His fingers closed around the handle. Pushed the frosted glass swung inward. Elena Hart stood in the center of her office, frozen mid-motion, pulling a cream blouse from a garment bag. She wore a black skirt. Nothing else above the waist except a bra so delicate it barely existed.
Her auburn hair was down falling in waves across bare shoulders. Her dark eyes went wide with shock that mirrored the horror flooding through Marcus's entire body. For one endless second, neither of them moved. Neither of them breathed. Then Marcus' tool bag slipped from his shoulder and crashed to the floor.
"I'm sorry," he gasped. "I'm so sorry. I was testing the sensors. I didn't know you were. I didn't mean get out."
Her voice was ice over steel. Quiet. Absolutely lethal. "I'm sorry." Marcus backed away so fast he nearly tripped over his own equipment.
His face burned, his heart hammered against his ribs. The door I thought it was empty. I was just checking the system. I'm so sorry. Turn around.
The command stopped him mid-retreat. Marcus spun instantly, facing the frosted glass, seeing nothing but blurred shapes and his own panicked reflection. Behind him, he heard fabric rustling, a zipper, the sharp click of buttons, every muscle in his body locked rigid. He waited for the explosion, the rage, the inevitable consequences of the worst mistake of his professional life. He'd walked in on Elena Hart, half-dressed, the CEO, the iron lady, the woman who could end his career with a single phone call.
I swear I didn't see anything, he said to the glass, his voice cracking. I swear I was just doing my job, testing the sensors. I didn't know you were here. Please, I have a daughter. She's six.
I need this job. "I can't—" "Stop talking." Marcus' jaw snapped shut. The silence stretched. Seconds became eternities.
He could hear his own breathing ragged and panicked. And beneath it, the soft sounds of Elena getting dressed. When she finally spoke again, her voice was controlled. But something underneath it, something he couldn't quite identify. What's your name?
Marcus Cole. IT security maintenance. I've worked here 4 years. I've never had a complaint. I swear this was an accident.
I thought I heard you the first time. A pause. Longer than comfortable. You can turn around now. Marcus turned slowly, keeping his eyes fixed on the floor.
He couldn't look at her. Didn't deserve to. Elena Hart stood behind her desk, fully dressed now in the cream blouse and black skirt. Her hair was pulled back in that severe style he recognized. She looked every inch the CEO again, all traces of vulnerability erased.