Chapter 4 Captivated

Those words backfired on Vasti in a way she never expected. She had always sworn she would never let any man control her. If someone ever tried, she believed she'd shut him down instantly.

She found herself wrapped up in the arms of this outrageously attractive, magnetic man, listening to him promise to take control- while every nerve in her body screamed for her to give in and let him do whatever he wanted. The urge to surrender left Vasti feeling ashamed of herself.

He moved in, his mouth hovering close to hers but not quite touching. "All you need to do is give in, Miss Phillips," he murmured. "Is this what you want?"

Almost unconsciously, Vasti nodded, her eyelids fluttering shut as she anticipated the kiss. She knew she'd probably agree to whatever he suggested-and that realization sent a silent alarm through her thoughts. Every rational part of her urged her to bolt, but her body stubbornly refused to cooperate.

Adônis MacGyver didn't waste a second. His hands slid deftly down Vasti's back, unzipping her dress and pulling it forward, leaving her exposed in front of him. He spotted her beige bra, grinned, and somehow found it more alluring than he'd expected. The pale color contrasted perfectly against her fair skin, and the lingerie added a unique elegance to her already full, rounded figure.

Flawless... he whispered, letting his hand glide across his own trousers. The sight left Vasti stunned- she had never seen a man's organ up close, at least not in person. "Is this what you want?"

I do, Vasti answered, barely recognizing the breathless, needy voice coming out of her mouth. Adônis MacGyver threaded his fingers through her loose hair, giving it a gentle but deliberate pull that made her meet his gaze and feel the subtle force of his grip.

Try again. "Yes, sir!" Vasti blurted out, still reeling. Adônis MacGyver tugged her hair once more, firm enough to send a message but not enough to hurt. "Say it again." "Yes, sir!"

Normally, Vasti would have snapped at anyone who tried to boss her around like this. But her lips betrayed her, giving in before she even had time to protest.

Yes... Yes, sir.

Adônis MacGyver rewarded her with a brief but intoxicating kiss.

That's right. Good girl. He swept his eyes over her, the approval clear. "Are you done with everything you needed to handle?"

Huh? Vasti's mind felt scrambled, barely able to process his question. "What do you mean?"

Your work. Did you finish it? he asked, his expression serious. Adônis MacGyver might have been obsessed with her, but he hadn't forgotten his responsibilities to the company. Vasti swallowed hard, struggling to pull herself together.

Uh... I just needed to give it one last review and send it to Miss Diaz's email, she replied, careful to keep things formal. Calling Heidi by her first name felt risky- Vasti had already been fired once, and she had no plans to repeat history.

Says the woman hooking up with the boss!

Then finish up fast so we can get out of here. I'll grab my things. Adônis MacGyver stepped back, but only for a second-he swooped in to kiss her, nipping playfully at her lips before slipping out of the break room, flashing a wicked grin and a wink as he went.

Vasti just stood there for a moment, stunned and motionless. "What had just happened?" she asked herself.

Once Vasti regained her senses, she straightened her dress and noticed a slick, uncomfortable sensation between her legs. Walking felt odd-she was embarrassingly wet. She hurried to the restroom, cleaned up as best she could, and returned to her desk. Vasti understood exactly what Adônis MacGyver intended, and she wasn't naïve. The only thing she hadn't figured out was whether she actually wanted to go through with it.

Seriously? My first real day on the job, and I'm already about to sleep with my boss? She mentally berated herself. "But he wants it. He was insanely attractive, and-let's be honest-you wanted him too. Why not? You only live once. Just go for it!" her mischievous side whispered.

Vasti completed her review, sent the document off to Heidi, and picked up her purse. The moment she stood, Adônis MacGyver showed up in the hallway, briefcase in hand and a smile playing on his lips.

His hair looked tousled, his tie hung loose, and the top two buttons of his shirt had been undone. She couldn't help but wonder if she was the reason for his rumpled appearance.

Ready? he asked. She answered with a small nod, and he gestured for her to join him at the elevator.

Vasti couldn't find the words for anything. They rode down together in silence, with security cameras watching- so naturally, he kept his hands to himself.

They stepped out into the garage, and he motioned for her to leave the elevator first. She obeyed, watching as he strode ahead. She trailed after him until they reached his car- the very same one from the previous night. With a quick press of his remote, he unlocked the doors and let her climb inside.

As soon as they pulled away from the building, Adônis MacGyver reached over and rested his hand on her thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze. Then he gave her a light smack in the same spot.

Oh! Vasti blurted out, startled. Heat flared across her skin, but the sensation wasn't unpleasant. She turned to him, still baffled and uncertain, while he just grinned even wider, completely unbothered.

We're going to understand each other perfectly, Miss Phillips, he assured her. Adônis MacGyver definitely had some unusual preferences, and Vasti seemed more than willing to play along.

She had never actually slept with anyone before. She had a serious boyfriend once, but she never felt safe enough to go that far with him. That boyfriend, on the other hand, couldn't stand the wait-her refusal to "give in" was all it took for him to cheat. Vasti ended up catching him in bed with her own roommate.

He didn't even bother to apologize; he just threw it in her face that she wasn't woman enough because she wouldn't sleep with him or "satisfy her man." Vasti wasted no time requesting a new room-she refused to keep living alongside her ex and his new playmate. Two months later, he came crawling back, begging for another chance. The reason? As it turned out, the other girl had ditched him for someone else-a woman, no less. Vasti had sent him packing, and thankfully, graduation came quickly enough that she didn't have to keep dodging him for long.

As she watched the striking man driving beside her, Vasti recalled searching his name online. His name was Adônis MacGyver. Adônis MacGyver. The name fit him perfectly; she'd never laid eyes on anyone so attractive. It wasn't just his glossy dark hair or those striking turquoise-green eyes-it was the way everything about him fit together, perfectly balanced and impossibly handsome. She could only describe him as flawless.

Lost in thought? Adônis MacGyver asked, glancing over when he noticed her watching him.

Um... there's something I should probably mention now. Vasti hesitated, chewing her lip when he frowned in curiosity.

What is it? Go ahead, you can tell me, he urged. Adônis MacGyver hoped she wasn't about to bring up a boyfriend- he wasn't interested in crossing that line. As far as he knew, she was single.

I've never... I've never actually done this before.

His smile widened. He'd heard it all before- women claiming they never had casual sex, insisting it only happened with a boyfriend, and the whole speech that usually followed. Part of him felt a twinge of disappointment; he hadn't pegged her as the type to make excuses.

I get it. But don't stress about it. There's a first time for everything. Having sex with someone outside a relationship isn't something to be embarrassed about. Honestly, it can feel freeing.

Vasti gave him a puzzled look, tilting her head a little. His answer made no sense to her at all.

I don't really see how that's relevant... she said quietly.

Now he looked thrown.

You just told me you'd never done this- never had sex without a relationship, never with someone you barely know... Casual sex, he said, baffled that he had to remind her of her own words.

That's not it. That's not what I meant- or at least not what I was trying to say, Vasti said after clearing her throat. "The truth is... Alright. I'm a virgin."

She chose to tell him now because she worried he might try to move too fast, and that wasn't what she wanted. If he hurt her simply because she hadn't warned him, the whole night would end badly for both of them.

Without warning, the car veered to the shoulder and rolled to a stop.

Vasti stared at Adônis MacGyver, completely confused. He kept his eyes on the steering wheel, and Vasti noticed his knuckles had gone white from gripping it so tightly.

What? he blurted, needing to be sure he'd heard correctly. "What did you just say?"

What do you mean?

Virgin! You said you're a virgin?! He turned to face her, and Vasti could tell his expression mixed anger, disappointment, and something she couldn't quite name.

Yes, Vasti confirmed quietly. He stared ahead and restarted the engine. "Is there a problem? I just didn't want to drop that on you at the last second... I figured it was better to mention it now."

Adônis MacGyver didn't respond. Instead, he made a sharp U-turn. It didn't take long for Vasti to realize he was driving back toward her neighborhood, though she kept silent until she was sure. He parked right in front of her building.

You should get out, he said, voice cold and eyes fixed forward. Vasti frowned and almost reached for his arm, but he pulled away before she could touch him.

I don't get it... We...

I don't sleep with virgins. That's the rule. They're always high-maintenance, they get attached, and before long, it's all talk about commitment and marriage. I'm not offering any of that. So go. Now.

Vasti stared at him for a moment, half expecting him to crack a smile. He didn't. He meant every word. With a scoff of disbelief, she climbed out, slammed the door behind her, and walked away without looking back.