Chapter <b>18 </b>
Elena’s POV<b>: </b>
I had said earlier <b>that </b><b>I’d </b><b>rather </b>go to his office, but now <b>that </b>I was here, sitting <b>on </b>the plush leather couch with <b>an </b>Ad sheet spread out in front of me, I couldn’t <b>focus</b>.
The room was far too quiet, save for the <b>asional </b>rustling <b>of </b>paper as Niki flipped through some document at his desk. Every few seconds, my gaze flicked toward my phone, the screen dark and stubbornly silent. My mother <b>hadn’t </b>called yet. Not <b>a </b>single message. Not a word.
I <b>tried </b>to concentrate, tried to lose myself in the sketch in front of me. A car. One Td been daydreaming about since the start of the semester. It was for my next university project–a concept design tailored for people <b>with </b><b>disabilities</b>. More <b>than </b><b>a </b>vehicle. A symbol. <b>An </b>ambition. My ambition.
I know I should be focusing on my business degree coursework. Something that would help me survive in the job market, keep food on the table But designing <b>cars</b><b>? </b>That was what made my heart beat a little faster. It was <b>what made </b>my fingers twitch <b>in </b>anticipation. It <b>was </b><b>a </b>world where I felt like I could truly make something that mattered.
Still, I wasn’t getting very far. My brain was scattered, bouncing between my mother’s re, Niki’s reckless reveal<b>, </b><b>and </b>the awkward silence that followed. Every scribble on the page looked messy, half–formed. Like my thoughts.
sighed and pushed the pencil across the page again
Then I heard it–the soft, deliberate tapping of footsteps
I <b>looked </b>up to see Niki rounding his desk and walking toward me, his gaze curious <b>as </b>it <b>dropped </b>to the sketch in <b>front </b>of me. My <b>stomach </b>twisted in embarrassment
Before I could react, he <b>leaned </b>over the back of the couch, peering at the paper.
I lunged forward and tried to cover it, heat rising in my face, “Hey That’s private
He smoothly reached around me and plucked the sheet from the table before I could grab it, “Is it?” he asked, raising a brow
“Give it back,” I hissed, scrambling to my feet.
He stood <b>too</b>, unfolding the <b>paper </b>with <b>maddening </b>calmness as I tried, and failed, to reach it
He held it just high enough to stay out of my grasp
I was five–foot–eight–uller than most women <b>I </b>knew. But next to him? I felt like I’d shrunk three inches. My arm stretched in vain, my bnce tipping forward, and that’s when I became acutely aware of just how close we were.
“This is actually really good, he murmured.
“You’re studying mechanical and automotive engineering, right?”
I blinked. “How did you kijow that?”
He shrugged one <b>shoulder</b>, not looking at me. “I heard.”
My frown deepened. Heard from who?”
“I have <b>my </b>sources.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Okay<b>, </b>I’ve been wondering since the day I walked into your office–have you been <b>stalking </b><b>me </b>or something?”
His gaze flicked to mine, a <b>klow </b>smirk curling on his lips. “And what if I have?”
I choked. “<b>You </b>realize <b>that’s </b>creepy, right? <b>And </b><b>illegal</b>”
“Nothing is illegal if you have enough money,” he replied casually.
Igaped at him. <b>Was </b>he flexing his wealth–now?
I crossed my arms and before I could stop myself I <b>asked</b><b>, </b>“Be honest with me. Do you like me!”
He blinked, visibly <b>caught </b>off guard.
“What?” he said slowly.
“<b>Do </b>you like me.” I repeated, firmer now. “Because it <b>kind </b>of feels like you <b>do</b>. And not just in the passing–fancy sort of <b>way</b>.”
8:40 PM
He stood silent for a bear too long.
I shifted my weight, the realization dawning. We were standing close. Too close. There was no couch or table between us now. My body tensed, uncertain whether I should retreat or hold my ground.
“Isn’t <b>it </b><b>obvious</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>he said <b>atst</b><b>. </b>
His <b>tone </b><b>was </b>so <b>casual </b>it made my heart drop.
I stared at him. “You do realize we’re only getting
married fo
? <b>for </b><b>a </b>year, right?”
His eyes flicked over my face. Then he smiled. “I know, malishka. You’re not the <b>first </b><b>girl </b>I’ve felt interested in, it’ll go <b>away </b><b>soon </b>enough.
Ool.
The words hit harder <b>than </b>I thought they would. A <b>dny</b>, unwee knot twisted in my chest,
Why? Why did I feel like I’d just heard something I already knew but didn’t want confirmed? I didn’t know why, but I was suddenly <b>reminded </b>of the moment I had found Dmitri cheating on me.
He liked me. Sure. But he’d liked other women too. He’spletely fine with our marriage onlysting a year. Disgust sweeps over me for only a second before Iugh at my own stupidity. Of course this was normal.
Basically Niki wanted to have sex with me and he knows he will eventually be sick of me. That’s why he’s so nonchnt with this. He’s done it many times. It’s not a big deal for him is <b>it</b>?
That’s what this was, wasn’t it? He wanted to fuck me. Get me out of his system.
It wasn’t love<b>. </b>It wasn’t even emotional.
Just attraction. Lust
Iughed under my breath, but it sounded bitter.
“Oh, I said quietly
“Elena?” he asked, stepping forward. “Is something wrong!
I looked around the room, then back at him. <b>My </b>voice came out colder than I expected<b>. </b>
<b>“</b><b>Are </b>you free?”
He blinked. “Yeah, it’s my lunch break. We can-
“Do you want to have sex?” asked.
His entire body stilled his brows reaching the top of his forehead.
<b>“</b>W–what?”
I raised my chin. “Do you want to fuck me?”
There was a beat of silence. Then another. <b>His </b>throat bobbed as he swallowed, and I didn’t miss the way his pupils dted slightly. He did.
He absolutely did.
And for some reason, that realization didn’t make me feel empowered
It just made me feel overstimted.
Ever
My b