Page 20 of Dark Seduction

I correct him quickly, a slight flush coloring my cheeks, “Well, we weren't technically married.”

Lev's eyebrows knit together, his curiosity piqued. "What do you mean by 'not technically married?’” he probes gently.

I let out a heavy sigh, the memory still sour. "It was a big mess," I begin, feeling the frustration anew. "He faked the marriage certificate and had someone who wasn't even ordained conduct the ceremony. It was cheap, quick. I didn't know about any of this until I tried to take legal action against him for what he did with the bank accounts."

Pausing, I collect myself before revealing more. "By the time I figured out what had happened, he was long gone, and so was my money."

I watch Lev’s reaction, a storm of anger brewing in his eyes, a fierce, protective rage that looks as if he wouldn't hesitate to tear Chad apart with his bare hands.

But instead of acting on his fury, he reins it in, his voice calm but stern as he says, "Bad deeds always catch up to you—trust me, I know."

Revisiting the topic of Chad stirs a mix of emotions, casting a slight shadow over our dinner. Lev seems to pick up on my discomfort, his gaze softening as he leans back slightly in his chair.

“You’re doing really well, Dalia,” he offers. “Despite my demanding expectations, you’ve handled yourself excellently.”

His words lift my spirits. “That might be the first nice thing you’ve said to me since I started here.”

Lev raises an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his expression. “Really?”

I nod, a playful smile tugging at my lips. “Yep. You’ve more or less been barking orders at me and little else for the last couple of weeks.”

He grins, his demeanor easing into a more casual, almost teasing posture. “I just like to get things done with no fuss,” he explains. “My military background has made me accustomed to a certain level of discipline.”

My curiosity piqued, especially by the scars that marked his skin, I venture cautiously, "Can you tell me about your military background?"

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I gasp, realizing that I might have stepped into sensitive territory.

"Sorry. I just want to get to know you better, not trying to dredge up memories you might not want to talk about," I add quickly, hoping to ease any discomfort.

There's a flash of something—pain, perhaps remembrance—in his eyes, but it quickly vanishes as his expression softens. "It's fine," he assures me, his voice steady. "It was a long time ago. I was in the Russian army, in military intelligence. I served in Crimea."

He pauses, the memory seeming to weigh on him. "I was medically discharged after an injury."

Curiosity again getting the better of me, I gently probe, "Your arm?" remembering the scars I had seen.

His expression darkens slightly, and he shakes his head. "No," he replies, his voice lower.

I nod, understanding that some stories are more difficult to tell due to the complexity and pain they entail. I decide not to press further, giving him the space to share what he's comfortable with.

Wanting to steer the conversation away from sensitive territory, I shift gears slightly.

"So, military intelligence… that must mean you're good at reading people?" I ask, hoping to lighten the mood a bit.

Lev nods, a knowing smile slowly forming on his face. "Yes," he affirms confidently.

Then, leaning forward, his gaze intensifying, he adds, "For example, I can tell that you’ve been turned on since the moment you walked into my office tonight."

I gasp, caught off guard by his blunt observation, my eyes going wide.

"Is that right?”

He nods confidently, "Of course."

"How can you tell?" I ask despite the embarrassment.

He chuckles deeply before sitting back in his chair, completely at ease. He starts to list the signs: "The flush in your cheeks, dilated pupils, the way you frequently tilt your head exposing your neck to me..." He pauses, his eyes locking with mine, "and other more subtle cues you're probably not even aware of."

I'm both impressed and a bit alarmed at his perceptiveness. But then he goes a step further, his voice lowering, "I'd also bet that your pussy is soaking wet right now."

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