Page 12 of Vivacity
Even worse, no matter how much I despise myself for it, my pussy is loving his obnoxious power plays just as much as the rest of me is hating it.
If this entitled douche wants his very own sub, all he has to do is look up my dress.
He gives a little shake of his head, like my opinions are too ridiculous to give oxygen to. ‘Look. I’m not asking for much, just someone who can stay professional, rational and respectful. Is that such a stretch?’
I lean forward. ‘Same, bruh. Like I said, this needs to work both ways. You may be paying my salary if I work for you, but this will work much better as a partnership than a permanent stand-off. Am I right?’
Okay. Perhaps bruh-ing a potential employer was excessive, even for me. But if I blow this, I don’t give a crap.
He sighs, and I think maybe I’ve hit a nerve. ‘Look.’ It seems he’s the kind of guy who prefaces every law he lays down withlook.‘It’s been a rough day. I’m under a lot of stress.’
‘Yes, and you mentioned you’reabout to get thrown intoa work crisis, so clearly things will get far worse before they get better.’
He glares at me.
‘Look.’Two can play that game, mister.‘I don’t want or intend to add to your stress. On the contrary, a large part of my role would be helping you manage it.’ I pause to let that reminder sink in. ‘But I also won’t be your punching bag. I have far too much self-respect for that. Do I make myself clear?’
‘Crystal,’ he mutters, but he’s looking like he sees me a little more fully. Like I’m an actual participant in this conversation rather than just an audience member of the Ethan Kingsley show.
He strolls back around the desk and motions for me to push my chair back, which I do. With his arse resting on the front of his desk, he towers over me and crosses his arms over his chest. I don’t hate it. ‘Tell me this, at least. Are you this much of a pain in the arse in bed?’
‘God, no. You can be as bossy as you like in bed. I lap that shit up.’
A little huff of what I think is amusement leaves his mouth, and his face softens slightly. ‘That’s a major relief. Why don’t you show me?’
People don’t often take me by surprise, but my eyebrows wing up. ‘Excuse me?’
‘You heard me.’
Now, Seraph has a strict interviewing process, and for good reason. The first round is purely professional. If—and it’s a big if—both parties are happy that they’re a good fit professionally and would like to move forward, the interviewer places twenty-five thousand pounds into Seraph’s bank account.
The second round is usually a hotel dinner during which the sex stuff is discussed, after which we retire to a suite for the “audition”. Make no mistake: the guy is auditioning just as much as the seraph is, and it’s usually we who walk away after the first or second round. Either way, if we fuck them, we get all the money. It’s a proven way to ensure that no one tries to work his way through the seraphim during the audition rounds without paying handsomely for the privilege.
‘You want to skip the dinner and just roll straight into the audition?’
Another hint of amusement. ‘I didn’t realise you were such a stickler for process.’
‘I’m a stickler for my wellbeing.’
He shrugs. ‘The money is already in Seraph’s account. By all means, call Camille and ask her. Unless it’s not about the money.’
I look at him properly then, and I can’t imagine there’s anything in my expression that suggests I’m not shamelessly up for this. Because the truth is that arguing is my absolute favourite form of foreplay, and having a dick-swinging competition with this dude has majorly given me the horn.
He’s dysregulated and obviously not in control of his stress levels, which should be a red flag and is in fact a gigantic green one, because I want him to work it out on me. I’d rather he was like this, all wound up and in clear need of an outlet, than the coldly impassive man I met on that roof terrace.
I can definitely have some fun with this one.
He presses on. ‘Look at it this way. You asked me if I could make it worth your while to work for me, and I’m telling you I can. Every fucking day. But I’d very much like to show you while I have the chance. Because we both know that if you walk out of here after this conversation is done, you won’t sign up for the next round. What do you say?’
Oh my fucking God, he is so hot. In an instant, I understand where this guy’s sexual power lies, what form his hold over me will take. It’s simply this: he looks so disdainful, so utterly underwhelmed by everyone and everything, that when he acts like he really wants you, it’s the most potent narcotic ever.
Supply and demand, baby. When someone withholds their regard so meanly, it’s impossible to withstand the temptation to pry it from them.
Without a word, without breaking the beseeching, hungry gaze in those beautiful pale grey eyes of his, I lean forward andpull my phone out of my bag. I glance down for a second as I pull up Camille’s name and hit dial. Once I have the phone to my ear, I settle back in my chair and gaze up at him.
She answers on the first ring.
‘Sophia. All okay?’
