Vlora resumed her work after serving coffee to Lucas and Andreas. She was immersed in a sea of data and words, completely focused. So serious that she almost did not notice Andreas leaving Lucas’ office and approaching her desk.
Andreas pulled out a chair and sat down. He observed how serious Vlora was, taking him a couple of seconds to realize that a pair of eyes were staring at him.
“Sir,” Vlora said.
A ticklish feeling fluttered in Andreas’ stomach as he caught the surprise in Vlora’s eyes. It brought a certain sensation that was enticing to him.
“It seems my hunch was right,” Andreas said, exhaling. He nodded with a teasing expression. “You only call my name when I kiss you, don’t you?”
Vlora froze. Her beautiful face turned red. Reluctantly, she tried to suppress the flicker in her chest that threatened to explode in the near future.
“I apologize, Sir. I just thought it was inappropriate for us to discuss such matters here. As you can see, we’re in the office.”
Andreas fixed his gaze on Vlora’s clear eyes. He leaned slightly toward her, and the intoxicating scent invaded his senses.
Andreas would not be wrong in guessing. The fragrance was exactly the same as the lingering scent on his fingers from last night. It was the evidence that convinced him that Vlora had briefly fallen into his embrace. An important piece to boost his confidence.
If I could hold you once, I can definitely embrace you for the second time.
“I understand that we’re in the office, and honestly, I agree with your thoughts. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to say such things to you while we’re here,” Andreas continued casually, glancing towards Lucas’ office. “Who would have thought that one day your boss would come out and catch us having a personal conversation?”
Vlora needed to clarify one thing. “I don’t think we’ve had any personal conversation, Sir. So, if you don’t mind, why don’t you continue with your activities? I have a pile of work that I need to finish today as well.”
Vlora’s gaze left Andreas. She returned to her computer, but Andreas had not decided to stop just yet.
Andreas reached out his hand. He grabbed Vlora’s right hand as she typed on the keyboard.
Andreas’ action caught Vlora off guard. She glanced briefly at Lucas’ office, worried that her boss might suddenly come out, before finally staring at Andreas.
Andreas held Vlora’s fingers with both hands. All possibilities of Vlora being able to withdraw from him vanished.
“I understand your objection. Let’s not discuss this in the office. Instead, how about we talk about our relationship outside the office? Would you like that?”
Vlora could not widen her eyes any further. She was stunned, finding several aspects of Andreas’ thinking difficult to comprehend.
“O-our relationship?”
The seriousness in Andreas’ face was interrupted by a reflexive laugh.
“I’m sorry, Sir. I thought we didn’t have any relationship at all.”
“Are you serious, Vlo? After we had such an intense kiss in the elevator last night? And you’re saying that we don’t have any relationship?” Andreas asked, shaking his head once. His face looked pained. “That really hurts my ego, Vlo.”
A flush of heat spread across Vlora’s cheeks, but this time she was more prepared. “I believe kissing is not a serious matter for you, is it?”
One of Andreas’ eyebrows rose. The counterattack was starting to show signs.
“Isn’t it something you often do with your lovers? It’s not strange for you to have such intense kisses with them, is it?”
Andreas was taken aback and then grinned mischievously. “Are you jealous?”
Vlora could not hold back a gasp. It was a reflex in a state of shock. She had no idea that Andreas’ confidence was so high.
“Me? Jealous?”
Now it was Vlora’s turn to shake her head. However, a moment later, she could not help but chuckle. A mocking, amused expression formed as she drew a conclusion.
“Not at all, Sir. I’m not the type to be jealous of women who are clearly not on the same level as me. Oh, that’s not my style at all. I’m not jealous; I just don’t want to spend the rest of my life with a man who can only flirt with one woman after another.”
Andreas grinned without loosening his grip on Vlora’s fingers. He contemplated, full of confidence.
One thought crossed Andreas’ mind. He knew exactly how to find an opening.
“How about we make a deal, Vlo?”
Vlora would not be fooled. Her anticipation did not waver. “What kind of deal?”
“A deal that would benefit both of us,” Andreas casually replied, seeing a spark of curiosity ignite in Vlora’s eyes. “It’s not fair for you to reject me outright without knowing exactly anything about me. Give me a chance, and I can assure you that you’ll accept my proposal.”
“What do you mean?” Vlora cautiously asked. Her voice was filled with caution, her eyes fixed on Andreas. She seemed to be watching out for any possible traps.
“A deal. You just need to give me one chance. Let’s go out together. Dinner, for example. Then we can see if we are compatible or not.”
“And if we’re not?”
Andreas shrugged. “That’s the purpose of a deal. If we are proven to be incompatible, I will stop. I won’t disturb you again, ever.”
Vlora remained silent. For a moment, she did not say anything. Her gaze, fixed on Andreas, seemed to anticipate every possible trap.
“What do you say? Do you want to accept this agreement or refuse intentionally so that I can continue teasing you every day?”
Vlora exhaled. Andreas’s accusation cornered her. She could not deny it and had to accept the offer.
“Tonight.”
Andreas smiled satisfied. “Tonight. I will come to pick you up later in the afternoon.”
Vlora remained silent as Andreas stood up from his seat. She expected him to release her hand, but instead, she was taken aback.
Andreas lowered his face without breaking his teasing gaze on Vlora. He raised his slender finger and landed a wet kiss on the back of his hand. A kiss wet enough to make Vlora’s throat dry instantly.
*