Page 48 of Vex
Her outfit was a tiny bit out of character. Normally, to do what she was doing, she'd just wear something that would fit in … a staid suit, an evening gown, sturdy trousers, nothing to call attention.
She'd never thought to do it in a lacy skirt and sheer black top that hid nothing.
The fabric was gossamer-thin, so delicate it seemed like it might dissolve under a touch. The skirt barely qualified as clothing, more suggestion than coverage, and she'd forgone underwear entirely.
If this didn't get his attention, nothing would.
If this did work, she'd have to send a thank you note to whoever at the IDA had put together her mistress wardrobe.
Vex had an office that overlooked the forest. It was very conventional. A terminal at the desk, a dragon-proof safe bolted to the floor, a somewhat comfortable chair.
The space was purely functional, all clean lines and expensive materials. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting geometric patterns across the dark wood floor.
And the somewhat comfortable chair was getting less comfortable by the second. She'd hacked his system forty-five minutes ago, and it should have set up an alarm. Really? What kind of security did the man have? She'd already made mental notes of what to fix.
If this worked.
It was going to work.
A shadow passed outside the window, a dragon landing behind the house.
Showtime.
Luisa had left the door open a crack. Vex always kept his office sealed shut. He hadn't forbidden her from entering. He'd even invited her to set up a workstation in there if she wanted.
She hadn't touched it.
Until today.
A few minutes later, Luisa heard footsteps on the stairs.
Her heart rate kicked up as the sound of his approach grew closer. This was it, no backing down now. She bent over the desk, fingers flying across the keyboard in a meaningless pattern that would look appropriately suspicious to anyone walking in.
Vex opened the door. "Hel—what are you doing?" He stopped dead in the doorway, his greeting cut off mid-word as he took in the scene before him.
Luisa shoved the keyboard away, eyes wide, and sat back in the chair.
Vex sucked in a ragged breath when he got a good look at her shirt. Or lack thereof.
Smoke began to curl around him as his eyes darkened, pupils dilating as he stared at her with draconic intensity. His nostrils flared, and she could see the exact moment his control began to slip. When he exhaled, wisps of smoke escaped his lips.
"What are you doing in here?" Vex repeated; it was nearly a growl.
"Nothing!" Luisa pushed back from the desk and stood and let him get an eye full of the skirt. It barely brushed the edge of her ass. "You definitely didn't just catch a hacker trying to infiltrate your system." She paused and waited.
He stepped fully into the room and closed the door behind him with calculated precision, the soft click of the lock engaging somehow managing to sound both promising and threatening.
"I didn't?" he asked. "Then what are you doing at my desk? At my computer? Do you know what I do to people who try and take advantage?" He moved closer, each step measured, closing the distance between them.
I sure hope so, she thought.
"You've got it all wrong," she breathed. "Is there anything I can do to make you understand?" She traced her hand across her stomach, just under her breasts.
Vex's nostrils flared, and he breathed out smoke.
"I was coming to talk to you, you know," he said.
"Haven't we done enough talking?" She was so sick of talking she was ready to tape her mouth shut … or find another use for it.
