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

I stepped out of the shower, towel wrapped around my body, I knew I had to hear him out. This

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

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

leaving a comfortable distance between us. He cleared his throat, seemingly

began, his voice sincere, “I’ve seen you running yourself ragged trying to find a job. It’s not easy out there, especially with everything that’s going

hate to even mention his name,” he

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Chapter 93

a lifesaver for the company. Business is booming again,

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in his, his fingers intertwining with mine. The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through me, a silent reassurance in the face of my

need to be out there struggling. I can offer you a job. A good job, with a

I squeezed his

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

voice of reason, the one laced with a healthy dose of skepticism, piped up in my

offer, I really do. But working for you…

eyebrow, a question hanging

same place as him when it was the fact that I didn’t want anything to do with him that made me quit a job I really loved and

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

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

I even be doing?” The question tumbled

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 marketing, human resources, even event

some control over my role, of choosing something that actually Interested me, was appealing. But the thought of working in the same building as Alex, even if the chances of actually interacting with

still made

bit overwhelming. And the thought of even being

cut me off gently. “I understand you and believe me, I’m the last person that wants you near him but he is almost never physically present at the office. He invests, he gets updates, but he leaves the day–to–day operations