Chapter 39 SEDUCING THE UNYIELDING BOSS
Sharon had always known how to get what she wanted from men. Flipping hair back, a tilt of the head, a slow smile, a brush of her fingers across an arm. Those small gestures usually did the trick.
At the office, it worked like magic on her target, sometimes lingering eye contact in meetings, “accidental” touches when passing reports, dresses that showed off her curves just enough to make colleagues lose focus.
Because of her moves, promotions came faster, dealing got extended, and whatever favours she requested were granted without question.
Everyone fell for it. Except one. And was her boss, Ethan Caldwell, the VP of operations.
He was in his late thirties and always sharply dressed. He ran the department with an iron hand, zero tolerance for excuses, and he had high expectations for everyone. And no matter how hard Mora tried, he still didn't notice her.
She didn't give up. She'd wear shorter skirts on days she knew she’d be in his office for one on ones. Then lean a little forward when handing him documents so he'd get a clear view of her cleavage, laughing a lil too much at his dry comments, letting her hair fall down her face in a way that usually made men weak.
Nothing.
Instead, he would look up at her with a polite nod, then return to his screen. “Let's focus on the Q3 projections, Sharon.” Sounding professional, cool, and untouched.
It drove her insane, not because she needed his approval for her job or a promotion, she was already one of the top performers. But because he was the only one who didn’t react to her charms. The only one who didn’t look at her like he wanted to bend her over his desk the moment the door closed. And that made her want him more than anyone else ever.
So she put more effort into staying late nights at the office when she knew he'd be there, working alone in his office.
She’d serve him coffee, black with two sugars, exactly how he liked it. Wearing a silk blouse with one button undone and then standing close while reviewing spreadsheets on his monitor, letting her hip brush his arm.
That also didn't work.
One Thursday, after a brutal client presentation, everyone went home aside from her and Ethan. She walked into his office without knocking, holding a folder as an excuse.
“You were too hard on them today,” she said, closing the door behind her.
He didn’t look up from his laptop. “They needed to hear it. We're already behind time.
She moved around his desk slowly, standing right beside him, so close her thigh nearly touched his hand on the mouse
“I thought you were brilliant,” she murmured, voice lower than usual. “The way you took control… it was hot.”
Finally, he looked up.
His eyes locked with her, unreadable.
“Sharon,” he said calmly, “what are you doing?”
She bent a little, letting her blouse open just enough. “Trying to get your attention.”
A sighed deeply.
“You already have it. Professionally, Sharon. And that’s all you’re going to get.”
She scoffed and shook her head, not from being rejected exactly. She liked the control in his tone.
She didn’t back down. “You’ve never once looked at me the way the others do.”
“Because I don’t mix business with pleasure. And because I’m not interested in silly games, just so you know.”
She smiled, more like a challenge. “Everyone says that… until they don’t.”
He closed his laptop, now pissed at her. He stood looking taller than she could remember up close, looked down at her, assessing her with no hint of desire.
“You’re excellent at your job, Sharon. Don’t ruin it by trying to seduce your way into something that isn’t going to happen.”
She held his gaze, she didn’t feel embarrassed at it, she felt frustration.
“Then why do you keep me on the big accounts?” she asked quietly. “Why push me harder than anyone else?”
He didn’t flinch.
“Because you can handle it, you've been in this company for years. And because I expect more from you than flirting your way through life.”
He walked past her and opened the door.
“Have the revised forecast on my desk by nine tomorrow.”
She walked out, heels clicking, disappointment written on her face.
He hadn’t touched her, didn't even look below her neck. Somehow, for the first time, she felt truly seen.
His rejection made her only more determined.she wasn't done trying, not even close.
Sharon didn’t sleep that night. She lay in bed next to her husband,staring at the ceiling, Ethan’s words hunted her.
I expect more from you than flirting your way through life.
It should have hurt her ego, making her back off, but it didn't. Instead, it sparked desire and the need to be laid by her boss.It.
The next day, she arrived the office early and went straight to Ethan's office and dropped the revised forecast on Ethan’s desk before he even arrived, and a note attached to it in her neat handwriting. It read.
Let me know if this meets your expectations.
Then she waited.
At 10 a.m. he called her into his office. She walked into his office slowly and stood in front of his desk instead of sitting. He was reviewing her report.
“This is excellent,” he said finally, looking up. “You turned it in fast. Good work.”
She didn’t smile. Just locked eyes with his. “Thank you. I can handle anything hard,” she said, voice low, letting the double meaning sink in “When someone pushes me the right way.”
He looked briefly at the open collar of her blouse and the slit of her skirt. Then he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms.
“Sharon, I told you last night…”
“I heard you,” she interrupted. “You said you don’t mix business with pleasure. But you also said you expect more from me.”
She let that settle. “So give me more.”
For the first time, something changed in his expression. A tightening of his jaw, like he was holding something back.
“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he said quietly.
“Maybe,” she replied. “But I’m tired of easy wins.”
She brought out a small silver drive from her pocket and slid it across the desk toward him.
“My personal analysis of the Q4 pipeline. Off the books. Took me all weekend.” A big lie…she did it in two hours last night, fueled by frustration and want “No one else has it. Not even the team.”
He didn’t touch it. He cleared his throat. “Why?”
“Because I want you to see what I can do when I’m really motivated.” She stood straight but didn’t step back. “And because I want to know what it takes to make you lose that famous control. Even for a second.”
Ethan finally picked up the drive, turning it over in his fingers.
“Close the door on your way out,” he said.
She turned, heart pounding, and walked to the door.
Just as her hand touched the handle, his voice stopped her.
“Sharon.”
She looked back.
“Next time you want to prove something, do it with the work. Not with…” His gaze went down her body and backed up. “Distractions.”
Her breath caught. That look…it was the first real deal. At least he noticed this time. She smiled, one of victory. “Yes, sir.”
She walked out, swaying her hips just so he noticed. He didn’t touch her, didn't give in, but he looked, and that was progress.
Next time, she would make sure he did more than look.