章節 20: A Dangerous Date (2)
Her gaze roamed over his sharp features, the lean lines of his frame, and the faint glow of his skin under the restaurant's warm lighting. Every glance was a touch, every moment a declaration of ownership.
"You're too pretty to be left to your own devices," she continued, her voice slipping into a sultry cadence. "Men like you need someone to keep them in line. Someone strong enough to handle you."
Felix laughed, low and rich, swirling his wine as if to dismiss her words. "And here I thought I was the one doing the taming."
Victoria's laughter matched his, drawing the attention of nearby diners. Her confidence radiated like an aura, and Felix could see the faint flush of intrigue coloring the cheeks of those watching them. "Oh, Felix," she said, her voice like silk. "You're clever, I'll give you that. But I'm not someone you tame. I take what I want."
Felix leaned forward slightly, his smile widening. "And what is it you want, Victoria?"
The question hung in the air, and for a moment, Victoria didn't answer. Instead, she set her utensils down carefully, folding her hands together as she regarded him with a piercing gaze.
"What I want," she began slowly, "is control. Over Ironstride, over my future, and—" Her eyes locked onto his, a dangerous glint flickering within them. "—over you."
Felix didn't flinch. He met her gaze head-on, though his mind churned with calculations. She's getting bolder. Dangerous, but predictable.
"And why is control so important to you?" Felix asked, his voice calm, his tone inquisitive.
Victoria's smirk faded slightly, replaced by something colder, more calculating. "I didn't grow up in comfort like my sister. Amelia always had the natural talent, the connections. I had to claw my way to where I am. Every step I took, every decision I made, was a fight to prove I wasn't just 'Amelia's little sister.' Control isn't just important to me, Felix—it's survival."
Felix tilted his head, as if considering her words. "That's a heavy burden to carry."
"It is," she admitted, taking another sip of wine. "But I don't carry it alone anymore, do I?"
Her eyes locked onto his again, the intensity making Felix feel as though he were under a microscope. He responded with a soft chuckle, his crimson gaze flicking downward as if to deflect the moment.
"And what about you?" Victoria asked, her voice softening slightly. "What drives someone like you? What's your story?"
Felix hesitated, not because he was unprepared, but because he knew exactly what to say. Lying was second nature to him, and in this world, his fabricated past was a shield.
"I grew up in a quiet town," he began, his tone tinged with feigned nostalgia. "Nothing special. My parents worked hard to make ends meet, but they always made sure I had enough. I guess you could say I learned to rely on myself early."
Victoria watched him intently, her gaze searching for cracks in his story. Felix met her scrutiny with a carefully crafted smile, his expression tinged with just the right amount of vulnerability.
"And yet, here you are," she said, leaning back slightly. "From a quiet town to the center of Ironstride's ambitions. You're not as ordinary as you'd like people to think, Felix."
"Maybe not," Felix replied, raising his glass. "But doesn't everyone love a mystery?"
Victoria's lips curved into a smile, but this one was different—darker, more dangerous. "I don't just love mysteries, Felix. I solve them. And you…" Her voice dropped again, her eyes glinting with a mix of lust and ambition. "You're my favorite puzzle."
Felix felt the air shift between them, her words heavy with implication. He maintained his composed smile, though his mind raced. Her obsession is growing.
As the server cleared their plates and brought the check, Victoria snatched it up without hesitation, sliding her card into the leather folder. "Don't even think about arguing," she said, smirking. "This is my treat. Consider it an investment."
"An investment?" Felix asked, feigning surprise.
"Oh, yes," she said, her tone dripping with amusement. "Beautiful things are worth investing in."
Felix chuckled, shaking his head. "You're incorrigible."
"Thank you," Victoria replied smoothly, standing and offering her hand to him.
Felix hesitated for the briefest moment before taking her hand, letting her pull him to his feet. Her grip was firm, her touch lingering just a second too long.
Her eyes roamed over him, taking in his sharp features, his lean frame, and the faint glow of his skin under the ambient lighting. There was no denying her interest—it was written in every glance, every gesture, every subtle shift in her tone.
"You're too pretty to be left to your own devices," she added, her voice dropping into a sultry cadence. "Men like you need someone to keep them in line."
Felix chuckled, swirling the wine in his glass. "And here I thought I was the one doing the taming."
Victoria's laughter was low and rich, a sound that made heads turn in their direction. "Oh, Felix. You're good, I'll give you that. But you'll find I don't give up control easily."
"Not easily," Felix agreed, his tone smooth as silk. "But everyone has a price, don't they?"
Victoria's smile widened, though her eyes gleamed with something darker. "Careful, Felix. You might just find out how far I'm willing to go."
+
As the night wore on, Victoria steered the conversation toward her ambitions, outlining her plan to take over Ironstride with the confidence of someone who had already won.
"Bryce is a liability," she said, her tone cold and analytical. "His arrogance makes him predictable. Lena? She clings to the status quo because she's too afraid to risk her position. And Malcolm? He's already halfway out the door."
Felix listened intently, nodding at the right moments and offering occasional murmurs of agreement. His mind, however, was elsewhere—turning over every detail she revealed and cataloging it for later.
"You see?" Victoria continued, her eyes locked onto his. "With the right moves, we can take Ironstride to heights it's never dreamed of. And you'll be at my side when it happens."
Felix's crimson eyes met hers, his smile faint but deliberate. "I appreciate the vote of confidence."
"It's not just confidence," Victoria said, leaning closer. "It's a certainty. You're mine, Felix. And I don't let go of what's mine."
Before Felix could respond, Victoria reached across the table, her hand brushing against his. The gesture was brief but charged, her touch lingering just long enough to send a shiver down his spine.
+
The date ended in a flurry of tension and unspoken promises.
"Let's take a walk," she said, her voice lower now, more intimate.
They stepped out into the cool night air, the bustling city around them a stark contrast to the quiet tension between them. Victoria looped her arm through his, pulling him closer as they strolled down the street.
"You're staying with me tonight," she said suddenly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Felix raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a sly smile. "Bold as always."
Victoria's laughter was low and wicked as she leaned in, her breath warm against his ear. "You haven't seen anything yet."
System Notification:
Reputation Points: +15 (Strengthened bond with Victoria)
Quest Progress: "Support or Sabotage Victoria's Takeover" - 20% complete
Obsession Level Increased: Victoria Cross
Felix read the notification with a flicker of amusement as they entered her penthouse suite. He knew the game he was playing was dangerous, but that was half the fun.
"Let's see where this leads," he thought, his smile sharp and calculating.
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