Tag: Trample

written by Anonymous author
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Epilogue: The Usual Meeting

The final day began as the first had.

By the time Elena Voss reached the thirty-eighth floor, the building had arranged itself in anticipation.

She wore charcoal, her dark hair secured in its immaculate twist. Black Louboutins completed the figure of the sophisticated British chief executive who could silence a boardroom by removing her glasses.

Adrian arrived at eleven. Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Epilogue 5 (4)“

written by Anonymous author
original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter Thirteen: Domestic Arrangements

Adrian did not move into Mara’s apartment all at once.

First came a toothbrush, then shirts in the guest-room wardrobe, books upon the table and a coffee cup Mara would never have chosen.

Three weeks later, she handed him a key.

“You’re here more often than you aren’t. This is administratively simpler.”

“Administratively?”

Mara looked down at the Casadei Blades upon her feet.

“Get under the table.”

“Much clearer.”

Living together changed them. Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 13 5 (4)“

written by Anonymous author
original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

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.” Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 12 5 (4)“

written by Anonymous author
original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter Eleven: Plausible Deniability

The accident could not honestly be repeated.

It could, however, be reconstructed.

“Start again,” Elena instructed.

She left the floor with the Mannheim folder, waited five minutes, and returned. Mara continued working in her Casadei Blades. Adrian remained hidden.

None of them knew he was there.

That was the fiction. Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 11 5 (3)“

written by Anonymous author
original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter Ten: An Unscheduled Return

The lift chimed at eight fifteen.

Mara froze. Adrian was beneath her desk; Elena had left almost an hour earlier.

The chief executive appeared wearing her coat over her white dress.

“I forgot the Mannheim file.”

“It’s on my desk.” Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 10 5 (4)“

written by Anonymous author
original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter Nine: After Hours

One evening, Mara worked long after Elena had left. Adrian emerged from a conference room with his jacket over one shoulder.

“Good night.”

“Adrian.”

He stopped.

Mara removed her glasses.

“Get under my desk. Now.” Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 9 5 (3)“

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. Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 8 5 (3)“

written by Anonymous author
original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter Seven: The Balance of Power

Mara arrived for the valuation meeting wearing red.

Not a red dress. She wore a fitted black suit over an ivory blouse, her hair swept to one side. The colour belonged entirely to her shoes.

They were red-suede Casadei Blade pumps, their severe pointed toes balanced upon the house’s signature chrome heels—slender metal blades catching the office light whenever Mara moved. Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 7 5 (3)“

written by Anonymous author
original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter Six: Material Pressure

The acquisition meeting revealed how serious Mara had become.

Two stilettos held Adrian simultaneously: Elena’s in his palm, Mara’s upon an extended finger. Their voices remained analytical while the pressure beneath the desk rose in precise increments.

Adrian’s breath shortened. Moisture gathered beneath his lashes.

Mara felt his involuntary movement through her heel and looked at Elena. Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 6 5 (4)“