Bonds

Chapter 93

-Maya’s POV-

The surprise must have been clear on my face, because the word exploded out of me in a surprised gasp. “What?”

Ivan chuckled as he pulled out and I had to stop myself from letting out a moan, his eyes holding mine. “I know it’s out of the blue,” he admitted, “but hear me out.”

He leaned down then, pressing a quick kiss to my lips. It was a chaste peck, a playful tease that left me wanting more.

“Go get cleaned up,” he whispered, his voice husky. “I will use another bathroom down the hall because,” he added, a glint of amusement in his eyes, “I can’t promise I won’t take you again if we get in the shower together.”

With that, he turned and walked out of the bathroom, leaving me standing there speechless. It took a moment for my brain to catch up with what just happened.

Ivan wanted me to work for him?

A mix of emotions swirled inside me – confusion, surprise, and a flicker of something else, something deeper and more unexpected.

Happiness? Maybe.

Taking a deep breath, I finally tore myself away from the spot and stumbled towards the shower. The cool water cascaded down my skin, washing away the lingering heat of our encounter and giving me a moment to clear my head.

As the water massaged away the tension in my muscles, I replayed Ivan’s words in my mind. Working for him… it was a tempting offer, especially after weeks of fruitless job hunting. But there were complications, of course. The biggest one being Alex.

His investment had given Ivan’s company a much–needed boost, propelling it back onto its feet. The irony of it all wasn’t lost on me. The man who rejected me, who broke my heart, was now indirectly helping the man I was married to.

The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth. I didn’t want to be beholden to him in any way, not even through Ivan.

was the other side of the coin. Working for Ivan meant being close to him, spending more time together. The idea sent a thrill through me, a warmth that

time I stepped out of the shower, towel wrapped around my body, I knew I had to hear him out. This wasn’t

from the bathroom, Ivan was already sitting on the bed, clad only in a pair of sweatpants. The sight of him, so casually relaxed, sent another

slow smile, his eyes lingering on my form for a beat too long before he gestured to the empty space beside him. “Come

a comfortable

sincere, “I’ve seen you running yourself ragged trying to

hesitated for a moment, then continued. “As much as I hate to even mention his name,” he said with a

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Chapter 93

is booming again, and I’m

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out and took my hand in his, his fingers intertwining with mine. The warmth of his touch sent

struggling. I can offer you a job. A good job, with a

I squeezed his

was tempting. The financial security, the chance to be close to him… it

of reason, the one laced with a healthy dose

the offer, I really do. But

question hanging in

of the company now, and the thought of working in the same place as him when it was the fact that I didn’t want anything to do with him that made me quit a

I wouldn’t blame you for wanting nothing to do with him. I don’t even want you near him in the first place but I’m proposing this because you are

He understood. He saw the hurt and the pain I tried

even be doing?” The question tumbled out, a mix of curiosity and lingering hesitation still battling within

face. “Honestly, Amaya,” he began, “you have a lot of options. You’re smart, capable, and you have a great eye for detail. You could be my personal assistant, handling my schedule and paperwork. Or,” he continued, seeing the flicker of doubt in my eyes, “you could choose something else entirely. We’re expanding the company, and there are openings in

over my role, of choosing something that actually Interested me, was appealing. But the thought of

still made me

a bit overwhelming. And the

he is almost never physically present at the