31: She’ll be working with us

XAVIER

I heard her footsteps descending the stairs before she spoke.

“I’m ready,” she announced.

I smirked to myself.

With my back was turned to her, I checked my watch. She had only taken thirty minutes out of the hour I had given her to get ready. I had expected her to take longer, especially since I only gave her that time to get on her nerves.
But, it seemed she was clearly eager to start work.

“That was quick,” I said with my back still turned at her, keeping my tone casual. “Who are you trying to impress?”

“Just trying to make a good impression,” she replied.

I chuckled, shaking my head in amusement.

“You really wanted this, didn’t you?” I began to turn around. “Look at you being all—

My words caught in my throat as my eyes landed on her.

Goddamn…

Her honey blonde hair was styled flawlessly, cascading down her shoulders in soft waves that framed her face perfectly. The makeup she wore was subtle yet transformative, highlighting her beautiful gray eyes and making her look like a seductive siren, ready to ensnare any man who dared to look her way.

Let me not even get started on the bright red lipstick that coated her lips.

My gaze traveled down to her chic office outfit—a fitted blouse that accentuated her curves and a pencil skirt that hugged her hips, showing off her hourglass figure. She looked professional yet undeniably sexy.

Then there were the black stiletto heels, sleek and high, that complimented her long, flawless legs. Each inch of her screamed elegance and power, a stark contrast to the wild, uninhibited woman I had seen the night before.

Fuck, Lillian’s pretty.

For a moment, I found myself entrapped, unable to look away. She looked completely different, transforming from the disheveled, submissive mess of last night into this composed, alluring figure before me.

“Is there anything wrong with my outfit?”

Lillian’s voice brought me out my thoughts, and from the look of her face, it was obvious she misread my stare for not being satisfied with her outfit.

I collected myself, trying to mask my earlier fascination. Clearing my throat, I gave her a once over with a deep frown creased across my forehead.

“That skirt is too short,” I said, and she blinked back at me like she couldn’t believe what I just said. “Come on, Lillian. You are going to work in a office, not a strip club.”

She doubled back, as if she had been slapped across the face, staring at me with utter mortification.

“Well, do you want me to go and change?” She threw her hands up in frustration.

“No need,” I shook my head. “You’ll only waste our time. But you need to reduce that lipstick. It makes you look like an hooker.”

“Are you kidding me?” She scoffed incredulously.

I didn’t give her an answer back, only closing the distance between us and retrieving a handkerchief from the pocket of my dress pants. Wordlessly, I folded it and held it to her lips, expecting her to take it and wipe off the excess herself.

But instead, Lillian parted her lips and took the tip of the handkerchief between them, keeping her gray siren-like eyes trained on me as she dabbed.

Fuck.

My pulse quickened, a dark thrill shooting through me. The intimacy of the moment, the audacity of her gesture—it was like she was daring me.

Her eyes remained locked on mine as she gently pressed her lips, leaving a lip print on the handkerchief. The sight was incredibly sensual, and for a moment, I was utterly captivated and simply enchanted by the simple act.

The room seemed to grow warmer, the air thicker. I could feel the primal, possessive side of me stir, wanting to claim, to dominate. My hand, still holding the handkerchief, trembled slightly.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“Is that better?” she asked, her voice steady but with a hint of challenge.

“Yes.” I forced the words out, my voice lower and rougher than intended.

I cleared my throat again, trying to regain control over my thoughts, but the image of her lips on the handkerchief and those penetrating gray eyes remained seared into my mind.

Like the fucking tattoos branded to my flesh.

“Now, can we get going, please?” she demanded, missing the change in my tone.

I said nothing, merely moving aside to let her pass. She walked ahead of me, the confident click of her heels echoing through the room. I watched her for a moment, taking in her determined stride before exhaling sharply.

Get your shit together, Xavier. I chided myself.

****

We stepped out of the car, the sleek black sedan a sharp contrast to the gleaming full casement company building. I saw Lillian’s eyes widen in awe as she took in the impressive architecture and the hustle and bustle surrounding it.

Of course she’s impressed.

“Do you like what you see?” I smirked, alerting her attention. She quickly collected herself, her expression turning neutral.

“Whatever,” she replied, her tone defiant. It made me chuckle to myself.

I didn’t expect any less from her. This is Lillian we are talking about. She won’t easily give me the satisfaction of a compliment.

We got into the building and moved toward the elevator, with Castor following closely behind, and the ride to the top floor was silent, as expected.

When the doors slid open, we stepped out together, and I could feel the eyes of everyone in the hallway on us.

People literally stopped walking as I strode through the corridor, my presence commanding their attention. From my peripheral vision, I saw Lillian glance around, taking it all in.

“It seems like you really run this place,” she commented, a note of admiration slipping through her faux nonchalance. I looked at her and smirked.

“I am the boss for a reason,” I replied.

“Show off.” She muttered, rolling her eyes.

My smirk widened and I kept walking, with Lillian and Castor trailing behind me.

Just as we were about to reach my office at the end of the hallway, Sarah appeared out of nowhere, her voice immediately filling the space.

“There you are! I’ve been expecting you,” she said, her bob hair bouncing as she made her way towards me. “We need to discuss the investors for the new project. They’re critical to our timeline, and I’ve prepared the proposal you need to review before the meeting—”

“Sarah,” I interrupted, trying to get a word in, but she held her hand up, cutting me off..

“And the presentation slides need your final approval. Also, the figures from last quarter’s performance report—”

“Sarah,” I cut in again, but she didn’t seem to hear me, her focus entirely on the stream of information she was unloading right there and then.

“Fuck this,”

I heard Lillian say behind me before suddenly stepping up, surprising me by looping her hand with mine. Sarah immediately stopped talking, her eyes widening in shock at the sight of Lillian beside me.

Her eyes went to where Lillian and mine were looped.

Here we go. I rolled my eyes.

“Oh, Lillian. I didn’t see you there,” Sarah said, her tone shifting to a forced cheerfulness. “What are you doing here?”

“You didn’t tell her?” Lillian glanced up at me, feigning shock. “I thought she was your number two.”

I gave her a warning look, but she ignored it while Sarah’s face morphed in confusion.

“Tell me what?” she asked, looking between us. I exhaled, realizing I had to address it.

“Lillian will be working with us from now.”