Chapter 3 Enemies in the Boardroom (3)

Episode 3 - The Working Dinner

Camila's POV

I walked into the opulent dining room of the Grand Elysium Hotel that gleamed under crystal chandeliers.

Each flicker of the crystal chandeliers casted golden halos on the white linens and polished silverware.

My black sheath dress hugged my curves like a second skin, and the neckline dipped just low enough to tease the swell of my breasts.

I spotted Adrian at a secluded corner table, his broad shoulders filling out a tailored navy suit and his tie loosened slightly as if he'd already been battling demons.

He turned and our eyes locked across the room. Instantly, the memory of his mouth on mine against the office door the previous day flashed unbiddenly in my mind.

I squared my shoulders and approached the table, then slid into the seat opposite him with deliberate grace. I couldn't have him knowing my mind still reeled from the kiss.

I looked at the table, to find table reservation tags.

'Camila Reyes'

- Managing director, Strategy

Apex Dynamics

I didn't need to look at the tag on Adrian's side to know it was something like this...

'Adrian Hale'

- CFO, Apex Dynamics

"You're late", Adrian said in a low rumble then with a raise of his hand, he signaled the waiter while his gaze raked over my exposed collarbone.

"By your standards, maybe", I shot back crossing my legs under the table, causing my heel to brush his calf accidentally...or not. "Or are you just eager to get this over with so you can steamroll the merger without my input?".

He leaned forward, elbows on the table to close the distance. The sommelier walked over and poured a deep red cabernet into both our glasses. Adrian raised his glass and so did I, then he clinked his against mine.

"To synergy, Camila. Or whatever Voss thinks we have". His lips curved in a smirk that didn't reach his eyes but the way his thumb stroked the stem of the glass sent an unwelcome heat pooling in my belly.

I sipped the wine which was tart on my tongue, mirroring the bite in my tone. "Synergy implies cooperation. You'd rather conquer than collaborate. Like that aggressive timeline you proposed... rushing the Asian expansion risks regulatory blowback. We need phased integration, not your kamikaze approach".

Adrian's foot nudged mine under the table in a deliberate press that lingered. "Phased? That's code for stalling. The market's volatile. We strike hard and fast, or competitors eat our lunch".

His eyes dropped to my mouth as I set down my glass and suddenly, the air thickened with unspoken challenges. "Afraid of a little risk, Reyes? Or just afraid of me calling your bluff?".

My pulse quickened and my nipples tightened against the lace of my bra. I leaned in, my breath mingling with his. "Bluff? I'm the one safeguarding the billion-dollar pot. You're the hothead who'd burn it all for a quick win".

My fingers brushed his when I reached to touch the table name tag, causing a spark to jump at the contact.

"Tell me, Hale, is that how you operate everywhere? Charge in, take what you want, and damn the consequences?".

His jaw clenched but his free hand grazed my knee under the tablecloth. It was a feather-light touch yet it made my thighs clench. "Only when the prize is worth it". He said.

The waiter arrived with appetizers. I had received an email for the reservation the previous day and had gone over the menu, placing orders on all the course of meals I would have.

I didn't know what Adrian ordered because I didn't order an appetizer.

But judging from the Seared scallops glistening with butter, I knew it was Adrian's pick. He speared one, holding it out on a fork to me.

"Try this. It's bold, like my strategy. Might loosen that iron grip of yours".

I parted my lips, taking a bite from his fork and my tongue flicked out to catch a drip of sauce, making his gaze darken as it fixed on the motion.

"Mmm, decadent". I chewed slowly. "But overindulgence leads to regret". I said, sliding my foot up his ankle in retaliation. "Like pushing too far in negotiations. We compromise on the supply chain clauses, or I walk".

Adrian's hand slid higher on my thigh, fingers splaying possessively. "Compromise? I'd rather you bend".

He withdrew his hand as the mains arrived- Fillet mignon for him, and Salmon for me. But the damage was already done as my core was aching with traitorous need.

We dissected the deal over bites with both our words as sharp as knives. I advocated for ethical sourcing in the expansion but he countered with profit margins that demanded cuts. Each jab landed like foreplay as our bodies inches close enough for our knees to knock and our breaths to sync.

"You fight dirty", he murmured during dessert which was a chocolate lava cake that we shared. His spoon dipped into the molten center of it before he offered it to me. On his spoon.

"And you love it", I whispered, sucking the chocolate from the spoon with a challenging gaze. "Admit it, this merger's just an excuse to spar with me".

Adrian was silent for the remainder of our meal. It seemed to me like his control had frayed because when we were done, he paid the bill swiftly using the company card.

"Car's waiting". He said in a rough voice before we exited the hotel building into the cool night.

Outside, the hotel's valet summoned the sleek black limo, chauffeured as per company policy. The driver held the door and I entered first into the plush leather backseat while Adrian entered through the other side.

Once the driver was in, the partition rose with a soft whir, sealing us in privacy. Then the engine purred to life and the vehicle started moving, causing city lights to blur past.

Soon, the space between us crackled as Adrian turned to me. His hand instantly captured my chin. "That mouth of yours...".

I just surged forward, crashing my lips against his in a kiss that exploded with pent-up fury. There was no gentleness in it but clashing teeth and tongues battling as I straddled his lap, hiking my dress up my thighs.

His hands gripped my hips, yanking me down onto the hard bulge straining his pants.

"Fuck, Camila", he growled against my neck, nipping at the skin as I ground against him.

My wet pussy was already soaking through my thong onto his slacks.

Taking my hands down, I fumbled with his zipper and freed his thick, veiny cock that throbbed in my palm. "Shut up and fuck me", I demanded, stroking the length firmly while my thumb circled the slick head that was already dripping of pre cum.

Adrian groaned, shoving my thong aside just to thrust two fingers into my dripping cunt. He started pumping deep and curling his fingers to hit a spot that made me arch.

"So wet for the enemy", he taunted, scissoring inside me and stretching my walls.

I moaned, throwing my head back and riding his hand. When he withdrew his fingers, I moaned at the loss. Adrian took his fingers to his mouth and wiped off my juices.

Fuck!

I rose up a bit and positioned his cock at my entrance so I could sink down inch by inch. Soon, he filled me completely that the stretch burned deliciously as I bottomed out, my clit grinding against his pelvic bone.

The car swayed with traffic, adding to the rhythm. I bounced on him, my breasts heaving as his mouth latched onto a nipple through my dress, sucking hard enough to make me cry out.

Adrian's hips snapped up, fucking into me with brutal precision, one hand tangling in my hair to yank my head back in order to expose my throat for his bites.

"Take it, you stubborn bitch", he rasped, his free hand slapping my ass, making the sting to heighten every thrust.

My pussy clenched around him, and I could feel my juices coating his balls as they slapped against me. I clawed his shoulders, nails digging in as I chased the edge.

"Harder", I gasped, rolling my hips to take him deeper. The car's motion amplified the plunge and Adrian obliged, pounding up into me with his cock dragging along my sensitive inner walls.

Sweat slicked both our skins and the air was heavy with musk and moans. My orgasm soon hit like a wave, my pussy spasming and milking him as I shuddered, biting into the fabric covering his shoulder blades to muffle my scream.

He followed seconds later, burying himself to the hilt and flooding me with hot cum that pulsed deep inside. We both stilled, panting while my forehead was against his and reality came crashing in immediately.

I slowly slid off him, righting my dress with trembling hands while avoiding his eyes. Adrian tucked himself away and straightened his tie.

"This... shouldn't have happened". His voice was flat, laced with feigned remorse. I was so sure it was feigned.

"It didn't", I snapped, scooting to my side of the seat as the limo pulled up to my apartment building. The partition lowered and the driver announced our arrival.

The driver came around the open the door. I exited the car without a backward glance, my heels clicking on the pavement as I stepped down.

"See you at the office, Hale. Strictly business".

I walked further towards the building before I finally heard the door close. But as the limo pulled away, I looked back, the ache in my pussy and my chest...betrayed the lie.