When Elise walked into the office, Nadia made no attempt to cover her shrink with embarrassment. Perched on the edge of Robert’s desk, she calmly crossed her legs and finished applying a fresh coat of gloss to her lips.
The color matched the stain on Robert’s crisp white shirt. Elise noticed it immediately. Pleased with herself, a warmth unfurled low within Nadia’s stomach, knowing the other woman caught the detail. Elise had taught her how to dress, how to hold eye contact, and even how to invite men’s attention with a simple look. But marking her prey in such a subtly devious way? That wicked detail was something Nadia had discovered on her own.
Elise gave the barest hint of a raised eyebrow. She was impressed.
Robert’s expression, meanwhile, showed he was more irritated than ashamed. Elise expected that; men with nine-figure net worths were immune to emotions like guilt or shame. But arrogance left blind spots.
“I’m impressed, Robert,” Elise said smoothly as she slid a folder across his wooden desk. “At least this one is worth looking at.” Her eyes drifted to Nadia, the intimate apprising gaze enough to cause Nadia to straighten her posture. The blonde smoothed the hem of her glittering dress lower on her thighs before pushing her chest forward slightly beneath the pink sequins.
Beautiful girls loved being admired… especially by the women who helped create them.
Robert finally opened the folder, too distracted to notice the current flowing between both women. Photographs spilled out; Him and Nadia on hotel balconies, in restaurants, on a resort beach, and in private suites. Most with Nadia, others of women before her. Those images were grainy and distant. The ones with Nadia were immaculate.
“I have video, too,” Elise said. “4K resolution and crystal clear audio.” Her eyes flicked over to Nadia again. “You’re a loud little thing.”
A slow, demure smile crept across Nadia’s glossy lips. Robert continued to flip through the pictures until he arrived the settlement agreement settlement agreement at the back of the folder.
“I already had the lawyers prepare everything,” Elise told him, arms folding beneath the clean white lines of her blazer. “I believe you’ll find the terms very fair.” Her eyes drifted to Nadia again. Six months ago, those blue eyes had been hidden behind oversized glasses in Robert’s branding department. Elise still remembered catching Nolan staring at her Louboutins in the elevator one morning with a look of longing.
Robert had not reason to take notice of the young man, but Elise did. She noticed the crips tailored slacks and the expensive, salon-cut hair. The full, supple lips that were wasted on delicate boy but any woman would have killed for. Elise even noticed how the shy designer stayed late polishing presentations her CEO husband would later take credit for.
Once she noticed Nolan, she couldn’t help but see the girl underneath. Delicate manicured hands and a deep fashionation with luxury. Bright, wide eyes that nervously lingered on beautiful women’s attire too long. Now she watched as Nadia smoothed out her dress again; no longer hidden.
Elise remembered Nolan’s first pair of heels. How much he stared at his first manicure with painted nails. He had watched his features soften under the application of makeup and fascination fueled a hunger for more. That was when Nadia was truly released.
Nolaned learned to walk in heels quickly because he wanted to walk elegantly in red-bottom Louboutins. When he saw how easily his features transformed into porcelain perfection with makeup, Nolan devoured every tutorial.
“I do have one condition,” Robert finally said, interrupting the silence. “Discretion.” His attention flicked nervously between Nadia and Elise. “Mistakes were made, and naturally I intend to compensate everyone appropriately.”
Elise caught the glimmer of excitement in Nadia’s eyes before it vanished again. Robert, predictably, noticed nothing.
“I’m not some silly little girl, Robert,” Nadia said softly. “I was always paid to leave quietly.”
The relief on his face was immediate. Reputation and money had blinded him so completely that he still believed he controlled the room.
“In that case,” he said quickly, scribbling new numbers onto the agreement, “I think you’ll find this more than generous.” He slid the paper to Nadia.
Even she struggled to hide her surprise. Elise had promised her luxury, but this exceeded both their expectations. One monthly payment alone was more than Elise had spent shaping Nadia’s lush figure. Her mind immediately drifted toward new dresses, jewelry, perhaps another enhancement.
Robert watched both women sign the NDA and he exchanged them for Elise’s settlement papers. By the time they got on the elevator, Robert was already forgotten.
“You wore the earrings,” Elise observed quietly. Nadia’s cheeks tinted pink beneath her makeup. “
They were the first gift you gave me.” Nadia’s voice softened further. “I wanted you to see that I still treasure them.”Something warm stirred low inside Elise at the look in Nadia’s eyes. The space between them suddenly felt warmer than before.
I’m proud of you,” Elise admitted, reaching up to cup Nadia’s cheek. “You surpassed every expectation I had.”
“That’s because you saw me before I ever could.” Nadia leaned subtly into her touch. “You were the perfect role model and mentor.
For a moment, Elise forgot entirely about the settlement, the affair, even Robert himself. Watching Nadia emerge had become something far more intoxicating than revenge. She had set out to create a beautiful distraction for her husband. Instead, she had awakened something exquisite. Something she needed more than money.
“So,” Nadia said as the town car door opened for them downstairs, “I’ve been thinking.”
“Oh?” Elise smiled faintly. “That could mean trouble.”
“Perhaps next time,” Nadia continued, sliding gracefully into the leather seat, “I should be the wife.”
“And me?” Elise asked.
Nadia’s glossy lips curved slowly. “The other woman.”
Elise laughed softly as she settled beside her, already imagining the possibilities. She also noticed Nadia’s lips again and imagined they were as soft as they looked.
“I think,” she said, smoothing a thumb thoughtfully across Nadia’s knuckles, “we should start looking for your husband.”
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