7| A Game.

ADRIAN POV

“I've witnessed a lot of hungry, horny guys in my time sir, and you are one of them.” I gulped down the alcohol in the glass, making a face as the hot substance hit my throat.

I poured another drink. “What kind of a guy goes after another woman while being engaged to someone.” Her words rang in my head. I loosened my tie.

“And moreover I can never date someone younger.” I gulped down the drink.

Frustration boiled within me. How could she think of me that way? I wanted to break something, anything, but instead, I settled for the burn of the alcohol.

I forcefully placed the glass on the table, with the loud noise reverberating in the vacant room. She was constantly on my mind.

Her resistance, her power, her sheer stubbornness. And that night in the UK… It was more than just a mistake or a passing moment.

I felt a connection, a spark I hadn’t felt with anyone else, that night together, I felt at peace, it was as if we complimented each other.

I paced the room, running a hand through my hair. My phone buzzed, a text from Vera. I ignored it, not in the mood to deal with her right now.

I sank into a chair, staring at the half-empty bottle on the table. My mind wandered back to Katherine. Her fiery spirit, and the way she stood up to me, were infuriating and yet…intoxicating.

I chuckled. Someone younger. She called me a horny hungry boy. I was anything but those things.

If she thought my age was what qualified me for being an adult or older person, then she was wrong.

I had grown beyond my years, can't she see that what I felt was real? Why was she so determined to push me away?

“Damn it, Katherine,” I muttered, pouring another drink. I needed to make her see that this wasn’t just lust, that there was something deeper. But how?

I inclined back, shutting my eyes, letting the drink numb my thoughts. I need to make sure she sees that we could be more than just boss and employee.

Katherine Turner had kindled something in me, and I wasn’t about to let that flame die out.

The next morning, I remained seated at my desk, reviewing emails and reports, yet my thoughts continued to wander back to Katherine.

Her eyes had filled with rage, her voice had quivered with feeling. It had all struck a chord within me.

A gentle knock on the door dragged me from my reflections. “Come in,” I said.

I looked up to see Katherine standing there, holding the same file from yesterday. She looked hesitant.

"Sir, good morning," she greeted.

I hated the coldness in her tone, but I understood the need to be cautious.

“Good morning. Please, have a seat.”

She sat down, placing the file on my desk. “About the report…”

I interrupted her. “We’ll get to that later. But first, I want to apologize for last night.”

She blinked, surprised. “Sir, there's no need…”

“There is,” I interrupted gently. “I exceeded my limits, and for that, I'm sorry. You were right to call me out.”

She looked surprised, as if she hadn't expected me to admit any fault. “It is fine sir,” she said, her voice softening a fraction.

I offered her a slight smile and said, "Let's discuss the report now."

While we talked about the report specifics, I couldn't resist sneaking looks at her. She looked so beautiful and curvy. I could watch her all day.

The meeting ended, and Katherine stood to leave. “If there's nothing else, sir, I’ll get back to work.”

I nodded, watching her go. “Thank you, Katherine.”

She paused at the door, giving me a brief, confused look before stepping out. I smiled, the game was on.

Weeks passed, and I noticed my game was starting to have an effect on Katherine. I pretended to be sorry and also caused sexual tension between us.

Even though she tried to be professional and organized, I had seen the strain in her eyes. I had smelled her arousal and it made me want to push her onto my desk and f**k her brains out.

One evening, the office was quiet. Everyone had vacated the office, but Katherine was still at her desk, buried under a heap of paperwork.

I had deliberately given her a lot of work to do, knowing she would stay late to complete it.

I observed her from my office, she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and nibbled on her lip while focusing on typing on her computer.

Her beauty made it increasingly challenging to control my emotions every time I laid eyes on her. She looked more in her late twenties than forties.

I walked over to her desk, trying to keep it professional. “Katherine, it’s late. You should go home.”

She looked up, surprised to see me. “I’m almost done, sir. Just a few more files to go through.”

I inclined against her desk, my eyes fixed on hers. “You’ve been working hard. You need to rest.”

She sighed lightly, massaging her temples. “I know, but this will be needed in the meeting tomorrow.”

I reached out, gently touching her hand. The touch sent a jolt of spark through me, and I could see she felt it too.

Her eyes dilated, and she quickly yanked her hand away, but the spark between us was unmistakable.

“Let me assist you,” I said softly.

She shook her head, trying to recover her composure. “I can manage, sir.”

I moved closer, “Katherine. Let me help.”

She stood up, compiling the files to create some space. “I’m fine. Really, sir.”

I frowned slightly. “Call me Adrian, please.”

She shook her head, “You’re my boss. It’s not right.”

I moved closer again, leaning in slightly. “Katherine, I want you to call me Adrian.” I insisted.

She swallowed hard, her eyes darting away from mine. “It’s not professional.”

Damn! She's stubborn. I leaned in even closer, my breath touching against her ear. “Since when have we been entirely professional with each other?”

Her breath caught again, and I could see the inner battle she was fighting. “Please, sir. Let’s keep this…appropriate.”

I pulled back just a little, my eyes still locked on hers. “Fine. But you should go home. You need rest.”

She paused, and quickly cleared her throat. “I need to finish this.”

I smiled, a teasing sparkle in my eye. “You can finish it tomorrow. You need to go home to your daughter.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but I cut her off. “That’s an order, Katherine.”

She looked flustered, and I knew I had left her frustrated. I stood up, giving her one last long stare. “Goodnight, Katherine.”