The elevator lurched to a sudden halt midway between floors, the lights flickering once before settling into a steady hum. Victor, the towering CEO with his sharp jawline and commanding presence, glanced at the control panel, his brow furrowing. 'What the hell?' he muttered, jabbing the emergency button. No response. He pulled out his phone—dead signal. Rose, his personal assistant, stood beside him, her heart pounding not just from the scare but from the proximity to her boss in this confined space. She was dressed in a sleek deep-neck dress that hugged her curves, the fabric clinging to her skin as the air grew stuffy.

Minutes ticked by, and the heat built quickly. Sweat beaded on Victor's forehead, trickling down his neck. He shrugged off his suit coat, folding it neatly over the railing, then rolled up his sleeves. Rose couldn't tear her eyes away. His forearms rippled with muscle, veins standing out against tanned skin—a rare glimpse of the powerful body hidden beneath his corporate armor. He caught her staring and smirked, that predatory curve of his lips making her stomach flip.