Beneath her Notice – Chapter 12 2 min read

Chapter Twelve: The First Concession

Elena returned before Mara could remove the Casadeis.

Adrian remained beneath the desk, his fingers still held under their chrome heels. Mara stood above him with her hands upon her hips, her face composed except for the colour beneath her pale skin.

Elena closed the door.

“I thought you were leaving,” Mara said.

“I changed my mind.”

Elena stopped behind her. She gathered Mara’s red hair in one hand and moved it aside. Her fingertips traced the exposed line of Mara’s neck.

Mara’s balance shifted.

More of her presence descended through the Casadei Blades. Adrian’s fingers tensed.

“Still professional?” Elena asked.

“Entirely.”

Elena’s hand settled at her waist.

“The Mannheim projections,” she said.

“You want to discuss projections now?”

“We are in the office.”

Mara tried to explain the forecast while Elena’s fingertips moved slowly across her waist. Beneath them, Adrian’s eyes filled again.

Elena’s lips touched Mara’s neck.

The redhead lost the next breath.

“Three per cent,” Elena said.

“Three and a half.”

Elena kissed her.

Mara had imagined Elena’s mouth as cool and disciplined. It was neither. The kiss possessed the same confidence as everything else Elena did, but beneath it lay months—perhaps years—of restrained curiosity.

Mara responded with equal force.

Her shifting balance travelled through the chrome heels. Adrian could stop them. The signal waited within reach.

He refused.

Mara felt his wrist begin to turn and committed herself to the pressure, determined to win even while Elena kissed her.

Elena placed one hand over Mara’s.

The gesture changed everything.

Mara controlled Adrian.

Elena controlled Mara.

Adrian’s wrist stopped. He lowered his hand.

“No,” Mara breathed.

“He endured you again,” Elena said.

“I nearly had him.”

“And you nearly lost yourself.”

Elena gave her first private command.

“Step away.”

Mara hesitated, then lifted one Casadei and the other.

“You didn’t make him stop,” Elena said.

“Not yet.”

“And I didn’t make you kneel.”

Mara met her eyes.

“Not yet.”

The next kiss was slower.

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