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The need to consume her is all-encompassing.
But just as I’m about to strike up a conversation, she turns and leaves, without even a word of goodbye, leaving me speechless.
Does she expect me to follow her?
Does she want me to chase her?
It’s too soon. It’s okay. There’s time. I have nothing but time and the thrill is in the chase.Both metaphorical and literal if I have my way.
I know she’s my newest obsession, that already my interest in her is unhealthy, but I don’t care. We’re going to be spending a lot of our waking moments together, both at work, and if I have anything to do with it, at home too.
Little does she know that for me, this meeting was no mere chance – it’s destiny unfolding: a primal obsession ignited the instant our eyes locked in that crowded elevator; my relentless drive to control, consume, and conquer her, coursing through my veins. Soon, my little dark angel won’t know what’s hit her. But for now, I’m content to play the long game. To revel in thehuntbefore the chase.
What is your New Year’s resolution?
To land one of the big four accounts at work, in order to secure the promotion I’ve been working towards for the last two years. Zero distractions. Added bonus if I can get Lycus transferred or fired. I’d also really like to go on a cheese tour of Europe this summer. 2024 is going to be my year. I can feel it.
ChapterOne
Angelica
“Thank you for taking the time to listen to my presentation…are there any?—”
The conference room door opens, startling me. I know it’shimwithout even checking. The one person I requested not be present for today’s all-important meeting. His presence changes the atoms of the air surrounding me, as he forces even the very molecules of science to bend to his whim.
I don’t have to look up to know I’m his sole focus right now; his gaze on me makes my pulse spike and the fine hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention, sentry to the danger he poses.
My entire awareness of him goes into hyperdrive.
I jump as I finish my sentence – “questions?” – and my over-expressive hands shoot out and slam into the jug of water in front of me.
I watch in dismay as the entire receptacle flies across the table, right into the face of my boss and the high profile client that I’m trying to land.
My face flames. All of my good feelings about this project and my presentation are washed down the drain like it wasmethe jug just doused.
“Oh my goodness, I am so so sorry, Mr Mortimer, Mr Alpine!” I cry, actual tears forming on my lower lash line. I blink rapidly to prevent them from falling – the way my career is about to.
“Looks like I arrived just in time. Are you done causing chaos, Angelica?” Lycus, my colleague and nemesis asks with a falsely jovial tone. His Italian accent is just as sexy as his face, but like always, it just riles me more. Can’t he see what a disaster this is? And it’s entirely his fault.
Breathe, Angelica. Breathe. It’s not that bad?—
Normally I’d glower at him and hopefully offer some witty comeback, but I’m still too mortified at the single drop of water hanging from the end of Mr Mortimer’s nose to spare Lycus more than a fleeting death-glare.
“Allow me,” Lycus says smoothly, stepping forward with paper towels he seems to have materialised from thin air and passing them to the two soaking wet gentlemen opposite me.
I don’t dare raise my gaze, but when I see Lycus begin to mop up the mess on the boardroom table with yet another towel, I hastily lean forward and mumble an offer to help.
“I think you’ve done enough, Angelica. Take a seat,” my boss orders me abruptly and I quickly fall into place, staring at the wet table top, which is reflecting my humiliation right back at me on the shiny, polished surface.
Hopefully the boardroom table’s lacquered. I’d hate to have destroyed that right alongside my chances of landing this prestigious client and my promotion. Fuck.
I sink lower into my seat, wishing I were anywhere but here right now.
There’s no malice or sharpness to his tone, but my hand drops back into my lap like I’ve been scalded and I have to fight the heat in my body back into submission.
Within five minutes it’s like my tidal wave faux pas never happened and Lycus is beginning his presentation. I don’t want to watch it, but I’m too stricken to leave, and once he begins I can’t take my eyes off him.
The guy is unfairly gorgeous. It sounds clichéd to say he’s tall, dark and handsome, but there’s no other way to describe him. He epitomises it. Just over six foot, with strong broad shoulders, veiny arms that peek out from his rolled shirt sleeves, and a year-round tan that comes from his Mediterranean heritage.
