The room wasn’t tense.
It felt like it could catch fire any second.
Ethan waited for her to back down or look away.
She didn’t.
She stared straight at him, shoulders straight, chin up.
Something steady and quiet in her eyes.
No talking.
They didn’t need words.
The quiet stretched between them.
Then she moved.
Her fingers went to the apron strings.
One pull and it dropped to the floor.
Next came the buttons—slow, one by one.
The fabric opened, showing skin and simple white cotton underneath.
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
He hadn’t thought she’d actually go through with it.
Not without pushing back hard.
But she did, and it landed heavier than any argument could have.
The uniform slipped off her shoulders and fell.
She stepped out of it.
White bra.
White panties.
That was it.
He pulled in a breath.
His eyes moved over her, taking his time.
Not cold.
Not in control anymore.
Hungry.
Holding himself back, but just barely.
His hands stayed clenched at his sides.
Millie’s chest rose and fell.
She didn’t try to cover herself.
Didn’t drop her gaze.
You could see the nerves in how fast she breathed, but she kept looking right at him.
She stood there bare, but she wasn’t crumbling.
The silence got thick.
His eyes went to her collarbone, her chin, and back to her steady stare.
She wasn’t afraid.
That got to him.
His mouth twisted a little.
“That’s it? You’ll get naked for a mop and a bucket?”
Millie held his gaze.
“Some of us weren’t born with money, Mr. Moretti. I’ve done worse things to pay rent.”
He leaned closer.
“You think this is supposed to impress me?”
“I’m not trying to impress you. I’m here to do the job, get my check, and leave. That’s all.”
He tilted his head.
“Big plans. This part of the plan?”
“You wanted proof I’d follow orders. There it is.”
He let out a short laugh.
That’s a dangerous mix.”
“I’ll clean your floors. I won’t give you my whole life story. Don’t mix those up.”
His smile faded.
Something heavier took its place.
His eyes dropped to her mouth, then lower, moving slowly.
He stepped in.
Closer again.
Almost no room left between them.
His hand came up.
He brushed the backs of his fingers over her forehead.
She pulled back a little—not scared, just from the sudden warmth.
His touch slid down the bridge of her nose, stopped at her lips, then traced the side of her neck.
It didn’t feel like he was claiming her.
It felt like he was asking a question.
Seeing how far she’d let him go.
“You act tough,” he said quietly.
“But you’re shaking.”
Millie swallowed.
She didn’t look away.
“I can shake and still stand here.”
His fingers stayed at the base of her neck.
“Let’s see how long you keep standing. Tell me, Ms. Foster—does this feel good?”
His hand moved down her throat, brushing the little dip above her collarbone, then along the top of her breasts.
Her breath caught, but she held it in, refusing to give him what he wanted.
“You won’t say it,” he murmured, voice low and close.
“Pride? Or are you scared?” His mouth curved into a small, mean smile.
“Want me to figure it out myself?”
His hand kept going, grazing the top of her underwear.
Millie sucked in a quick breath.
Heat rolled through her, slow and unwanted.
“You interest me, Ms. Foster,” he said, watching her face.
“Am I the only one feeling this?”
She stayed quiet.
Lips pressed together.
She wasn’t going to hand him that answer.
But he didn’t stop.
His fingers followed the curve of her hip, teasing just enough to make her skin prickle.
Her knees felt unsteady as he came back to the waistband, lingering there like he had all the time in the world.
“You’re trying so hard to stay calm,” he said, almost amused.
“But your body doesn’t lie.”
His fingers slipped under the edge, moving along skin that felt too hot.
He didn’t hurry.
He stayed right there, close, waiting, until she felt the ache build from nothing turning into everything.
Her heart pounded loudly in her ears.
She could feel how warm he was, how heavy his stare felt, and how thin the line was that she walked.
“Mr. Moretti…” she got out.
“Ethan,” he said.
“I think we passed formal names a while ago, Amelia.”
“Ethan…” His name came out soft, almost like giving in.
Her legs shook, but she stayed put.
Couldn’t move.
Every breath came short, like the air had turned thick.
Then his fingers brushed between her thighs, light and careful.
Millie’s eyes closed.
Heat flooded through her.
A small, shaky sound slipped out before she could stop it.
Ethan’s mouth curved into a slow, knowing smile.
He nudged the lace aside.
His finger moved along her, slow and sure, each pass making her nerves light up.
Millie’s mind went blank.
Ethan Moretti was touching her there.
“Ethan…” she breathed.
The name sounded like a question, like a need she couldn’t explain.
“Look at you,” he said, voice low.
“You’re so ready for me, Amelia.”
She felt hot all over, shame and want mixing together until she couldn’t tell them apart.
He saw it—the fight in her eyes, how hard she held on.
Her body shook, her breathing fast like she’d been running, but she still didn’t give in.
Not yet.
Ethan leaned closer.
His breath touched her neck.
“What do you say, Amelia? Should I keep going?”
“I…” Millie’s voice broke.
“I…”
He pulled back.
“Maybe next time,” he said quietly.
He took his hand away.
The sudden nothing felt almost mean.
“Get dressed,” he told her.
His voice went cool again, with no teasing left.
Heat rushed up her face.
She bent down fast and grabbed her uniform.
Her hands felt clumsy.
Her heart still raced, confused and too close to let down.
The clothes felt wrong now—too rough against skin that still buzzed from him.
She buttoned up quickly, head down, not looking at him.
Then she turned and walked out.
The door closed hard behind her, the sound loud in the hallway.
His smell stayed on her skin.
It made her walk faster, steps heavy like she could leave the feeling behind.
Her heart kept pounding, pushing her forward.
She couldn’t sort out what she felt most—shame, anger, or that stubborn ache between her legs.
She needed her room.
Needed the door shut and locked.
She turned the corner, breathing hard, chest tight…and stopped.
Aidan stood there, leaning against the wall outside her door.
His eyes met hers right away.