Quentin didn’t show up until after work, as Marina had instructed.
The place was a hotel.
He’d assumed Marina had invited him out for dinner–nothing more. But as soon as he arrived, she sent him the room number on WhatsApp.
Standing in front of Room 1783, Quentin hesitated, hand raised to knock. Before he could, the door swung open from the inside.
It was Marina, of course.
Quentin’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Marina was wearing nothing but a bathrobe, her hair damp as if she’d just stepped out of the shower. The robe hung loosely around her shoulders, the neckline open just enough to reveal a teasing hint of cleavage.
“You’re right on time. Come in!” Marina greeted him with a sly smile, motioning him inside.
Quentin had never seen this side of her. Awkward and uneasy, he stepped into the
room.
On the coffee table were some fruit and snacks to go with drinks. Marina poured two glasses of whiskey, handing one to Quentin.
“Relax a little,” she said lightly.
Quentin tossed back the entire glass in one gulp.
It was late autumn, but the room was warm with the heater running. Quentin had barely sat down before sweat started to bead on his forehead and neck.
Marina slid onto the couch right next to him, her bathrobe doing little to hide her long, pale legs as she crossed them deliberately.
Quentin swallowed hard.
Sensing the mood was right, Marina took a delicate sip of her whiskey and benan, “I’ve actually been wanting to talk to you alone. To explain why I fired you bet didn’t have a choice. The higher–ups were putting too much pressure on me. But honestly, I always respected your talent, Quentin. I always admired you.”
As she spoke, her hand found his, holding it gently.
2018
Chapter 253
Quentin’s face flushed bright red.
“Quentin, would you… consider coming back to work for me?”
“What?” Quentin blurted out, startled.
“I heard those two girls working for Niamh are already getting to design, while you’re stuck running errands. Why waste your time over there? Come back to me instead…”
She watched his face for a reaction, and he was clearly wavering.
“I can make you Head of Design, double your previous salary. All you have to do is tell me…” Marina leaned in so close her lips brushed his ear, glistening with
cherry–red gloss. “What’s the theme Niamh’s team is preparing for the Luminous Divas Fashion Week?”
The words had barely left her lips before Quentin shoved her away.
“You’re still just using me!” he snapped, leaping to his feet.
“Don’t go!” Marina grabbed his arm, holding him back.
“So what if I am?” she purred. “You like me, don’t you? If I can give you everything you want, then what’s wrong with a little give–and–take? Isn’t that fair?”
“Everything I want…” Quentin turned to look at her, letting out a cold laugh. “Can you really give me what I truly want?”
“Of course I can,” Marina replied, without a hint of hesitation.
She stepped around to face him, taking his hand and pressing it against her chest.
Quentin was stunned, his face burning, but he didn’t pull away.
“Quentin, I already lost to Niamh once at the Nova Jewelry Design Awards–I refuse to lose again. If you help me, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish together…”
She released his hand, and Quentin’s disappointment was obvious.
“Not tonight…” Marina teased, twirling a lock of hair around her finger. “But if you help me ruin Niamh at LD make her a laughingstock, drive her out of the high–end jewelry world, get her investors to pull out, see her company go bust–then I’ll be all yours…”
She smiled, lips curled in a calculated, seductive smirk.
“It’s a good deal for you, Quentin. Whether you take it or not… that’s up to you.”
