Chapter 24: Make him work for it

"Come with me," he said kindly and moved further into his office while I followed closely behind him. 

He walked around the huge oak dark brown desk in his office to seat on the executive chair on the other side. 

His office was huge, the size befitting the CEO of a huge company like The Dream Real Estate. It is one of the most successful real Estate in the city, and also LA is not their only branch. The window behind his desk was floor to ceiling giving a beautiful view of the city skyline.

The floor of his office was covered in a dark and golden military brocade rug. There was a large shelf of books off in one corner. A couch and a table set in a semi circle style in another corner. The white walls boosted of beautiful art works and a TV set that was currently on the morning news.

The blonde haired man sitting confidently across from me was doing very well. 

"Please seat," he requested when I remained standing. 

"Thank you," I said politely and took my seat. I sat with my spine straight, and a very innocent expression on my face. My appearance was that of a good innocent girl who has never done anything bad in her life before. 

Malcolm relaxed his slightly large frame against his seat, his grey eyes fixed strongly on me. 

I swallowed thickly under his intent regard wondering why he was staring at me this strongly. 

I wasn't let to wonder for long when he revealed his intent. 

"You are very beautiful."

His compliment was accompanied by even more intent regard like he was trying to shock me. There was no smile on his face. 

I was nervous inside, but more determined not to show it. 

All these while sitting across from him I have kept my eyes from directly meeting his, but with his compliment I raised it, and then shifted it so that they locked into his with boldness. 

"Is that why you hired me?" I felt happy inside when my voice came out confidently, with no shake, or sign of the anxiety I was feeling inside. 

Malcolm moved his hand to rest his elbow on the arm of his seat while, his hand caressed his smooth jaw, his eyes still on me. 

"If I say yes, will you feel insulted." There was a trace of amusement in his voice, accompanied with a mild hint of cockiness of a man used to getting what he wants. He grey eyes sparkled with his amusement as well. He looked as if sure of what my answer will be. Like he had seen me and summarized the kind of person I am. 

This time I am willing to fit the mold he had placed me in. 

Without breaking my impassive expression I answered his words seriously. 

"That will be foolish of me. It is been hard to find a job, and I am not going to throw this one away just because of something as frivolous as my vanity." 

His smile started slowly, from a corner of his lips, and then it spreader all over his lips. It was a perfect combination of sly and smugness. He was a man sure of himself. I don't think there is anything that has ever made him feel scared or unsure. 

I can see why Amelia would marry a man like him. He comes off strong and very capable. And from the amount of wealth under his name, very fitting for the gorgeous, arrogant and very commanding Amelia. 

Too bad that there seems to be a crack in what is supposed to be a perfect couple. 

"I like you." 

I snapped back to the presence at his casually muttered words. "Thank you," I said the only words I could think of to fit his words. 

"I think we are going to work well together," he said with another smile tilting the corner of his lips, while his grey eyes stared at me with heat that left nothing for speculation. 

His words were dismissive so I got to my feet, and did my best not to react to the insinuation behind his words and look. After all this is why I am here. 

"Thank you for the opportunity, Mr Valentine. I won't disappoint you." 

"Oh, please call me Malcolm." Mr Valentine makes me feel old, he winked at me. 

I nodded with a faint smile on my lips. It will be good to show him that I am receptive to his advances. The sooner he makes his move the sooner I am out of here. 

I nodded my head and turned to leave, but he stopped me with his commanding words.

"Say it." 

My eyes crinkled at the corner in confusion. "Say what?" I asked softly 

Instead of answering my question he stood to his feet and made his way around his desk, and then a little further until he was standing very close to me. 

He didn't feel any qualms about invading my personal space. I wanted to take a step back, but I didn't want to give him the idea that I was intimidated by him.

"Say my name." He deliberately lowered his voice to get the effect he was looking for, and boy did they work. 

His low sexy timbre made my stomach swim with butterflies. Malcolm is very gorgeous man who  is fully aware of his effect on women. 

I was about to do as he commanded when I remembered Amelia and Amanda's words. To make him work for it. 

Amanda did say he likes the chase more than the catch. Playing into his hand now will make me look easy. And even though I am a hooker by profession, that does not mean I am easy. 

I took a step back and then looked up at him with a stern expression on my face. "I am sorry Mr Valentine but you are being inappropriate." 

I can accept Amanda's earlier behaviors because she is a woman, and was just messing around, but him? He has to know that what he is doing right now is not appropriate for the office. 

He did mention about sexual harassment, so why is he being bold with me. Could it be that he is so sure of himself that he doesn't care about consequences. 

A shocked expression passed through his eyes at my soft rebuke before they narrowed at me intently. "So you are playing hard to get." A sly grin pulled at the corners of his mouth. 

I played innocent. 

"I don't know what you are talking about. Please if you don't mind I will go to my work station now. On my way in I saw the small cubicle room attached to his office. Which I assumes belongs to his assistant.

I took few steps to leave when he reached out and pulled me into his tall frame, his hands wrapped tightly around my waist. 

"God, you are even more sexy when you are playing hard to get," he commented with a cocky grin on his face. 

Struggling against him will only make him excited, so I forced myself to remain calm even though my heart was racing rapidly in my chest. 

The look in his eyes made it obvious what he wanted, and in the light of the reason why I am here, it will be so easy to just let him take what he wanted, but then again, I think I will get a better result if I make him work for it. 

Seducing him not the goal now. I will make him fall for me. Make him pliant in my palms. That is the only way to bring a man as powerful as Malcolm Valentine to his knees. And when he is there getting his secrets should be a piece of cake. 

My eyes on him lacked any fear in them, or nervousness, or anything remotely like interest. I made sure to keep my gaze blank and uninterested as they rested boldly in his. 

"I don't know what you are talking about Mr Valentine. I hate to burst your bubble but I am not interested in you. I have a boyfriend that I love so much, so your charm is not going to work on me." 

While I was saying these words, Cassius face appeared in my mind. He is going to serve as my beard. I am sorry Cassius, I muttered in my mind, hating to drag him into this. 

"Really! That makes it even more interesting," Malcolm muttered, with giddy excitement gleaming from his grey eyes. 

"Don't worry Chanel, by the time I am done with you, your boyfriend will be a thing of the past," he muttered arrogantly and bent his head towards me. 

Before his lips could reach mine his office door opened sending us flying apart from each other. 

We both turned at once to look in that direction, I with my heart pounding in my chest, and found his wife standing there looking as gorgeous as ever.