The city skyline glittered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse office. The room reeked of opulence-polished mahogany, gold accents, and the faint scent of imported jasmine candles. Yet none of it masked the suffocating tension hanging between the two women seated at opposite ends of the gleaming conference table.
Vanessa Sinclair, CEO of Sinclair Global, leaned back in her leather chair, a sly smile playing on her crimson-painted lips. Her sharp suit clung to her figure, exuding both authority and danger. Across from her sat you-her rival, the equally formidable CEO of one of Sinclair's biggest competitors.
"You've been quite the thorn in my side lately," Vanessa purred, her voice low and honeyed.
You kept your expression neutral despite the irritation simmering beneath your cool exterior. "Business is business. If you can't handle the competition, step down."
Her smile widened. "Oh, I can handle a lot of things. You, however... you're a different challenge altogether."
Your fingers tightened around the edge of the table. You'd spent years building your company from the ground up, clawing your way to the top. Vanessa Sinclair was a dangerous adversary-calculating, relentless, and, according to the rumors, utterly ruthless when she set her sights on something.
Or someone.
Her dark eyes gleamed with a possessiveness that unsettled you.
"Cut to the chase," you said sharply. "Why am I here?"
Vanessa rose from her seat, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she sauntered toward you. Despite yourself, you remained seated, unwilling to show any sign of intimidation.
"I wanted to talk without the legal teams and shareholders breathing down our necks," she said, stopping just behind your chair. Her voice dipped into something dangerously intimate. "Just you and me."
Your muscles tensed as her fingers brushed the back of your chair. "If this is about the merger proposal, my answer hasn't changed."
Vanessa chuckled, a dark, melodic sound that sent a shiver down your spine. "Oh, sweetheart, I don't want your company." Her breath ghosted against your ear. "I want you."
Your heart skipped a beat, though you masked the reaction with a cold glare. "You're delusional."
Her hand slid to the armrest, effectively caging you in. "Am I?"
"Yes." You stood abruptly, forcing her to step back. "This conversation is over."
Before you could reach the door, it locked with a soft, mechanical click. You turned, eyes narrowing.
"Open it."
Vanessa leaned against the desk, her expression unreadable. "Not until we settle this."
You crossed your arms. "There's nothing to settle."
She tilted her head, studying you like a predator sizing up its prey. "You can keep fighting me, but deep down, you know you enjoy this dance as much as I do."
You scoffed. "You're delusional if you think I-"
Vanessa closed the distance between you in an instant, her lips hovering dangerously close to yours. "Then why haven't you walked away?"
The question hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.
Because part of you thrived on this tension, this twisted game of power and control. You hated her-didn't you? Yet there was an undeniable thrill in facing someone who challenged you at every turn.
Her hand cupped your cheek, her touch both possessive and gentle. "You belong to me, whether you realize it or not."
You slapped her hand away, your voice fierce. "I belong to no one."
Vanessa's eyes darkened, but instead of anger, there was a glint of something far more dangerous-obsession. "We'll see about that."
Before you could react, she pulled you into a kiss, fierce and consuming. You hated how your body betrayed you, responding to her touch despite the fury burning in your veins.
You pushed her back, breathless. "You're insane."
"And you're mine," she said without hesitation.
The door unlocked with a soft beep, but Vanessa made no move to stop you as you stormed out. Her voice echoed in your mind long after you left the building.
This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
And deep down, you weren't sure if you wanted it to be.
- f i n