Page 23 of Clashing with the Ice Queen

NADINE

Nadine adjusted the cuffs of her tailored blouse as she stepped into the sleek, minimalist office of Cassandra Wynter. The entire space exuded an air of sophistication. It had crisp white walls with striking fashion photography that spoke to a classic elegance Nadine seldom encountered in her own startup, Pulse Media. Nadine was young for a CEO, but her ingenuity commanded attention. Today, however, she felt an unusual nervousness.

She couldn’t get her last sexual encounter with Cassandra out of her head.

She had gone home that night and found a small dildo she could put in her ass that felt in some way like Cassandra’s magical finger and she had touched her clitoris until she had come fast and furious with Cassandra’s icy blue eyes flashing in her brain and Cassandra’s mocking words blaring in her ears.

They had resisted each other since then, but every night in her own bed, Nadine was getting herself off thinking of Cassandra.

It wasn’t wise to get back into things with Cassandra and it seemed Cassandra must be thinking the same, as they hadkept things professional ever since. But, Nadine knew she had a problem. She was obsessed with the intensity of their connection. How had she never thought of submission as something she wanted to explore before?

She wanted to explore it now. That was for sure. But, not with Cassandra, surely not. It would be a disaster waiting to happen if they continued.

As she entered, Cassandra was animatedly flipping through pages of a mood board, her long blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. “Nadine! You’re just in time!" she exclaimed, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement. “I’ve been thinking about how we can marry our aesthetics…the modern vibrancy of Pulse Media with the timeless elegance of Wynter.”

Nadine smiled, the tension in her shoulders easing. They’d been collaborating for a few weeks, combining Wynter Fashion’s classic reputation with the youthful flair that Pulse Media championed. Initially, she’d feared that their different styles might clash, but now, as they sat together at the polished conference table, creative ideas flowed between them effortlessly.

As they sketched concepts and debated color palettes, Nadine marveled at Cassandra’s depth of knowledge about classic fashion principles. She knew so much about the cuts, stitches, and history woven into each piece. It was a language Nadine had never fully appreciated until now. And in return, she introduced Cassandra to the virtual world of social media, where trends shifted like sand, and an influencer could make or break a brand overnight.

“I had no idea the impact of TikTok could be so substantial,” Cassandra remarked, her brows furrowed in concentration. “You mean to tell me someone can post a dance video, and it can lead to a spike in sales? How fascinating!”

Nadine chuckled, her eyes glimmering with enthusiasm. “It’s all about capturing the moment. It’s unpredictable and exhilarating. You have to be willing to take risks.” She leaned forward, energized by the possibilities unfolding before them. “Imagine an influencer walking in wearing a classic Wynter dress while framing it in a trendy, relatable context. It could be transformative for both our brands.”

Cassandra nodded, her blue eyes narrowing thoughtfully as she jotted down notes. “And what if we paired that with a limited edition collection that draws from the trends of the past, but infuses them with new life? A modern take on retro styles!”

The ideas continued to flow, and each meeting sparked more creativity, leading them to draft a plan that was starting to feel bigger than what Elara Silver wanted. It had the potential to turn into a collaboration of its own. They designed campaigns that captured the essence of youth through vibrant visuals layered with the rich history of their brands.

Time slipped away as they dove deeper into their collaborative bubble. Nadine found herself increasingly impressed by Cassandra’s intuitive grasp of fashion’s foundations. The way she spoke about silhouettes and textiles reminded Nadine of the artistry that often got drowned out by social media analytics.

One particularly productive afternoon, as they unraveled a complex marketing strategy that incorporated nostalgic elements with contemporary designs, Nadine glanced at Cassandra and couldn’t help but voice a thought that had been simmering in her mind for a while. “You know, I always thoughtthat fashion was about looking forward. But here we are, creating something that’s rooted in history. It’s almost poetic.”

Cassandra smiled, her expression warm. “And yet it feels fresh at the same time. We’re not just blending styles; we’re cultivating a culture where past meets present. I never expected to learn so much from this collaboration.”

It was an energy Nadine had not anticipated. They navigated the boundaries of past and future with ease, both women enhancing each other’s strengths. With every passing week, the lines between their worlds blurred, and Nadine felt a sense of belonging she hadn’t realized she craved.

As their partnership flourished, so did a friendship that transcended the boardroom. They shared coffee runs, late-night brainstorming sessions, and amused exchanges about their lives outside of work. Cassandra, with her poised confidence, often served as a counterbalance to Nadine’s more spontaneous nature. In return, Nadine’s innovative spirit prompted Cassandra to reevaluate her approaches to creating fashion in a rapidly evolving world.

Finally, the day arrived for the launch of their joint collection: an exclusive film shoot at Silver Resorts and Residences. This successful partnership had expanded her horizons and fortified her love for fashion beyond mere trends. And as she caught a glimpse of Cassandra through the crowd, chatting animatedly with a well-known influencer, Nadine realized that they had not only combined their businesses, but had also grown a mutual respect and admiration that made their collaboration truly remarkable. This wasn’t just business for her. It was a journey of growth, and it felt like they were only just getting started.

Their sexual thing could wait. Or be over completely. As sad as it made Nadine, she knew what they were doing was so much more important than just sex. Although it frustrated her like allhell that Cassandra had never mentioned it since that day on the boardroom table. Why hadn’t she mentioned it? Why was there still this sexual tension between them? Nadine resolved to find out.

Nadine leaned back in her chair after they returned to Wynter headquarters that night, rubbing her temples. Exhaustion was heavy in the air. They’d been entrenched in their schedules for hours, directing the film shoot and smoothing out the details for what felt like an eternity.

Nadine had always been drawn to Cassandra’s brilliance. But as their project progressed, Nadine couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling that their professional relationship was skirting dangerously close to something more intimate. She’d noticed fleeting glances, small touches during moments of closeness, and the subtle sexual tension that was still in the air whenever they were together.

“Cassandra,” Nadine began, her voice steady despite the emotions churning within her, “can we talk about this? I feel like we’ve built something productive together, but it hasn’t gone beyond the surface.”

Cassandra looked up, surprise flashing in her eyes. “What do you mean?”

Nadine took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. “We’ve been at this for weeks. I know we’ve been focused, but I can’t help but wonder why we haven’t allowed ourselves any more… intimacy.” The word lingered between them, heavy yet hopeful.

Cassandra’s expression shifted, and Nadine saw a variety of emotions cross her face. “Nadine, I—” She hesitated, breaking eye contact. Maybe it was the day’s fatigue, or perhaps it was thehonesty of the moment, but Cassandra sighed deeply. “Alright. Why don’t we grab dinner? Just to talk, of course. And I suppose that would be less lonely than eating alone.”

After a moment of contemplation, the tension broke, and Nadine saw a flicker of eagerness in Cassandra’s demeanor as she reluctantly agreed. They made their way to a nearby upscale hotel, where the atmosphere hinted at the possibilities that lay ahead of them.

Just as Cassandra was about to explain her feelings, the waiter approached their table with a bright smile. “Good evening, ladies! Can I get you started with some drinks?”

Nadine saw relief wash over Cassandra’s face as she quickly shifted her focus to the waiter. “I’ll have sparkling water, please, with fresh lime.” she said, obviously grateful for the distraction. Nadine wished Cassandra could explain why she was hesitant to talk about this. Maybe the thought of being vulnerable scared her. Maybe she just wasn’t ready to let that part of her show. It was so strange that one minute, Cassandra had been so full on with all the sex and dominance and then… nothing. All professionalism. And building something else that went beyond professionalism. Maybe even a friendship. There was an ease to their connection when Cassandra’s ice queen power mask slipped away.

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