Vasti couldn't believe what had just unfolded. First came the anger—a hot, all-consuming kind. Adônis MacGyver had made it sound like she was plotting some scheme to trap him. As if she had seduced him just to back him into marriage.
Bastard! How could he accuse her of that? She flung her purse onto the couch, kicked her shoes aside, and stormed into the bedroom. "I never did anything like that!" I kept to myself, and he was the one who started all of this!
While peeling off her clothes, anger faded and shame took its place. Vasti swallowed hard. It was true—Adônis MacGyver had made the first move in that kitchen, but he hadn't pushed her into anything! She'd been swept up in the moment, and if she was honest, she'd jumped into his car with barely a thought, ready to give her virginity to a man she barely knew. Knowing his name and job didn't change that!
Vasti sat at the edge of the bed, buried her face in her hands, and tried to process what she'd done. What had she been thinking?
You weren't thinking! she muttered, scolding herself, and collapsed onto the mattress with a groan of frustration. Of course, he'd think she was setting him up. What sane person would do that?
Vasti tossed her clothes aside and stepped into the bathroom, hoping a shower would scrub away her shame. Afterward, she threw together a quick meal and fired up her computer. She needed a new job, and she needed it fast!
If he doesn't fire you first thing in the morning, she muttered, lips twisted in a pout as she cursed her own recklessness. She had risked everything for a reckless fling. Vasti's grandmother was sick and needed help, yet here she was, making foolish decisions!
Even if this job seemed promising, she could always find something else. Heidi wouldn't go on leave for another two weeks. If Vasti landed another position within a week, she wouldn't leave Heidi stranded and could get away from Adônis MacGyver for good.
While Vasti scrolled through job listings, Adônis MacGyver was making his way back to his apartment, fuming. He slapped the steering wheel in frustration. Things had been going perfectly, and now everything was shattered—completely gone.
He already knew what happened with virgins— unlucky enough to have gone through it twice, though calling it twice was generous. Both times, the women wanted commitment, a relationship, a wedding. The first time, he'd been naïve and nearly walked into a disaster, but caught himself at the last second. The second time, things seemed fine until she blindsided him. He'd vowed never to let that mess happen again. Absolutely not! Sure, Vasti was captivating; he couldn't recall ever meeting another woman who checked all his boxes so quickly. Too bad she had to be a virgin.
And of course, she had to be a virgin! He slammed a fist against the console. Perfect.
Adônis MacGyver had even set aside his own rule about employees. He never mixed work with pleasure— everyone knew that spelled disaster. At thirty-one, he should have learned his lesson, especially when women were involved—his favorite subject and his biggest weakness.
Now he drove home, stuck with frustration and zero relief.
Unbelievable! he yelled, frustrated. All he wanted was Vasti—her body, her defiance, and, if he was being honest, the chance to show her a thing or two.
A wicked grin crept onto his face. She definitely had a rebellious side, and he burned to find out if she kept that attitude between the sheets. He wanted to dominate her, right there, but the truth was, she didn't even know herself in bed—she had never had sex.
Still… just because she claimed to be a virgin didn't mean she'd never done anything at all. Adônis MacGyver sighed, shaking his head. Was he really that dense? The way she kissed, the way her hands had roamed—could that all be raw instinct? He doubted it.
I acted on impulse! he snapped. They could have at least done something— anything. Instead, he lost his mind and threw her out of the car. "It's not over yet!"
Meanwhile, Vasti still wore her robe, sprawled on the bed, scrolling through job postings on her phone. There were plenty out there, but none matched her field.
That's the least of my problems. The important thing is getting work, she muttered to herself. If she ended up selling merchandise in a shop, so be it—as long as she could cover her grandmother's expenses and keep herself afloat. Downsizing was an option, too. "If my father weren't such a jerk, maybe I could rely on him."
Vasti's father had bailed on her mother before she was even born, marrying into money and never looking back. He never pitched in—not with raising Vasti, not with money, not with anything. On the rare occasions he did show up, it felt like he was granting her a royal favor. The last time Vasti saw him, she had begged for help for her grandmother. He promised he'd pitch in, but as usual, Vasti hadn't seen a dime.
The intercom buzzed. She ignored it. It was late, and she hadn't ordered anything. Then again, what if something was actually wrong—like a fire? Muttering a curse, she trudged over to answer, but the ringing cut off just as she entered the kitchen. She waited a minute. Nothing happened. Annoyed, she headed back to the bedroom.
Then the doorbell rang.
You've got to be kidding me! She threw her hands up and marched to the door, checking the peephole—just in case. The sight on the other side nearly made her eyes pop out of her head.
I know you're in there, he called.
Uh… but—
Miss Cortez. Open the door. He barked the order, and that tone grated on Vasti's nerves.
Vasti yanked the door open, ready to let him have it. However, she didn't get the chance. The second the door swung wide, his mouth was on hers, his arms locked around her waist, and the only sound she heard was the door clicking shut behind them.
Adônis MacGyver hadn't planned to barge in and act this way. He'd only meant to confront her, look her in the eyes, and see for himself if she was telling the truth about her virginity—or if she'd ever done anything at all. He could have waited until morning, but curiosity and impatience got the better of him. When she opened the door in just a robe, her scent hit him like a punch, and within seconds, he had her pinned on the sofa.
S-sir… she managed between frantic kisses, her hand pressed against his chest. "Slow… ah…!"
He glanced at her, taking in her flushed face. The robe had come undone but hadn't fully slipped off, offering him a peek at one of her breasts— full and inviting.
Would you settle for this? Just sex? he asked. That question hadn't been in his plans when he left for her apartment, but his self-control had evaporated.
Vasti stared at him, tempted to tell him to get lost. How could he have the nerve to show up after everything he'd said and ask something like that?
No, she answered, lifting her chin, determined to set things straight. "You're my boss. I need this job. This isn't going to happen."
That was the last shred of reason she had left. Adônis MacGyver's face shifted, stunned. Was she seriously turning him down?
