Wicked Games

Caroline

Caroline Rivolta sat at her desk, her heart pounding in her chest as she read through the latest email from Leonardo. His words were sharp, veiled threats laced with a challenge that sent a jolt of adrenaline through her. He knew she had found out about the issues at Silverstone's tech firm, and instead of backing down, he was pushing harder, daring her to make the next move.

But there was something else in his tone—something that felt like a taunt, as if he were daring her to take the bait, to meet him on this dangerous, seductive battlefield. Caroline could feel the tension coiling in her stomach, the undeniable pull of the power play between them. She had always been drawn to challenges, to the thrill of outmaneuvering her opponents, but this was different.

Leonardo was different.

She could sense his presence in every word, the way he wielded his power like a weapon, the way he seemed to understand exactly how to get under her skin. It was infuriating—and intoxicating.

She pushed the chair back, needing to clear her head, to get away from the suffocating intensity that had settled over her office. But as she stood, she found herself rooted to the spot, her thoughts swirling with a mix of anger and something far more dangerous.

Desire.

The tension between them had been building for weeks, simmering beneath the surface of their every interaction. It was there in the way he looked at her during their meetings, the way his eyes lingered just a little too long, the way his voice dropped to a low, rough murmur whenever they were alone.

And she hated it—hated that he could make her feel this way, that he could make her body respond to him even as her mind screamed at her to stay focused, to stay in control.

But control was slipping, and she knew it. Every time they clashed, every time he pushed her, that tight coil of tension twisted a little more, pulling her toward him even as she fought to resist.

She had always prided herself on her self-discipline, on her ability to keep her emotions in check. But Leonardo was testing her limits, making her question just how much control she really had. And that terrified her.

Caroline paced to the window, staring out at the city below, the lights blurring into a haze as her thoughts raced. She knew she should be planning her next move, figuring out how to counter his latest attack, but all she could think about was him—his voice, his eyes, the way his presence seemed to wrap around her like a vise.

A soft knock on her door snapped her out of her reverie, and she turned to see Claire stepping into the room. "Caroline, I've got the information you asked for," she said, holding out a file.

Caroline took it, grateful for the distraction. She opened the file, scanning the contents quickly. Claire had done an excellent job; the details of Silverstone's tech firm issues were laid out in meticulous detail. This was her weapon, the leverage she needed to turn the tide in her favor.

But as she read, her thoughts kept drifting back to Leonardo, to the way he would react when she used this against him. Would he retaliate? Would he respect her for it? Or would it push them over the edge of the tension that had been building between them?

"Is everything okay?" Claire's voice cut through her thoughts, and Caroline looked up, forcing a smile.

"Fine," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "This is exactly what I needed. Thanks, Claire."

Claire nodded, but there was a flicker of concern in her eyes. "If you need anything else, just let me know."

Caroline waited until Claire had left before sinking back into her chair, the file still in her hands. She knew what she needed to do—she needed to use this information, to strike back and show Leonardo that she wasn't going to be pushed around. But even as she planned her next move, the thought of facing him again, of confronting him with this knowledge, sent a thrill of anticipation through her.

There was no denying it anymore. The tension between them was electric, a live wire that sparked every time they were in the same room. And she was caught in it, unable to break free, unable to stop thinking about what it would be like to cross that line.

To see what would happen if they gave in.

Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. A message from Leonardo. We need to talk. Tonight.

Caroline's heart skipped a beat, a rush of heat flooding through her. She knew this wasn't just about business. It was about everything that had been building between them, all the unspoken words, the lingering glances, the tension that had been simmering for so long.

She could walk away, she could refuse to meet him, keep this strictly professional. But deep down, she knew she wouldn't. She was too drawn to the fire, too captivated by the dangerous dance they were caught in.

With a deep breath, she typed a response. Your place. 9 PM.

As she hit send, Caroline felt a shiver of anticipation run through her. She knew she was playing with fire, that this could all end in disaster. But she also knew that she couldn't stop herself.

Because sometimes, losing control was the only way to win.