vasti swallowed hard, struggling to pull herself together.

Uh… I just needed to give it one last review and send it to Miss Diaz's email, she replied, careful to keep things formal. Calling Heidi by her first name felt risky— Vasti had already been fired once, and she had no plans to repeat history.

Says the woman hooking up with the boss!

Then finish up fast so we can get out of here. I'll grab my things. Adônis MacGyver stepped back, but only for a second—he swooped in to kiss her, nipping playfully at her lips before slipping out of the break room, flashing a wicked grin and a wink as he went.

Vasti just stood there for a moment, stunned and motionless. "What had just happened?" she asked herself.

Once Vasti regained her senses, she straightened her dress and noticed a slick, uncomfortable sensation between her legs. Walking felt odd—she was embarrassingly wet. She hurried to the restroom, cleaned up as best she could, and returned to her desk. Vasti understood exactly what Adônis MacGyver intended, and she wasn't naïve. The only thing she hadn't figured out was whether she actually wanted to go through with it.

Seriously? My first real day on the job, and I'm already about to sleep with my boss? She mentally berated herself. "But he wants it. He was insanely attractive, and—let's be honest—you wanted him too. Why not? You only live once. Just go for it!" her mischievous side whispered.

Vasti completed her review, sent the document off to Heidi, and picked up her purse. The moment she stood, Adônis MacGyver showed up in the hallway, briefcase in hand and a smile playing on his lips.

His hair looked tousled, his tie hung loose, and the top two buttons of his shirt had been undone. She couldn't help but wonder if she was the reason for his rumpled appearance.

Ready? he asked. She answered with a small nod, and he gestured for her to join him at the elevator.

Vasti couldn't find the words for anything. They rode down together in silence, with security cameras watching— so naturally, he kept his hands to himself.

They stepped out into the garage, and he motioned for her to leave the elevator first. She obeyed, watching as he strode ahead. She trailed after him until they reached his car— the very same one from the previous night. With a quick press of his remote, he unlocked the doors and let her climb inside.

As soon as they pulled away from the building, Adônis MacGyver reached over and rested his hand on her thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze. Then he gave her a light smack in the same spot.

Oh! Vasti blurted out, startled. Heat flared across her skin, but the sensation wasn't unpleasant. She turned to him, still baffled and uncertain, while he just grinned even wider, completely unbothered.

We're going to understand each other perfectly, Miss Phillips, he assured her. Adônis MacGyver definitely had some unusual preferences, and Vasti seemed more than willing to play along.

She had never actually slept with anyone before. She had a serious boyfriend once, but she never felt safe enough to go that far with him. That boyfriend, on the other hand, couldn't stand the wait—her refusal to "give in" was all it took for him to cheat. Vasti ended up catching him in bed with her own roommate.

He didn't even bother to apologize; he just threw it in her face that she wasn't woman enough because she wouldn't sleep with him or "satisfy her man." Vasti wasted no time requesting a new room—she refused to keep living alongside her ex and his new playmate. Two months later, he came crawling back, begging for another chance. The reason? As it turned out, the other girl had ditched him for someone else—a woman, no less. Vasti had sent him packing, and thankfully, graduation came quickly enough that she didn't have to keep dodging him for long.

As she watched the striking man driving beside her, Vasti recalled searching his name online. His name was Adônis MacGyver. Adônis MacGyver. The name fit him perfectly; she'd never laid eyes on anyone so attractive. It wasn't just his glossy dark hair or those striking turquoise-green eyes—it was the way everything about him fit together, perfectly balanced and impossibly handsome. She could only describe him as flawless.

Lost in thought? Adônis MacGyver asked, glancing over when he noticed her watching him.

Um… there's something I should probably mention now. Vasti hesitated, chewing her lip when he frowned in curiosity.

What is it? Go ahead, you can tell me, he urged. Adônis MacGyver hoped she wasn't about to bring up a boyfriend— he wasn't interested in crossing that line. As far as he knew, she was single.

I've never… I've never actually done this before.

His smile widened. He'd heard it all before— women claiming they never had casual sex, insisting it only happened with a boyfriend, and the whole speech that usually followed. Part of him felt a twinge of disappointment; he hadn't pegged her as the type to make excuses.

I get it. But don't stress about it. There's a first time for everything. Having sex with someone outside a relationship isn't something to be embarrassed about. Honestly, it can feel freeing.

Vasti gave him a puzzled look, tilting her head a little. His answer made no sense to her at all.

I don't really see how that's relevant… she said quietly.

Now he looked thrown.

You just told me you'd never done this— never had sex without a relationship, never with someone you barely know… Casual sex, he said, baffled that he had to remind her of her own words.

That's not it. That's not what I meant— or at least not what I was trying to say, Vasti said after clearing her throat. "The truth is… Alright. I'm a virgin."

She chose to tell him now because she worried he might try to move too fast, and that wasn't what she wanted. If he hurt her simply because she hadn't warned him, the whole night would end badly for both of them.

Without warning, the car veered to the shoulder and rolled to a stop.

Vasti stared at Adônis MacGyver, completely confused. He kept his eyes on the steering wheel, and Vasti noticed his knuckles had gone white from gripping it so tightly.

What? he blurted, needing to be sure he'd heard correctly. "What did you just say?"

What do you mean?

Virgin! You said you're a virgin?! He turned to face her, and Vasti could tell his expression mixed anger, disappointment, and something she couldn't quite name.

Yes, Vasti confirmed quietly. He stared ahead and restarted the engine. "Is there a problem? I just didn't want to drop that on you at the last second… I figured it was better to mention it now."

Adônis MacGyver didn't respond. Instead, he made a sharp U-turn. It didn't take long for Vasti to realize he was driving back toward her neighborhood, though she kept silent until she was sure. He parked right in front of her building.

You should get out, he said, voice cold and eyes fixed forward. Vasti frowned and almost reached for his arm, but he pulled away before she could touch him.

I don't get it… We…

I don't sleep with virgins. That's the rule. They're always high-maintenance, they get attached, and before long, it's all talk about commitment and marriage. I'm not offering any of that. So go. Now.

Vasti stared at him for a moment, half expecting him to crack a smile. He didn't. He meant every word. With a scoff of disbelief, she climbed out, slammed the door behind her, and walked away without looking back.

Vasti couldn't believe what had just unfolded. First came the anger—a hot, all-consuming kind. Adônis MacGyver had made it sound like she was plotting some scheme to trap him. As if she had seduced him just to back him into marriage.

Bastard! How could he accuse her of that? She flung her purse onto the couch, kicked her shoes aside, and stormed into the bedroom. "I never did anything like that!" I kept to myself, and he was the one who started all of this!

While peeling off her clothes, anger faded and shame took its place. Vasti swallowed hard. It was true—Adônis MacGyver had made the first move in that kitchen, but he hadn't pushed her into anything! She'd been swept up in the moment, and if she was honest, she'd jumped into his car with barely a thought, ready to give her virginity to a man she barely knew. Knowing his name and job didn't change that!

Vasti sat at the edge of the bed, buried her face in her hands, and tried to process what she'd done. What had she been thinking?

You weren't thinking! she muttered, scolding herself, and collapsed onto the mattress with a groan of frustration. Of course, he'd think she was setting him up. What sane person would do that?

Vasti tossed her clothes aside and stepped into the bathroom, hoping a shower would scrub away her shame. Afterward, she threw together a quick meal and fired up her computer. She needed a new job, and she needed it fast!

If he doesn't fire you first thing in the morning, she muttered, lips twisted in a pout as she cursed her own recklessness. She had risked everything for a reckless fling. Vasti's grandmother was sick and needed help, yet here she was, making foolish decisions!

Even if this job seemed promising, she could always find something else. Heidi wouldn't go on leave for another two weeks. If Vasti landed another position within a week, she wouldn't leave Heidi stranded and could get away from Adônis MacGyver for good.

While Vasti scrolled through job listings, Adônis MacGyver was making his way back to his apartment, fuming. He slapped the steering wheel in frustration. Things had been going perfectly, and now everything was shattered—completely gone.

He already knew what happened with virgins— unlucky enough to have gone through it twice, though calling it twice was generous. Both times, the women wanted commitment, a relationship, a wedding. The first time, he'd been naïve and nearly walked into a disaster, but caught himself at the last second. The second time, things seemed fine until she blindsided him. He'd vowed never to let that mess happen again. Absolutely not! Sure, Vasti was captivating; he couldn't recall ever meeting another woman who checked all his boxes so quickly. Too bad she had to be a virgin.

And of course, she had to be a virgin! He slammed a fist against the console. Perfect.

Adônis MacGyver had even set aside his own rule about employees. He never mixed work with pleasure— everyone knew that spelled disaster. At thirty-one, he should have learned his lesson, especially when women were involved—his favorite subject and his biggest weakness.

Now he drove home, stuck with frustration and zero relief.

Unbelievable! he yelled, frustrated. All he wanted was Vasti—her body, her defiance, and, if he was being honest, the chance to show her a thing or two.

A wicked grin crept onto his face. She definitely had a rebellious side, and he burned to find out if she kept that attitude between the sheets. He wanted to dominate her, right there, but the truth was, she didn't even know herself in bed—she had never had sex.

Still… just because she claimed to be a virgin didn't mean she'd never done anything at all. Adônis MacGyver sighed, shaking his head. Was he really that dense? The way she kissed, the way her hands had roamed—could that all be raw instinct? He doubted it.

I acted on impulse! he snapped. They could have at least done something— anything. Instead, he lost his mind and threw her out of the car. "It's not over yet!"

Meanwhile, Vasti still wore her robe, sprawled on the bed, scrolling through job postings on her phone. There were plenty out there, but none matched her field.

That's the least of my problems. The important thing is getting work, she muttered to herself. If she ended up selling merchandise in a shop, so be it—as long as she could cover her grandmother's expenses and keep herself afloat. Downsizing was an option, too. "If my father weren't such a jerk, maybe I could rely on him."

Vasti's father had bailed on her mother before she was even born, marrying into money and never looking back. He never pitched in—not with raising Vasti, not with money, not with anything. On the rare occasions he did show up, it felt like he was granting her a royal favor. The last time Vasti saw him, she had begged for help for her grandmother. He promised he'd pitch in, but as usual, Vasti hadn't seen a dime.

The intercom buzzed. She ignored it. It was late, and she hadn't ordered anything. Then again, what if something was actually wrong—like a fire? Muttering a curse, she trudged over to answer, but the ringing cut off just as she entered the kitchen. She waited a minute. Nothing happened. Annoyed, she headed back to the bedroom.

Then the doorbell rang.

You've got to be kidding me! She threw her hands up and marched to the door, checking the peephole—just in case. The sight on the other side nearly made her eyes pop out of her head.

I know you're in there, he called.

Uh… but—

Miss Cortez. Open the door. He barked the order, and that tone grated on Vasti's nerves.

Vasti yanked the door open, ready to let him have it. However, she didn't get the chance. The second the door swung wide, his mouth was on hers, his arms locked around her waist, and the only sound she heard was the door clicking shut behind them.

Adônis MacGyver hadn't planned to barge in and act this way. He'd only meant to confront her, look her in the eyes, and see for himself if she was telling the truth about her virginity—or if she'd ever done anything at all. He could have waited until morning, but curiosity and impatience got the better of him. When she opened the door in just a robe, her scent hit him like a punch, and within seconds, he had her pinned on the sofa.

S-sir… she managed between frantic kisses, her hand pressed against his chest. "Slow… ah…!"

He glanced at her, taking in her flushed face. The robe had come undone but hadn't fully slipped off, offering him a peek at one of her breasts— full and inviting.

Would you settle for this? Just sex? he asked. That question hadn't been in his plans when he left for her apartment, but his self-control had evaporated.

Vasti stared at him, tempted to tell him to get lost. How could he have the nerve to show up after everything he'd said and ask something like that?

No, she answered, lifting her chin, determined to set things straight. "You're my boss. I need this job. This isn't going to happen."

That was the last shred of reason she had left. Adônis MacGyver's face shifted, stunned. Was she seriously turning him down?

Adônis MacGyver felt humiliated. He stood, dragging his hand through his hair, then across his face. He couldn't believe it—he'd actually gone all the way back to that woman's place, sweet-talked her doorman, kissed her, and after all that, she had the nerve to turn him down.

Chasing after women had never been his style, but ever since meeting Vasti, he'd been on a losing streak.

And I practically threw myself at her! he remembered, stunned at his own behavior. Adônis MacGyver wasn't the kind of man who ever lost control like that!

Fine, he muttered, heading for the door. He didn't spare Vasti a glance before slamming it behind him.

What a maniac! Vasti shook her head, incredulous, but relieved she hadn't caved this time. She brushed her lips with her fingers. That kiss was dangerously addictive, but she had to stay clear-headed!

He was her boss, and if things went his way, she'd end up as nothing more than his plaything before he tossed her aside. No, Vasti refused to let that happen!

And now this will be all over the office, she thought. "I'll get branded as some shameless flirt, while he walks away the hero. Good luck finding another job after that, Vasti! At least not in this business!"

Vasti retreated to her bedroom, dead tired. The entire day had been a disaster, one emotional swing after another, and now she was more wound up than ever after facing off with her infuriatingly attractive boss.

And after everything he did to me! Honestly, Vasti, you're such an idiot!

She collapsed onto her bed and squeezed her eyes shut. Was it really too much to ask for a quiet night? Her phone buzzed somewhere nearby. She fumbled for it, but came up empty-handed.

Oh, where did you go? she mumbled, eyes flicking open. The phone sat right by her hand. "Just leave me alone…"

A message popped up from an unfamiliar number. She braced herself for another spam text, but this wasn't an ad.

UNKNOWN: Red.

Vasti's brow furrowed. Instantly, she remembered "lilac." No, that was impossible.

VASTI: Mr. Gonzalez?

She stared at the screen. The sender came online, saw her reply, and then disappeared without a word.

Hey! she barked at her phone, as if yelling would make a difference. "Come back!"

But the sender stayed offline.

VASTI: ??????

She fired off a message and waited. Nothing. This time, it didn't even look like it got delivered.

Ugh! Must've been a fluke, that's all, she muttered, trying to talk herself down. "Why would he text me and just block me right after?"

Still, knowing him, it wouldn't be out of character. She barely knew the guy, but he struck her as exactly the type to pull something like this. Vasti pressed her lips together, set her phone on the nightstand, and pulled the covers over her head!

The alarm clock eventually blared. Vasti stretched, and the scent of coffee hit her instantly.

Mmm! She sat down with a smile, but it didn't last long. The moment the scent hit her nose again, her expression faltered—it was too strong, too close. It was almost like it was coming straight from her own kitchen.

Her heart skipped. She shot out of bed and crept toward the door. Maybe it was just her neighbor? That had to be it. He might have left his own door open, and the smell drifted in… But then it hit her—she'd forgotten to lock her door after Adônis MacGyver stormed out!

Oh, hell! Vasti's pulse skyrocketed. Had someone broken in? "Calm down," she told herself, but what kind of burglar makes coffee?

Just in case, Vasti decided to investigate. She glanced around for anything she could use as a weapon—but the door swung open before she could grab a thing, forcing her backward.

Ah!

Adônis MacGyver strode in, acting like he owned the place. "You're up earlier than I thought," he said, sounding completely unfazed. He strolled over to Vasti's dresser, opened the top drawer, then shut it and moved to the next. The underwear drawer. Vasti stood frozen, staring at him in disbelief, unable to move. The sharp click of the final drawer snapping shut jolted her back to her senses.

Hold on! she shouted. "What do you think you're doing?" She jumped up, planting herself between him and her dresser. "You can't just go through my stuff!"

Vasti tried to shove him aside, but Adônis MacGyver hardly budged—he was simply too strong for her to move.

I figured you'd be the beige type, but come on… Adônis MacGyver rifled through her underwear, barely hiding his disappointment. "Seriously? Beige, black, and white? That's it?"

He held up a plain pair, but Vasti snatched it away before he could get a better look.

No lace? Not even a hint? He shot Vasti a look as if she'd committed a crime. "You really need to upgrade, my dear."

Vasti shut her eyes, exhaled slowly, and jabbed a finger at the door.

Alright, enough! Get out! Her voice trembled with irritation. "You can't just barge in like this! You're not even supposed to be here— this is completely out of line!"

Adônis MacGyver shrugged, totally unbothered. "Sure, I can. You let me in."

Vasti nearly burst out laughing at the sheer nerve and boldness of that man.

Oh, is that how you see it? Because I'm pretty sure I didn't.

Yes, you did, he insisted. "I called, you answered, you said yes— I even have the proof." Adônis MacGyver wore an expression of pure innocence, which looked absolutely ridiculous on him. Vasti's eyes narrowed, suspicion sharpening her gaze. "You can check your phone. I called you. I asked, you agreed, and I didn't have to break down a thing."

Vasti immediately grabbed her phone off the bed, glancing over at Adônis MacGyver, who hadn't moved an inch—hands in his pockets, watching her with that infuriating calm.

Sure enough, she found a call from him, logged about thirty minutes earlier.

I was asleep! she shot back. "I don't even remember saying anything!"

That's not my problem, is it? he replied, and went right back to digging through her drawers. This time, Adônis MacGyver went for the bras. Vasti jumped in his way, blocking him.

That's enough. Get out.

Adônis MacGyver arched an eyebrow. "You're awfully confrontational this morning."

She let out a short, exasperated laugh.

Me? I'm the confrontational one? she shot back. "You broke into my apartment!" When he drew breath to argue, she cut him off with a raised hand. "Don't even start. You took advantage of me being half-asleep to worm your way inside. Then you rifled through my stuff— my personal things! Without my consent! You—!"

Her words tangled in her throat. She couldn't go on.