Enemies in the Boardroom (2)

Episode 2 - Forced Partnership

Camila's POV

The floor where my team, the strategy team of Apex Dynamics stayed, buzzed with the aftermath of the board meeting when I arrived.

Of course they had gotten a whip of what happened. Whispers slithered through the cubicles but as soon as they saw me, everywhere fell quiet.

I strode towards my office with my heels clicking sharply against the marble while my mind still replayed that forbidden kiss with Adrian Hale.

I shoved the memory down and made sure to focus on the merger proposal I would counter with later. But before I could reach my door, a notification pinged on my phone.

I checked only to see an email that I was summoned to the Chairwoman's suite. Immediately.

I made a turn back to the elevator to the penthouse corner office where the iron-fisted chairwoman of Apex Dynamics, Eleanor Voss, occupied. She was a silver-haired woman in her sixties.

The penthouse corner office was minimalist luxury with views that dwarfed the city below. That was to say it was on the top floor.

I entered the office to find Adrian already there, leaning against the window with arms crossed and his posture rigid. He turned and our eyes met briefly, hatred simmering underneath.

I looked away and walked towards Eleanor's desk, settling into the chair opposite it.

She steepled her fingers, staring at Adrian and I with a gaze as sharp as a scalpel. "The Asian expansion isn't just a line item". She started. "It's a billion-dollar merger that could redefine us. I heard about you two today".

I should've expected this. But my banter with Adrian wasn't new.

Eleanor's gaze fell on me. "Camila, your precision cuts through the noise". Then she looked at Adrian. "Adrian, your boldness drives the charge. You challenge each other, and push boundaries. That's not weakness, it's synergy".

She paused briefly. "You're both smart, rational thinkers who won't let ego blind you to the details. So you're co-leading this. Effective immediately".

My stomach dropped. "Co-lead? With him?". My voice was laced with disbelief that the words escaped before I could rein them in.

Adrian straightened, his jaw tightening. "This is a joke, right? She's the reason half our deals stall in committee".

Eleanor raised a hand, silencing us. "It's not a suggestion. It's an order. So prove me right...or you'll both answer to the board. Dismissed".

Her tone held no argument, and with a nod, she turned back to her screens.

Just as the both of us made for the door, we heard Eleanor again.

"Reyes? Hale? Dinner reservation has been made for the both of you to discuss business. Details will be sent via email".

______

The elevator ride down was torture.

The confined space amplified the tension so to ease that, I kept my back to Adrian and stared at the descending numbers. But I could feel his stare burning a hole at the back of my head.

When the doors finally opened, just as I was about walking out, he grabbed my elbow in a way that was gentle yet firm then he steered me toward his office.

"We need to hash this out. Now".

I yanked my arm free, following him inside out of sheer fury. Then the door clicked shut behind us. Adrian's office was all sleek lines and dark wood, showcasing a masculine domain that mirrored how he was. He rounded his desk and tossed files aside while I paced, my skirt swishing against my thighs.

"Co-lead? This is sabotage". I spat, whirling to face him. "You'll bulldoze through every safeguard I put up, just to prove your point. We can't work together".

My cheeks were flushed with anger, my breasts heaving slightly under my blouse as I closed the distance, jabbing a finger at his chest.

"You're a liability".

Adrian caught my hand mid-air. His grip was warm and unyielding but he pulled my closer until mere inches separated us. The air seemed to crackle and his cologne wrapped around my olfactory sense.

"And you're a roadblock, Camila. Always second-guessing and diluting the win. If we don't align now, Voss will bench us both". His voice dropped gravelly while blue eyes...fire locked onto my dark storm.

I twisted my wrist but he held fast, our bodies aligning closely. Heat radiated from him, his chest brushing mine with each breath while the hard line of his thigh pressed against my hip.

"Align? With you? I'd rather lose the deal than compromise my integrity". My voice was low and my free hand flattened against his abdomen. I meant to push, but my hand molded to the ridges of muscle instead, sending a jolt straight to my core.

Adrian's breath hitched and his fingers tightened on my wrist as he backed me step by step towards the office door. "Integrity? Or fear of losing control?".

He loomed over me, his free hand planted on the door beside my head in a bid to cage me in. Our faces were so close I could see the flecks of gray in his eyes and I could feel the warmth of his exhale on my lips.

The proximity was suffocating that my nipples peaked against my bra and a traitorous dampness gathered between my legs. I shut them tightly.

"That's rich, coming from the man who charges in blind", I hissed, my body betraying my words by leaning into his touch. Fuck! The tension snapped like a taut wire and before I knew what was happening, Adrian's mouth crashed down on mine in a way that was fierce and demanding.

There was no hesitation, just raw impulse.

God, I hated it.

His lips bruised mine as his tongue thrusted past my teeth to claim every inch of my mouth. I could taste coffee and I hoped he could taste my fury.

I gasped into the kiss and my hands fisted his shirt, yanking him closer as I kissed him back with equal ferocity. I bit his lower lip, drawing a growl from deep in his throat. In turn, he retaliated by grinding his hips forward, his thick cock pressing insistently against my belly through his slacks.

The door rattled as he pinned me fully, with one leg hooking around mine to slot his thigh between my thighs, and rubbing it against my aching pussy.

My fingers dug into his shoulders with my nails scraping him, while his hand released my wrist to tangle in my ponytail enough to tug my head back and expose my neck.

He broke the kiss to nip at my jaw, sucking hard enough to mark while his other hand slid down to cup my ass. He gave the firm flesh a squeeze before pulling me tighter against his erection.

I moaned, low and involuntary with my hips bucking to chase the friction while my clit throbbed as wetness soaked my panties.

Adrian's mouth returned to mine, devouring and our tongues duelled in a slick heated battle. He rocked against me, making the rigid length of his dick slide up my mound. My breasts crushed against him, my nipples scraping deliciously with every nerve in me alight with forbidden need.

The world narrowed to his taste, his scent, and the dangerous pull that had simmered for years that now exploded.

But fury clawed through the haze as I shoved at his chest with both hands, breaking the kiss and leaving me with slick, swollen lips.

We were both panting, our foreheads nearly touching. My eyes were wide with shock and self-loathe. "Get off me". I snarled in a hoarse voice, shoving past him to straighten my skirt, while my thighs were still slick with arousal I ignored.

Adrian staggered back, raking a hand through his hair with his cock straining visibly against his zipper.

No questions on how I knew that.

"This...we can't...". He cut himself off, turning away with clenched fists. "It didn't happen. Again".

But the lie hung heavy over us as did the tension of whatever just happened.

I stormed to the door, yanking it open while my pulse thundered. "Stay out of my way, Adrian. Or next time, I won't stop at pushing".

Then I fled down the hall, furious with him and myself for the ache that lingered in between my legs.