Mika walked into Mr. Richards' office with an air of confidence, her every step deliberate, her poise commanding the room.
"Good morning, Richard," she greeted casually, her voice smooth, yet laced with a hint of mischief.
Mr. Richards leaned back in his chair, his eyes lingering on her figure as if assessing the power dynamics between them. A slow, knowing smirk spread across his face.
"Won't you come give Daddy a hug?" he drawled, his tone teasing yet dangerous.
Mika raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Richard," she began, her voice cool and clipped, "I'm your girl. You should be the one coming to me for a hug." She turned her head slightly, exposing the graceful line of her neck in a calculated move that exuded both defiance and allure.
His smirk widened as he stood, the intensity in his gaze unwavering. "What's the matter, Mika?" he asked, stepping closer, his voice dropping to a velvety murmur.
Her expression hardened, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of vulnerability. "Emily," she said, her voice trembling slightly, though she fought to maintain her composure. Her fists clenched at her sides as she added, "She slapped me."
Richard's eyes darkened, his jaw tightening momentarily. "Don't let her get to you," he said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "We're handling her. Trust me on that."
"That's easy for you to say," Mika retorted, her voice rising with frustration. "She's been gunning for me ever since—"
He silenced her with a gentle yet commanding touch, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. "Shhh," he murmured, his fingers grazing her lips. "Don't say a word. You know the rules of our bargain."
Mika's breath hitched, her resolve faltering under his touch. Her pulse quickened as she searched his eyes, looking for reassurance, for something unspoken.
"Richard…" she began softly, but he cut her off again, this time with a kiss that was both demanding and tender.
His hands found her waist, pulling her closer until their bodies were pressed together, the tension between them palpable. Mika's initial resistance melted away, her arms sliding up to encircle his neck.
The kiss deepened, and she let out a soft moan as his hands roamed, his touch igniting a fire that she both craved and feared.
"You drive me insane," he whispered against her lips, his voice rough with emotion.
"Then show me," she challenged, her tone daring yet breathless, her fingers tangling in his hair.
Richard's lips curved into a predatory smile as he spun her around, pinning her gently against the desk. "Careful what you ask for, Mika," he warned, his voice a low growl.
"Careful is boring," she shot back, her eyes flashing with defiance even as her body betrayed her surrender.
For a moment, they were locked in a battle of wills, their breaths mingling, their connection electric. The lines between power and submission blurred, leaving them both teetering on the edge of something
But even as passion consumed them, a shadow of doubt flickered in Mika's mind. She knew there were layers to Richard's motives, secrets that he kept hidden. And though she was bound to him by their bargain, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was dancing on the edge of a knife.
She pulled back slightly, her breathing uneven as her hands pressed against his chest. "Richard," she whispered, her voice shaky but resolute. "What exactly is the plan with Emily? You keep saying not to bother, but she's a threat—to me, to us."
He studied her for a moment, his fingers still lightly grazing her waist. There was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes—hesitation, perhaps, or calculation.
"Mika," he said softly, cupping her face with both hands. "You need to trust me. Emily's days of causing trouble are numbered."
"And what does that mean?" Mika demanded, her frustration bubbling to the surface. She stepped out of his hold, her arms crossing defensively. "You're always so cryptic. I need answers, Richard. What aren't you telling me?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he leaned against the desk. For a moment, he looked almost weary, as though the weight of whatever he was hiding had taken its toll.
"There are things at play that you don't need to worry about," he said finally, his voice firm but not unkind. "You're my girl, Mika. My priority. Do you think I'd let anyone—Emily or otherwise—get in the way of that?"
Mika's eyes narrowed. "Words are cheap, Richard. Prove it."
His lips twitched into a faint smile, though there was a steeliness in his gaze. "You're bold. That's what I like about you."
"I'm serious," she shot back, taking a step closer. "If you want my loyalty, you need to give me the truth."
Richard reached for her hand, pulling her close once more. "You already have the truth," he murmured, his lips brushing against her ear. "I'll handle Emily. And you… you'll keep being the fire that keeps me on my toes."
Mika wanted to push him further, to demand more clarity, but the way he held her, the way his voice wrapped around her like a promise, made her hesitate. She hated how easily he could disarm her, how his touch could make her forget the doubts that gnawed at her.
Mika felt her breath bitch as Richard's hand slid lower,the heat of his palm burning through the thin fabric of her blouse.His fingers traced a deliberate path along her spine,sending shivers cascading down her body. She hit her lip, turn between pushing him away and pulling him closer. Her resolve weakened with every lingering touch, every murmured word that promised more than she dared to hope.
"Do you trust me,Mika?" he whispered against her ear, his voice rough and intimate like a secret meant only for her. The question lingered in the hair between them, heavy with implications she wasn't ready to face. Her heart pounded in a chest, her body betrayed her as she leaned into him drawn by a pull she couldn't resist.
His lips found the curve of her neck, warm and insistent, and Mika gasped at the intensity of the sensation. Her hands moved on his chest, intent on pushing him back but they betrayed her, Clutching instead at the crisp fabric of his shirt. The scent of him- clean and masculine, with a hint of something darker — clouded her thoughts, making it impossible to think clearly.
"Richard..." Her voice was barely a whisper, a mixture of plea and protest. But he silenced her with a kiss, his mouth capturing hers with a possessiveness that stole her breath,it wasn't gentle, but it was harsh either, it was a claiming,a collision of passion and need that made her knees go weak.
Her body melted against his, surrendering to the raw intensity of the moment. His hands roamed, exploring her with a confidence that made her tremble. Mika felt like she was on the edge of something vast and consuming, a place where her doubts and fears were stripped away, leaving only the undeniable connection between them. She hated him for making her feel this way.