My Sassy 4

The Monday morning air was thick with anticipation. I arrived at the office early, hoping to get a jump start on the week and focus entirely on the project at hand. I wanted to star m day as busy as I could since I have a lot of things I really needed to finish things up in my plate. However, I got distracted when my phone vibrated. Well, I usually have it as loud as I could but since I am in my work, I make it in silent mode. Of course, Logan Pierce lingered at the edges of my thoughts like an uninvited guest.

I really have this something that I couldn't shrug. Why would this man wouldn't stop contacting him. Yes, I felt something too but somehow, this man, he's too persistent.

Our night at the bar had blurred the lines between work and whatever was beginning to simmer beneath the surface. Well, it wasn't a big deal but it was also kind off not easy to be involved. It left me unsettled, off-balance, and I hated feeling that way. I liked control. I needed it. But with Logan, control felt like a slipping grip on a wet rope.

As I settled at my desk, my phone buzzed with a message.

'Coffee?'

My eyebrow raised. For some reason, I have an idea who it is. I knew who it was without looking. Logan had been brief with his messages ever since that night, almost as if he was waiting for me to make the next move. I stared at the screen, the cursor blinking on my unsent reply.

I wanted to keep my distance for now. I dont want to be involve in anything that might hurt me later on. Also, this man, he's too random.

'Too early for coffee.' I hit send, then dropped the phone back on the desk. I wasn’t sure if I was delaying the inevitable or trying to establish boundaries again.

Am I doing the right thing? Why is he doing this anyway? Was it because of the offer? It's temping, indeed.

Minutes later, my phone buzzed again.

'Lunch then. My office.'

I paused, biting my lip. It wasn’t like I could avoid him forever, especially with the joint campaign our teams were working on. This is really not that easy. But something about meeting him in his office felt different—more intimate, like a challenge. But why am I feeling like that? We're just doing work, so why? Maybe that’s what this was for him: a test to see how far he could push me. But I wasn’t about to fold so easily.

'I’ll be there.'

I froze.

What did he say? He'll be there? Wait, as in, here, in my office?

I set the phone aside and took a deep breath, diving into the work for the morning. I really dong like this feeling. Somehow, I felt like there's a lot of things needed to be done.

If I can't avoid him, why else? I just shook my head. So, let it be. Ah, let it be.

By the time noon rolled around, I felt more centered, more like myself again. I grabbed my tablet and headed to Logan’s office, reminding myself that this was just a meeting. Nothing more. If anything, it will definitely never cross the boundary that I have. I won't let that boundary disappear either, so I'll just go there like it's a meeting, no, wait, it really is a meeting.

When I reached his floor, his assistant waved me in without a word. Logan’s office was as sleek and imposing as I’d imagined—floor-to-ceiling windows, minimalist décor, and a view of the city that made the room feel like it floated above everything else.

Logan was leaning against his desk when I entered, a half-smile on his lips. “Right on time.”

I frowned when I saw him. Is he really looking for me?

“I try to be,” I replied, keeping my tone businesslike. I wasn’t here for personal games.

He gestured toward a small table by the window, where lunch was already set. “I thought we’d make it casual.”

Casual. I eyed the setup—two plates of salad, sandwiches, and sparkling water. Not exactly what I expected from a man like Logan, but then again, he was full of surprises.

“I didn’t take you for the salad type,” I commented, sitting down.

He chuckled, joining me at the table. “I try to keep things balanced. Besides, I figured it was better than ordering something heavy and knocking us both out for the afternoon.”

“Fair point.”

We ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the hum of the city below us filling the quiet. It was oddly peaceful, and for a moment, I almost forgot about the tension that had built between us over the past few days.

Almost.

“So, how’s the campaign going on your end?” Logan asked, breaking the silence.

“It’s coming along,” I said, setting my fork down. “We’ve hit a few snags with the messaging, but nothing we can’t handle. Your team’s feedback has been helpful.”

He nodded, sipping his water. “Good. I think this could be one of our best collaborations yet.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You make it sound like we’ve been working together for years.”

Logan leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady on me. “In a way, we have. Maybe not directly, but we’ve been playing in the same field for a while. I’ve followed your work, Aliyah. You’ve made waves.”

I tried not to let his words get to me, but there was a part of me that felt flattered. He was a powerful man in the industry, and having him notice my work…well, it was hard to brush off entirely.

“I’m just doing my job,” I replied, keeping my tone neutral.

“You’re doing more than that,” he said, his voice dropping slightly. “You’re not just another exec in a suit. You’ve got vision. Ambition.”

I shifted in my seat, unsure how to respond. There it was again—that pull between us. He wasn’t just talking about work. The subtext was clear, and as much as I tried to keep things professional, Logan had a way of making everything feel personal.

“I appreciate the compliment,” I said carefully, “but we both know this is a partnership. It’s not just about me.”

He studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “You’re right. But that doesn’t change the fact that I see potential in you. Not just for this project, but for more.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn’t tell if it was because of the way he said it or what he meant by ‘more.’ I met his gaze, trying to keep my cool. “What exactly are you getting at, Logan?”

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking with mine. “I’m saying that I’m not interested in just working with you, Aliyah. I’m interested in you.”

I froze, the air between us thick with tension. I knew this was coming, but hearing it out loud made it real in a way that unsettled me. I’d spent years building my career, fighting for every inch of respect in this male-dominated industry. And now, here I was, sitting across from a man who could ruin all of that with a single rumor.

But there was another part of me—a part I didn’t want to acknowledge—that felt drawn to Logan. He was powerful, confident, and yes, attractive. There was something dangerous about him, something that made me want to see how far we could push each other. But that was the problem, wasn’t it? If I let this happen, if I crossed that line, everything I’d worked for could come crashing down.

“I don’t mix business with pleasure,” I said, my voice firmer than I felt.

Logan didn’t flinch. “Who said anything about mixing them? I’m talking about exploring something outside of work. Separately.”

I laughed, though there was no humor in it. “Do you honestly think that’s possible? That we can just keep things separate?”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I think we’re both smart enough to figure it out.”

I shook my head, standing up from the table. “This isn’t going to happen, Logan. I can’t afford the complications.”

He stood as well, his expression hardening slightly. “Complications are inevitable, Aliyah. But sometimes, they’re worth the risk.”

I grabbed my tablet, my heart racing. “Maybe for you, but not for me.”

As I turned to leave, Logan’s voice stopped me in my tracks.

“I’m not giving up that easily, Aliyah.”

I paused, my back to him, my hand hovering over the door handle. For a moment, I considered turning around, giving in to whatever this was between us. But then I remembered everything I had built, everything I had fought for. And I wasn’t about to throw that away for a man, no matter how tempting he was.

Without another word, I walked out of his office, my heart pounding in my chest.

Logan Pierce might have been used to getting what he wanted, but he was going to learn that I wasn’t so easily swayed.

As I made my way back to my desk, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had just stepped onto a very dangerous path—one where the stakes were higher than I ever imagined.

But if there was one thing I knew for sure, it was that I wasn’t afraid of a little risk.

And neither was Logan.

The week flew by in a blur of meetings and deadlines, but Logan Pierce’s words lingered in my mind like a persistent echo. I hadn’t seen much of him after that lunch, only quick exchanges in conference rooms or emails about the project. But every time his name popped up on my screen, or I caught sight of him down the hallway, a flutter of something—curiosity? Anticipation?—stirred in my chest.

It was ridiculous, and I knew it. I had drawn the line. Firmly. But Logan…he didn’t seem like the type to give up, and part of me, the part I hated acknowledging, wondered what it would be like to give in. Just once.

By the time Friday rolled around, I was exhausted. I stayed late at the office, hoping to finish some final edits before the weekend, when the sound of footsteps caught my attention. I glanced up from my computer and saw Logan standing in the doorway of my office, leaning against the frame with that same half-smile that both infuriated and intrigued me.

“Burning the midnight oil?” he asked, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

I forced a casual smile, though my heart had already picked up its pace. “Just trying to get ahead. Some of us actually have to work for a living.”

He chuckled, moving closer. “And here I thought you might be avoiding me.”

My pulse quickened, but I kept my expression neutral. “I’m not avoiding anyone. Just doing my job.”

Logan moved around to the side of my desk, his presence suddenly feeling too close. I could smell his cologne—woodsy, sharp, masculine—and it was distracting in a way that made my head spin. I stood up, trying to put some distance between us.

“What do you want, Logan?”

He leaned against the edge of my desk, his eyes never leaving mine. “I think you know what I want.”

My breath hitched. It was a game of cat and mouse, but I wasn’t sure who was which anymore. I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. “We’ve already had this conversation. You know where I stand.”

His gaze darkened, a challenge flickering in his eyes. “Do I? Because I’m not convinced, Aliyah. I think there’s more going on here than you’re willing to admit.”

I turned away from him, crossing my arms over my chest in a poor attempt to shield myself. “This isn’t a good idea.”

“Maybe not.” His voice was low, dangerously smooth. “But it doesn’t mean you don’t want it.”

Before I could respond, he stepped closer, his body mere inches from mine. I felt the heat radiating off him, and my breath caught in my throat. I should’ve pushed him away, should’ve told him to leave, but the pull between us was undeniable, stronger than any rational thought in my head.

“I don’t play games,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

His fingers brushed against my arm, and it sent a shiver down my spine. “Neither do I. I know what I want, and I think you do too.”

I looked up at him, meeting his intense gaze, and for the first time, I felt the full weight of what was happening. This wasn’t just some office flirtation or passing attraction. It was more dangerous than that. The tension between us was like a live wire, sparking with every glance, every word, every breath.

And suddenly, I was tired of resisting.

Without thinking, I closed the gap between us, grabbing the collar of his shirt and pulling him toward me. Logan didn’t hesitate. His lips crashed against mine with a force that made my knees weak. It was fire and need, all wrapped up in one explosive kiss.

I had kissed other men before, but this…this was different. Logan kissed me like he was claiming something, like he had been waiting for this moment just as much as I had, and it left me breathless. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer, and I could feel the heat of his body against mine, igniting something deep inside me.

We stumbled back, and my desk pressed against my lower back as Logan’s hands roamed over my body, exploring, teasing. My own hands fisted in his shirt, desperate for more, craving a closeness that was overwhelming in its intensity.

“Aliyah…” he breathed against my lips, his voice rough with desire.

Hearing my name on his lips like that sent a shiver through me, and I kissed him harder, more urgently, like I could lose myself in this moment. His hands slid down to my hips, and with one swift movement, he lifted me onto the desk, positioning himself between my legs. The feeling of his body pressed so close to mine, the warmth of his touch—it was intoxicating, and I couldn’t get enough.

But as his hand traced the line of my thigh, reality crashed back into me like a cold wave. What the hell was I doing?

I pulled away, gasping for breath, my mind spinning. “We—Logan, we can’t…”

He didn’t let go of me, his forehead resting against mine as he tried to catch his breath. “Why not?”

I swallowed hard, pushing against his chest gently. “Because we work together. Because this is a bad idea.”

His hands remained on my hips, his touch still lingering. “It’s only a bad idea if we let it be.”

I shook my head, trying to clear the haze of desire that clouded my thoughts. “I can’t… This isn’t just about us. It’s about everything else. My career. Yours.”

Logan studied me for a long moment, his expression softening slightly. “I don’t care about the consequences, Aliyah. Not when it comes to you.”

My heart raced at his words, but I forced myself to take a step back. I had to. This couldn’t happen. Not like this.

“I care,” I said quietly, my voice shaky. “And that’s why this can’t go any further.”

Logan’s jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he might argue. But then he nodded, stepping back and running a hand through his hair. “Alright,” he said, his voice rough. “But don’t think this is over.”

I let out a shaky breath, turning away from him to hide the conflict on my face. “We need to keep things professional, Logan.”

“Sure,” he said, though the look in his eyes told me he didn’t believe that for a second. “Whatever you say.”

Without another word, Logan walked out of my office, leaving me alone with the weight of what had just happened.

I stood there for a long time, trying to steady my racing heart and wrap my head around the fact that I had just crossed a line I swore I wouldn’t.

And somehow, I knew that wasn’t the last time it would happen.