If you only knew...

33.Dangerous seduction

Xavier's POV

As she glides toward me on the plush velvet couch, an unsettling sensation begins to creep into me. After all, she's a 45-year-old woman, minimally dressed, and with the power to kill me any minute in case she senses my facade.

This test feels unlike any I've faced before—it's a real challenge. On the outside, I desperately strive to project a calm and collected demeanor, but inside, a storm of fear and discomfort brews. It's a constant battle between appearances and the tumultuous emotions swirling within me.

With a gentle breath against my ear, she leans in and softly whispers, "You can call me Madeline."

Her hand gently touches my neck, her fingers playing slowly with my choker necklace.

"Daniel," I say, mustering the strength to meet her gaze once more. The dim light casts shadows across her face, amplifying the lines etched by time that I can't help but notice. A wave of repulsion washes over me, one that I struggle to conceal. All I feel is a deep-seated disgust, and then a fleeting memory jolts me back—Ana. I can't shake the thought that she must have endured something similar with that older man during the ballroom mission.

"Mmm, there's an irresistible charm about your youthful appearance. Just imagine how I could shower you with wealth and luxury if you let me have a taste of you," she speaks with a gentle cadence that holds an unmistakable authority.

A sudden wave of tension washes over me as I find myself grappling for words. Her fingers press against my neck, stirring an unsettling mix of emotions within me. Just as I gather the courage to speak, I feel her hand slide around my waist, pulling me closer. Our breaths mingle in the charged air, and I can't help but sense the anticipation building as she leans in, aiming for my lips— a terrifying kiss!

I find myself cornered, left with no choice but to accept the harsh truth of her actions. Embracing this painful reality feels like the only way forward. As her lips brush against mine, an unsettling knot tightens in my stomach at the sheer absurdity of the moment. I silently hurl a thousand curses at my boss—he knew exactly what he was throwing me into! It feels like a trap, and I can't shake the sense that I'm caught in a game I never agreed to play.

I find myself longing for an escape, a way to abandon everything: this assignment, the money they dangle in front of us, and the job that's become a burden. The urge to flee is strong, but I know it would be foolish—too late to turn back now, and far too risky to challenge this woman's intricate schemes. I'm trapped, and the only option is to see this through to the end.

As she retreats from the gross kiss, a smirk of satisfaction dances across her lips. Leaning in slightly, she asks with a teasing lilt in her voice, "What on earth are you doing here all alone? What drew you to this spot?"

Gathering all my strength to mask my disgust at what has just happened, I force a smile and manage to say, "I was on the lookout for a new adventure, and I think I've stumbled upon an incredible spot right here!"

"Your kiss is utterly intoxicating, I want more of you boy" with a sultry whisper, she leans in, her fingers digging into my jacket, pulling me closer as the air between us crackles with tension.

In just a second, I feel her fingers caressing my stomach, gently stroking the fabric of my shirt while her touch lingers over my wound. A rush of sensations floods through me, an instinctual need to gasp or clench my teeth, but I force myself to hold a perfectly composed expression—one that borders on arrogance. It's a look that seems to beckon her, provoking her curiosity and compelling her to push further, ultimately leading her to want to take me into her room.

But her hands don't just linger; in a swift motion, one seizes the hem of my shirt and attempts to slowly slip beneath, while the other—well, it glides lower.