Chapter 1: Introduction
The scent of lavender permeated the plush elevator as it ascended; Alicia always wore lavender on days when she intended to play rough. The aroma also radiated off Emily, who leaned over Alicia’s shoulder with her crimson lips curving into a smile.
“He’s totally checking you out,” she whispered mischievously.
Alicia looked up and smirked at Emily from beneath her thick lashes. “Who, Christian?”
Emily nodded, her black bob swaying with the rhythm of her head.
Alicia glanced over at the tall, blue-eyed man standing next to the massive mahogany desk, his fingers tapping impatiently on the armrest. He seemed distracted by something outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, but when he noticed Alicia stealing a glance at him, his gaze lingered for just a moment too long.
“I was thinking of inviting him to my place,” said Alicia with a smirk.
Emily rolled her eyes.
“You’d better not. Your apartment’s already a minefield of sex toys and bondage equipment. I don't want to be tripping over cuffs and dildos when I come over for coffee.”
Alicia giggled as the elevator doors pinged open, revealing the sleek and modern interior of the office building’s lobby. They crossed the shiny marble floor and stepped out onto the bustling street, heading towards the little coffee shop nestled between gleaming glass buildings.
Emily broke the silence first. “So, what do you think of him?
Honestly?” Emily asked, blowing on her piping hot latte.
Alicia leaned back in her chair and ran a hand through her long black hair. “He’s intriguing. Confident, but there’s something else there, a depth I want to explore.”
Emily raised her eyebrows. “Really?”
Alicia nodded. “Yeah, like he’s got this secret he's keeping. It's sexy, and I want to unravel it.”
Just then, the door to the coffee shop opened and Christian walked in.