Dangerous Attraction

Chapter 4: A Team Affair

I stood outside the towering glass edifice of West Industries, my reflection staring back at me from the polished surface. My hand instinctively reached up to smooth a stray lock of brown hair, tucking it behind my ear. The morning sun glinted off the building, almost blinding me, much like the dazzling smile of Daniel West had done at that fateful corporate event weeks ago.

Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself. "You've got this, Amelia," I whispered, adjusting the strap of my leather briefcase. This was my moment, my chance to prove myself as the lead on this crucial project. After years of climbing the corporate ladder, dealing with toxic relationships and heartbreaks, I was finally where I wanted to be professionally. If only my personal life could catch up.

As I pushed through the revolving doors into the lobby, the usual bustle of a corporate morning came to an abrupt halt. The clacking of keyboards ceased, conversations died mid-sentence, and all eyes turned to me. Confusion washed over me. Had I spilled coffee on my crisp white blouse without noticing?

"Ms. Harper, welcome to West Industries." The rich, smooth voice cut through the silence like a warm knife through butter.

I turned, my heart skipping a beat as I found myself face-to-face with Daniel West. He was even more handsome than I remembered, his tailored suit accentuating his broad shoulders, his piercing eyes fixed solely on me. The same electricity I'd felt at the corporate event crackled in the air between us.

"Mr. West," I managed, extending my hand and hoping he couldn't feel it trembling. "I wasn't expecting to see you here today."

His hand enveloped mine, warm and firm, sending a jolt through my body. "Please, call me Daniel. And I wouldn't miss this for the world. Shall we head to the conference room? The team is waiting."

As Daniel led me through the building, I couldn't help but notice the way employees scrambled to appear busy, stealing glances at their CEO and his guest. The air was thick with curiosity and speculation. I felt like a specimen under a microscope, every pair of eyes in the building trained on us.

"So, Amelia," Daniel's voice drew me out of my thoughts. "How are you finding the city? I remember you mentioned you'd recently moved here."

I smiled, grateful for the small talk. "It's been an adjustment, but I'm loving it. The energy here is infectious."

"Much like your own," he replied, his eyes twinkling. "Your enthusiasm at the corporate event was... captivating."

I felt a blush creep up my neck, remembering how animated I'd become discussing project management strategies with him. It was rare to find someone who could match my passion for the work.

We reached the conference room, and I took a moment to compose myself before entering. This was my element. I could do this.

The next hour flew by as I introduced myself to the project team and outlined my vision for the collaboration. Throughout my presentation, I felt Daniel's eyes on me, intense and unreadable. When I finished, he was the first to speak.

"Impressive, Ms. Harper. Your reputation precedes you, but I can already tell it doesn't do you justice."

"Thank you, Daniel," I replied, my professional mask slipping just a bit. "And please, call me Amelia."

As the meeting progressed, I found myself continuously drawn to Daniel. His insights were sharp, his manner charming, yet there was something else - a darkness behind his eyes that both thrilled and unnerved me. It reminded me of Damien, the man I'd connected with so instantly, only to discover I was his side piece. I pushed the painful memory aside, focusing on the task at hand.