Sinful desire

 Elara stepped into Blackwood Enterprises at 6:45 AM sharp, her heart thudding with a mix of nerves and anticipation. Today was different. Today, she wasn't just another face in the crowd ,she was his direct report.

Her outfit had been a calculated choice. A fitted navy-blue dress that hugged her curves just right, professional but impossible to ignore. Her auburn hair was slicked back into a sleek, low bun, no stray strands to betray her resolve. No mistakes today, she told herself as she approached the elevator, walking majestically.

The receptionist from the previous day barely recognized her. "Good, She didn't need validation, she said him her heart as she wear a smile. I'm here to prove herself. As the elevator ascended, Elara checked her reflection in the mirrored walls. Her eyes, sharp and focused, gazed back at her. "Stay sharp, Stay in control, you gat this!.

The soft chime of the elevator reached her ears as the doors slid open to reveal the 40th floor. Her heart stuttered.

Cassian Blackwood was already there.

No suit jacket today , just a crisp white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing forearms that spoke of control and power. His lean frame leaned casually against the wall near his office door. He was on his phone, his thumb scrolling with precise, deliberate movements. His gaze flicked up to her the moment she stepped out. For a heartbeat, he didn't say a word. Just looked at her. Looked through her.

"Two minutes early," he muttered, slipping his phone into his pocket. His eyes moved over her, slow and deliberate, starting at her heels and working their way up. "Better than yesterday."

Don't react, she told herself, even as heat crawled up her neck. "Good morning, Mr. Blackwood," she replied, voice even, eyes locked on his.

He pushed off the wall, walking toward her with a predatory grace that made her heart skip. She held her ground, refusing to be the first to step aside. Their gazes clashed for a brief second before he turned, motioning for her to follow.

"Come," he said, his voice low but commanding. "It's time we see if you're worth my time."

Her jaw clenched, but she said nothing. He's testing me. Play the game.

He led her to a side room she hadn't noticed before. Not an office. A conference room , if you could even call it that. The walls were a matte black, the dim lighting casting sharp shadows along the edges of the room. A long, sleek glass table sat at the center, polished to perfection. To her right, a large wall-mounted screen displayed live data feeds she didn't have time to process.

"Sit," he ordered, gesturing to a single chair in front of the table. He didn't sit. He remained standing behind her, just out of sight. She could feel him there, the heat of his presence unsettling her more than his direct gaze had.

She sat, smoothing her dress over her thighs, her back straight, shoulders squared. Control. Control.

"You said you're good at reading people," his voice came from behind her. She resisted the urge to turn around.

"I did," she replied calmly, her fingers folding together on the table.

"Then read me."

Her breath caught. Slowly, she glanced over her shoulder, meeting his eyes. He stood there, arms crossed, his gaze sharp as a blade. Dangerous. That was the only word that came to mind. Not just because of his power, but because of the way he looked at her , like she was something to be solved. Or claimed.

Elara's lips parted, but she didn't rush her words. "You're a man who doesn't tolerate mediocrity. You enjoy control, but not for the sake of control , it's about precision. Efficiency. You value loyalty but only if it's earned, and you don't care if people like you. You'd rather be respected than adored." She leaned back in her chair, tilting her head slightly. "You enjoy being underestimated because it makes your victories all the sweeter."

A slow smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, dark and dangerous. "Impressive."

"Accurate?" she asked, arching a brow.

He stepped closer, his footsteps deliberate and unhurried. Each one sent a spike of tension up her spine. When he reached her chair, he leaned forward, resting his hands on either side of her, trapping her in place. Her face turning purple, the warmth of his proximity sinking into her skin.

"Mostly," he murmured, his eyes locked on hers. "But you missed one thing."

Her eyes darted to his lips, then back to his eyes. "What's that?"

He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. "I always get what I want."

Her pulse quickened, heat pooling low in her belly. Don't react. But it was impossible not to. She could feel every inch of him, his closeness sharp and intoxicating. Her fingers twitched on her lap, desperate to do something, anything, but she didn't move.

"Then I hope you want me to succeed," she said, her voice quieter, her voice shaking than she intended.

His eyes darkened, and for a moment, it wasn't just control in his gaze , it was possession. Claiming. "We'll see."

He pulled back as swiftly as he'd closed in, leaving a sudden cold void where his warmth had been. He adjusted his cuff links, his face an unreadable mask once more. "For now, I have work for you. A test."

She exhaled slowly, forcing her heart to slow its frantic pace. "What kind of test?"

He walked toward the large screen, tapping a button on a control panel. The data feeds changed, shifting to a list of company departments, employee names, and financial records.

"Find the weak link," he said, glancing at her over his shoulder. "One of these departments is underperforming, and I know why. I want to see if you can figure it out."

Elara's eyes narrowed on the screen. He's testing my mind, not just my patience. Her hands moved to the table, her fingers hovering over an invisible keyboard. "How long do I have?"

"Until I'm bored.", on hearing this a sweat trinkled down her breasts.

Her jaw tightened. He's playing with me. She bit back a retort and studied the data, forcing herself to drown out the weight of his gaze. Her eyes scanned the departments, catching subtle trends , a dip in profits here, a sudden spike in expenses there. She traced patterns with her eyes, the numbers telling a story. There.

"Marketing," she said after a few tense minutes. Her eyes flicked to him. "Specifically, Q3 budget usage. They're overspending on ad placements that aren't converting. Either someone's incompetent, or someone's funneling money." I hope I'm correct, she muttered to herself.

Silence. Her heart thudded in her chest as she waited. Was I wrong?, She said aloud 

Cassian turned toward her slowly, his eyes sharp, assessing. Then, a grin. Not a polite one. A dangerous one.

"Not bad," he said, his gaze fixed on her. "Not bad at all."

She straightened in her chair, satisfaction flickering in her chest. But before she could revel in it, he spoke again.

"Now tell me which of those two options you think it is , incompetence or betrayal."

Her heart sank. She turned back to the screen, forcing her mind to race. If she picked wrong, it could cost her. She knew it. Don't guess. Think.

Her eyes darted back to him. His sleeves were still rolled up, his eyes still on her like she was prey. Her skin prickled with awareness. She knew what he was doing.

"You already know the answer," she said carefully, tilting her head as she studied him. "But you want to see if I'll play it safe or take the risk."

His smirk widened. "Smart girl."

Her eyes locked with his, and she said, "Betrayal. Someone's bleeding the company dry from the inside."

The smile vanished from his face, replaced with something sharper, more dangerous. He stepped toward her again, and this time, she didn't flinch.

"Careful, Elara," he murmured, his voice dark silk. "Accusations like that carry weight. If you're wrong…" He leaned in, close enough that his lips hovered near hers, his eyes boring into her. "There are consequences."

"I'm not wrong," she whispered, her voice steady. Her pulse hammered against her throat, her breath shallow, her eyes still locked on his.

He stared at her for a moment longer, his eyes flicking to her lips once more. Her heart thudded, heat su

rging through her like wildfire.

"Good," he said, stepping back. "Be here tomorrow. 7 AM. Sharp."