Page 141 of The Christmas Trap

I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. Too much. We sleep in the same bed. And I wake up with her in my arms. I enjoy waking up before her and watching her. I’ve felt my heart move, and a softness has taken over my chest. I’m falling for her more every day. And I'm helpless to stop it.

I’m aware of the repercussions of this. Of making myself vulnerable to her. Giving her a chance to hurt me. Or worse, risking something happening to her and being destroyed. But none of it matters. Not when I tie her up, lower her onto the desk in my home office, and fuck her. Not when I take the wooden ruler to the soles of her feet, and her thighs, and her breasts, leaving my marks on her, and then shag her. And every time, as I edge her and then topple her into subspace, I can’t help but follow her. Trapped in a web of my own making.

I can’t stop using her body to satisfy my desires. I can’t stopmyselffrom satisfying her desires, either.

But there’s no getting out of the board meeting this morning. The one which she’s going to chair for the first time as CEO.

48

Lark

The oak table gleams under the lights, so polished I can see my own reflection in its surface. I take in the faces around the table. It’d be wrong to say I’m not wary. Difference is, I don’t feel intimidated by the board. Guess the view looks different when you’re seated at the head of the table?

The room smells familiar: of polish and power plays. But unlike the last time I was here, I’m the one setting the tone.

It’s New Year’s Eve. Yesterday, the board of directors voted to confirm me as CEO of Davenport Capital, taking over from my husband. And today, I wasted no time calling my first board meeting. It’s unusual to have one so soon after the last one, but not unheard of.

But these are unusual circumstances, with my taking over as CEO with no warning.

That, combined with the fact that it's the last day of the year, when the city thrums with excitement and everyone's making plansto ring in the new year, means I can catch them with their guard down. Or so, Brody advised me.

“Even the most cynical board member isn’t immune to the holiday mood. There's a hum of anticipation in the air, and that means distraction. Distraction means advantage.Youradvantage,” he said.

Once he laid it out like that, I didn’t hesitate. I took his advice and called the meeting.

Only Brody won’t be attending. He's still a member of the board and perfectly entitled to be here, but he wants me to lead this one on my own.

To establish myself. To make it clear that the title isn’t a courtesy. To show them I can lead this company.

“Let’s begin.” I turn the page on the deck. “The Q4 P&L is ahead of forecast by nine percent. Operating margins are up six percent, and we’ve reduced discretionary spend by twelve percent without compromising growth.”

Gazes lower. Foreheads crinkle as they peruse the contents of the document before them. There’s silence. Until Julian Reed clears his throat.

“Impressive numbers, Mrs. Davenport. I imagine the wedding band did wonders for your prospects?"

The words drop like a match on dry kindling.

Ursula Dalton, seated halfway down the table, stiffens. She narrows her gaze on Julian. But I lift my hand before she can open her mouth. I don’t need anyone else to fight this battle.

“Mr. Reed.” I fold my hands on the table. “You’re not suggesting my marriage earned me this role?"

A few uneasy glances bounce around the table. Julian gives a half-smile. “Just observing how…quickly things moved.”

And there we have it.

"You’re right. It was quick. The board realized I was doing the job without the title. Which is why Arthur Davenport nominated me for the role. And the members of this board, who are in this room, appointed me as CEO."

Brody handing his shares over to me gave me voting power. AndArthur backing me, as the Chairman of the board, meant my appointment was sealed. But the board still needed to vote for me. And all of them had.

Except for Julian, who curls his lip.

“Now, if we can move to projections for next year.” I turn the page on the deck. The rest follow.

“Revenue growth is projected at eleven percent, driven by sustained performance in digital and logistics. Which you will agree, is stellar."

Most of the heads around the table nod.

Except Julian’s.