Eleanor
The moment my private jet touched down on the sleek tarmac of New York, I knew my life was about to change. The city stretched before me, its skyline glittering under the afternoon sun. It was both a battlefield and a playground, and I had every intention of conquering it.
Genelia, my secretary and best friend, was already waiting at the car, her blonde hair pulled into a perfect bun, dressed in one of her no-nonsense navy suits. She wasted no time as I settled into the plush leather seat of the town car.
"You have exactly two hours before your meeting with Walsh Enterprises," she informed me, scrolling through her tablet. "Everything's been arranged at the penthouse. The boardroom is set up. Do you need anything before we go over the brief again?"
I shook my head. "No, let's get straight to it."
Arriving at my penthouse was like stepping into a different world. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, the decor was minimalist yet expensive. But there was no time to admire the view. Within minutes, I was reviewing the details of the deal—the one that would pit me against Aiden Walsh, a man known for his ruthless business acumen.
The conference room was filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and power plays. Our team sat on one side of the long, polished mahogany table, the Walsh representatives on the other. Aiden Walsh was positioned at the center of his team, a silent force of dominance even before he spoke. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair neatly styled and piercing blue eyes that seemed to analyze everything.
I took my seat, smoothing down my black dress, exuding every ounce of confidence I had. "Shall we begin?"
The discussion started off formally, as expected. Numbers were exchanged, offers laid out. But it wasn't long before the atmosphere grew tense. Aiden's voice was steady, deep, laced with a controlled authority that made my skin prickle.
"Your proposal is ambitious," he finally said, leaning back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. "But there are gaps that I find hard to overlook."
"Gaps?" I arched a brow, tilting my chin slightly. "Or merely differences in approach?"
His lips twitched, the ghost of a smirk playing at the corners. "Perhaps both."
The conversation wove between negotiations and subtle provocations, neither of us willing to back down. He was sharp, strategic—and I hated how much I found that intriguing.
By the time the meeting wrapped up, there was no clear winner, only an unspoken agreement that this battle was far from over. As I stood to leave, Aiden rose as well, his presence impossible to ignore.
"Join me for dinner," he said casually, as though it were a suggestion rather than a challenge.
I turned slightly, meeting his gaze. "Dinner?"
"Think of it as an extension of our discussion," he said smoothly. "A more... relaxed setting."
I hesitated, not because I wasn't tempted, but because I knew this was a dangerous game. And yet, I found myself nodding. "Fine. But don't expect me to go easy on you."
His smirk deepened. "I wouldn't dream of it."
The restaurant was exclusive, dimly lit, designed for hushed conversations and expensive indulgences. Aiden had chosen a private corner booth, away from prying eyes, the low lighting casting an intimate glow over the table.
I arrived in a sleek black dress that clung in all the right places, my hair styled to perfection. If this was a battle, I intended to win on every front. Aiden stood as I approached, his gaze running over me in a slow, measured way that sent a shiver down my spine.
"You clean up well," I remarked, taking my seat.
"So do you," he returned smoothly, his eyes lingering just a moment longer than necessary.
The waiter brought a bottle of red wine, and Aiden poured me a glass before settling back, the fabric of his tailored suit stretching across broad shoulders.
"Tell me, Eleanor," he said, his voice low, intimate, as though we weren't discussing a multi-million-dollar deal but something far more personal. "What exactly do you want out of this?"
"Control," I answered without hesitation. "A deal on my terms."
He took a slow sip of his wine. "You don't strike me as someone who shares control easily."
"I don't," I admitted. "But neither do you."
A smirk. "That much is true."
The conversation shifted between business and something more charged, the tension thick enough to taste. The way his fingers traced the rim of his glass, the way his eyes followed my movements—it was all a game, one neither of us were willing to lose.
By the time dessert arrived, the space between us had grown smaller. The candlelight flickered, casting shadows across his face as he leaned in slightly.
"You surprise me, Eleanor," he murmured. "I expected you to be formidable, but not this... captivating."
Heat coiled low in my stomach, but I refused to let him see just how much he affected me. "Flattery won't change the terms of the deal, Walsh."
"Who said I was trying to change the terms?" he countered. "Maybe I just enjoy the challenge."
I met his gaze, unflinching. "Careful, Aiden. You might find yourself in over your head."
He chuckled, a rich, deep sound that sent a thrill through me. "Oh, Eleanor," he said, leaning in just enough that I could catch the faintest scent of his cologne, "I think we both know neither of us plays it safe."
The night was far from over. And for the first time in a long time, I wasn't sure if I wanted it to end.