Page 85 of The Secretary Volume II

“And what doyouwant?”

His smile returns—quiet, amused, possessive.

“I told you.I don’t lose,” he repeats.“Not to fear.Not to whatever version of yourself still believes she needs permission.”

There’s heat in his words, but it’s not romantic.It’s surgical.

I feel it in my spine.

“I don’t want you fine,” he continues.“I want you sharp.Better.Because when every outcome costs you something—that’s when people show what they’re made of.”

“So this is what?A recruitment dinner?”

“No,” he says, standing slowly.“This is a decision point.”

I stay seated.Watch him circle the table.He stops beside me.

He doesn’t touch me.

He just waits.

And I get it now—this is seduction.

Not the soft kind.The kind that teaches you how to move, where to look, what it costs to be chosen.

The kind that feels like a gift until you realize it’s a design.

A blueprint.

Until you realize it’s the only kind he knows.

“Come here,” he says.

My body goes before my brain does.

Not because I want to please him.

But because I want to understand what this is.

How far it goes.What it’s going to cost.

And maybe—what it gives back.

I rise.Go to him.

His fingers brush the inside of my wrist.Barely a touch.But it lands like intent.“You think getting close to me gives you leverage.”

I don’t flinch, don’t deny it.

“You’re not wrong.It gives you options,” he says.“What you do with them—that’s what matters.”

“You have no idea how flexible I can be.”

Ellis watches me for a beat too long.

Then he smiles.Calm.Certain.

He cups my jaw.Not like he’s claiming me.Like he’s making a point.

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