Page 8 of A Dark Infinity

I swallow hard, fighting the urge to lean closer to her, to drink her in with my eyes as she's doing to me. It's a dangerous game we're playing, this dance of desire, but I can't help but revel in the tension that crackles between us.

"I-I understand," Lark stammers, breaking the spell with her words. "Thank you for the opportunity, Ethan."

The way she says my name makes me hard, and I instantly recall what it felt like to hold her in my arms over the weekend. How she fit perfectly against me, as if she was made to be there.

"You're welcome, Lark," I reply, my voice husky with suppressed desire. "Now, let's not waste any time. Claire will take you shopping today. Consider it a welcome gift from the company."

Claire, who has been hovering in the background, looks confused. "But Ethan, I thought I was supposed to—"

"Not today, Claire," I interrupt, my tone leaving no room for argument. "Lark needs a new wardrobe, and I trust you to take care of it. Don't disappoint me."

With a resigned sigh, Claire nods in understanding and turns to Lark. "Come on, then. Let's go get you some new clothes."

Lark tries to refuse, but I won't hear it. I want her to look her best, and I won't settle for anything less. As they leave my office, I can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Lark may not realize it yet, but she's mine now, and that means I’ll make sure she has what she needs—including the finest clothes.

As the day drags on, my meetings seem to stretch for an eternity, each minute feeling like an hour as I anxiously check my phone for any updates on Lark’s whereabouts. It’s almost 1 p.m., and there’s still no sign of her or Claire. I pull my phone out and check if Claire’s texted me, but since I messaged her to make sure she understands the clothes I want for Lark, there’s nothing.

Frustration simmers beneath the surface as I tap my foot impatiently, my mind racing with a thousand possibilities of what could be delaying them. Were they caught up in traffic? Did Lark have trouble finding the right clothes? Or was Claire simply taking her time?

But then I remember—during the weekend, I installed a tracker on Lark’s phone. With a few taps on my phone, I pull up the tracker app and zero in on Lark’s location. Relief floods through me as I see that she’s finally on her way back to the office. It’s about time.

As the minutes tick by, I keep a watchful eye on the tracker, the anticipation building with each step Lark takes closer to the office. And finally, after what feels like an eternity, I spot her entering the building, accompanied by Claire.

With a satisfied smirk, I dismiss the lingering irritation and prepare to meet with Lark to discuss her new wardrobe. It’s about time she got back to work.

Lark enters the office wearing a sleek, elegant jacket draped over her shoulders. It’s long, black, and exudes a certain sophistication that instantly catches my eye. Unlike the jacket she arrived in, this one suits her perfectly. She looks stunning, and I find myself smirking at the sight.

As she removes the jacket, revealing a new outfit underneath, my smirk widens into a knowing grin. The thigh-short, form-fitting white dress clings to her curves in all the right places, accentuating her figure in a way that’s undeniably captivating. The bottom of the skirt has stitches shaped like feathers. Huh, maybe she doesn’t really hate the gifts I’ve left for her.

“Nice jacket,” I comment casually, my tone laced with amusement as I gesture towards the discarded garment. “And an interesting choice of dress, Lark. I must say, the feathers look good.”

Her eyes meet mine, and there’s a flicker of surprise. The subtle quirk of her lips tells me she isn’t put off by the mention of the feathers. “Thank you,” she breathes.

With a wave of my hand, I beckon her into my office, the smirk still playing on my lips as she follows. The door clicks shut behind us, leaving us alone in the confines of the room. I lean back in my chair, studying her carefully as she stands before me. “Why don’t you sit down?” I ask.

“Do you want me to sit down, Mr. Drake—umm, Ethan?”

I shrug. “What I want is of no consequence. But I asked why you didn’t.”

She looks nervously around. “I wasn’t sure about the protocol.”

“And now?” I ask, arching a brow. “Do you feel surer? Or are you asking me if you can sit?”

Her cheeks become bright red and she swallows audibly. “Is it okay if I sit down?”

“Of course,” I exclaim, spreading my arms wide. “Anywhere you want.”

With a small smile, she ducks her head and sits down directly opposite me. “Here’s fine.”

I’m not so sure I agree. I would have enjoyed it a lot more if she’d sat down in my lap, or on the table and spread her legs so I could… not yet. Fuck, I need to get a fucking hold on myself. Lark isn’t the kind of woman you rush, she’s the one you nudge in the direction you want her until she decides that’s what she wants.

“Let’s discuss your duties here at Infinity Solutions,” I begin, leaning forward slightly. “As my assistant, your main responsibilities will include managing my schedule, handling correspondence, and assisting with various administrative tasks. You’ll also be responsible for coordinating meetings and appointments, both internal and external.”

Lark nods, her expression attentive. “Understood. And what about work hours and expectations?”

I offer her a reassuring smile. “You’ll be expected to adhere to starting at 9am and you can leave when I say so. I require a lot of flexibility based on the demands of the job. As my assistant, you’ll need to be highly organized, efficient, and proactive in managing tasks and deadlines. Additionally, discretion and professionalism are paramount, as you’ll often be privy to sensitive information and interactions.”

She nods again, taking in the information. “I can handle that. Is there anything specific you’re looking for in terms of communication or reporting?”

---