Page 32 of Konstantin

No matter how good he looks in that suit, no matter how badly I want to give in and let him ruin me, he’ll never have the part of me that matters. Not my loyalty. Not my heart. And certainly not my trust.

If I end up in his bed, it won’t be because I love him. It’ll be because I chose it.

When it’s over, he’ll still be the same ruthless man. And I’ll still be the woman who walked into hell for her brother and never let herself forget why.

KONSTANTIN

The Bentley glides to a stop in front of my building—a monolithic tower of glass and steel that reflects the city back at itself. Clean lines, black and silver. Cold to most, but to me, it’s cathedral.

The doors unlock, and I don’t wait for the driver. I round the car and open hers myself. She steps out slowly, her heels clicking against the concrete.

Her eyes trace up the building, lips parting like she’s actually impressed. “You own this whole building?”

“Every floor, top to bottom. Even the café downstairs that sells overpriced croissants.”

She lifts a sassy brow when she catches my smirk. “How humble of you.”

Of course, she’s not at all amused. Not that I expected her to be. It’ll take more to crack that armor around her. But I have all the time in the world.

“Come, let me show you where you will be working.”

I guide her through the lobby, my hand on her lower back. She tenses beneath my touch, but doesn’t pull away, which naturally pleases me.

The elevator opens and we step inside. She doesn’t speak, simply content staring ahead as we climb to the top floor. Though I don’t miss the way her reflection watches me in the polished steel, and I would pay any money in the world just to know what she’s thinking.

As soon as the door parts, the floor secretary greets us with a polite nod. “Good morning, sir.”

We head left, down a long corridor that leads to the heart of my empire: my office. I let her in first, observing as her gaze sweepsacross the room. It’s massive, intentionally so. A symbol of power that I wield freely over those who need the reminder that I’m always in charge.

A black velvet sofa rests against one wall, while my desk dominates the center of the space—a massive slab of polished obsidian, clean and cold.

I lead her toward the glass-paneled door on the right that opens to the small office within mine.

“That’s your workspace.” My hand rests across the small of her back. “Close enough that I can see you at all times.”

She lets out a snicker, but doesn’t step out of my touch. I watch her look around her new space, her gaze swimming past the black desk, already installed with top-of-the-line tech.

“Everything you need is here. Your credentials are in the drawer.”

My hand draws up and down her arm from behind as her breath hitches. Every muscle in my body tenses as this proximity, this need for her claws at me, ripping through skin and bone.

But I won’t take her. That would be too easy. This game we’re playing is a lot more exciting. For both of us.

“You’re part of my world now, Ms. Monroe. Let’s see how well you can handle it.”

I register her audible exhales, the way her skin prickles the more I touch her.

I feel it too, katyonak.

“I’m sure it won’t be that difficult.” Her perfect mouth curves at the corner as she glances at me from over her shoulder.

I let out a harsh laugh, tipping her chin up between two fingers. “You like goading me, don’t you, Tessa?”

Spinning her around, I push her up against her desk, winding her hair around my wrist. I let out a groan as I yank her head back, making her eyes glaze over.

“When we finally fuck, Ms. Monroe, I won’t hold back.”

Her chest rises and falls heavily, her lips parting in a harsh sigh. “You make it sound like I’d be easy. Like I’d let you have me.”