Dave leaned back, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "I thought it would suit the occasion," he replied, his tone easygoing yet firm. His relaxed demeanor only seemed to add to the tension Emma was determined to break.
She raised an eyebrow, intrigued yet wary. "And what exactly is the occasion, Mr. Garcia?" Emma asked, her voice carrying a hint of challenge as she emphasized his name, deliberately avoiding the casual tone he had used earlier.
Dave chuckled softly, leaning forward slightly. "We're both people of influence, Emma," he said, using her first name with an air of familiarity that made her tense. "You and I know that power in the right hands can shape the world." He paused, his eyes locking with hers. "I'm simply here to see if we can share a vision—or maybe even create something new together."
Emma's gaze narrowed, her mind racing as she tried to decipher his true intentions. 'This isn't just a dinner,' she realized. He's playing a bigger game, but so am I. Still, she wasn't about to back down.
"Bold words, Mr. Garcia. But what exactly do you have in mind?" Emma asked, leaning back as she crossed her legs, letting the challenge linger in the air. She wasn't going to be led easily, not tonight.
"Be my girlfriend," Dave said, his voice smooth as he looked at Emma with that same disarming smile.
"Huh?" Emma let out a soft, almost uncharacteristically cute sound, her composure shattered in an instant. Her mind went blank for a moment, all her careful calculations vanishing into thin air. This was your goal all along? she screamed inwardly.
She had assumed he was after her company, especially now that Frost International was teetering on the edge of collapse. She thought he had come to make a business move, to buy her out or propose a partnership, something strategic. But this—he wasn't trying to gobble up her company, he was trying to… gobble her up!
Emma blinked, trying to regain her composure. "You're... serious?" she finally asked, her voice carrying a hint of disbelief, still struggling to wrap her mind around his unexpected proposal.
Dave nodded, his smile unwavering. "I'm very serious, Emma. You're powerful, intelligent, and beautiful—everything I could ever want. Why wouldn't I be interested?"
Her heart raced, caught off guard by both his directness and his reasoning. Emma wasn't used to being on the defensive in situations like this. She had always been the one with control, manipulating circumstances and people to suit her desires. But now, Dave had her completely off balance.
"I—" she started, but paused, searching for the right words. Her usual confidence seemed to falter, and for a moment, she felt like a normal woman being asked out by a man who saw her as more than just a business asset.
Finally, Emma let out a soft laugh, shaking her head slightly. "You're something else, Mr. Garcia," she said, her usual mask of charm slipping back into place. "I wasn't expecting that."
"And your answer?" Dave asked, leaning in slightly, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
Emma's lips curled into a smile, but this time, it was one of genuine intrigue. "Let's just say... you've caught my attention, and that's not easy to do."
Emma, now realizing that Dave wasn't here to dismantle her company but instead had a much more personal interest in her, visibly relaxed. With a playful smirk, she crossed one leg over the other, her dress shifting slightly to reveal more of her toned figure, her eyes locking on Dave's.
"Why don't we treat this as a date then?" she suggested, her voice sultry and teasing. Her confidence returned as she leaned in slightly, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "If it goes the right way... who knows? I might even end up in your bed tonight."
Her words were laced with seduction, a playful challenge she didn't fully grasp would be prophetic. Emma wasn't used to being outmaneuvered in such situations, but something about Dave intrigued her—maybe even excited her.
Dave chuckled, his expression not shifting an inch. He knew what she was doing, but he also knew that things were already moving in his favor. "I like where this is going," he said smoothly, his eyes scanning her figure appreciatively but without losing his composure. "But let's see how the night unfolds. I'm in no rush."
Emma smiled back, a spark of curiosity flickering in her eyes. She hadn't expected Dave to be so bold, yet so composed. It was rare to find someone who could stand toe-to-toe with her in both business and seduction.
"Alright then, let's enjoy our evening," Emma purred, leaning back in her chair, her posture confident and inviting. "Let's see if you can keep up with me, Dave."
"Great, why don't we start with our likes? What do you like, Emma? And please, call me Dave, or it won't feel like a date," Dave said, looking at her with a smile.
"Alright, Dave," Emma giggled, a teasing smile playing on her lips as she leaned forward slightly. "Let's see… what do I like?" She paused for a moment, as if genuinely contemplating her answer. "Well, aside from running a company and taking control of any room I walk into… I enjoy the finer things in life. Good wine, classical music, and intellectual challenges," she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
She locked eyes with Dave. "But I also like to keep people guessing. There's always more than what meets the eye with me."
Dave chuckled at her playful tone. "I can tell you're full of surprises. But what about outside of business and power plays—what makes Emma Frost, Emma Frost? Any hobbies, secret pleasures?"
Emma tilted her head, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. "I'm also quite fond of art, specifically sculpture. And, well, I have a bit of a soft spot for mind games—not just the telepathic kind," she said with a wink.
Dave smiled. "Interesting, so you enjoy a good challenge." He leaned back, his gaze never leaving hers. "As for me, I like things that are... unexpected. Whether it's technology or people. I find curiosity drives me, and so do challenges. Keeps life from getting boring."
Emma raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Curiosity and challenges, huh? So you're not easily satisfied."
"Not in the slightest," Dave replied, his voice deepening just a bit as he met her gaze directly. "I think that's why I'm sitting here with you right now."
Emma smirked, feeling the intensity of his words. "Well then, Dave, looks like we both have a lot to discover about each other tonight, don't we?" she said, her voice dropping to a sultry tone, signaling that the game was just beginning.
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'My Charity System Made me Too OP'
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