Chapter 2: The First Temptation

"If you wanted my hands on you, all you had to do was ask."

Three days after the gala, and Lexi still couldn't shake the feeling of Julian Styles' eyes on her skin. She'd thrown herself into work, determined to forget the way her body had betrayed her. The Henderson account was lost—her collision with Manhattan's most powerful billionaire had seen to that. But Lexi Thorn wasn’t one to wallow.

"The Harrington Tower project is massive," Rachel said, dropping a folder onto Lexi's desk. "Fifty million for the grand opening event alone. If we land this, we're set for the year."

Lexi flipped through the prospectus, her heart beat quickening. "Who's behind it?"

Rachel's hesitation made her look up.

"Styles Industries?"

The name hit Lexi like a physical blow. "Julian Styles?!"

"The devil himself," Rachel confirmed. "And he's specifically requested you." She said almost excitedly.

The memory of his touch flooded back, his warm fingers wrapped around her wrist, that predatory smile. Lexi swallowed hard. "He requested me?"

"By name. The meeting's at four. His office." Rachel raised an eyebrow. "Something you want to tell me?"

"Nothing happened," Lexi said too quickly. "We barely spoke."

"Right. If I didn’t know you any better I’d say you liked him” Rachel smirked.

Lexi scoffed. “I have a boyfriend. And nothing happened between I and Julian.” She finalized.

“Well, whatever 'nothing' happened, it got you in the door with the biggest client of the year." Rachel snatched the folder back. "Wear something sexy, red is your color." She smirked before walking out the door.

At five minutes to four, Lexi stood in the gleaming lobby of the Styles Tower, in her charcoal grey suit. Looking severely professional, a clear message: I am not here for your games.

"Ms. Thorn." The receptionist's voice carried the reverence reserved for Styles' employees. "Mr. Styles will see you now. Top floor."

The private elevator required a key card. Lexi's stomach twisted as the doors slid closed, trapping her in a mirrored box rising seventy floors above Manhattan. This was business, she reminded herself.

“Just business.” She muttered under her breath.

When the doors opened, there was no reception area, no buffer. Just a massive office with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the New York skyline. And Julian Styles, standing at the window, his back to her.

"Right on time." He didn't turn. "I appreciate punctuality."

Lexi stepped into the lion's den, clutching her portfolio like a shield. "Mr. Styles."

"Julian," he corrected, finally turning. If possible, he was even more devastating than she remembered. The charcoal suit, nearly matching her own, molded to his powerful frame with bespoke precision. "We're going to be working very closely together, after all."

Lexi kept her expression neutral. "That remains to be seen."

His smile was slow, deliberate. "Does it?"

He crossed the room, his strides long. Lexi fought the urge to retreat, standing her ground even as he circled behind her.

"Your proposal," he said, his breath warm against her neck. "Show me."

She moved to the massive desk, spreading out her portfolio with hands she prayed weren't visibly trembling. "The Harrington Tower launch needs to make a statement. I'm proposing—"

"I know what you're proposing." He cut her off, leaning in to look at the designs. His chest brushed against her back. "I've read your file."

"My file?" Lexi tried to step aside, but the desk blocked her.

Julian's hand settled on the desk beside hers, caging her in. "I make it a point to know everything about the people I work with. You're twenty-five. Built your business from nothing after your father's... unfortunate financial troubles."

Something dark coiled in Lexi's stomach. How did he know about her father?

"Your designs are impressive," he continued, his other hand coming to rest on her waist. "But I'm not convinced you're the right person for this job."

Lexi turned, finding herself trapped between the hard edge of the desk and Julian's harder body. "I'm the best in the business."

"Confident," he murmured, his eyes dropping to her lips. "I like that."

"This is inappropriate," she said, the words lacking conviction even to her own ears.

"Is it?" One finger traced the line of her jaw, exactly as he'd done at the gala. "Your body says otherwise."

Lexi's breath caught. "My body isn't the one making decisions here."

"No?" His finger trailed down her throat, lingering at her pulse point. "Your heart is racing, Lexi. You can lie to yourself, but don't lie to me."

She should slap him. Push him away. Instead, she stood frozen, every nerve ending alive with unwanted desire.

"The contract," she managed, her voice embarrassingly husky. "Are you interested in my proposal or not?"

Julian's smile was pure sin. "If you beg nicely, I might sign your little contract."

The words snapped Lexi back to reality. She straightened her spine, glaring up at him. "I don't beg."

"Everyone begs eventually," he said, so matter-of-factly it sent a shiver down her spine. "It's just a matter of finding the right... pressure points."

His hands moved to her thighs, sliding like a snake upwards till it got to her lingerie, his eyes never leaving hers.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear, “Just say the word.”

She trembled at his touch, fighting the urge to succumb so hard, she could feel his touch, his hands teasing her in ways she had never felt before.

Her legs trembled visibly now, as she closed her eyes shut, surrendering to his touch, moan whispers escaping her lips.

“Beg me to touch you.” He whispered into her ears, separating himself from her. Her heart ached at the loss of his touch but her cheeks flushed even more, she was beyond embarrassed.

A knock on the door interrupts.

The door opened without permission, and a stunning brunette in a tight dress stepped in. Vanessa.

Vanessa’s lips pursed the moment she saw Lexi. She ignored her completely, strutting toward Julian.

“Mr. Styles,” she purred, placing a file on his desk. Her fingers lingered too long. “The reports you asked for.”

Julian didn’t even glance at her. “Get out.”

Lexi saw it. The way Vanessa’s eyes flickered with jealousy as she turned and shot Lexi a look that screamed possessive.

Lexi clenched her fists. She had no reason to be annoyed. And yet, she was.

Immediately she ducked under his arm, stepping away from the desk. "I think we're done here." Not wanting to be with this man for a minute longer.

She was halfway to the elevator when his voice stopped her.

"The Harrington project is worth fifty million, Ms. Thorn. Walking away would be professional suicide."

Lexi paused before turning, hating him for being right. "Then make your decision based on merit, not on whether I'll play your games."

Julian's laughter rich. "Oh, but the games are just beginning."

He closed the distance between them in three long strides, backing her against the wall beside the elevator. His body didn't touch hers this time, but she could feel the heat radiating from him, smell the intoxicating scent of his cologne.

"You want this contract," he said, one hand braced on the wall beside her head. "And I want you to beg me. Surely we can come to an arrangement."

"That's harassment," she whispered, but made no move to escape.

Julian leaned closer, his lips a breath from hers. "Is it harassment when your body begs for my touch? When you're imagining my hands on you right now? But you won’t say the words."

His free hand hovered over her cheek, not quite touching. "All you have to do is ask."

The elevator dinged, breaking the spell. Lexi ducked beneath his arm, stumbling into the waiting car. Julian made no move to stop her, watching with that predatory smile as the doors began to close.

"The contract will be on your desk tomorrow morning," he called. "I expect dinner. Friday. Eight o'clock."

The doors slid shut on his smirking face.

Lexi sagged against the elevator wall, her legs trembling. Her thighs clenched too tight, hating the dampness there, the shameful evidence of her body's betrayal.

She had the contract. She should feel victorious, but she hated herself.