- Beneath her Notice – Chapter 1
- Beneath her Notice – Chapter 2
- Beneath her Notice – Chapter 3
- Beneath her Notice – Chapter 4
- Beneath her Notice – Chapter 5
- Beneath her Notice – Chapter 6
- Beneath her Notice – Chapter 7
- Beneath her Notice – Chapter 8 1 min read
- Beneath her Notice – Chapter 9
- Beneath her Notice – Chapter 10
- Beneath her Notice – Chapter 11
- Beneath her Notice – Chapter 12
- Beneath her Notice – Chapter 13
- Beneath her Notice – Epilogue
written by Anonymous author
original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor
Chapter Eight: Competing Interests
Mara dreamed about the meeting twice.
In one dream, Adrian surrendered immediately and victory left her dissatisfied. In the other, he endured indefinitely while Elena watched, composed and faintly amused.
Mara awoke before dawn with her heart beating hard.
It was Elena’s gaze that remained with her.
At their next meeting, Elena placed a handwritten line among the financial papers:
*He may stop at any time.*
Below it:
*So may you.*
Mara understood. She was not merely to test Adrian; she must do it without losing her professional composure.
The Casadei Blades found his fingers. Elena’s Louboutin claimed his silence. Mara presented regulatory analysis while gradually committing herself to the chrome heels.
Adrian’s wrist began to turn toward the signal.
Mara stared beneath the desk, desperate for the victory from her dreams.
“Page twelve,” Elena said.
Mara did not answer.
“Page twelve, Mara.”
The secretary looked up. For a fraction of a second, desire and anticipation stood openly in her face.
Elena smiled.
Mara had broken first.
Adrian lowered his hand without signaling.
After the meeting, Mara gathered the papers.
“You distracted me.”
“You allowed yourself to be distracted.”
“Next time he will stop.”
Elena studied her. “Is that what you want?”
Mara hesitated. She wanted Adrian’s surrender, but she also wanted Elena to watch her win.
“What do you want?” Mara asked.
Elena’s gaze descended to the red suede and shining chrome.
“To discover which of you belongs under my heel first.”
Mara’s breath caught.
The line was not merely a figure of speech.
—