LORENZO
What the fuck am I hearing right now? She didn't just walk into my building — looking like sin and trouble wrapped in silk — only to tell me she's working for Arnold.
The heat in my chest isn't anger, not really. It's something tighter, more dangerous.
"No," I say, the word sharper than I intended, but I can't take it back. She's not working for that bastard. Not in my building.
"Have you lost your mind?" I add, jaw tight, trying to keep my hands — and my thoughts — in check..
"No, but you've clearly lost your manners" she says with a frown while looking at my hand that's pinning her down.
"I'm not here for you Lorenzo, I'm here for Arnold"
"You're working under him?" I'm making damn sure she knows exactly what she's doing here. A smirk curves on her lips, cold and taunting.
"Well, not under him… yet. But the day just started, so who knows?" she says with a careless laugh that scrapes against my nerves.
She knows exactly what she's doing. The innuendo isn't lost on me — and the fact that it came so easily from her lips makes my jaw clench.
She laughs like none of this matters, like she's untouched by the tension crackling between us. And fuck, I hate how my body reacts to her — how that one line sets my blood boiling in all the wrong ways".
"You're not working for him, you're not working here. My answer is no" I stare at her, gaze unwavering.
"You don't get to decide that"
"Oh, don't I?" my voice drops lower. "Do I need to remind you that this is my company, my building, my elevator. I make the rules and you play by them".
She eyes me up and down, smirking once more, seeming overly confident. I step back finally giving her her space. But this time she steps closer, reaching for my tie, she pulls me to her.
"Rules are meant to be broken Mr CEO….she steps even closer her jasmine and vanilla scent invading my senses… and I couldn't give any fucks about yours" I'm speechless for a second. Her aggression takes me aback.
And yet here she is daring me with her mouth and her eyes, reminding me of every version of her I've ever had the displeasure of meeting.
"Is that so?" I growl, my voice low, dangerous. "Because right now, all want to do is pin you against the damn elevator wall and remind you exactly who those rules belong to." I inch closer to her. She's baiting me...
The elevator dings softly but neither of us turn to acknowledge it, we just keep staring at each other, our eyes clashing like weapons.
A pointed throat clear cuts through the tension. I'm about to snap at whoever it is when Mikhaila's gaze flicks past me — and she steps back smoothly, adjusting her blouse like nothing just happened.
Then she turns to Arnold, and just like that, she's the picture of professionalism. Poised. Collected. Not at all like the woman who threatened to bury me in the elevator ten minutes ago
"Mr. Arnold, it's nice to meet you. I believe I'll be working under you now."
I narrow my eyes at her from her side.
She just keeps getting under my skin, doesn't she.
I watch their interaction, but I decide to stay silent.
She probably came here to provoke me, well that's not happening
I'm going to ship her ass back to where she came from by the end of the week.
Arnold smiles, extending his hands. "The pleasure's mine, Ms. Michaels. I've heard good things. Looking forward to seeing what you can do."
She smiles — warm, polite — like she hasn't set this entire damn floor on fire just by existing in it. "And I'm looking forward to getting started."
I watch her closely. She's good at fooling people.
I'm almost amazed at how she does it.
Let's see how long that lasts.
Arnold is looking at her like he's a baby who just had his first taste of candy.
My gaze slides to him — not a glare, but close. The kind of look that doesn't need to be loud to make its point. He gets it. I know he does.
"I take it you two know each other?" he asks, voice easy. But he's watching. I'm close with, Arnold but not close enough for us to share secrets, I trust him. The end
Before I can say anything, she beats me to it.
"We've crossed paths," Mikhaila answers, her voice all smooth diplomacy with a blade tucked underneath.
"Really?" he eyes me suspiciously.
Silence drops between us, just long enough for the air to feel heavier than it should. Arnold studies me like he's trying to read something in my face, and I'm not in the mood to be read.
I arch one brow daring him to ask.
"Well," he sighs, chuckling under his breath, "I'll let you two… catch up. See you later, Lorenzo."
I give him a curt nod.
When he walks into the elevator, I exhale slowly, though I'm not sure why.
I turn to Mikhaila before she can speak, "My office, Now." I turn and walk away, expecting her to follow -- but her voice cuts through the air like a slap.
"What makes you think I'll come with you?" she doesn't yell, but the sass-- the fucking attitude-- makes my jaw tighten until it hurts. I stop walking. Slowly . deliberately. I look over my shoulder
"I'm your boss. That was an order". My voice is ice, she has no fucking clue who she's messing with. But she's about to find out.
If I have to remind her of the man I am, I will. And i won't be gentle.
When we reach my office door i open it and gesture for her to go in, as she does I can't help but be intrigued.
Everything about her is just so fucking hot.How does she do it.
Her body, her hair, her attitude, and God that damn ass is just begging to be spanked.
I try not to notice the way her dress fits when she moves — or maybe I don't try hard enough — but my eyes track her every step of the way
She stops in front of my desk, perfectly composed, as if my gaze hasn't been following her. That composure… it's infuriating
I get a grip and close the door behind me, clearing my throat. "so.... dragging me to your lair now? That desperate for my attention." she smiles
"Mikhaila" Her name comes out as a warning. It's not normal for her to just show out of the blue, especially with the hate she had for me.
I run a hand down my face "it's been years Mikhaila. Why now? Why are you here?". I know, the gods want to punish me, but I don't need this distraction now.
Her frown becoming more prominent as she responds "I told you already, I'm here for a job." She looks at me all innocent and shit, but I'm definitely not buying that.
"That's bullshit. You know it and I know it too Mikhaila".
"I honestly don't care what you think. If you don't mind, I'd like to get my work started now" She tries to side step me but I grab her waist and haul her close to me. She places her hand on my chest to steady herself.
"You do not want to cross me Mikhaila, I'm warning you" my voice is low and deadly making sure she remembers I'm not just some boy she can come in here and toy with. I WOULD take her down .
She rises on her toes and licks my earlobe "You'd have to try better than that to keep me in check, talking to me in that voice. Uhh, I just want to go ahead and defy you just to see if you only talk a good game."
She's fucking playing with me. She continues, "Will you punish me?, I guess I'll just have to find out." My cock hardens at the prospect but I ignore it.
She pulls back, leaves a kiss on my cheek and walks away like the goddess she clearly believes she is.
She's going to have to learn the hard way when I say, My office, my goddamn rules. And for some reason I'm grinning at the thought.
I'll punish her.. Fuck, I run a hand through my hair. She's getting to me.