Kiran

"I'm around the corner from the building. I'll be five more minutes," I said.

The phone was wedged between my shoulder and my ear. One of my hands precariously balanced a coffee holder with two takeaway cups, and with the other hand, I searched around for my access card. I was already running late, and apparently punctuality was something Seth Sinclair appreciated.

"Hurry," Kirsty mumbled down the line.

Cutting the call, I stuffed my phone into my coat pocket and picked up the pace. As I burst through the doors to the building, I almost dropped the coffee, and my heart fell to my stomach. Thankfully, luck was on my side, and I avoided the accident.

Once the doors to the lift closed, I leant against the wall and let out a deep breath. I hated rushing in the morning because it set the tone for the day.

The bell in the lift chimed, and I pushed myself away from the wall and stepped out onto the floor. Kirsty shot me a look of urgency from her seat behind her desk while the other assistants on the floor continued with their work.

"Where is he?" I asked, coming up to her.

"In his office. He has another meeting at nine-thirty," Kirsty told me.

I pulled a face before jogging down the corridor. "Thank you, Kirsty," I called over my shoulder.

Deciding against stopping in my room, I knocked hard on Seth's door.

"Come in!" he barked.

When I pushed open the door, Seth was at his desk with a crease in his brow.

It had been a week since he'd returned to the office and he had a permanent scowl plastered on his face. He barely graced the floor with his presence, and I assumed it might be because he was catching up after his sabbatical.

"You're late," he said, looking up from his screen.

The first thing I noticed about my new boss, other than his intimidatingly towering form, was his eyes. They were a shocking blue colour that reminded me of the arctic. Completely void and without a hint of warmth. They pinned me to the spot, and I offered him a smile.

"I brought coffee as an apology," I said, holding up the cups. Walking over to his desk, I popped it out of the holder and placed it in front of him. "Americano. No sugar. No milk. Kirsty told me that's what you usually get."

Stubble lined his jaw and there were shadows under his eyes. I wanted to ask if he was okay, but we were yet to foster that type of relationship. Unlike everyone else I'd met since moving here, Seth was icy, and I didn't know how to thaw him.

He eyed the cup on the table as I dropped into the chair, unbuttoning my coat and shrugging it off. My heart continued to pound, and I took in a deep breath, trying to find my calm again.

"You had time to stop for coffee?" he asked.

"I put in a mobile order before I leave the house, so I just have to collect it. I had a few things that needed to be sorted this morning and —"

"A lay in?"

"Sorry?"

"Or another gym class?"

"I wish," I muttered, kicking off my heels and pulling my feet up onto the chair.

Seth blinked as I shifted to sit cross-legged. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"Getting comfortable," I answered. "You called this meeting and I understand that I'm late. I'm sorry about that, but what did you want to discuss?"

"I know nothing about you," he replied.

"Not true. I asked Kirsty to give you the company portfolio."

"I got that. I'm not on about the company. I don't know you."

My brow furrowed. "What is it you want to know?"

"That you have no intentions of trying to screw my family over."

"You realise your dad hunted me down, right? I didn't turn to him with cap in hand. We were running fine without the Sinclair empire."

"Then why did you agree to be bought?" Seth set his elbows on the table and steepled his fingers.

He was beautiful with his angular cheekbones and sharp jawline. His skin was still bronzed from his time away and the entire look, wrapped up in a designer suit, made my heart hurry its pace. But the coolness was off-putting. Seth's personal ice palace made him less appealing the moment he opened his mouth.

"Partially bought. Because I'm not an idiot," I explained. "I know a good deal when I see one. Seth, with all due respect, I don't feel the need to explain myself to you."

"You don't?" He cocked an eyebrow.

"No. Arthur and I had a lot of discussions before any of this was finalised. Me and my team have been here almost a month with no issue, and now that you're back, you're questioning my integrity."

I always knew the transition would be hard. Overnight, I went from working for myself to having someone sit at the table with me, but I couldn't refuse Arthur Sinclair and the opportunity to work with Sinclair Technologies. They were known for taking small businesses and putting them on the map.

"I think I have every right to do that when you're working with my family," Seth said.

"Well, fuck," I replied, snapping my fingers. "Guess my plans to seduce Arthur and steal his billions are ruined now."

"This isn't funny."

"Good, because I don't find it amusing either." I drank from my cup, needing the caffeine. "Seth, I'm not a gold digger."

"Murderer?"

My heart stopped in my chest at the word and the walls closed in. I knew today was going to be a bad day.

"Intentions for blackmail?" Seth pushed.

In through the nose for four.

Hold for seven.

Out for eight.

He could rant all he wanted if it meant I could breathe.

"He built this company from the ground up. We've had issues with employees before so I'm less trusting than my old man."

Maybe there was a heart in that chest after all.

I knew little about Seth or the rest of the Sinclair brood, aside from the glimpses I caught on magazine covers in the supermarket. I'd wiped myself from social media years ago and Googling people felt dirty and wrong. Everyone should be afforded some privacy in their lives.

Everything I knew about Seth came from conversations around the office. He left after a violent outburst, destroying his office and bellowing at his dad. Half of the company liked him and his no nonsense approach to work, while the other half preferred to keep out of his way.

"Seth," I said, once the world was steady again. "I appreciate you're looking out for your family, but I have no ill intentions towards them. I'm here to work. To learn. To offer advice on an area you're not familiar with. Calling me into an early morning meeting to question my integrity is a colossal waste of time."

"For you —"

"For both of us." I flipped over my wrist and checked my watch. "Kirsty said you have a meeting at nine-thirty. Finish your coffee, sharpen your teeth, and go for them instead of me, Tin Man. If you're interested in getting to know me properly or what I do," I said, uncrossing my legs and slipping my heels back on, "my office door is always open. You don't need to book a meeting."

I stood up, gathering my coat and bag.

"I would rather it be officially on the calendar," he said icily.

"As you wish. Talk to Kirsty and she'll fit you into my schedule."

"Excuse me?"

Seth stood up from behind his desk and strode towards me. He easily towered over me by more than a foot, meaning he surpassed the six-feet mark. For the first time, I breathed in his scent. It was woody and earthy. Sweet and spicy. Agarwood. Seth smelled like home.

"Why would Kirsty know about your schedule?" he asked, folding his arms across his chest.

The white material of his shirt strained against the muscles of his arms, and I tipped my head up to look him in the eye.

"She's been my assistant while you were away. Arthur thought it would be better for her to keep busy."

A muscle in his jaw flexed, and he took another step towards me. Seth was used to intimidation tactics, but he didn't scare me. This brief interaction with him left me curious about what went on in his head.

"She's my employee. If you need an assistant, I suggest you hire one yourself," Seth gritted out through his teeth.

"Sure," I replied breezily. "I'll speak to human resources about putting an ad out this afternoon."

I'd never had a personal assistant until I moved to London, but what a godsend it had been. For the first time in years, I didn't feel like I was spreading myself thin to the point I might disappear.

I thought my response might make him smile. That might have been a stretch. Seth hadn't smiled once since he'd come back to work. But I was complying with his wishes and I expected him to relax. He could see I wasn't trying to pick a fight with him, but he remained stoic.

"Is that all?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Okay. Well, have a good day."

Turning away from him, I walked out of the room and across the corridor to my office. I searched for my access card again, carefully juggling my belongings, trying not to spill coffee and make my morning even worse.

The heat of a body radiated behind me, and a familiar scent invaded my nostrils again. I looked up to see an arm reach past me, unlocking my door. Glancing over my shoulder, Seth stared down at me, irritation colouring his features, but I noticed he held the coffee I gave him in his hand.

"Thank you," I said, struggling to find the door handle while still looking at him.

He found it first and pushed the door open. I stepped back, wanting to put some distance between us.

"Tin Man?" he asked suddenly.

I thought I'd get away with the comment.

"Figure it out," I said.

"Mr Sinclair," Kirsty called down the corridor.

"On my way!" he barked in return.

Seth gave me one last curious look before striding down the corridor. I watched him go, appreciating the view, before ducking into my office and praying the rest of the day would run smoothly.