The morning light streamed through the windows of Sharp Innovations, casting long shadows across the gleaming floors of the executive suite. Three weeks had passed since "The Agreement," as James had come to think of it—three weeks of cautious navigation through the minefield that was working with Victoria Sharp. Some days, she adhered to their arrangement with surprising dedication, offering clear feedback and acknowledging his contributions. Other days, particularly after difficult client meetings or board calls, her old habits resurfaced like unwelcome ghosts.
Today, Victoria sat across from Matthias Chen, the CEO of Next Technologies, her posture perfect as always, her crimson blazer a strategic choice that made her the focal point of the room. James sat in the corner, taking notes and pretending his focus was entirely on the meeting rather than on the way Victoria's skirt hugged her curves when she crossed her legs.
"What we're proposing," Matthias was saying, leaning forward with enthusiasm, "is a complete integration of our systems with your marketing approach. A six-week intensive project that would revolutionize how both our companies approach client acquisition."
Victoria's eyebrow arched slightly—the only indication that she was interested. "And the projected ROI?"
"Conservative estimates put it at 28% within the first year," Matthias replied, sliding a folder across the table. "The full proposal is in there, but essentially, we'd need your top team working closely with ours. Daily collaboration, shared workspaces, the works."
Victoria flipped through the documents with manicured fingers, her expression giving nothing away. "And who exactly would be heading this project from your end?"
"I'd be personally involved," Matthias said. "Along with my Chief Technology Officer and our head of Business Development."
Victoria's cool gaze flicked momentarily to James. "I'd need my executive assistant fully integrated into the project. He knows how I work and what I expect."
James felt a jolt that had nothing to do with professional surprise. Six weeks of intensive collaboration. Six weeks of being in close quarters with Victoria. The thought made his collar suddenly feel too tight.
"Of course," Matthias agreed easily. "From what I've seen, he's practically an extension of your brain anyway."
Victoria's lips tightened imperceptibly at the comment, something only James would notice. She disliked any implication that she needed help, even as she demanded it constantly.
"We'd need dedicated space," she said, closing the folder. "Neutral territory. Not your offices, not mine."
"We can arrange that," Matthias nodded. "We have access to excellent co-working spaces."
"I'll need to review these numbers more thoroughly," Victoria said, standing abruptly. At five-foot-nine in her heels, she towered over Matthias, who remained seated. "James will coordinate schedules and get back to you by end of day."
Matthias stood, extending his hand. "I look forward to hearing from you, Victoria. This could be transformative for both our companies."
After Matthias left, Victoria remained standing by the conference table, lost in thought as she stared out at the city skyline. James waited, pen poised over his tablet, trying not to notice how the sunlight caught the highlights in her hair, or how her blazer accentuated the narrowness of her waist.
"What do you think?" she asked suddenly, still facing the window.
The question caught James off guard. Victoria rarely solicited his opinion on business matters, especially not immediately after client meetings.
"The numbers look impressive," he said carefully, forcing himself to focus on the documents and not on her silhouette against the window. "But six weeks of intensive collaboration is a significant commitment."
"Yes," Victoria agreed, finally turning to face him. "And we'd be working closely together throughout."
James swallowed, wondering if she had somehow sensed the direction of his thoughts. "Would that be a problem?" he asked, keeping his tone neutral.
Victoria's gaze sharpened. "Why would it be?"
"I just meant—" James cleared his throat. "It's a change from our usual dynamic."
Victoria moved to the table, gathering the proposal documents with precise movements. "You're competent, James. More than competent. And you understand my expectations better than anyone else in this company."
From Victoria, this constituted effusive praise. James felt a surge of pride, quickly followed by a more complicated emotion as she leaned across the table to gather additional papers, giving him a brief glimpse of cleavage before she straightened.
"Besides," she continued, a hint of her usual sharpness returning, "I doubt anyone else could handle the hours this will require. Your lack of a social life finally proves useful."
And there it was—the compliment immediately followed by the cutting remark. James's jaw tightened, partly from irritation and partly from the effort to keep his gaze focused on her face.
"I'll make the arrangements with Daniel's team," he said, his voice sounding strained even to his own ears.
"Good." Victoria handed him the folder. "And I need you to clear my schedule for dinner tonight. Tell Nora I'm reviewing the proposal and need the reservation pushed to next week."
James made a note on his tablet. "Of course. Anything else?"
Victoria paused at the door, her expression suddenly thoughtful. "Actually, yes. Join me for dinner instead. We should discuss strategy for this project somewhere private."
The invitation—if it could be called that—was delivered with such casual authority that James almost missed its significance. In the three years he'd worked for Victoria, they'd never once had dinner together outside of company events or business functions with clients.
"Dinner?" he repeated, immediately cursing himself for sounding so caught off guard.
Victoria's irritation flashed across her face. "Yes, James, dinner. That meal people typically have in the evening. Seven o'clock. The Ivy. Don't be late."
With that, she swept out of the conference room, leaving James to wonder if he'd imagined the faint color rising in her cheeks. More troublingly, he wondered how he was going to maintain professional composure through an entire dinner alone with her.
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The Ivy was exactly the type of restaurant Victoria would choose—exclusive, elegant, and intimidatingly expensive. James had made countless reservations here for Victoria's business dinners, but he'd never actually dined there himself. He arrived ten minutes early, painfully aware that his best suit, while well-tailored, wasn't quite up to the standards of the other patrons.
To his surprise, Victoria was already seated at a corner table, nursing what appeared to be a gin and tonic. She wore a sleek black dress that seemed both professional and decidedly not, her hair loose around her shoulders instead of in her usual severe updo.