Under His Spell

Ava's POV

I sat in my office chair, staring out at the city skyline as the morning sun glared through the glass panes. My mind, however, wasn’t on work. It drifted back to the confrontation earlier that morning, and I still couldn’t decide if I was more angry or disgusted.

My father. I hadn’t heard from him in months—not since the hospital scene—but seeing him today was like reopening an old wound I’d tried so hard to close.

I had been on my way into the office building when I spotted him standing by the building’s entrance with her—his new wife. He looked smug, as though he had the upper hand already. I almost turned and walked the other way, but something in me refused to back down.

“You’ve got some nerve showing up here,” I’d said, my tone as icy as the chill in the air.

“Is that any way to greet your father?” Mr. Rodriguez’s voice oozed false disappointment. He looked thinner than I remembered, but the gleam of manipulation in his eyes was all too familiar. Beside him, his wife smirked, clearly enjoying this.

“You don’t get to call yourself that,” I shot back. “Not after you sold me off to the Millers like some—some piece of property. You squandered every cent of what Mom left us, and you expect me to welcome you with open arms?”

The woman beside him tsked, shaking her head in mock pity. “Listen to her. The little princess has forgotten where she came from now that she’s all high and mighty.”

I turned my glare on her. “Who the hell are you again? Oh, that’s right—a gold-digger my father picked up after ruining our lives.”

Her smirk faltered, and I saw the way her lips pressed into a thin line. “Watch your mouth,” she spat.

“Or what? You’ll cry about it?” I fired back, refusing to give her an inch.

Mr. Rodriguez raised a hand, stepping in between us. “Enough. I didn’t come here for a family reunion.” His voice dropped, the pleasant façade slipping to reveal the rot underneath. “I need money, Ava. A substantial amount.”

I folded my arms, barely keeping my temper in check. “How much?”

“Five hundred thousand dollars,” he said casually, as though it was pocket change. “I need it within the week.”

I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. “You’re delusional if you think I’ll give you anything.”

He smiled coldly, leaning in just slightly. “You might want to rethink that. I can’t assure you that Holly will be safe if I don’t get what I need.”

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. My voice trembled as I whispered, “You’re threatening me again? Using Holly as leverage?”

My father shrugged. “It’s not a threat. It’s motivation. I’m her father, too. If you care about her safety, you’ll give me what I need.”

“You’re a monster,” I hissed, fury clouding my vision. “What kind of man uses his own daughter as a bargaining chip?”

He shrugged, completely unbothered. “I’m not threatening. I’m just saying accidents happen, Ava. You’d hate for something unfortunate to happen to Holly, wouldn’t you?”

“You’re shameless,” I spat, my voice trembling with rage. “What kind of a father are you?”

“The kind who shouldn’t have to beg his daughter for what’s rightfully his,” he sneered, his tone dripping with contempt.

I took a deep breath, my body vibrating with anger as I pointed toward the street. “Leave. Now. Or I’ll call security to drag you out of here.”

Mr. Rodriguez smirked, glancing around the empty sidewalk. “You sure you want to make a scene this early in the morning? That wouldn’t look too good for someone like you, would it?”

I knew he was baiting me. And yet, I couldn’t help but yield—not because of his threats, but because I just wanted him gone. I took a step back, my voice low and venomous. “Take your spiteful face and your gold-digging wife, and stay the hell away from me. And Holly. Don’t ever come near us again.”

His smile widened like he’d won something, and I hated him all the more for it. Without another word, I turned on my heel and stormed inside the building, slamming the glass door shut behind me.

---

By the time I reached my office, I was still shaking.

Mason was already waiting there, perched on the edge of my desk. His face softened as he looked at me, noticing my frazzled appearance. “Rough morning?”

“You could say that.” I sighed, dropping my bag and sinking into my chair.

“I, uh… wanted to apologize,” Mason began hesitantly, running a hand through his hair. “About last night. I crossed a line, and I’m sorry. I thought maybe you and Orion were done, and—”

“We’re not,” I interrupted with a small smile. “I’m still married to him, Mason. We haven’t divorced.”

He nodded, looking slightly embarrassed. “Right. I won’t let it happen again.”

“It’s fine,” I said softly, appreciating the sincerity in his tone. “Let’s just forget about it.”

We spent the morning buried in work, losing track of time until our stomachs reminded us that lunch was overdue. Mason suggested grabbing something quick, so we headed to a nearby restaurant. It was nice—simple conversation, a temporary distraction from the chaos of the morning.

When we returned, I was finally starting to feel normal again… until the office door burst open and Orion came in.

After sending Mason away, he glared at me with an intensity that made me want to disappear.

My heart skipped as he came to stand in front of me after plopping me up on the desk. He leaned down until his face was only inches from mine.

“You enjoy having other men around you, don’t you, Ava?” His voice was quiet, but I heard the jealousy burning beneath the surface.

And, oh, I loved it.

“Remember what I said, Ava?” He whispered as his hands gripped my thighs, his lips a breath from my ear. “I’ll teach your body to respond only to me. First class begins now.”

Something snapped in his eyes—something primal—and before I could say another word, his mouth crashed into mine. I gasped, my hands flying to his chest as he claimed me with a possessiveness that left me breathless.

He broke the kiss, trailing his lips down to my neck. I bit my lip to stifle a moan, heat pooling low in my belly as his teeth grazed my skin.

“Orion,” I whispered, my voice shaky, “we’re in my office.”

“Then be quiet,” he growled against my neck, his hands already tugging me forward.

The thrill of it sent my pulse racing. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew this was insane—reckless—but I didn’t care. The moment his hands grabbed my waist and turned me around, pressing me against the desk, I melted into him.

He pushed into me from behind, his movements deliberate, punishing, and I had to bite my knuckles to keep from crying out. My body moved with his, every thrust sending waves of pleasure crashing through me until I was trembling, my legs barely holding me up.

When we finally came undone, I collapsed onto the desk, breathing hard as Orion straightened behind me.

“Still think I don’t have a right to you?” he murmured, his voice dark and satisfied.

I turned my head to glare at him, though the smirk tugging at my lips betrayed me. “You’re insufferable.”

He grinned, leaning down to kiss me again, softer this time. “And yet, you keep letting me in.”

I hated that he was right. And I hated even more that a part of me was starting to like it.

Later, as Orion carried me to the couch and cradled me in his arms, I let myself doze off, savoring the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

Maybe, I thought sleepily, getting these lessons of his every night wouldn’t be so bad after all.