Zara's POV
"You see those five panty vibrators, don't you? Each one represents a round. The rules are simple: you'll wear one while cooking, and I'll control the intensity with the remote. To win, you must finish your cooking without bending over or succumbing to an orgasm." He said it so calmly.
When I thought he might be a GOD from Greek mythology, maybe it was true after all.. No normal human would explain rules like that with such cold composure.
I blinked, feeling a bit lightheaded. "So, you want me to wear this while cooking, focus on the food, while you control the vibrator—No—I mean you want me not to get a big O from that stimulation? Sir, is that even possible?"
"It's possible. There was someone else who used to play this game with me. Though... in a different profession."
That person must've had nerves of steel. My body shivered at the thought of balancing on the edge of control while he watched, his hand on the remote. It was humiliating—and thrilling in a way I hated to admit.
"I need a lesson from that person, then," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Listen, Ms. Shamari," he shifted, the air between us thickening. "Your body can do more than you think. You just need to believe that. This is a mental game. It's not easy, but it can be tamed. Especially when you know the rewards that waiting for you if you win."
"What kind of reward you think could persuade me to take on this impossible challenge?"
"You asked for The Prime Fine Dining Chef position, right? If you win three out of five rounds, forget The Prime. I'll make you the apprentice chef at Le Brimsworth under Chef Miguel Fortner's supervision."
My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. He must be kidding me. No way... My second wish was to be a part of The Prime, and that was already enough for me to challenge The Amethyst in the next culinary 3-star Michelin chef competition. But he would do what?
Not only would he make me part of Le Brimsworth, a place like heaven for chefs, but he would also make Miguel Fortner—the God of Poissonnier Chef—my supervisor. He was the legendary US Seafood Specialist.
Le Brimsworth wasn't just a competitor of The Amethyst. No restaurant had beaten them for years. It wasn't just hard to be their chef; it was almost impossible unless you were top-tier with world-class credentials or connections. It was the best of the best, the kind of place where chefs could truly build their careers to the next level.
He brushed his thumb over his jaw, fingers lingering, a smirk pulling at his lips. His eyebrow arched, amused by his challenge—or maybe he just liked watching me lost for words.
I gulped. "And if I can't win three rounds?"
"You'll still get your position at The Prime," he said, his tone unbothered. "As a thank you for playing this game."
"Le Brimsworth is no joke, and Miguel Fortner isn't some chef you can buy with money."
"And do you think I'm joking?" His face shifted, turning serious.
"All these toys, your game... it feels like a joke to me. I'm sorry if I've offended you when I'm the one asking a favor. But all of this is so new to me, my brain can't digest it properly."
"You want power, right? If you win, it will prove that you're strong-minded and worthy of what you're asking for. That's why I raised the stakes, giving you a position you could never dream of with your current power. That's the real power you should aim for, Ms. Shamari."
"I—I…" My lips parted, but the words wouldn't come. I could feel the heat in my ears, probably reddening by now. I couldn't bring myself to look him in the eye.
"Did I charm you too much? Don't get flustered so easily... we haven't even started the game." His sly smile dared me to give in. He was too much to handle, so damn complicated.
It all sounded too good to be true. It was strange... whether I won three rounds or not, I'd still get what I wanted. So, was he just playing with my emotions?
"So, what's your goal in all of this? The odds seem to be in my favor," I said, furrowing my brows.
His smirk deepened. "I called it the Game of Seduction. You might think it benefits you the most, but for me? It's all about seducing you. Watching you flinch, resist my control, and still hold your head high... that turns me on more. That's… my style."
"Why are you so sure I'll get seduced by you? It's still a game, Mr. Auckland. There's an equal chance for the win and lose."
He chuckled, nearly laughing. "Not in my game. I told you, I never take a risk I can't control. I'll win you over, Ms. Shamari—In a way, you won't even realize you'll be the one submitting to me on your own."
His challenge, his confidence... it stirred something in me. I couldn't back out now. He had stomped on my pride like a boot crushing fragile glass, leaving shards I couldn't even piece together.
I'd offered him a simple sex trade, but he turned it into something far more complicated. It felt like he was mocking me. Like he was offering the world to me but that was only for his amusement.
He told me not to degrade myself, but here I was, treated like no better than one of these toys.
I gritted my teeth, my thumb fidgeting restlessly as I weighed my next words. Could I truly handle this man and not throw my pride lower? But then again, if we never try, we'll never know, right?
"Don't be so sure about that, Mr. Auckland," I said, my voice steady but edged with defiance. "Your game and reward tempt me, make me crave more power." Leaning back onto the sofa, I crossed my arms, locking eyes with him in a challenge. "So... for every round I win, I'll demand a new wish. Will you give me that power too?"
His eyes narrowed slightly, flickering with intrigue as he tilted his head. "More wish?"
"Yes, more," I said firmly. "And it goes both ways. If I lose a round, you can demand a wish too."
His lips curved into a slow, dangerous smirk. "Is that a challenge?"
"It's a fair play, Mr. Auckland," I shot back, matching his smirk with one of my own.
"You'll regret your daring offer, Ms. Shamari."
I leaned forward slightly, the confidence in my gaze unwavering. "You can trust your judgment to control how this game will unfold, and I'll trust myself to win the first three rounds outright—so you won't even get a chance to wish for anything from me."
His gaze locked onto mine with a hint of amusement. My words seemed to stir something in him, a flicker of excitement slipping through his cold demeanor.
But who cares? I needed to focus on myself.
This game had become a power play for both of us and no matter how much I tried to convince myself I could win, I couldn't shake the feeling that part of me would lose.
My pounding heart knew it too well and warned me, like an alarm.