Page 14 of Dark Seduction

Melissa smiles. "I'll leave you two to get acquainted. If you need anything, Dalia, my office is just down the hall."

"Thank you, Melissa," Dalia replies. Melissa leaves my office, closing the door behind her.

I take a moment to compose myself, then gesture to the chair in front of my desk. "Have a seat, Dalia."

She sits, her posture perfect, her eyes never leaving mine. I sit across from her, wondering how in the hell I’m going to ever get any work done.

Chapter 6

Dalia

“This is quite a surprise, isn’t it?”

The memory of Lev seated at the desk in the mechanic's shop flashes through my mind. I had no idea who he was then though I believed he was definitely a man of importance. But the sight of him now, seated behind the desk in this massive office of the COO, leaves no doubt, making me feel things I didn’t know I could.

His hands are clasped together before him, and all I can think about is him bending me over the desk, hiking up my skirt, and swatting my rear with those hands.Great, I think to myself. I’m already soaked.

There’s a charged silence between us, the air thick with unspoken desire.

I manage a smile, trying to keep my cool. “Yeah, you could say that.”

His eyes darken slightly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Dalia.”

“Neither did I,” I admit, shifting in my seat slightly. “Small world.”

He leans back in his chair, regarding me with an intensity that makes my heart race. “So, tell me what you know about our company and what you hope to achieve here.”

I take a deep breath, willing myself to focus. “Ivanov Holdings is a diversified holding company with interests in technology, healthcare, and retail. The biggest in the city, in fact. You’ve been expanding aggressively into renewable energy, which I find particularly exciting. As for what I hope to achieve, I’m looking to bring my skills and experience to the table, help streamline operations, and support your initiatives in any way I can.”

He nods, his gaze unwavering. “Impressive. And how do you handle stress, Dalia?”

I can’t help but let my mind wander back to our night together, the way he commanded my body and made me beg for more. I swallow hard, keeping my expression neutral.

“I thrive under pressure,” I reply, my voice steady. “I’ve learned to manage stress by staying organized and focused. And I’m always up for a challenge.”

A slow smile spreads across his face. “Good to hear. I have high expectations. I think you’ll find working here to be quite stimulating.”

The double entendre isn’t lost on me, and I feel a flush rise to my cheeks. “I’m looking forward to it, sir.”

Sir. Shit. I just had to say that word.

He arches an eyebrow but doesn’t expand on it.

“Excellent,” he says. “Let’s get started, then.”

He stands up, moving with a slow, deliberate grace. He makes his way around the desk and sits in the chair next to me, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Your duties will include managing my schedule, handling correspondence, preparing reports, and coordinating meetings,” he begins, his tone all business. “I expect nothing less than perfection. Mistakes are not tolerated.”

I swallow hard, the weight of his words sinking in. It’s clear that, while he’d shown kindness to me the other night, here in the office, he’s all business. Still, I can’t help but let my eyes drift down to the slight bulge in his pants when he looks away, well aware of the thickness that he’s packing.

“Understood.”

He nods, satisfied. “Good. I’ll give you a brief tour of the executive floor before my meeting with my brothers.”

I stand, smoothing down my skirt, and follow him out of the office. As we walk, he points out the various departments, introducing me to key personnel along the way. His demeanor is stern, and it’s clear he commands respect from everyone around him.

We pause in front of a large conference room, the door closed. “This is where we hold our executive meetings,” he explains. “I expect you to be prepared at all times, as meeting are sometimes last-minute. Understand?”

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