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3

"What are you talking about?" Suzanne let out a nervous laugh. She was observing him closely, hoping it was a distasteful joke. "Are you running a fever?"

No. Nathan Strong wasn't joking.

"Marry me," he repeated in a more authoritative tone. "I'm not playing games, Miss Peyton."

Suddenly, he took her hand and spun her lightly.

"You're the perfect lie for me; you just need a bit of sparkle in your eyes," he smiled slightly, leaning against the glass table, pulling her closer with him.

Suzanne felt intimidated and slightly harassed by his demeanor, even though he was a very attractive man. Having him so close was disturbing. It felt like getting close to hell.

"Listen," he started speaking before she could refuse. "I just need you to pretend to be my wife. I have problems, and you are the solution to them. You have points in your favor, Suzanne," his hands roamed her waist.

How many women wouldn't want to have this man in their arms? She was one of them. She couldn't deny it, although she hated his character, she was not immune to his allure.

But... she had witnessed all the women who had fallen for his sexual charm. They came out disheveled, lipstick smeared across their cheeks.

She constantly wondered what it would feel like to go through that.

Their breaths suddenly mingled, it was too pleasurable to the point of ecstasy, but Suzanne told herself she had to snap back to reality.

"And why should I play the role of being your wife?" Her voice was firm, but her hands trembled. "I have no problem finding your usual personal whore to do you that favor; I think she'll be very excited about the position."

She pulled back a bit to regain her composure, but it didn't last long. He didn't let her escape his embrace as he smiled, a somewhat sinister smile that left her paralyzed in her place.

"I'm asking this of you, Suzanne," he whispered, using her first name. "Or rather, I'm ordering it. You don't want to face the consequences, do you?" He took her chin between his fingers, getting closer to her.

"How does this affect me?" She remained defensive, and he showed no signs of backing down.

"You'll lose your job, and I'll make sure you don't get a new one in the entire city or its outskirts," he stated plainly. "I have no problem finding any woman, but I'm giving you the opportunity to pay your rent for your awful apartment, cover your father's medical consultation, and all your debts" he released her, leaving her somewhat dizzy.

"How the hell did he find out about all that?" Suzanne thought, stunned.

That made her feel even more distrustful. He was an unscrupulous man, and it seemed like he always got what he wanted. How was she going to get out of this situation?

The secretary took a deep breath, trying to control her anger and reason with her stubborn boss.

"Mr. Strong, there's a problem; I don't want to marry someone like you!" she responded, agitated. "I don't want someone like you in my life."

"Believe me, I have better options than you," Nathan retorted bitingly, tired of her refusals. "Women who would love to have this position, but unfortunately for me, you're the right one for the job, how regrettable," he mocked her, "and if I'm not mistaken, I'm your financial salvation."

Suzanne could feel his desperation on edge. Despite sounding so confident, she could see that he would do whatever it takes to succeed, even if it meant by force.

Suddenly, her boss started feeling around in his pockets and pulled out a golden engagement ring, placing it on her ring finger.

The secretary resisted a bit, but he overpowered her. He sighed somewhat relieved and looked at her.

"Thank you, Suzanne," he whispered very softly, hoping she wouldn't hear him. "I know you must have a reputation here in the company, and I know mine. I'll be discreet with my lovers; I promise you won't hear any whispers of anyone being cuckolded because of me."

"But..."

"You can go now," he quickly said, ending the conversation.

He tried to move away from her, but this time she stopped him.

"Wait right there, Mr. Strong. If we're going to do this, I'm not going to be the one cheated on in this relationship," she retorted, seeing a smile on his lips as if he were saying, "gotcha."

Nathan let out an elegant laugh and relaxed.

"So, are you going to play the role of my wife for real?" he mocked. "Will you be in charge of satisfying my sexual desires? Because if that's how you're planning it, believe me, we'll both enjoy it a lot, Peyton."

He took her by the nape of her neck and crashed his lips onto hers.

They kissed. Yes, the sexual tension he exuded was too intense; between their mingled breaths and his experience, he took control of the situation.

Suzanne had to admit she liked his kiss. Her boss's tongue entered her mouth, and she sought some stability, gripping his suit tightly, wrinkling it. Nathan didn't waste time; he placed his hands on Suzanne's backside, kneading it and trying to lift her skirt.

She stopped, pulling away from him. His gaze had darkened. The gray in his eyes had faded to the point of almost being black.

"You have the rest of the afternoon off, Suzanne," he whispered, wiping her mouth with his thumb.

She took the opportunity and fled from there, slamming the door hard when she closed it.

"What the hell were you thinking? Have you lost your mind?" she reproached herself.

At that moment, her head wasn't processing well what had happened.

She entered her cubicle next to the minibar and took a sip of the first thing that appeared: cold coffee. She wasn't a fan of the drink, but she thought it would help.

Suzanne had the rest of the afternoon off, so she grabbed her bag and left the company, heading down to the underground parking lot. She got into the small red Chevy her father had given her and let out a muffled scream.

"Oh my God!"

Suddenly, someone tapped on her window, and she startled, accidentally honking the car horn.

She saw who it was... Nathan's bodyguard?

"Bodyguard of your new partner, Suzanne," she thought with a shudder.

"Yes?" She lowered the window slightly, and all she received was a manila folder with the word "CONFIDENTIAL" in bold capital letters.

"Have an excellent day, Miss Peyton," was all that came out of the man's lips. "Mr. Strong will be in touch with you."

With that said, he left, leaving the girl intrigued by what had just been delivered to her.

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