Falling, Falling, and Fallen

LINA

The night before my first day at Blackwood Industries, I found myself unusually anxious. It was a strange blend of excitement and dread, as if my nerves were having their own private party.

My room looked like a tornado had hit it—clothes strewn everywhere as I tried to decide what to wear. Finally, I settled on a plain outfit that I thought was professional enough, a simple oversized sweater and slacks. I laid them out carefully on the chair by my desk, double-checking that everything was in place.

Satisfied, I climbed into bed, but sleep didn’t come easily. My thoughts kept drifting back to Aaron. I couldn’t shake the feeling that seeing him again was going to be…complicated.

I let my mind wander, unable to deny it any longer—Aaron Blackwood had a hold on me, a grip I couldn’t shake. I imagined his intense gaze locked on mine, those piercing blue eyes darkening with desire. My heart quickened just thinking about it, my skin tingling as I envisioned his hands tracing every inch of me, his touch igniting a fire deep within.

My breath hitched at the thought of his lips grazing my neck, his whispered words sending shivers down my spine. The very idea of what he could do to my body made my toes curl, my pulse racing with anticipation. It was a dangerous fantasy, but one I couldn’t stop myself from indulging in.

I hadn’t had this sort of reaction to a man since Dane, which made it even more concerning.

I shook my head, trying to ignore the heat spreading through me. Closing my eyes, I drifted into sleep, with the last image in my mind being Aaron Blackwood.

Morning arrived too soon, and after a quick breakfast, I was out the door and on my way to Blackwood Industries.

The building loomed ahead as I approached, its windows gleaming in the early sunlight. I took a deep breath and stepped inside.

As I walked through the lobby, I spotted Adam heading in my direction. Adam was one of those perpetually cheerful people who could lighten up a room just by walking into it. He smiled broadly when he saw me.

“Hey, Lina! Big day, huh?” he said, clapping me on the shoulder in a friendly manner.

I nodded, trying to smile back. “Yeah, definitely. Any tips?”

He chuckled. “Just be yourself. And don’t worry so much about Aaron. He’s actually a big teddy bear once you get to know him.”

I raised an eyebrow. The Aaron I remembered was anything but a teddy bear. But Adam’s reassurance made me feel a bit better, and I thanked him before continuing to the elevator.

The ride up seemed to take forever. When the doors finally opened, I took another deep breath and stepped out, walking down the hall to Aaron’s office. I knocked lightly before entering.

Aaron was standing by the window, looking out over the city. He turned as I walked in, his expression immediately hardening. “You’re late,” he said flatly.

I glanced at my watch, puzzled. “Actually, I’m on time.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Being on time is late.”

Note to self, be early.

He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing my appearance. “This is what you chose to wear on your first day?”

I looked down at my outfit, feeling a surge of defensiveness. “Yes, I thought it was fine.”

“It’s not,” he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You need to dress respectably if you’re going to be my assistant.”

I felt my cheeks flush with anger. “And who decides what’s respectable? You?”

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes—surprise, maybe? But he quickly regained his composure. “Yes. Now, come with me.”

Without waiting for a response, he strode out of the office. I stood there for a moment, stunned, before hurrying after him. As we made our way through the building, people flocked around him, offering their good mornings as if he were a celebrity.

A group of women dressed in tight, revealing dresses that didn’t really leave much to the imagination straightened their backs and threw their hips out. “Good morning, Mr. Blackwood,” they chimed in unison.

Mr. Blackwood glanced at them and gave them a curt nod.

He led me out of the building and down the street to an expensive department store. The place screamed luxury with its polished marble floors and elegant displays. Aaron marched straight up to the counter and spoke to a well-dressed woman behind it.

“I need something respectable for my assistant,” he said curtly.

The woman, middle-aged and dressed in a form-fitting suit, glanced at me, her eyes scanning my body as if I were a piece of meat. She then looked back at Aaron. “Well, if you would just go ahead, sir, and have a look around, I believe our many assistants would be more than happy to assist you.”

He slid his hand into his jacket pocket and slid his American Express onto the table. She looked between the card and Mr. Blackwood and cleared her throat. “When you say respectable…”

“I mean, she should be wearing something that doesn’t make her look like a homeless hermit who I just picked up from the corner,” he replied with irritation and disgust.

Homeless? Hermit?

I slowly lowered my nose to my shoulder and sniffed myself, making sure I didn’t smell anything but my perfume.

The woman nodded and turned to me with a warm smile. “Follow me, love. Let’s find you something suitable.”

I trailed after her, feeling a mix of embarrassment and frustration. She led me through racks of designer clothes, picking out several dresses for me to try on. Each one felt more uncomfortable than the last. Finally, she handed me a dress that was beautiful but felt all wrong for me.

“This one will look perfect on you,” she assured me.

It was a sleek black dress designed with a square neckline that elegantly framed my collarbone and shoulders, giving ample view of my cleavage. The dress hugged my body in all the right places, accentuating my curves.

Reluctantly, I stepped out to show her.

She clapped her hands together in delight. “Oh, your boss will love it!”

“I don’t think this fits me,” I said, looking at my reflection in the mirror.

“Nonsense,” she replied. “You look stunning.”

I sighed, not bothered about winning this argument. I changed back into my own clothes and brought the dress out. Aaron was waiting for me, looking impatient.

He looked between me and the dress. “Can you explain why you’re still dressed like that?”

I didn’t want him to know how uncomfortable I felt wearing it, so I looked down at my shoes and then back up at him. “My shoes don’t go with the dress.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Then buy a new pair.”

He raised his hand to call the sales assistant, but I stopped him. “I promise I’ll get new shoes, but for now, let’s just get to work.”

“All right,” he said, raising an eyebrow.

I quickly grabbed my card, waiting for the sales assistant to tally everything. She smiled at me. “Four hundred ninety-nine pounds and ninety-nine pence.”

My jaw dropped. Five hundred pounds for a dress!

I looked between the sales assistant and my card. I had practically no money, and paying for this dress would bankrupt me.

Slowly, I moved my hand toward the card machine, but Aaron pushed me aside. The brush of his body against mine was electrifying, making me forget where I was.

I looked up at Aaron, who was about to pay. I placed my hand over his to stop him. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to buy me a five-hundred-pound dress.”

He looked down at my hand covering his, and I could feel the strength beneath my fingers and the heat building between us. We stood there in silence, staring at our hands.

I looked up to see his mouth slightly open, his breathing a little heavier. He met my gaze, and I saw his tongue dart out to moisten his lips.

We couldn’t stop staring at each other. I had thought the want and desire were one-sided, just me feeling it, but now, staring at Aaron Blackwood, I saw the same need reflected in his eyes.

Someone cleared their throat, shattering the moment. Mr. Blackwood paid for the dress, and we made our way out of the store.

We walked back to the office in silence. I could feel the weight of the dress in the bag, a symbol of the tension between us.

Back in the company building, he made his way into his office, and I followed him, but just as I was going to enter with him, he shut the door in my face.

I stood there like a statue, staring at the large brown, ornate door. My thoughts drifted back to the moment we’d had in the store. It may have been brief, but it was a moment that left an indelible mark on me.

The way Aaron’s touch had sent a jolt of electricity through my body, the intensity in his eyes as we’d stood so close—it was a connection I hadn’t expected. The warmth of his hand beneath mine, the slight tremor in his breath—these were not just fleeting sensations. They lingered, haunting me. The entire world had fallen away, leaving just the two of us in that charged silence.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something unspoken between us, something that had sparked in that brief exchange. It was more than just a physical reaction. It was an unvoiced acknowledgment of something deeper.

As I stood in front of the door, my heart pounded with the memory, the desire to relive that moment and explore the possibilities it hinted at.