Page 28 of Forbidden Temptations

Congratulations? For what? Dropping a bollock? Making a complete ass of himself? “What?”

Scarlet’s head titled, her eyes dancing and gleeful, both bunny and lioness. “Congratulations. You passed the test.”

“Test? What test?” he demanded, incredulous.

“For the position of Financial Analyst,” she said simply. “You applied for the position before being assigned to this department."

“Yeah, I remember.”

How could he not?

It had been one of the few jobs he’d actually wanted. Similar seniority to his old role, but with a better salary and abundant career opportunities.

Or so the ad in the job centre had led him to believe.

What they’d offered was a polite brush off, followed by a role that was a major move down, with less pay, more hours and with every opportunity he could ever have hoped for, to kiss ass and get his ass kicked. However, with little Alex on the way, what choice had he had? It wasn’t like he was getting headhunted by the Bank of England, after all.

“But that was over a year ago.” he added, only just able to keep the bite from his tone.

Scarlet nodded, leaning back in her chair. The bunny had taken flight now. She was all lioness here, a queen in the heart of her territory, mistress of all she surveyed, and those hot, ice-blue eyes watched him keenly over her steepled fingers. "As you are aware, the role requires certain aptitudes. Qualities that are difficult to assess on a CV and in an interview. So, potential applicants are allocated a minor role in the company, then in due course, we allocate them a manufactured account to evaluate their performance.”

“Hence Prometheus,” Richard nodded, comprehension blooming. “Who seduced Zeus with plates of bones wrapped in fats to give offal covered beef to humanity.”

“Then stole fire, and was punished by being chained to a rock for the great eagle to feast upon his liver each morning,” Scarlet added.

“Very symbolic. So, if the candidate lacks the predisposition for the role, they’re fed to the eagles?”

“More or less,” she purred with a subtle tilt of her head that made Richard wonder if she wasn’t entirely joking. “But, congratulations Dick, you’ve passed the test. Though I have to say, you were taking your sweet time about it. I was about ready to chuck your ass to the curb on general principle. Rather ironic, really. If you hadn't, you certainly would have been after I read what you sent me earlier. How long did all this take you?”

"About a day and a half," he shrugged, feeling very warm in his suit. It all made so much sense and was now so obvious. God, how could he have been so stupid? Russian organised crime. He must have lost his mind.

"Extraordinary. That's half as long as the last guy who passed the test.” Shifting back in her chair and crossing her legs, revealing a lot of her soft, golden thigh, Scarlet brought a hand up to toy with a lock of her hair, studying him with renewed interest. “I must say, though, yours is certainly the most unique report yet. And all from the financial data you were provided and a bit of digging. Just extraordinary. You certainly have a vivid imagination for an accountant, Dick. You’ve been reading too much Andy McNab. Still, I might just have to commission you to write a novel.” The corner of her mouth curled in the ghost of a smile and the tip of her pink tongue swept over her plump, juicy, pink lips. “A seedy little erotic thriller. Perhaps about a businessman caught cheating on his wife.”

She let the suggestion hang there, but held his gaze just long enough for Richard’s blood to turn to ice in his veins.

Shit.

Was it just a coincidence? Or did Scarlet know something? No, that was crazy. How could she? He was being silly. She couldn’t know anything about him and Rebecca, unless- the sound he’d heard outside the office door. Someone moving around behind the door… Had it been Scarlet? Fuck.

“So… I’m getting promoted?”

Smooth, very smooth, asshole.

Whatever Scarlet had been expecting, that wasn’t it.

She laughed.

She actually laughed. A soft, kittenish, and unmistakably feminine sound, as fair to the ears as she was lovely to behold. It was the first time Richard had ever heard it and despite his rather precarious situation; it surprised him to find the sweet melody suited her and made her appear more delicate.

He almost forgot what a bitch she could be.

Almost.

“Not quite,” she chuckled. “Consider it more of a lateral move. You’ll remain in my department, but within a role more suited to your talents. Get a nice little pay raise, your own private office three doors down the hall. Just what you need, a littleprivacy…”

“Is that a prerequisite for the position?” Richard asked, his throat growing tighter.

She giggled softly. “In your case, Dick, I think it’s indispensable.”

---