CHAPTER 03 - LOYAL SECRETARY

“Update me!” Patrik ordered, turning his attention to the car window, while I sat in front of him in the limousine, watching him closely.

“Certainly. The meeting we have today is with a potential author, Phil Sam. His first works were launched digitally, and the client wants to expand to the physical format. Phil is an exceptional candidate, with fascinating writing and a creative mind. I believe that, with the guidance of your publishing house, we will have a significant discovery for the literary market!” I explained enthusiastically. Phil was a close friend who was gaining prominence in the digital world, and I didn't hesitate to help in this meeting.

“That's not what I meant, Miss Lis.” Patrik turned his gaze back to me with a provocative smile on his lips. “Update me on your book. I couldn't finish reading the last chapter!”

My eyes widened, I immediately felt the blush taking over my face, and my hands grew cold. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I stared at him:

“We are on our way to an important meeting, sir. Maybe we should focus on work.” I forced a smile, maintaining a professional posture.

The CEO leaned forward, dangerously close to my lips, while he inhaled my perfume. As he looked at me, his eyes reflected a mix of lust and dangerous amusement.

“That's exactly what I'm doing, Miss Lis.” He took a strand of my hair, twirling it around his fingers. “You are my most important project at the moment, so tell me...”

Getting even closer and smiling, Patrik reached my ear and whispered:

“How does that bath of your characters end?”

“This... You...” I nervously bit my lips, controlling the urge to punch my boss. “Can we please not talk about this?”

“And what kind of teacher would I be if I didn't ask about the end of your homework?” The boldness on the CEO's face made me even redder; I could feel his fresh breath so close to us.

The car stopped in front of the company. I made a gesture to open the car door to get out, but it remained locked, and the driver was looking at us through the rearview mirror.

“Why doesn't he unlock the door?” I spoke sharply.

“This car will only open when I give the order.” Patrik leaned back in his seat, staring at me with narrowed eyes. “And that will only happen after you tell me the ending!”

“You can't do this!” I exclaimed, feeling that logic was losing its meaning at that moment. “We are about to be late for the meeting.”

“That would not be beneficial for the image of our publishing house, SoundStory Press.” Nodding, he maintained a firm expression. “I suggest you start reading to avoid the delay!”

We stared at each other in a silent battle; I knew him well enough to know that he would not give in until he got what he wanted. The time inside his car could become a professional problem for me. What would they say about the secretary who spends hours locked in a car with her boss, with the doors closed and the windows darkened?

Closing my eyes, I remembered the reason why I was submitting to this. I couldn't lose this job, or I wouldn't be able to pay for my grandmother's nursing home, where she was being cared for with so much love. There, at least, she received the necessary care for Alzheimer's.

“If I read, Mr. Patrik, do you promise we won't talk about this for the next few hours?” I spoke reluctantly, gritting my teeth.

“CEO's word!” He made a gesture, crossing himself and cynically kissing his hand.

“Okay!” I rolled my eyes, opening the notebook. “Can you ask your driver to close the window between us? It's too embarrassing to read to my boss, and it would be too much if the driver heard too.”

“How rude of you, Mrs. Elisabeth.” Patrik warned sternly. “Greg is more than a driver; he is my personal security and a great friend!”

“I respect that, sir, and I didn't mean to be rude.” I turned on the notebook, opening it to the book. “But this is already quite uncomfortable for me.”

I saw the CEO nod to the rearview mirror, and soon the window started to rise.

“Thank you!” I shrugged ironically. “Where did you stop?”

“Ah, yes.” He smiled excitedly, adjusting his posture as he leaned forward and crossed his hands. “Let me see, it was the part where your character turned her against the shower glass, opening her legs as he ran his fingers over her thighs, moving up.”

I swore my blushing tone had taken on a more purple hue, such was the shame I was feeling. That was too intimate to be narrated out loud!

“Sir, could I send you the file so you could read it in the privacy of your home?” I suggested trying to escape the situation.

“And miss the chance to see you so shy? No way.” His impartial tone was firmer and more serious; lifting his eyes with determination, Patrik continued. “We improve when we listen to what we write; we give life to words. Your reactions should be the same as those expected by your readers. So, Miss Lis, read!”

With a trembling hand, I scrolled through the chapter to where he had stopped, lifted my eyes to see if he was still staring at me, and began the narration.

“His skilled and relentless touches were a mix of experiences and sensations that I had never felt before; I had never been dominated by any man until that moment.” I sighed, biting my lips. “His fingers played in gentle and daring grips on my thighs, tracing a path to my intimacy, making me shiver. In a gentle massage on my sensitive spot, I moaned, throwing my hips back in search of more contact.”

“Continue!” The CEO's sparkling eyes made me even more embarrassed.

“Understanding my signals, he deepened a finger thrusting; his other hand pulled my hair provocatively, while his mouth bit my exposed skin, leaving each place marked by him.”

“I don't like this part.” Patrik sighed.

“I'm sorry, which part is not to your liking?” I raised my eyebrows, uncomfortable.

“The beginning of this chapter has so much seduction, so much fire, but when it comes to contact... That's not how you do it with a woman!” He smiled mischievously. “Have you ever been in a situation like this with a man, Mrs. Lis?”

“What?” My eyes widened, becoming even more timid. “I…”

“Of course not, or there would be more intensity at this moment, or maybe...”Patrik lunged forward, surprising me as he bit my lips abruptly. He came to my ear. “The men you've been with didn't know what to do with a woman like you!”

“Like me?” I whispered, astonished and curious.

I heard the sound of the doors unlocking.

“We'll deal with that later; now, let's go to our esteemed meeting!” He got out of the car as if nothing had happened, adjusting his tie. “Aren't you coming?”

Patrik spoke over his shoulder. It took me a few minutes to compose myself and get out of the car without looking at him; we headed towards the company like the CEO and his faithful secretary.