Temptation: Breaking Victoria Sharp

He had such beautiful forearms.

Stop!

This was ridiculous. She was a grown woman, a successful CEO, not some adolescent distracted by attractive packaging. Yet something about James's subtle campaign was wearing down defenses Victoria had not even realized she had constructed.

"You're quiet today," James observed, his tone casual but his glance in her direction sharp with awareness.

"I'm reviewing the file," Victoria replied, not looking up from her tablet.

"Of course." James's voice carried a hint of amusement that made Victoria want to either flee the car or demand he explain exactly what game he was playing.

Instead, she maintained her focus on Morrison's regulatory concerns, using work as a shield against whatever strategy James was employing. It was a strategy that worked until they arrived at Morrison's office and James moved to open her car door, his proximity as he helped her out sending unwelcome heat through her system. The black sweater clung to his torso as he leaned down, offering his hand with gentlemanly courtesy.

"Thank you," she said stiffly, stepping back to create distance between them.

"My pleasure," James replied his tone perfectly professional and his eyes knowing.

The lunch meeting itself proved to be another test of Victoria's composure. James was brilliant, as always, articulate, well-prepared, strategically sound in his responses to Morrison's concerns. But he was also something else, something that made Victoria's breath catch when he leaned forward to make a point, the black sweater pulling tight across his muscular chest, when he smiled at Morrison's regulatory war stories, when he referenced Victoria's expertise with quiet deference that somehow managed to elevate rather than diminish her authority.

"Ms. Sharp's approach to international expansion has been consistently innovative," James said in response to Morrison's question about their Singapore strategy. "She anticipated the data sovereignty challenges before they became widespread industry concerns."

Victoria felt heat rise in her cheeks at the unexpected praise, delivered with such quiet conviction that Morrison nodded approvingly.

"Smart leadership," Morrison agreed, turning to Victoria with renewed respect. "Too many companies rush into international markets without considering the regulatory landscape."

"James deserves credit for the implementation strategy," Victoria replied, her voice steadier than she felt. "His analysis of the regulatory framework has been invaluable."

She caught James's slight smile at her acknowledgment, a warmth in his eyes that had nothing to do with professional satisfaction and everything to do with personal connection.

The rest of the meeting passed in a haze of regulatory discussion and strategic planning, but Victoria found her attention consistently divided between Morrison's concerns and her growing awareness of James's presence beside her. The way he listened when she spoke, the subtle nods of agreement when she made strategic points, the careful coordination of their responses that spoke to months of professional partnership.

Partnership. The word carried weight Victoria was not ready to examine.

"Excellent meeting," Morrison, said as they prepared to leave. "I'll have my assessment to you by next week, but I'm optimistic about your Singapore prospects."

"Thank you for your time," Victoria replied, shaking Morrison's hand with professional warmth.

"Indeed," James added, his own handshake brief and confident. "We appreciate your expertise."

The drive back to the office was quieter than the morning journey, but the silence felt charged rather than comfortable. Victoria found herself studying James's profile as he navigated afternoon traffic, noting the clean line of his jaw, the concentration in his expression, the way his hands moved with unconscious grace on the steering wheel.

"Morrison seemed impressed," James, said finally, breaking the silence.

"Yes, well, we were prepared," Victoria, replied, her tone perhaps more brisk than necessary.

"We were," James agreed, his voice carrying undertones Victoria did not want to analyze. "We work well together."

The simple statement hung in the air between them, loaded with implications Victoria was not prepared to acknowledge. Because they did work well together, had always worked well together, even when James had been her assistant rather than her strategic officer. But what she was feeling now had moved far beyond professional collaboration into territory that made her pulse accelerate and her carefully maintained control feel increasingly fragile.

"The Singapore expansion is important," Victoria said finally, focusing on safer topics. "Morrison's approval will be crucial for our timeline."

"It will," James confirmed, turning into the parking garage beneath their building. "Though I suspect Morrison's assessment will be positive. He seemed genuinely impressed with our preparation."

He parked in his assigned space and turned off the engine, but neither of them moved to exit the car immediately. The underground garage was dim and quiet, creating an intimacy Victoria found both appealing and alarming.

"James," she began, then stopped, uncertain what she had intended to say.

He turned toward her in the confined space, his expression serious. "Yes?"

Victoria met his gaze and felt something shift inside her chest, a loosening of control she had maintained for days, weeks, since their confrontation in her office. James was looking at her with quiet intensity, waiting for whatever she'd been about to say, and Victoria realized she was balanced on the edge of acknowledging truths she'd been determined to ignore.

"Nothing," she said finally, reaching for the door handle. "We should get back to the office."

But as she moved to exit the car, James's hand touched her arm gently, stopping her.

"Victoria." His voice was quiet, serious. "We're going to have to talk about this eventually."

She looked down at his hand on her arm, at the contrast of his skin against the black fabric of her dress, and felt her careful composure wavering.

"About what?"

"About whatever this is," James replied, his thumb brushing against her arm in a gesture so subtle it might have been accidental. It sent staggering heat and currents coursing through her body. "About why you've been watching me all week, about why you're fighting something we both know exists."

Victoria's breath caught at his directness, at the quiet confidence with which he had laid her careful denials bare.

"James–"

Before she could deny his claims, James was already out of his seat, moving around the vehicle with fluid grace. Victoria watched through the windshield as he approached her door, the black sweater emphasizing his athletic build with every step.