16 - SPANK OF DESIRE

HELENA’S POV

I heard Dante’s accompanied footsteps long before the door to his large board room pushed open, and immediately it felt like the room exploded with tension. His expression darkened instantly, his jaw tightening, his eyes flashing with a mix of fury and something else – something else that I couldn’t quite put my hands on and satisfaction spread in my belly from the darkened expression on his face.

I slowed my movements, turning to face him fully. I didn’t say a word, just kept my gaze steady, daring him to do something, to react. My chest rose and fell with each breath, and I could feel the adrenaline coursing through me. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, his eyes trailing down my body, lingering on every exposed inch of skin. I could see it—the internal battle waging inside him. He wanted to be furious, but he couldn’t look away. He wanted to control me, but in this moment, I held all the power.

A slow, subtle smile crept across my lips. I knew exactly what I w