Volkov

Chapter 7

By the time 2 p.m. rolled around, I had gone over every detail of the proposal Matthew had prepped for the meeting. My heels clicked sharply against the tile as I made my way to the executive conference room. The air felt thicker today. My pulse raced a little faster than usual, but I forced myself to focus. Work was my refuge, my escape from the things I'd rather not think about. I had to stay sharp.

My thoughts kept drifting back to Maksim Volkov, of course. The ever-present weight of his gaze, his quiet intensity, and the way he always seemed to expect more from me. Despite my best efforts to keep things professional, the dynamic between us always felt like walking a tightrope. I couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was, but the way he carried himself, the authority he exuded—it made it impossible to ignore.

Maksim wasn't just my boss. He was the kind of person who could make an entire room freeze without saying a word. And for reasons I wasn't entirely comfortable admitting, I found myself continually drawn to him, even when I knew it was dangerous.

I rounded the corner into the hallway and was almost to the conference room when I saw Matthew huddled with another colleague. I quickly waved and gave him a reassuring smile. He nodded back, giving me the space to continue on. The executive conference room was just ahead. I could already feel the temperature change when I stepped inside.

Maksim was already there, seated at the head of the long, sleek conference table. He was dressed impeccably as usual, in a perfectly tailored dark navy suit with a crisp white shirt and a black tie. His broad shoulders seemed to fill the room, and his commanding presence was unmistakable. At 6'6", he towered over most people, and even though I was no short woman at 5'10", standing across from him still made me feel small in comparison. The way he filled the room with such calm yet undeniable authority made every interaction with him feel like a carefully calculated performance.

He looked up the second I entered, his piercing gray eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch.

"Ms. Tremble," he greeted me smoothly, his voice a low rumble that set my skin on edge.

"Mr. Volkov," I replied with a nod, trying to keep my tone even as I walked to the table. I kept my steps purposeful, trying not to acknowledge the way my heart beat a little too fast when I was in his presence.

"Please, sit," he said, motioning to the chair directly across from him. His voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of something else beneath it—something I couldn't quite place.

I sat down, crossing my legs beneath the table, trying to maintain an air of confidence, but inside I felt like I was already under his scrutiny. There was something about him that made me feel like I was constantly being tested.

He didn't waste any time, getting straight to business. "I've gone over the preliminary contract for the Ridgeline account. I must say, Ms. Tremble, I'm impressed. It's rare to see someone in your position take ownership of such an important deal so quickly."

I couldn't help but relax a fraction. Praise from Maksim, especially in front of anyone else, was a rare commodity. "Thank you," I said, a small smile tugging at my lips. "I've been working closely with Matthew to ensure everything aligns with the client's expectations."

He nodded, his eyes narrowing as he slid a folder across the table. "I've made some notes. There are areas where I think we can push for better terms. We cannot afford to settle for mediocrity, especially on this account."

His words, though calm, had an edge to them. He was always demanding, always expecting the best. And the truth was, I liked that about him. It made me push harder, strive for excellence. But there was something about the way he presented himself, his confidence bordering on arrogance, that made me second-guess myself every time we interacted.