Chapter 7: The Offer

Seraphina

The weekend flew by as it always does and I was up preparing for another day in the office. I sipped my tea and thought about what I’d felt when our hands touched. If a touch could do that, I wonder what a kiss could do?

I tried to shove everything about him out of my mind and focus on getting myself ready, but I soon realized that was impossible. I still had to return his car but had no idea if that meant to his home or the office.

I played with the idea of taking it to his home, but I quickly decided it may be best if I return it to the office. Common ground and all. There’s no way I could be in his home again and resist him. He’s like forbidden fruit; off-limits and unspeakably desiring.

Once at work, I parked the sleek luxurious car and headed for the elevator. Catching the empty elevator car, I let my mind play out the fantasy of what if I had taken it to his home.

The elevator came to a sudden stop on the second floor. I took a step back to make room for whoever would enter and nearly swallowed my tongue when the doors slid apart revealing none other than Dimitri Valor, the star of my forbidden fantasies. Losing my breath when he came around had become a ritual.

He wore black again with an empyrean white shirt, but the eye-catcher of the ensemble was the bewitching red silk tie. I knew I’d imagine that tie all over my body: my hands, eyes, ankles, and wrists.

“I trust you returned the car in the same condition as I loaned it to you?” He said with a raised brow.

“Of course, I cared for it as if it were my own, sir.” I kept my eyes away from him, afraid that he would be able to see my growing desire.

I was just about to ask him if he’d felt any better when his phone buzzed and he exited the elevator. I followed behind him as he continued his conversation. We entered the reception area and I began to prepare for my day as his call kept his attention.

Time continued to pass and lunchtime flew just as quickly. I made my way back to my seat and the phone was already buzzing.

“Mr. Valor’s office, how may I help you?”

“Seraphina, it’s Thomas.”

“Good afternoon, how may I help you?”

“I need to talk to Dimitri. I’ve called him on his cell, but he’s not answering. This is rather urgent.”

“Sure, let me put you on a brief hold and see what I can do.” I quickly pressed the hold button and stood.

I smoothed out my fitted black dress before knocking at his door. I waited for him to acknowledge me before entering.

”Mr. Valor, I have Thomas on the line for you and he says it's urgent.”

“I’ll pick the line up from here and all calls, if not urgent, take a message.”

“Yes, sir.”

As the day was winding down, so was my energy. I walked the other side of the office and took a lookout at the city. The sun was a beautiful amber as it prepared to set.

His face appeared in the glass and everything stood still. Including me.

“Seraphina, I need to have a word with you,” he said as he ran his hands through his hair.

His presence was sudden, just as his departure. I let out a shaky breath before following him.

“Yes, sir,” I said as I stood in the doorway of his office.

“Close the door behind you,” he said firmly. “Come sit.”

I lowered myself onto the seat with my heart hammering in my chest. His steel-grey eyes were impenetrable.

“Is there a problem, Mr. Valor?”

I took a moment to study him as he gathered his thoughts. His beautiful, grey eyes lifted to mine and he straightened his shoulders, once again in control.

“What we discuss in this office, I trust it remains confidential?”

“Yes, sir,” I said calmly.

Did he call me in here because of the incident over the weekend?

“Are you romantically involved with anyone?”

I was completely caught off guard by his question. “Excuse me?”

“Are you fucking anyone?” his eyes narrowed as he waited for me to answer.

“Sir, I’m not sure why this is any concern of yours?”

When his eyes met mine, I felt everything I’d felt from the first time we’d met. Power, desire, and control. I shifted in my seat under his gaze. My skin prickled with awareness as my arousal grew.

“I take that as a no.” he paused briefly, waiting for my protest, but there was none. “I need to speak with you on a personal matter.”

“Alright?”

“Maybe this isn’t the right place to do this.”

“To do what, exactly?” I said in complete and utter confusion.

He stood and quickly buttoned his jacket. “Grab your things and follow me.”

I had a million thoughts going through my mind, and they all end with me possibly not having a job tomorrow. Was he going to proposition me for sex? If I say no then will he fire me? Who am I kidding, I’d say yes, but what would that mean about gran? I can’t afford to be fired, but I can’t afford to piss him off either. Shit.

We were heading through the parking lot where I’d parked his car only hours ago. He stood holding the door and I slid in with ease. The leather seats were softer than my pillow, welcoming my body.

“Where are we going?” I said as I snapped my seat belt into place.

“For dinner, we have something to discuss.”

Swallowing hard, I stay focused on the road in my attempt to keep from being captured under his beautiful gaze.

Finally, we pulled up to Valentino's, my favorite restaurant. I was completely shocked that he had even known about this place and was also a fan of Italian cuisine. It was centrally located between me and gran and I’d find myself here, ordering the eggplant parmesan quite often.

“Welcome, Sera. A table for two?” Abigail, the hostess, greeted us with her thick Italian accent.

“Yes, please.”

“Somewhere private, please.” he chimed in.

“Of course! Follow me.”

The place was full as we passed through to the booth tucked away in the corner.

“Is this private enough?”

“Questo è Perfetto,” he spoke in a smooth tone.

My eyes darted to his in astonishment and she shot me a wink.

“Do you two need a moment?”

“Avremo il Parmigiano di melanzane e il vino della casa.”

My jaw dropped as he began to speak.

“Perfetto.”

“What did you just order?” I said once the hostess was out of sight.

“I told her we will have the eggplant parmesan and the house wine. I hope that’s ok with you?”

“Yes, it happens to be my favorite,” I say, pulling my eyes from his.

The waiter came and poured our glasses of the rich, red wine. Once poured, I swirl my wine in my glass as he begins to speak.

“I brought you here to discuss a very personal matter. A proposal of sorts.”

“And that is?” I say sipping my wine.

He glanced over at me and his lips curved into a beautiful, heart-stopping smile.

“Listen, I’m not one for relationships, let alone marriage and that’s what stands in the way of me inheriting the company 100%. I have to convince everyone that I’m ready to settle down and be a family man. My grandfather's will states this.”

“So, why are you telling me this?”

“Seraphina, I need a wife,” he says. “And I need one now.”

“A w-wife?” I stutter.

“I need your help.”

“You want me to help you find a wife?”

“No.” He paused briefly as the food was placed in front of us. “I want to hire you to be my wife.”