The office slowly emptied around Kyro.

The bright hum of the workday faded into the quiet intensity of evening. Emma had already left with a sympathetic wave, and even Julian had disappeared with a curt good-night. Now Kyro was alone, surrounded by glowing monitors and the soft hum of servers.

GreenSpark Innovations filled his screens.

The startup’s numbers were messy—but promising. Their battery technology could change everything, and Kyro felt the thrill of being on the edge of something important. This was the kind of work he wanted. The kind of future he imagined for himself.

Then the silence shifted.

Footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Kyro didn’t look up. He didn’t need to.

“Still at it, Kyro?”

Noah Sinclair’s voice was low and smooth right behind him.

Kyro nearly jumped. He turned slowly, trying to keep his composure even as heat rushed to his face.

Noah stood a few feet away, jacket unbuttoned, tie loosened. In the softer evening light, he looked less like a CEO and more like a man who had been working far too long.

“Yes—Mr. Sinclair. I’m working on the GreenSpark analysis. You wanted it by morning.”

Noah stepped closer, leaning over Kyro’s shoulder to study the screen.

Kyro froze.

He could feel Noah’s warmth. The faint scent of cedar and cologne. The quiet breath just inches from his ear.

“I’m trying to understand their R&D spending,” Kyro said, his voice strained. “It’s unusually high unless they’re expecting something big.”

“That’s a sharp catch,” Noah murmured. “Most interns miss that.”

Kyro’s pulse raced.

“Check their patent filings,” Noah continued, pointing at the screen. “That’s usually where the truth hides.”

Kyro nodded, forcing himself to think.

“Thank you… Noah.”

Noah didn’t correct him.

Instead, he smiled slightly. “You’re doing good work.”

He glanced at the clock. “Have you eaten?”

Kyro blinked. “Uh… not really.”

Noah pulled out his phone. “Then we’re fixing that. Thai food?”

Kyro stared at him. “You mean… with me?”

Noah’s smile deepened. “Unless you’d rather starve.”

Kyro laughed softly. “Pad See Ew?”

“Excellent choice.”

As Noah walked away to place the order, Kyro sat back in his chair, heart racing.

A long night ahead.

With Noah.

And suddenly, this internship felt far more dangerous—and far more tempting—than he’d ever imagined.