Deal!

The following morning came far too quickly.

Vincenzo emerged from the bathroom, a white towel slung low on his hips, steam curling off his bare skin. His wet hair clung to his forehead, and the scent of fresh cologne clung to the surrounding air.

He paused in his tracks when he saw her standing in the middle of the room, fully dressed for business. His brows lifted slightly in surprise.

"It's like a dream," he muttered, his voice raspy with amusement. “I expected you to still be crying, curled up somewhere in a corner; Not bad… You’re strong.” A dark chuckle rumbled from his throat.

Seraphina didn’t flinch. Her arms were folded across her chest, and her posture was steady. “Sir, I want to ask for something.”

 “Oh?” he tilted his head slightly, reaching for a fresh shirt. “What is it?”

“I’m ready,” she said quietly, but clearly. “Ready for your… deal.”

Vincenzo’s golden-brown eyes narrowed. “Huh,” he mused, “so quick to surrender? You surprise me.” He walked closer with his bare chest, his presence towering and magnetic. “But of course, nothing in this world comes without conditions, does it?”

“I have three,” she stated, her fingers tightening around the edge of her skirt. Her voice didn’t waver, but her lips pressed into a line.

A dark grin curved into his mouth. “Of course you do,” he said, taking a seat on the bed, watching her with quiet interest. “Name them.”

“I want thirty thousand dollars. Now.”

He raised a brow, and then slowly nodded. “That’s easy. Continue.”

“Second,” she said, holding her ground, “I want time. I need to get comfortable with this… situation. I can’t do it all at once.”

“How long?” he asked, leaning back on his elbows. “A few days?”

“Three months,” she said firmly, locking eyes with him.

He laughed. A deep, rich sound that echoed off the marble. “Three months? You think I’m that patient?”

“I said what I wanted; it’s not a negotiation,” she replied sharply.

The laughter stopped. For a moment, they just stared at each other. Then Vincenzo let out a breath and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.

“Alright,” he said. “Let’s make it one month. That’s me being generous; take it or leave it.”

Her jaw tensed, but she gave a small nod. “Fine.”

“You’re a smart girl,” he said, his eyes glinting. “You’re adjusting to lessen your pain. Smart… survival instinct. I like it.”

He stood and walked to the desk, pressing a button on his phone. “ Transfer thirty thousand to her account…now.”

She watched silently, her expression unreadable. A few seconds passed, and then his phone buzzed again. He checked it.

“Done,” he said, turning toward her. “Your money’s been sent.”

Seraphina blinked once. “Thank you… sir,” she said, her voice trembling as she tried to hold her composure. Her fingers curled tightly into fists, and her chest rose and fell faster now.

“Why do you always cry over simple things?” he asked, shaking his head. “Smile, it’s a new start.”

She turned her face away, eyes burning. “It’s simple for you,” she whispered. “But not for me. I think… I’ve forgotten how to smile.”

Her voice cracked ever so slightly, but her chin stayed up.

Vincenzo’s expression hardened. “Enough of the emotional dialogue,” he muttered, standing in front of her. “Come here, I have a lot of work to do.”

He grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her forward, guiding her to sit on his lap. She gasped, stumbling slightly before she caught her balance, now seated awkwardly on his muscular thighs.

Her heart pounded. “What are you doing?” she asked, her voice high with alarm.

“Making you comfortable,” he said, stroking her back. “From today, your place is here….on my lap.”

Seraphina’s breath caught in her throat. Her whole body tensed like a coiled spring. “I’m not a toy,” she whispered.

Vincenzo cupped her face, brushing his thumb along her lower lip. “You’re not. You’re mine.”

Her lips trembled. He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear.

“I love seeing you nervous,” he whispered in a deep and seductive voice. “It shows me what effect I have on you.”

She turned her head sharply. “It shows nothing,” she snapped.

He chuckled, a sound both amused and dangerous. “I want to feel your lips,” he said huskily. “Come on… kiss me.”

Seraphina’s eyes widened. “Sir…..”

“Shh.” He leaned in, his lips brushing her cheeks. “Come on, baby. Kiss me.”

“Where should I kiss you?” she whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.

“Wherever you want,” he replied, biting down gently on her shoulder. She flinched. “I want to taste you.”

She closed her eyes and leaned forward, pressing a shaky kiss to his cheek, as if that might satisfy him. He laughed again.

“I’m not a baby like you,” he said. “I’ll teach you.”

His lips trailed dangerously close to her neck. She shivered as he ran his fingers along her waist, his fingertips brushing her bare skin.

“Please…” she gasped, clutching his shirt tightly. “Don’t go further.”

“I’m not hurting you, am I?” he asked in a low but mocking tone.

“No… but this isn’t right,” she whispered, still trembling.

He pulled back just enough to meet her gaze. “You’re mine for a year. Remember that.”

Her chest rose and fell sharply. “Just because I signed a paper doesn’t mean I gave you my soul.”

He smirked. “But I’ll take that too.”

Just then, his phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen, and then sighed. After a few seconds of silence, Seraphina exhaled shakily and placed her palms against his chest to push herself off his lap. He let her go with a dark chuckle and leaned back lazily. “You’re too intense for this early in the morning,” he muttered. “But don’t worry… I’ll break that fire in you. Slowly.”

He moved toward the bathroom, grabbing his tie from the table. Seraphina stood frozen for a second, her arms wrapped around herself.

“Sir,” she said suddenly. “I may have agreed to your deal… but never mistake that for surrender,” she said, her voice sharper now. “You can touch me, you can control me for now…..but you will never own me. You won’t own my mind, nor my heart.”

He arched a brow.

“And one more thing,” she added, lifting her chin. “Try anything like last night again…and I swear, contract or not, I’ll make you regret it.”

Vincenzo’s smirk faded just a bit. There was something in her tone….something not fearful, but dangerous in its own quiet way.

“You’re getting bold, sweetheart.”

“No,” she said coldly. “I’ve always been bold, you just never bothered to look past your ego to see it.”

Without meeting his eyes, she walked to the side table and grabbed his laptop. Her movements were composed, professional, and coldly efficient.

“I’ll get your things ready,” she said sharply. “We’re late for the office.”