I play along

I don’t move. His hand stays on my thigh, just heavy enough to make a point and I immediately think of potential benefits I could get out of this. I glance at him sideways and tilt my head, letting the passing streetlights catch my eyes.

“Maybe you’re right,” I murmur, soft but deliberate. “Maybe I’m smart enough to know exactly what you mean.”

It’s not a yes, not really. But it’s not a no either. And at the moment it seems that's enough for him.

He grins like he just won a prize. His posture loosens, fingers giving my leg a slow squeeze like he's earned it, complemented by a smug glint in his eyes.

He starts talking again about business, about growth, momentum, synergy, all that corpo crap, just in a darker suit and more intimate. Of course I smile when I’m supposed to. Laugh softly when it fits. Nod like I’m invested.

But beneath all that, something is stirring. Something deep and dark and powerful. It’s not guilt or shame, not at all. It’s hunger for power, fuelled by the realisation of how easily I could manipulate men such as Carter.

By the time we reach my building, he leans in just a little, probably testing and wondering if the night ends with another win. Oh, you horny old bastard, you'll have to earn it...

I turn toward him and place my hand gently on his chest. Not hard, just enough to say no without ever using the word.

“We'll work on our... partnership next time,” I say, light and nonchalant. “Tonight I think we both need some rest. But thanks for the ride.”

His pupils dilate, and I feel his breath catch for half a second. But he nods, swallowing whatever hope he had left.

I step out of the car, my muscles aching from the hours of **** charm, but there’s a sharpness in me now—an edge. I walk toward the entrance like I own it, heels clicking against the pavement, and the night air feels different on my skin. Like it knows what I’ve done.

Like it approves.

I feel alive and charged. I already see myself taking advantage of that old scumbag's interest. Even that shrink Nikolai noticed that I'm good at this game, so why not play it for some real prizes.