Ava knew something had shifted the moment she stepped back into Selene King's office.
It was nearly 8 p.m. and the building had emptied. The city lights shimmered through the towering glass windows behind Selene's desk, casting long shadows across the walls. The silence of the floor was a different kind of pressure—thick, slow, humming with anticipation. Her heels clicked lightly against the marble as she stepped in, heart thudding hard beneath her silk blouse.
Selene sat there, unbothered and regal, her black suit still perfect, her legs crossed, one hand resting against her cheek as she regarded Ava like prey. That icy stare pinned Ava in place. Selene didn't need to say a word. Her presence was enough to command complete submission.
"Come in and close the door," Selene said quietly, her voice lower than usual, like smoke and sin.
Ava obeyed, shutting the door behind her. The sound echoed, final and sharp, locking her in.
She walked forward with small, careful steps, unsure if this was still about the contract she had signed or if they were crossing into dangerous territory. And yet, something in her pulsed with excitement. Her fingers trembled against the leather folder she brought, filled with reports that now felt irrelevant.
"I finished the projections for next quarter," Ava said, voice a bit unsteady. "And I flagged the vendor inconsistencies."
Selene stood and walked around the desk slowly. She moved like a predator, graceful and slow, in total control of her space. Her heels made no sound on the carpet. Her presence was overwhelming.
"I didn't ask you to stay late for paperwork," Selene said, reaching for the folder without even looking at it. She tossed it onto the desk, never breaking eye contact.
Ava's throat tightened.
"Then… why did you ask me to come back?" Ava asked, nearly a whisper.
Selene circled her once. Ava could feel her breath catch with every step the CEO took around her body. Selene's perfume—dark jasmine and something sharper, like burnt vanilla—wrapped around Ava's senses and left her light-headed.
"I watched the way you looked at me," Selene said, her lips barely moving. "From the moment you started working here. You thought you were subtle. You weren't."
Ava froze. Her skin prickled. She had spent weeks trying to hide it—those glances, the moments her eyes lingered too long on Selene's fingers or the soft arch of her throat. But Selene had seen everything. Of course she had.
"I—" Ava's voice cracked. "It's unprofessional."
Selene raised a brow and stepped closer.
"I'm not asking for professionalism, Ava," she said, voice dropping an octave. "I'm giving you a choice."
Selene reached out and lightly touched the collar of Ava's blouse. Her fingers traced the first button without undoing it.
"You can walk out right now," she said. "You'll still have your job. No consequences. But if you stay…"
She leaned in close. Her breath was warm against Ava's cheek.
"If you stay, you become mine."
Ava's lips parted. Her mind screamed at her to run, but her body refused. The electricity between them was unbearable. Every nerve in her body screamed yes.
Selene waited.
Seconds ticked by. The city buzzed beyond the windows. Ava could barely breathe.
"I'll stay," she whispered.
Selene smiled.
Without another word, she took Ava by the chin, tilting her head up. Their eyes locked. And then Selene kissed her.
It was not soft. It was not sweet. It was everything Ava had dreamed about and feared all at once.
Selene's lips devoured hers, demanding, hungry. Ava moaned into the kiss, grabbing onto the woman's blazer for support as her knees buckled under the weight of it. The desk was suddenly behind her, Selene lifting her effortlessly onto it, pushing between her thighs like she had every right to claim her.
Ava arched her back as Selene's hand trailed down her body, over silk and skin, teasing her through the fabric of her blouse.
"You belong to me now," Selene said, her mouth brushing the shell of Ava's ear. "Do you understand that?"
Ava nodded breathlessly.
"Yes," she whispered. "Yes, Selene."
Selene's hands slid lower. Her touch ignited Ava, set fire to every nerve ending in her body.
And that was only the beginning.
The office was unusually quiet the next morning. Ava could feel the tension thick in the air before she even stepped off the elevator. Her heels clicked softly against the polished marble floor, and her eyes instinctively darted toward the frosted glass walls of Selene King's executive suite.
She had barely slept. Her body still tingled from the feel of Selene's breath on her skin, the memory of that possessive whisper laced with hunger and power. It wasn't a kiss. It wasn't even a touch. But it had shattered something inside her, awakening a longing she hadn't known she buried.
She clutched her folder tightly to her chest and inhaled deeply before knocking lightly on the double doors.
"Come in."
The voice was smooth, composed, and utterly dominant.
Ava entered, carefully avoiding Selene's gaze as she approached the desk. The CEO sat perfectly poised, dressed in a black high-collared silk blouse, her raven hair tied into a sleek knot. Her eyes, however, didn't stay on the reports. They trailed over Ava with deliberate slowness.
"You're late."
Ava froze. "By two minutes, ma'am. I—"
"You'll learn to be early in my world, Ava."
Her voice wasn't harsh. It was low, firm, and dripping with layered intentions. Ava couldn't find her words. She simply nodded, placing the morning documents in front of Selene and stepping back.
"You look flushed."
"I'm fine."
"Are you?"
Ava met her gaze briefly. It was a mistake. Selene's eyes were molten with command. Ava looked away just as quickly, her heart thudding in her chest.
"I want to discuss something... off-record."
Selene stood and walked around her desk, circling Ava like a lioness. Ava could feel the heat of her presence, the careful control in her movements.
"I hired you because you're efficient. Calm. Composed."
"Yes, ma'am."
"But I can sense something else under that pretty mask of yours. A kind of hunger. Maybe even a darkness."
Ava's lips parted slightly. "I... I don't know what you mean."
Selene stepped closer, her voice like velvet wrapping around her. "You do. But you're not ready to admit it yet."
Ava's breath caught as Selene's fingers lightly brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek. It was innocent. It was nothing. And yet it felt like everything.
"Do you want this job?"
"Yes."
"Then I expect honesty. I expect loyalty. And I expect your full attention."
"I'm giving you all of that."
Selene leaned in, her lips a breath from Ava's ear. "Not yet. But you will."
Ava's knees almost buckled.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Selene remained professional, cool, and distant as if the morning hadn't happened. Ava struggled to stay focused. Every glance felt like a tease. Every time Selene said her name, Ava's stomach twisted with anticipation.
That night, she didn't go home. She stayed late, double-checking files for an upcoming acquisition.
At eleven, she heard footsteps.
"You're still here."
Selene.
"I wanted to make sure the numbers were perfect."
Selene moved closer, eyes unreadable. "You're a good girl."
Ava flinched. Not at the words. But at the tone. The way it made her heart race.
"Come with me."
Ava followed her through a side door into a smaller, private lounge. Dark leather, glass decanters, and a view of the entire city skyline. Selene poured two glasses of wine and handed one to Ava.
"You're not like the others," Selene murmured, sitting elegantly on the couch.
Ava sat across from her, legs crossed tightly.
"You want more."
"I want to succeed."
Selene smiled. "That's not what I mean."
She leaned forward, resting her glass on the table. Her voice dropped. "I can give you more. But everything comes at a price."
Ava's lips trembled. "What's the price?"
"Me. On my terms. No questions. No hesitation."
The silence in the room became unbearable.
"Say something," Selene ordered softly.
"I don't know how to want you the way you need to be wanted."
Selene smiled. "I'll teach you."
Ava stood abruptly. "This is wrong. I'm your assistant."
"Exactly. You belong to me."
Ava shook her head. "I'm not property."
"You want me to prove otherwise?"
Ava opened her mouth, but nothing came. Her eyes burned. Her chest ached. She turned to leave.
"Ava."
She froze at the sound of her name, the command in Selene's tone.
"If you walk out, I won't chase you."
Ava didn't look back. She simply left.
But she didn't sleep that night.
And Selene didn't forget.
The next morning was brutal. Ava arrived before sunrise, her eyes ringed with exhaustion. Selene didn't speak to her. Not once. Meetings passed. Emails were exchanged. But Ava felt it. The distance. The silent punishment.
At lunchtime, she found a note on her desk. A single sentence written in Selene's elegant cursive.
"Tonight. My penthouse. You will decide."
No signature. No further explanation.
Ava held the note to her chest, her pulse out of control.
The edge was right in front of her.
And she was going to jump.
The clatter of cutlery and soft hum of jazz greeted Ava as she stepped into La Rue, the exclusive rooftop restaurant known for its velvet service and privacy. She smoothed her black satin dress, nerves tightening in her stomach. She had received the reservation details earlier that day—no name, no message, just a time and address in Selene King's unmistakable font.
Ava's eyes scanned the candlelit tables, and there she was.
Selene sat alone at a secluded corner booth, back straight, presence magnetic. A single glass of red wine sat untouched in front of her, and her eyes didn't stray from Ava for a second. The CEO wore a tailored navy pantsuit that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her jet-black hair fell effortlessly over her shoulder, and her lips were painted the color of sin.
Ava walked over slowly, heart pounding. She hesitated only slightly before sitting.
"You came," Selene said, her voice like silk over steel.
"You summoned me," Ava replied, trying to match her confidence.
Selene's lips curved. "And you followed. Good girl."
The words stirred something in Ava's core, but she pushed it down. This was dinner. Just dinner.
A waiter appeared silently. Selene ordered for them both—seared duck breast for Ava, tuna tartare for herself, and a bottle of aged Bordeaux. The waiter vanished as silently as he came.
"You've been avoiding me," Selene said, sipping her wine.
"I've been working."
"You've been afraid."
Ava met her gaze. "I've been thinking."
Selene leaned forward. "About me?"
Ava nodded slowly.
Selene's eyes narrowed, studying her. "And?"
"I don't know if I want to be part of your games."
Selene let out a soft laugh. "Darling, this isn't a game. It's a contract. You just haven't signed it yet."
"I didn't know desire came with a signature."
"Oh, but power always does."
Their food arrived, and silence fell. The tension simmered beneath the surface like electricity in the air before a storm. Ava tried to focus on her plate, but she could feel Selene's eyes burning into her skin.
"You intrigue me, Ava," Selene finally said. "You say no with your mouth, but your body listens to me."
Ava blushed. "That's not fair."
"It's true."
She leaned across the table, close enough for Ava to smell the soft scent of cedarwood and something darker.
"I want you to surrender," Selene whispered.
Ava swallowed. "You can't have everything you want."
Selene smiled. "You're wrong about that."
After dinner, Selene didn't ask. She simply stood, gestured for Ava to follow, and walked toward the private elevator in the back. Ava followed.
They ascended to the rooftop lounge, secluded and candlelit, with sheer curtains fluttering in the warm night breeze. The skyline stretched endlessly behind them.
Selene turned to face her. "I invited you here to offer you a choice."
"A choice?" Ava's voice was barely a whisper.
Selene stepped close. "You can walk away now. Go back to your neat little world where things make sense. Or you can let go. Let me lead."
"What happens if I stay?"
Selene's fingers brushed Ava's cheek. "Then I make you mine."
Ava didn't move. Didn't speak. She just looked into those eyes full of fire and control.
"I'm not scared of you," she finally said.
Selene smirked. "But you should be."
Lightning cracked in the distance. The wind picked up.
And Ava made her choice.
She stepped forward and kissed her.
It wasn't gentle. It wasn't tentative. It was explosive, needy, full of weeks of repression and hunger. Selene pushed her against the railing, their bodies tangled in the shadows.
Ava's hands tangled in Selene's hair. Selene's mouth devoured hers, claiming, teasing, dominating. The kiss deepened, turned darker, until they were both gasping.
"You're mine now," Selene breathed.
Ava moaned against her lips. "Then take me."
And Selene did.
Under the stars, surrounded by the lights of the city, Selene claimed her with no hesitation, no mercy—just the kind of passion that consumed everything in its path.
And Ava burned.
Ava's fingers tapped nervously against the steering wheel as she stared at the upscale restaurant entrance through the windshield. She could already see Selene King through the glass, seated in a private booth, perfectly composed in a tailored blazer and silk blouse. The candlelight on the table flickered against her sharp features, making her look even more untouchable. Still, there was something about her—something magnetic and dangerous—that made Ava's breath catch in her throat.
She stepped out of the car, smoothed the front of her dress, and walked toward the entrance. The hostess led her to the private area without question, and as Ava approached the table, Selene looked up slowly, her gaze cool and unreadable.
"You're late," Selene said.
"I came straight from the office," Ava replied.
Selene didn't stand. She simply gestured to the seat across from her. Ava sat down, feeling like a schoolgirl under inspection. The tension between them crackled like static electricity.
Selene didn't speak for several long moments. She sipped her wine, her gaze never leaving Ava's face.
"You ran away the other night."
Ava lowered her gaze. "I wasn't ready."
"But you came here."
"I had to know."
Selene leaned forward. "And what do you know now?"
"That I want this. But I want to earn it."
Selene raised an eyebrow. "Earn what, exactly?"
"Your trust. Your attention. Whatever this thing between us is."
Selene's smile was slow and deliberate. "You already have my attention, Ava. But trust? That comes with obedience."
Ava shivered, not from fear—but from anticipation.
Selene waved the waiter over and ordered for both of them without asking. Ava didn't mind. Something about the way Selene took control made her pulse quicken. She was dominant in every sense of the word—powerful, poised, and mercilessly seductive.
They ate in near silence, exchanging only a few words between courses. Selene asked questions about Ava's past, her ambitions, and her work ethic. Ava answered truthfully, holding nothing back. Selene listened closely, occasionally nodding, but always with a sense of calculation behind her eyes.
After dessert, Selene stood. "Come. We have meetings to prepare for."
Ava followed her outside, surprised when Selene opened the back door of a black SUV waiting at the curb. Inside, Selene sat beside her, legs crossed, exuding elegance.
"The acquisition meeting is tomorrow," Selene said, her tone sharp. "You'll sit in. I want you to observe. You're going to learn how this company runs from the inside out."
"I won't disappoint you."
"You already have," Selene replied, voice cold. "You let your emotions control you. That doesn't happen again."
Ava swallowed hard and nodded.
Selene leaned closer. "But I forgive you. For now."
The air between them grew heavier. Ava's breath quickened. Selene noticed. Her lips curled.
"You like being punished?"
Ava blinked. "I… I don't know."
"You will."
The SUV rolled through the city, neon lights painting shadows on their skin. Selene's hand rested casually on Ava's knee, fingers tracing idle circles that made her shiver.
They reached Selene's penthouse, and this time, Ava didn't hesitate. She followed her inside, feeling the heat of Selene's presence with every step. The foyer was dimly lit, modern and pristine, like the woman who owned it.
Selene turned to face her. "Remove your coat."
Ava complied.
Selene stepped closer. "I don't mix business and pleasure unless I see potential. Don't waste my time, Ava."
"I won't."
Selene studied her for a long moment. "Then we'll see if you can handle tomorrow."
She walked past Ava and disappeared into her private study. Ava stood there, heart pounding, legs trembling.
She wasn't just in over her head.
She was drowning—and loving every second.
The next morning came quickly. Ava wore a sharp navy suit with her hair pinned neatly into a bun. Her heels clicked confidently against the marble as she entered Selene's office. Selene was already inside, reviewing the final numbers for the acquisition meeting.
"You're early," Selene said without looking up.
"I wanted to be ready."
"Good."
They went over the reports together. Ava took notes, asked questions, and followed every detail. Selene was intense, but clear. Her mind was razor-sharp, and her expectations even sharper.
"You'll sit beside me," Selene said. "Say nothing unless I instruct you to. Watch the room. Watch their eyes. Watch their weaknesses."
"Yes, ma'am."
Selene's gaze flicked toward her. "That tone suits you."
The meeting was held in the largest boardroom on the top floor. High-powered executives and lawyers filled the space, but the moment Selene walked in, silence fell. She commanded the room like a queen, her presence alone enough to silence egos.
Ava sat beside her, heart pounding as the discussions began. Selene was ruthless but brilliant, cutting through negotiations with precision. Ava kept her eyes on everyone, just like she was told. She noticed the shift in body language, the subtle tells, the flickers of nervousness.
At one point, Selene leaned toward her and whispered, "He's lying. Watch his hands."
Ava did. She saw it. And the thrill of being part of Selene's inner world shot through her like lightning.
The deal was sealed an hour later, and Selene stood to shake hands. As they walked out of the boardroom, she didn't speak until they were alone in the elevator.
"Well?"
"I saw it. I saw everything you meant."
Selene turned to her slowly. "You impressed me."
Ava's chest swelled.
"But don't get comfortable," Selene added. "This is only the beginning."
The elevator doors opened, and she walked out without another word.
Ava followed, the ache between her thighs growing stronger.
She wanted more.
And Selene knew it.
The meeting at the restaurant ended, but Selene hadn't dismissed Ava. Instead, she offered a sharp smile and a short command: "Get in the car."
They didn't speak on the way back to King Enterprises. The air inside the car was thick with tension. Ava sat quietly, hands folded in her lap, trying not to let her imagination spiral. Selene was unreadable beside her, fingers idly tapping her phone. But Ava could feel it—that deep, magnetic pull between them building into something dangerous.
When the car rolled into the underground parking lot, Selene exited first. She didn't wait. Ava hurried after her, barely catching the elevator before it closed.
Selene didn't look at her. Not until the doors sealed and they were alone.
Then her voice dropped into a low, commanding murmur.
"You enjoy when I make you wait, don't you?"
Ava's throat tightened. "No. I mean, I—"
"Yes. You do." Selene stepped closer. "You crave the control you pretend to hate."
Ava looked away, heart pounding. "We're in the elevator."
"And you're still mine—no matter the floor."
The bell dinged. Selene stepped out, heels sharp against the marble as she strode down the corridor. Ava followed closely, her breath uneven.
Instead of heading to her office, Selene veered off toward one of the high-security boardrooms.
Ava blinked. "Are we—?"
"Yes. We have a negotiation call. You'll observe, take notes, and learn how this company wins."
Ava nodded, pulse still rattling in her chest. Selene's professional mask was back on, but the fire behind her eyes had not dimmed. If anything, it had sharpened into something lethal.
Inside the boardroom, the screen lit up as Selene connected to a high-profile tech acquisition out of Tokyo. Powerful voices filled the space. Ava sat beside Selene, scribbling notes, her fingers flying across the page, trying to keep up with the rapid pace of business.
But even as the meeting progressed, Ava couldn't ignore the way Selene's hand occasionally grazed hers. Subtle. Intentional. Each touch like a whispered reminder of who held the reins.
By the time the call ended, Ava's legs were trembling beneath the table.
Selene rose smoothly. "You handled that well. You took notes like you were born for this."
Ava smiled faintly, proud and flustered. "Thank you."
Selene leaned closer, fingers brushing down Ava's forearm. "We're not done yet."
Ava swallowed. "What's next?"
Selene's lips curved slightly. "I want you in my office. Shut the door when you arrive."
She didn't wait for a response—she simply walked out.
Ava gathered her notepad, tucked her hair behind her ear, and followed.
This time, when the door shut behind her, she didn't pretend she wasn't trembling.
Selene turned from the window, where the skyline glittered like a sea of fire. Her eyes were darker now, heavy with intent.
"You've been working hard." She moved toward Ava. "You've earned a little reward."
Ava's lips parted. "What kind of reward?"
Selene stood in front of her, gaze unwavering. "The kind that leaves you breathless."
Ava didn't move. She didn't need to. Selene tilted her chin up, examining her face like a sculptor studying her favorite art.
"Still pretending you're untouched by this?" Selene whispered.
Ava tried to speak, but Selene silenced her with a fingertip pressed to her lips.
"Don't answer. I know."
The silence stretched.
And then Selene kissed her.
It wasn't gentle.
It wasn't slow.
It was domination wrapped in silk.
Ava gasped against her mouth, shocked by the surge of heat. Selene's hand wrapped around her waist, dragging her closer. Ava responded instinctively—arms winding around Selene's neck, mouth opening under hers.
Selene deepened the kiss, tugging Ava's body flush against hers. One of her hands slid into Ava's hair, fisting it gently, guiding her just where she wanted.
Ava moaned into the kiss, her control fracturing.
Selene pulled back, eyes heavy with satisfaction. "Still think this is just a job?"
Ava shook her head, dazed.
Selene leaned in again, lips grazing her jaw. "Good. Because this is your new reality."
Ava didn't know how long she stood there, held by the most dangerous woman she'd ever met. All she knew was the way her body responded helplessly, completely.
And Selene knew it.