Chapter 25: The Business of Desire

The champagne had barely been drained from their glasses when Leon made his move. He stood up, his eyes locked on Victoria's, a slow smile spreading across his face. The other members of the harem watched with interest, their gazes lingering on the charged dynamic between Leon and their sister.

"Mother, I think it's time we discussed the details of my plan," Leon said, his voice low and confident. "The one I mentioned during our trip."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, her expression a mixture of curiosity and caution. "Oh? And what might that be, Leon?"

Leon walked over to the bar and poured himself a glass of scotch. "I want to discuss the business aspects of our family's expansion into the tech industry. I've been meeting with several investors, and I believe I have a deal that will secure our position in the market."

Victoria's eyes lit up with interest, her gaze fixed on Leon's back. She knew he was a shrewd businessman, but she also knew he wasn't one to be underestimated. He had a way of getting what he wanted — and she had a feeling this was no exception.

As Leon outlined his plan, Victoria listened intently, her mind racing with thoughts of how she could use this to her advantage. She had always been the voice of reason in the family, the one who kept them grounded in reality. But as she watched Leon, a spark of desire ignited within her. It had been a long time since she'd felt this way about him.

When Leon finished speaking, he turned to Victoria, his gaze piercing. "I believe this is a great opportunity for us, Victoria. And I think you'd be the perfect person to help me make it happen."

Victoria's heart skipped a beat as Leon's gaze held hers. The tension between them was undeniable — this was more than just a business proposition.

"I'm in," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Leon smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Excellent. I'll send over the details of the proposal. We can discuss it further tomorrow."

As the night wore on, Victoria found herself increasingly drawn to Leon, her attraction growing with each passing moment. She knew she needed to be careful, but resisting him felt impossible.

The Next Day

Victoria sat in Leon's office the next morning, poring over the proposal for the tech company. Leon paced back and forth, his eyes dark with concentration.

"So, what do you think?" he asked, stopping in front of her.

Victoria looked up, her gaze meeting his. "It's impressive, Leon. But I have some concerns."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell."

Victoria took a deep breath, her heart pounding. "We need to be careful. This is a lot of power we're talking about. We can't let our emotions cloud our judgment."

Leon nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I agree. But we also need to be willing to take risks. That's how we'll succeed."

As they continued to discuss the proposal, Victoria felt herself being pulled deeper into Leon's orbit. She knew she needed to stay focused, but the way he looked at her, the way his voice curled around her name — it was hard to resist.

When the meeting ended, Leon stood up, his eyes dark with intensity. "I think we make a good team, Victoria. Don't you?"

Victoria's breath caught. A shiver ran down her spine.

"Yes," she whispered.

Leon smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting just enough to make her pulse quicken. "Good. I'll send over the final proposal by the end of the week. In the meantime, I have a surprise for you."

Victoria's heart skipped a beat as Leon turned and walked out of the office, leaving her feeling like she was melting.

That Night

Later that evening, a knock at her door pulled Victoria from her thoughts. She opened it to find Leon standing in the hallway, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Hey," he said, his voice low and husky. "I brought you something."

Victoria's eyes widened as Leon held out a small package wrapped in black paper and tied with a red ribbon.

"For what?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Leon's smile deepened. "A little something to help you relax. I know you've been working hard lately."

Victoria's eyes met Leon's, and for a moment, they just stood there, the air between them charged with unspoken tension.

"What is it?" she asked again.

"Open it and find out."

Her heart hammered as she unwrapped the paper, revealing a sleek black box inside. Inside the box was a pair of red high heels, a small note attached to the lid.

For my favorite businesswoman.

Victoria's breath hitched as she looked up at Leon. "You didn't have to do this."

Leon shrugged, his smile soft. "I wanted to. You deserve it."

Victoria traced the smooth leather of the heels, a shiver running down her spine. She was in trouble — and she knew it.

The Following Days

Over the next few days, Victoria found herself looking forward to every moment she spent with Leon. They would meet for lunch, for dinner, or simply sit and talk for hours. The tension between them grew sharper with every encounter.

One afternoon, as they sat together in Leon's office, his hand brushed against hers. It was a small touch — brief and fleeting — but it sent a thrill through her body.

"Thanks for coming to me with your concerns about the proposal," Leon said, his voice low and intimate. "I value your opinion."

Victoria smiled, her pulse racing. "You're welcome."

Leon's gaze darkened, his eyes burning into hers. "I'm glad you're on board," he said. "I couldn't do this without you."

Victoria felt her heart pound at his words. The way he said it — the way he looked at her — made her feel like the most important person in the world.

As the days passed, Victoria found herself becoming more and more entangled in Leon's world. She knew she needed to tread carefully, but resisting him felt impossible.

"You're a very persuasive man, Leon," she said one evening, her voice soft and knowing.

Leon's smile was slow and dangerous. "I try."

Victoria's lips curled at the edges. "I think you're succeeding."

Leon's gaze sharpened, his eyes dark with amusement. "I'm glad to hear that."

As they sat together, their legs touching beneath the desk, Victoria knew she was slipping deeper under Leon's spell. She could feel herself falling — and for the first time in a long while, she didn't want to stop.

"I think it's time we discussed our next move," Leon said, his voice low and commanding.

Victoria's heart skipped a beat as his gaze held hers.

"What did you have in mind?" she asked.

Leon's smile widened. "It's time to take this business to the next level. I have a plan — and I want you to be a part of it."

Victoria's breath hitched. She was in trouble. Deep trouble.

And as they stood up to leave, Victoria couldn't help but wonder what other surprises Leon had in store for her.

____________&&&_____________