Sinful Heaven

**13- Possessive

Eleanor sat at the long, polished conference table, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of her coffee cup. The fluorescent lights buzzed softly above, and the faint hum of conversation from the hallway reminded her of the impending meeting with Stephen and his IT team. She could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on her, amplifying her anxiety.

Blake, seated beside her, glanced over and caught her fidgeting. "Hey," he said softly, leaning in a bit closer. "You're going to be fine. Just remember, you've handled tougher situations than this. You're a pro."

She appreciated his attempt to ease her nerves but couldn't shake the flutter of apprehension in her stomach. "It's just... Stephen has always been persistent. I didn't think he'd go this far to get my attention."

Blake smirked, his confidence shining through. "Well, he clearly doesn't know what he's up against. He might be persistent, but you've got the upper hand. You're not interested, and you've made that clear, right?"

"Of course," Eleanor replied, her voice steadying. "But it's just a lot to deal with. I don't want to give him any false hope or create an awkward situation."

"Just be direct with him. You have every right to set boundaries, and you're not obligated to entertain his advances," Blake assured her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're the one in control here."

Taking a deep breath, Eleanor nodded, trying to absorb his words. "You're right. I just wish he'd take the hint and back off."

Just then, the door swung open, and Stephen strode in, accompanied by his IT team. He was wearing a tailored suit that accentuated his confident demeanor, and a sly smile crept across his face as he spotted Eleanor. "Eleanor! Good to see you again," he said, his tone smooth as silk.

"Hi, Stephen," she replied, forcing a polite smile as she met his gaze. Her stomach twisted slightly, but she pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the task at hand.

"Thanks for meeting with us today," he continued, gesturing to the other team members. "I'm excited to discuss our upcoming collaboration."

As they settled in, Blake shot Eleanor an encouraging glance, whispering, "You've got this." She took another deep breath, reminding herself to stay grounded.

Stephen started outlining their proposed plans, but Eleanor could sense the tension in the air. He kept glancing her way, as if waiting for an opportunity to steer the conversation toward more personal matters. She remained focused on the presentation, hoping to redirect the conversation back to business.

"Eleanor, you have such a unique perspective on our projects," Stephen said, leaning forward slightly. "I've always admired your insights."

"Thank you," she replied, maintaining her professionalism. "I believe clear communication and collaboration are essential for success."

As the meeting progressed, Eleanor could feel the eyes of his IT team shifting between her and Blake, the tension palpable. They exchanged glances as if they were aware of the underlying dynamic.

Blake, picking up on the mood, chimed in smoothly, "Eleanor's right. It's crucial for us to focus on the security measures and improvements we're implementing."

Stephen nodded, trying to steer the conversation back to business, but Eleanor could see the glint in his eyes-he was not willing to give up easily.

When the meeting wrapped up, Stephen lingered, his gaze lingering on Eleanor. "Can I talk to you for a moment?" he asked, his tone suggestive.

Eleanor felt a wave of apprehension wash over her. She glanced at Blake, who shot her a reassuring look before discreetly stepping back.

"Sure," she said, her heart racing as she prepared for what was sure to be another awkward confrontation.