Chapter 8

Dalia

One week later…

M y phone buzzes loudly on the desk, jolting me out of my workflow.

I’ve been grinding away at this late hour—my new norm since starting to work for Lev. I’m deep into organizing his schedule and typing up emails that need to go out during tomorrow’s business hours.

I glance at my phone. The Thai food delivery I’d completely forgotten about is here.

I stretch, feeling the stiffness in my shoulders from hours of being hunched over my laptop. I grab my phone and head to the lobby to pick up my dinner, thankful for the break and the chance to refuel.

As I head out, I notice that the only lights still on are those in Lev's office.

I grab the food and wait for the elevator to take me back up, reflecting on my job. Lev is demanding, but he’s also a surprisingly fair boss.The more than generous salary makes the late nights and high expectations worth it.

When I return to my office, I decide to check in with Lev about tomorrow’s schedule and offer him some food. I knock gently on his door, and in that deep, gruff, and insanely sexy voice, he calls out, “Come in.”

Pushing the door open, I find him seated in the meeting area of his office, his feet propped up on the table, sleeves rolled up revealing his ropy forearms. His collar is undone, lending him a more relaxed charm, and his face is knitted in concentration as he pores over a form in his hands. Just the sight of him like this, effortlessly sexy, sends a rush of heat through me.

“What do you need, Dalia?” he asks, not looking up from his paperwork.

I clear my throat, trying to steady my voice. “Dinner,” I manage to say.

He looks up, confusion crossing his features momentarily. I can tell he forgot all about eating—something he tends to do when he’s buried in work. “Dinner?” he echoes.

“Yes, you know, that thing people do in the evening when they’re hungry,” I say with a light laugh, trying to ease the sudden tension I feel. “I figured you might have forgotten, just like I almost did. You're not the only one who skips meals when busy.”

He sets the papers down and rubs his eyes, a faint smile breaking through. “That was thoughtful of you. Thanks for looking out.”

I set the food down on the table and hand him a container. Watching him ease back into his chair and start to unwind causes desire to bubble to the surface.

He cranes his neck to peek into the bag, noting there’s more food than one person could possibly eat in one sitting. "I'm hungry, but not that hungry," he jokes.

I laugh, picking up my own container. "That one's mine.”

"Join me then," he offers, gesturing to the space across from him.

The invitation sends a thrill through me, and despite the nervous flutter in my stomach, I accept. He hops up from his chair and grabs a bottle of mineral water for each of us from a small fridge under one of the shelves.

We both dive into our food, devouring it in silence. The intensity of my hunger surprises me.

Sitting across from Lev in the quiet of his office, sharing a simple meal, feels unexpectedly intimate. The lines between boss and assistant blur just a bit, making this ordinary moment feel like something more.

After polishing off half his meal, he takes a long swig of water, and I find myself fixated on the bobbing of his Adam’s apple as he drinks.

My thighs press tightly together under the table, trying to quell the growing heat within me. I silently curse, knowing I'll have to change my panties if I get any more aroused.

Lev wipes his hands on a napkin as he shifts his focus toward me, his expression turning slightly more serious.

"So, tell me, how are things going with you? That prick of an ex-husband causing any more trouble?" he asks, his tone protective.

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."

I let out a strangled noise, my face heating up at his boldness.

"Am I right?"

Swallowing hard, I nod, barely whispering, "Yes."

He smiles slightly, satisfied with the confirmation.

“Good. Now, I want to see just how wet you are.”

My eyes widen, my heart racing. "What do you mean?"

"Stand up," he commands, his tone brooking no argument.

I stand on shaky legs as adrenaline mixes with raw lust.

"Go over to the desk and bend over.”

Obediently, I walk to the desk. I bend over the surface, feeling the cool wood against my skin, exposing myself in a way that feels both daring and natural under his watchful eyes.

"Hike up your skirt," he orders next.

I reach back, my fingers trembling with a cocktail of nerves and excitement as I lift my skirt, revealing more of myself to him.

"Now, slowly take off your panties.”

Taking a deep breath to steady my racing heart, I hook my fingers into my panties and slide them down over my hips, letting them fall to my ankles. Stepping out of them, I am completely exposed, my compliance complete, my body tingling with desire.

He rises from his chair, his movements deliberate. "Keep your eyes forward.”

I obey, staring out at the cityscape of downtown Chicago, the lights glittering like distant stars. The tension in the room climbs as I hear his footsteps approaching.

Then, I feel his hand on my ass, a firm squeeze that sends a jolt of desire straight through me. I half-expected, half-hoped he might take me right here, bent over his desk, with the city as our backdrop.

But instead, his hand travels lower, resting momentarily on my exposed pussy.

"You're body temperature has spiked—another clear sign of your arousal."

His fingers then slip between my thighs, exploring the wetness there before pushing into me. The sensation is electric, and as he moves them inside me, the pressure builds, making me gasp at the intensity.

"You're soaking wet, just as I thought," he states, a hint of satisfaction and raw desire in his voice as he continues to move his fingers, exploring and stretching me.He leans in close, his breath hot on my ear, "You like it when your boss fingers you here in the office, don’t you?"

I can't help but squirm against him, pushing my ass into his hand, guiding him deeper as the orgasm starts to build. "Yes," I manage, totally caught up in the moment.

He tightens his grip a bit, a firm reminder of who's in charge.

"Yes, sir ," he corrects me, his tone strict.

"Yes, sir.”

"You want to come?" he asks with a hint of authority.

"Yes, sir," I reply, desperation in my tone.

"Then beg for it," he orders, speeding up his fingers, driving me crazy.

I don't hesitate, my voice breaking with the intensity of my need. "Please, sir, please let me come."

He keeps going, his fingers moving with a fervor that’s about to break me completely.

"Show me how much you want it," he urges, his words as charged as his actions.

Driven over the edge by his commands and the relentless pleasure, I finally tip over the edge, my body shaking with a powerful orgasm that tears through me. I cry out, gripping the desk as waves of intense satisfaction roll over me, leaving me shivering and completely undone under his expert touch.

With a surge of animalistic strength, he wraps his arm around my waist and spins me around, planting me firmly on the edge of the desk. He swiftly drops to his knees, his intense gaze never leaving mine until his lips meet my skin.

He starts kissing along the inside of my thighs, his movements slow and deliberate, sending shivers up my spine as he builds the anticipation with every breath.

As he reaches my pussy, his approach changes; he's no longer teasing. He parts my lips with his fingers, his eyes locked on mine for a moment before he dives in. His tongue works with precision and hunger, licking and flicking with a purpose that has me gripping the edge of the desk.

“God, yes, just like that, just like that.”

He sucks on my clit gently at first, then with increasing pressure, driving me wild. His mouth is relentless, devouring me with total lust, each movement of his tongue designed to draw deeper moans from my throat.

The room fills with the sounds of my escalating pleasure and his deep, satisfied groans as he indulges in me.

He brings me to another orgasm, his lips and tongue working in perfect harmony, sending me over the edge yet again into a blinding release that eclipses the first. This climax is earth-shattering, much more intense, rippling through me in powerful waves.

I cry out, my body trembling uncontrollably, completely at the mercy of his skilled mouth. As I come down from the high he slowly eases up, placing soft kisses on my thighs, giving me a moment to catch my breath in the afterglow of mind-blowing pleasure.

He stands up, his lips glistening with my juices. Casually, he licks them, his eyes locking onto mine as he murmurs, "You're delicious."

Noticing the bulge in his slacks, I place my hand on his cock, feeling it pulse beneath the fabric. I can't help but tease, "Looks like I'm not the only one who’s turned on here."

He chuckles. "Seems so.”

"I can return the favor, ya know," I offer, licking my lips at the thought.

He pauses, a thoughtful look crossing his features.

"Perhaps another time. All I wanted tonight was a little dessert. And what a sumptuous one it was."

He hands me my panties, which I slip into with a small smile. Then, he hands me the container of my leftover food. "You might want to take the rest to-go, if you don't mind. I've got a long night ahead," he says, hinting at the mountain of work still waiting for him.

"Go home and get some rest," he advises, opening the door for me, his demeanor shifting back to the composed, authoritative boss.

I nod, my body still tingling from our encounter as I prepare to step out of his office.

"One more thing," he calls after me.

I pause, turning to face him. He closes the distance between us and plants a slow, deep kiss on my lips. The world seems to blur and fade into the background; all I can focus on is the warmth of his lips on mine, the firmness of his hands on my waist. I feel like I'm melting into him.

Then, just as I'm getting lost in the kiss, he pulls back slightly, gives me a firm swat on the ass, and says, "Good night."

I leave his office, my legs still a little shaky. I go back to my own office to grab my things, still buzzing from our interaction. As I pack up, it hits me—this is his game. He turned me on, made me crave him, then left me wanting.

It dawns on me that even though our encounter seemed like he was giving me everything, it was all orchestrated for his amusement.

Stepping into the elevator, a grin spreads across my face. I realize that Lev and I have just escalated our sexy little contest.

It's a thrilling realization, one that makes me eager to see how far it will go and what kind of move he'll make next.