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.

for Ivan meant being close to him, spending more time together. The idea sent a thrill through me, a warmth that chased away the lingering

my body, I knew I had to hear him out. This wasn’t just about a

off quickly, the nervous energy buzzing under my skin. When I emerged from the bathroom, Ivan was already sitting on the

long before he gestured to the empty space beside him. “Come here,” he smiled, his voice low

down next to him, leaving a comfortable

trying to find a job. It’s not easy out

then continued. “As much as I hate to even mention his name,”

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Chapter 93

company. Business is booming again, and I’m finally back on my

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hand 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

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

I squeezed his

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

with a

I started, my voice cautious, “I appreciate the offer, I really do. But working for you…

question

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

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

of gratitude washed over me. He understood. He saw the hurt and the pain I tried to

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

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

actually Interested me, was appealing. But the thought of working in the same building as Alex,

still made

And the

“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 to