Mia sat at her desk, her eyes scanning the designs in front of her, but her mind kept wandering back to Liam Bennett. No matter how much she tried to push the thoughts away, they kept creeping in, lingering at the edges of her thoughts like an itch she couldn't scratch. Every time she closed her eyes, she could still feel the weight of his gaze from the gala, how he'd studied her as though she were some kind of puzzle he was determined to solve. His words echoed in her mind: I'm not sure you know what kind of game I'm playing, Mia.
She shook her head, trying to focus, but a knock at the door interrupted her. Anna, her assistant, stepped into the office, a polite smile on her face.
"Mia, you've got a delivery," she said, holding out a small, sleek box tied with a black ribbon. "It's addressed to you. From Mr. Liam Bennett."
Mia felt her breath catch at the mention of his name. For a moment, she just stared at the box, unsure whether to feel intrigued or annoyed. She hadn't expected to hear from him again so soon. She was still grappling with what had happened at the gala, still trying to shake off the strange sense of curiosity he had sparked in her.
"What is it?" Mia asked, though she was already untying the ribbon, her fingers trembling slightly.
"I'm not sure, Ms. Collins," Anna replied. "But it's a gift. It came with a note."
Mia lifted the lid of the box and found a delicate, gold-plated pen inside, inscribed with intricate designs that seemed to shimmer in the light. Alongside the pen was a small card. She picked it up, her eyes scanning the elegant handwriting:
"For someone who doesn't play by the rules. I'd love to see how you handle this one. – Liam."
Mia's heart fluttered in her chest. It wasn't the kind of gift one typically received from a stranger, especially not one like Liam Bennett. The pen was beautiful—an expensive, thoughtful gift—but it was the message that made her heart race. For someone who doesn't play by the rules…
She felt an unfamiliar tension twist in her stomach. What was Liam trying to tell her? Was this a game to him? Or was he genuinely interested in her? It was too early to tell, but she could feel the uncertainty creeping in.
"Mia?" Anna's voice cut through her thoughts. "Are you okay?"
Mia blinked, trying to shake herself out of the trance she had slipped into. "Yes, I'm fine. Just… surprised."
Anna raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Would you like me to put this on your desk or—"
"No, I'll keep it here," Mia interrupted, already placing the card and pen in the drawer. She wasn't ready to deal with it yet, but it bothered her that it was already taking up space in her mind. "Thanks, Anna."
"Of course," Anna said with a smile. "Oh, and you've got a lunch meeting scheduled with Mr. Hargrave at 12:30. He's eager to discuss the final details for the grand opening. And don't forget the press conference at 3. I've already prepped the notes for you."
"Right, right," Mia replied, trying to get back to her work, but her mind kept wandering. "I'll be ready."
As soon as Anna left, Mia found herself staring at the drawer where she had hidden the pen. She wanted to throw it out, to pretend that Liam Bennett hadn't left his mark on her. But something inside her refused to let it go. It wasn't just the gift, but the feeling—the tension in the air when they had spoken at the gala. She hadn't felt that kind of pull in a long time, and it unsettled her.
She had a job to do, and she couldn't afford to let anything, especially a man like Liam, distract her. But how long could she keep pretending that she wasn't intrigued?
---
Liam sat at his desk at Bennett Enterprises, his gaze fixed on the glowing screen of his laptop, though his mind was a million miles away. The meeting he had just finished had been a blur. His mind had been consumed by thoughts of Mia Collins and the brief conversation they'd shared. He had never met anyone quite like her.
Most women fawned over him, throwing themselves at him without hesitation, but Mia… she had been different. She hadn't been intimidated by his wealth, his status, or his charm. She had been aloof, distant, even cold. It had sparked something in him, a challenge he couldn't ignore.
After a few moments, he sighed and set his laptop aside, staring out over the skyline. He had tried to push her from his mind, but that had been easier said than done. She was like a puzzle he couldn't solve, a mystery that only made him want to know more.
That was why he had sent the pen. It had been impulsive, something he hadn't done in years. But Mia wasn't like other women, and he needed her to know that. He wanted her to see him as more than just the billionaire heir, more than the man everyone expected him to be. He wanted her to see the side of him that no one ever did—the side that was vulnerable, the side that craved something more than just wealth and power.
It wasn't just a gift—it was a challenge. A way for him to get inside her head, to make her think about him the way he couldn't stop thinking about her.
He stood up from his desk, running a hand through his dark hair. He knew the game was just beginning. And he was willing to play it—if it meant getting to know the real Mia Collins.
Later that evening, Mia sat on her balcony, the city lights twinkling below her. She should have been working, should have been preparing for the press conference in the morning, but all she could think about was Liam and the strange gift he had sent her.
She picked up the gold pen again, letting the light catch it, admiring its elegance. There was something about it that felt… personal. It was too thoughtful for a casual gift, but at the same time, it wasn't enough to suggest anything deeper. Still, the words on the card played over and over in her mind: For someone who doesn't play by the rules.
She didn't know what he meant by it, but she wasn't sure she wanted to find out. The last thing she needed was to get involved with someone like him—rich, powerful, and untouchable. It would only complicate her already complicated life.
But as she sat there, holding the pen, she couldn't deny the nagging curiosity that had taken root in her chest. There was something about Liam that called to her, something that made her want to break free from the walls she had built around herself.
And despite her best efforts, she couldn't push the thought away: What if this was the kind of adventure she had been waiting for?
But no, she told herself. This was dangerous territory. She couldn't afford to let her emotions cloud her judgment.
As the night wore on, Mia couldn't shake the feeling that Liam Bennett wasn't someone she could ignore. He would keep coming back, keep pushing the boundaries, until she finally gave in.
And Mia Collins didn't give in to anyone. Or at least, that's what she kept telling herself.