Chapter 1: CHAPTER ONE; Giving in
Rose Blackwell nervously smoothed the fabric of her peach chiffon sundress as she walked into the Blackwell Industries employee lounge. At 25 years old, she was used to leading rooms full of older professionals. But today, her usual calm confidence threatened to fall apart.
With a deep breath, Rose caught the scent of Laurent Ricco's cedar cologne in the air. Her stomach flip-flopped with a mix of fear and excitement. Ever since she had promoted him to her team six months ago, the serious senior accountant had become a big problem in Rose's carefully managed world.
"There you are," a low, rough voice spoke from behind her.
Rose stifled a gasp as she turned around. Laurent stood casually leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his broad chest. His tan skin seemed to glow against the crisp white of his dress shirt. Thick, dark hair fell over his furrowed brow in messy waves.
Get a grip, Rose told herself, hoping her racing pulse didn't show. He was just an employee - one she thought she could easily control. How wrong she had been.
"The monthly financial reports for my team have been updated," Laurent stated flatly, his amber eyes looking into hers with intense focus. "I sent the files to your inbox before the weekend."
Rose swallowed hard, struggling not to stare at his strong jawline and torso. "Th-thank you, Laurent," she managed to say. "I'm impressed by your...initiative."
One dark brow lifted as his full lips curved into a grin. "Are you now?" he said in a low voice.
A blush spread across Rose's chest. She knew he could sense her attraction, could almost smell her growing desire like a wild animal. That should have scared her. But instead, it only made her want him more.
Laurent's intense gaze moved slowly over her body. Rose's knees almost buckled under his heated look. She should have felt violated, objectified by such a blatant stare. Yet she only wanted him to keep looking, to take her and make her his.
"Well?" Laurent teased softly, taking a step closer that made Rose's core tighten. "What else impresses you about my work so far, Miss Blackwell?"
Rose's throat went dry. She knew exactly what kind of unprofessional thoughts were in his mind, mirroring her own wild fantasies. Laurent made no effort to hide his desire - if anything, he seemed to dare her to challenge him, to reject his flirtations.
Part of her was shocked by his arrogance. This was her family's company, her spotless reputation - how dare this bold employee risk everything with his suggestive remarks? She should fire him on the spot, make sure he was gone from Blackwell Industries immediately.
But another part of Rose - a reckless, hungry inner self drowning in her own desire - drank in every detail of Laurent's body, imagining what his rough hands could do to her. They both knew that beneath her polished surface of corporate perfection, Rose longed to be undone and ravished in the most thrilling ways.
She was undone, completely disarmed by his shameless masculinity.
Clearing her throat and gathering what was left of her composure, Rose lifted her chin with practiced indifference. "I said thank you for sending the files ahead of schedule. That will be all."
Laurent chuckled softly. "As you wish, Miss Blackwell." He nodded slightly, holding her captive in his fiery stare. "For now."
With a final smirk, he turned and walked out, leaving Rose to lean weakly against the counter. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the edge for support, trying to steady her breathing. The lingering scent of Laurent's cologne continued to tempt her like a siren's song.
She should have been disgusted and angry at his boldness. But the truth was that no man had ever sparked such strong desire in Rose before. He was like a living statue of perfect male beauty that stirred her deepest urges.
And the worst part? He knew it - knew he had easily broken through her carefully maintained control with just a few heated looks and words. Laurent Ricco had started the first cracks that would shake the very foundations of Rose Blackwell's entire world.
The days and weeks passed in slow torture. Rose found herself consumed by the memory of Laurent's intense looks, his words dripping with desire no matter how simple the setting or conversation. She lost track of the nights she lay awake, imagining him shattering all rules to take and possess her.
It wasn't just Laurent's strong, handsome looks that captured Rose's desires - though his piercing amber eyes, chiseled jawline, and strong muscles called to her. There was an air of powerful confidence and control that radiated from him. He moved and spoke with the assuredness of a man who knew his own worth.
Unlike the pampered elite Rose had been groomed to marry, Laurent was a strong physical specimen formed by real life, not country clubs and private tutors. His sun-kissed skin, tousled dark hair, and permanent five o'clock shadow hinted at a rougher life before joining Blackwell's corporate ranks. Rose longed to discover every rugged and mysterious detail, to unlock the primal spirit behind Laurent's intense stare.
Part of her was shocked by her obsession with someone so far below her status. The heiress to an empire was supposed to form a proper marriage to gain power and influence, not be driven by lust for an employee with no future prospects. But those practical thoughts only fueled her forbidden desire.
Rose knew she should end this dangerous infatuation before it ruined everything she had worked so hard for. But the thrill of rebelling against all her responsibilities and privileges only made her want him more.
Finally, after a day spent imagining, the tension reached a breaking point. Rose found herself wandering the empty halls of Blackwell's executive floors one night as the janitors worked their evening shifts. Without thinking, her feet carried her to the information technology department where Laurent often worked late, focusing on systems and codes with his usual intensity.
There he was - hunched over his computer in the quiet room. Sleeves rolled up to his strong forearms, tie and collar undone. Dark hair fell over his intense amber eyes as he scanned line after line of code. In the low light, his muscles seemed to ripple beneath the fabric like a living sculpture of male perfection.
Rose pressed a trembling hand to her stomach, feeling the heat of pure desire pulse between her legs. No matter how she tried to rationalize it, she knew that only being taken by Laurent could satisfy the fiery cravings inside her.
Steeling herself like someone preparing for a ritual, Rose smoothed her dress and walked into the room, the sharp click of her heels on the tile announcing her presence. She saw the first flicker of recognition in Laurent's eyes as his eyes roved her body. The throbbing grew stronger, and desire threatened to unravel her mind. The way his eyes kept roaming kept her breathing at fever pitch.
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Laurent's eyes quickly looked up at the sound of high heels on the tile, his mouth curving into a sly smile. Speak of the devil herself.
He watched with satisfaction as Rose's chest rose and fell quickly, her pupils dilating in those wide blue eyes. Even in the dim lighting, he could see the unmistakable blush of excitement spreading across her face and chest.
"Good evening, Miss Blackwell," he said in a low, rough voice. "Working late, I see."
Rose visibly swallowed, her slender throat tightening. "I...well, I noticed your workstation was still running updates," she replied in a slightly strained tone. "I wanted to make sure everything was going smoothly with the network integrations."
Laurent made a soft hum of amusement as he leaned back in his chair, letting his intense gaze slowly move over every curve of her figure. The silk of her red dress clung to her body like a second skin, leaving little to the imagination.
"How...diligent of you," he murmured, holding her flustered blue gaze as he trailed one fingertip along the edge of the keyboard tray. "You know, part of being good in IT is developing an appreciation for hands-on systems analysis. Care to conduct an in-depth evaluation with me?"
The obvious hint in his words hit Rose like a physical touch. She sucked in a sharp breath, her lips parting slightly in shock or desire - he couldn't tell which. Laurent's mouth curved into a slow, wicked smile, daring her to call out his flirtations or give in to her own desires.
When Rose said nothing, only looked at him with trembling intensity, he rose from his chair in one smooth, controlled movement. Like a panther stalking its prey, Laurent walked around the desk until he was standing over her with his greater height and strong build.
"You shouldn't tease a man like that, Miss Blackwell," he said in a low voice. "Giving me those looks from beneath your lashes...walking around in that little dress just begging for trouble."
Rose opened her mouth to respond but only a soft, breathy sound escaped. Good, Laurent thought with satisfaction. Let her feel reduced to her deepest desires. His broad hands settled at her waist, his thumbs caressing the curve of her hips through the thin fabric.
"Is this what you wanted, Miss Blackwell?" he whispered against her hair, letting his lips brush her ear. "Did you come here tonight hoping I would take you...right here, right now?"
Her shuddering sigh answered for her. With one quick movement, Laurent spun Rose around and pinned her against the edge of his desk with his strong body. Her surprised gasp turned into a soft moan of need as he pressed his hips against hers. Even through their clothes, he could feel her warmth and dampness at her core.
"Say it," he growled against her neck. "Tell me you want this as much as I do. Beg me to make you mine, Rose."
For one heartbeat, her nails dug into his forearms, her hips arching up into him. But then something flickered in Rose's eyes - fear, hesitation. A battle seemed to rage within her between giving in and holding back.
Laurent's jaw tightened with frustration. Of course, the rich heiress would back away from true passion at the last moment. They both knew her desires only went so far -
Then Rose's hands cupped his jaw, pulling his face down until their lips were almost touching. "Please..." she whispered in a raspy voice heated enough to burn him. "I want you, Laurent. I want you to make me yours...take everything you want from me."
A snarl of dark delight twisted Laurent's mouth as he kissed her with fierce hunger. His tongue explored and tasted, savoring her sweet flavor and her gasps of delight. There was no turning back now - Rose had just sealed her own fate.
One by one, pieces of their clothing fell away until they were both bare. Skin against skin, Laurent lifted Rose onto his desk among the scattered papers and keyboard trays. His mouth left a trail of fire down her neck to her breasts.
"Oh God..." she whimpered as his tongue teased one sensitive peak. "Laurent, please...I need--"
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Rose felt completely unraveled, every part of her alive with a tension she had never felt before as Laurent's mouth left burning trails along her skin. This was real - her deepest, most forbidden fantasies were coming true in the most incredible way.
Somewhere deep in her mind, a small voice warned her about the serious consequences if word got out. Her family's company could be destroyed, her career ruined, if she let herself lose control like this. All the strict rules and high standards she had been taught since she was a child urged her to regain control before it was too late.
But those logical fears couldn't match the overwhelming wave of lust and desire that had taken over. As Laurent's rough hands moved over her hot skin, Rose realized she would give up anything to feel this amazing ecstasy just once. Reason itself seemed like a tiny spark compared to the raging fire of her long-held urges.
"Laurent..." she gasped out in a desperate voice. "Please, don't stop...I need you so much..."
In response, his mouth found hers in another deep, hungry kiss that took what little breath she had left. Rose pressed against him, lost in the heat and scent of his strong, muscled body. When his hands cupped and squeezed her breasts, she arched back in surrender.
"Please..." she begged against his lips. "I need to feel you...all of you..."
With those words, Rose boldly moved one hand down his firm stomach, reaching for the proof of his arousal. But before she could touch him, Laurent grabbed her wrist with a strong grip.
"Not tonight, Miss Blackwell," he growled against her chest in a voice full of restraint.
Rose's eyes flew open in confusion and disappointment as he lifted his head, his amber eyes now burning with a clear focus and control. Holding her with that intense gaze, Laurent brought her hand to his lips, kissing her wrist with a gentle tenderness that made her heart race even faster.
"You deserve more than a quick, careless moment," he said in a low voice. "When I have you completely, it will be in a way that honors you. Not rushed and undignified, but a slow, careful exploration of every part of you."
Rose's swollen lips parted in a soft sound at his words, trembling with a mix of relief and renewed longing. As much as she wanted him to push her over the edge, a deeper part of her appreciated the tenderness in his restraint.
"For now..." he murmured in a voice thick with emotion. "Let me honor you as you deserve, my Rose."
With those words, he moved down her body, his mouth leaving a burning trail until he reached the place where she needed him most. The first touch of his tongue sent a shock through her. Rose's back arched as waves of pleasure crashed through her, leaving her completely undone. All she could do was cry out his name over and over...
Finally, it was over - or at least, this first taste of bliss had reached its peak. Rose floated back to herself in a haze, blinking away the tears of release that blurred her vision.
When her eyes finally focused, she saw Laurent standing over her, fully dressed again in his crisp shirt, tie, and trousers. He looked perfectly composed and sophisticated, except for the wild tumble of his dark hair and the burning look in his amber eyes. He seemed almost otherworldly, lit by the computer screens and city lights.
With great tenderness, he brushed a thumb along her cheek, moving a strand of hair from her damp brow. That gentle touch felt deeper than anything else, branding her soul.
"Soon, my Rose," he whispered. "When I can give you all the time and attention you deserve. But not until then."
Pressing one last gentle kiss to her forehead, he straightened and walked away, leaving Rose feeling both satisfied and longing for more. She watched him go, knowing that whatever happened next, she was ready to follow wherever he led.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone