Page 71 of Shifting Hearts 1
“You wanted to see me, sir?”
Her appearance that morning wouldn’t do. Her plum-colored hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, while an oversized blouse hung from her shoulders. Ballet flats peeked out from beneath her black trousers.
A growl rumbled from deep in his chest. If she thought that would squash his interest, she was wrong. It would be the last fucking day she arrived to work that way.
“Sit down. We have paperwork to go over.”
He placed a stack of stapled papers in front of her. She didn’t move.
“We’ll discuss every point before you sign. But before you read them, we have company.”
A confident knock sounded at the door.
“Enter,” he permissed.
“Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Conrad. I was excited to receive your message. I’ve been looking forward to meeting the lucky lady.”
He gestured toward Seraphina. “Meet my new assistant.”
Seraphina jumped out of her seat and spun to meet their guest.
“It’s wonderful to meet you!” she enthused. “I’m Roberta, but everyone calls me Bobbie. I’ve been styling Mr. Conrad for years.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Seraphina replied.
Bobbie was a robust stylish woman in her mid-forties. Her colorful hair fell into an asymmetrical bob, and her massive bosom shook with every belly-busting laugh. She pulled Seraphina to her feet and walked around the young woman, taking her measurements as she went.
“You should wear clothes that highlight your figure, not hide them. I promise by the time we’re done, you will look fabulous.”
Once Bobbie was finished writing things down in a notebook, she whipped out her phone. Her fingers moved rapidly across the screen.
Within the hour, a team arrived, laden with garment bags and boxes. The assistants flapped and twittered like birds, as they surrounded Seraphina in a flurry. The angel on the other hand, sunk into herself. He’d set all this up for her, and the fact that she wasn’t enjoying herself niggled at him.
“I’m not sure about this,” she stammered.
They needed to work on her confidence. Did she not realize how stunning she was? Or was it simply a pious view against vanity. Any man would be proud to have her on his arm. She awakened emotions in him that had long been dead or never existed in his soul.
Seraphina crossed her arms to hide the scalloped bra that pushed her breasts up. The embroidered lace matched her hair.
“Everyone out,” he growled. “I require a moment alone with my assistant.”
He was ready to strip her bare and feast. The chattering stopped as a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. They scurried out and the door thudded behind them.
Her heart fluttered in her chest as they found themselves alone once more. Was the vixen insistent on taunting him forever?
“Is there something I can do, Mr. Conrad?” She swallowed nervously as the predator stalked up to her.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and caressed her smooth skin for a moment before stepping back. “Turn around.” As she moved, he growled, “Slowly.”
Her eyes dropped to the floor as she complied with his demands.
“Look at me,” he commanded. “Your eyes shouldn’t lower in shame or embarrassment. The only time you should drop your gaze is when you are in a submissive position to me.”
“Submissive position?”
He stepped against her, and pulled the band from her hair, allowing the tendrils to fall naturally. He swept them aside and spoke against the shell of her ear.
“It’s in your contract, angel.”
