I lean against my desk, admiring how fucking gorgeous she looks right now. “Alright, where’s the interview happening?”
She strolls around my desk, eyeing my oversized executive chair like she owns the place, then lowers herself into it with a slow, deliberate movement. She crosses her legs, drumming her fingers on the armrest before tilting her head at me.
“Take a seat.”
She gestures to the smaller chair across from her, the one reserved for interns, clients, people who answer to me.
My brow lifts.
Her lips curve, but there’s no humour in it. “Do I look like I’m joking?”
I rake my teeth over my bottom lip, heat curling low in my stomach. Damn her. She’s enjoying this.
I exhale sharply, playing along, but every fibre of my being is locked on her, the way she leans back like she belongs there, the way her dress slides higher as she crosses her legs again, the way her eyes dare me to push back.
I settle into the smaller chair, my knees brushing the desk, my pulse drumming in anticipation.
She tilts her head, studying me, her fingers tracing idly over the leather armrest.
“Much better.”
Christ. I’m already half-hard, and we haven’t even started.
“Your work history is… questionable. Given your prior offences, the board has some concerns.”
I can’t stop the grin that tugs at my lips. “Can I ask who’s on this board, exactly?”
She steps closer, placing her hands on the armrests, caging me in. “Just me.”
She pauses, tilting her head. “Although… I do have certain personal stakeholders who also have a vested interest in this decision.”
I arch a brow. “Stakeholders?”
She nods solemnly. “Mmm. A very involved advisory panel. Passionate. Uncompromising. Should you fail to meet expectations, they will not hesitate to fire you.”
I huff out a laugh, already knowing exactly who she means.
I swallow hard as she slowly moves to straddle me, her soft floral dress brushing against my thighs as she settles into my lap.
Fuck.
She trails a finger down my chest, her eyes locked onto mine. “I take this process very seriously, Mr Ashcroft.”
I exhale through my nose, my hands gripping her hips, holding her still even as every nerve in my body begs me to move. To take.
“Ms Ng.” My voice is rough, strained. “What exactly are you assessing?”
She taps her chin, pretending to think. “Hmm, general competency. Can you follow instructions? Take direction well?” Her lips twitch, but there’s something deeper behind the teasing.
I clench my jaw, my grip tightening on her waist. “I think I can manage.”
She hums, still toying with me, but then her expression softens. “But mostly… I need to know if you mean it. If this is real for you. If I can trust that you’re not just here for the fight, for the challenge, for the thrill of getting what you couldn’t have before.”
Her fingers brush along my jaw, her voice quieter now. “I need to know if I’m safe with you.”
My chest tightens, because this isn’t just a question. It’s everything.
I take her hand gently, guiding it to rest over my heart. “Lila,” I murmur, holding her gaze, “you’re the only thing I’ve ever been sure of.”
