Beneath the Tension

When Aria Morgan, a mischievous and fearless college student with dreams of making it big in the world of marketing, lands an unexpected internship at one of the top corporate firms in the city, she’s determined to prove herself. But her confidence shatters the moment she meets her boss—liam Blackwood—a cold, arrogant CEO with piercing gray eyes and a reputation for being ruthless in the boardroom. The catch? He’s also her best friend’s overprotective older brother, the same guy she’s clashed with at countless family gatherings.Ethan remembers Aria as the stubborn, sharp-tongued girl who never backed down from a challenge. Now, she’s grown into a bold, witty woman who refuses to be intimidated by his authority. Their work relationship quickly turns into a fiery battleground of clashing egos, heated arguments, and undeniable tension simmering just beneath the surface.But when a business trip forces them into close quarters, the thin line between hate and desire blurs. A late-night confrontation filled with sharp words and smoldering glances spirals into a steamy encounter neither of them can forget. As secrets unravel, stolen moments grow harder to resist, and their enemies-to-lovers dynamic threatens to ignite something much deeper—something dangerously close to love."Is that what you think this is, Aria? A game?" Ethan's voice was a low, gravelly growl, his tall frame pinning her against the sleek glass wall of his office, city lights casting shadows across his sharp jawline.Aria's breath hitched, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her flustered. She tilted her chin defiantly, her pulse betraying her cool facade."If it is, you're losing."His eyes darkened, gray flickering with something dangerous-something primal. He leaned in, his mouth inches from hers, his breath hot against her skin."Oh, sweetheart, I never lose."Her laugh was shaky, filled with defiance and something else-something warmer."Keep telling yourself that."And then his lips crashed onto hers-hard.