Page 59 of Mario

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I realize, in that moment, that I have misjudged her.

I saw her competence. I saw her intelligence. I even saw her quiet strength.

I did not see her ruthlessness.

I did not see the fire.

I thought I was testing her.

But she is testing me.

I smile. A genuine smile this time, one that I rarely allow myself.

"Fair enough, Ms. Murray."

I pick up my own glass. "To the beginning," I say. "Of the end of our weaknesses." I raise the glass in a toast.

She hesitates for a beat, then she lifts her glass and taps it against mine. The clink is small, but it echoes in the quiet room.

She takes a sip.

The sweet liquor touches her lips, and I watch her throat move as she swallows.

I can almost taste it on her.

I want to taste it on her. I want to taste the almond, and the sweetness, and her.

The thought is so sudden and so fierce it almost takes my breath away.

I have wanted women before. Many women. But this is different. This is not a passing fancy. This is a deep, gnawing hunger.

A hunger that is becoming more and more difficult to ignore.

She sets her glass down, her gaze unwavering. "I should begin."

And just like that, she is back. The lawyer. The professional. The woman in control.

She is dismissing me now. In my own office.

And I am so intrigued, I let her.

I want to bend her over my desk, lift her skirt, and remind her who's in charge.

I want to ruin her.

And I want to put her back together again.

Instead, I nod. "I look forward to your report."

She stands, smooths her dress, and picks up her tablet and briefcase.

"Mr. Conti."

Then she is gone.

I stand there for a long moment, staring at the door she just closed.

I look at the two glasses on my desk.

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