Friday was still a day away.
But Raj Malhotra didn't believe in waiting.
Aisha realized it the moment she stepped into the office the next morning.
His presence was different—sharper, colder, more intense.
Like a storm building pressure before it finally broke.
He stood near the conference room, speaking to a few senior employees.
Yet even while surrounded by people, his eyes found her instantly.
Tracked her.
Pinned her.
Claimed her.
Her breath hitched, heat crawling up her neck.
The moment she looked away, he ended the conversation abruptly and walked toward her with long, purposeful strides.
"Inside," he said, opening his cabin door without waiting for her reply.
Aisha followed, palms damp.
The door clicked shut behind them.
He didn't take his seat.
He didn't look at his laptop.
He didn't pretend this was work.
Instead, he turned to her fully, hands in pockets, jaw tense.
"You're avoiding me again."
Her stomach dropped. "I'm not—"
"Finish that lie," he said softly, "and I'll cancel every limit you think you have."
Her breath stuttered.
He stepped closer. "Try again."
"I wasn't avoiding you," she whispered. "I just… didn't want to disturb you, sir."
His eyes darkened.
"Disturb me."
He took another step.
"And watch what happens."
Her heart pounded.
"Do you know what tomorrow is?" Raj asked.
She nodded.
"Say it."
"Friday," she forced out.
"And what is scheduled for Friday?"
Aisha swallowed. "A private meeting."
He clicked his tongue softly. "Not good enough."
Her chest tightened. "A… lesson."
"Better." He leaned in. "Try again."
Her voice shrank to a whisper. "A test."
He exhaled sharply, satisfied.
"Good. You're learning."
Then he walked past her, brushing slightly against her shoulder—just enough to send a shiver through her.
"A test," he repeated, pacing. "Most people fail before it even begins."
Aisha clasped her hands together. "Sir, what exactly—"
"You'll find out."
His gaze snapped to hers, piercing and dangerous.
"But I need to see something before tomorrow."
Her breath stilled.
"Your threshold."
"My… threshold?"
"How much pressure you can take."
He moved closer again, voice lowering. "How much control you can surrender."
His eyes flicked downward. "How much fear you can withstand."
Her pulse stuttered wildly.
"And how far you'll go before you break."
She stepped back instinctively.
He didn't let her.
Raj caught her wrist—not roughly, but with iron certainty—pulling her closer in one smooth motion. Their bodies didn't touch, but the heat between them was unbearable.
"Let me be very clear, Aisha."
His voice was a low growl.
"The test begins before Friday."
Her lips parted. "W-What do you mean?"
"You'll understand soon." He released her wrist. "Now come with me."
"But sir, the work—"
"Your work," he said simply, "is me."
She froze.
He opened the door. "Move."
And she did.
Not because she had to.
But because every cell in her body responded to him.
---
The elevator doors closed behind them.
The small space seemed to shrink instantly under the weight of his presence. He stood beside her, shoulders broad, suit perfect, jaw clenched with some internal restraint.
He wasn't looking at her.
But he was aware of her.
Every breath.
Every heartbeat.
Aisha's fingers twitched against her side. She didn't know where to keep her eyes, what to do with her breathing.
Then the elevator stopped between floors.
Her head jerked up.
Power cut?
Technical issue?
She looked toward him.
But Raj Malhotra's expression was calm.
Too calm.
"Sir?" she whispered. "The elevator—"
"I shut it down," he said.
Her breath froze.
"What? Why—"
He turned to her fully, eyes burning.
"Because I want to see your reaction."
Her heart leapt into her throat.
"You said you wouldn't run," Raj murmured, taking a step toward her. "So show me."
"S-Sir, there are cameras—"
"I own the cameras."
He kept moving toward her, slow and predatory.
"And I own everything that happens inside this building."
Her back hit the elevator wall.
Raj placed a hand above her head, caging her in without touching her.
"Look at me," he ordered.
She did.
Her breath faltered.
His gaze scalded her skin.
Possessive.
Obsessive.
Unrestrained.
"Do you know why I'm doing this?" he asked softly.
"No," she whispered.
"Yes, you do."
His fingers brushed her jaw with wicked gentleness.
"You think I don't feel it? Every time I'm near you?"
She swallowed. "Feel… what?"
He bent, lips hovering near her ear.
Close enough for her knees to tremble.
"The pull," he whispered.
"The resistance."
"The fear."
"And the part of you that doesn't want to run."
Her spine shivered.
"You react to me," he murmured. "Even when you try not to."
She couldn't speak.
"And I want to see how much."
His hand moved down, barely grazing her arm, sending electricity through her veins.
"And this," he said, stepping back just an inch, "is your first pre-test."
Her voice came out small.
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Hold your ground."
His voice was low.
"And meet my eyes. Nothing else."
That sounded simple.
Except it wasn't.
Raj leaned in again—closer than ever—until she could feel his breath on her lips.
Her knees weakened.
"Aisha," he murmured, "don't break yet."
She inhaled shakily, trying to steady her gaze.
Seconds stretched.
Heat coiled in her stomach.
He watched everything—every tremor, every shaky breath, every spark of resistance.
Finally, he stepped back, pressed a button, and the elevator resumed moving.
As if nothing had happened.
Except everything had.
"You lasted longer than I expected," he said without looking at her. "Good."
She didn't know if she should be relieved… or terrified.
"Tomorrow," he said as the doors opened, "you'll need twice that strength."
She exhaled shakily.
"And three times that obedience."
Aisha's pulse throbbed painfully.
"And if I don't have it?" she whispered.
He finally turned to her, eyes dark and unreadable.
"Then," Raj said, "I'll break you myself."