The meeting had just concluded, but Santiago’s attention had been far from the discussions for the better half of it. His sharp gaze remained locked on me, his secretary, the entire time, the subtle tension building between us unnoticed by everyone else in the room. The second the others left, the door closing behind them, the atmosphere shifted palpably.

Santiago moved swiftly, standing beside me in a flash, one hand gripping the back of my chair, the other already threading through my hair, tugging hard enough to make me gasp. He leaned in, his lips brushing dangerously close to my ear, his voice a low, controlled whisper that sent shivers down my spine.

“Did you enjoy yourself, teasing me under the table like that?” His grip tightened, fingers curling almost painfully into my scalp. The teasing smirk that had barely surfaced during the meeting was now fully present, dangerous and promising.

Without warning, he hauled me to my feet, pressing his large hand firmly against my lower back as he maneuvered me toward the floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased the city below. The glass felt cool against my skin compared to the heat of his body pressed against me. The view was breathtaking, but all I could focus on was the feeling of his firm body pinning me against the cool surface. His smirk deepened as he pressed his lips close to my ear once more.

“I could take you right here,” he growled, his deep voice filled with intent as his hand slid down from my hair, tracing a slow, deliberate path down my stomach. His fingers hovered just above my waistband, teasing, lingering as he continued, “and you wouldn’t even try to stop me, would you?”