Chapter 19 THE OFFICE TRAP -CLAIRE'S POV ~ The silk robe feels cool against my skin as I stand in the kitchen , stainless steel pot in hand . My reflection catches in its surface , and I trace the dark mark on my neck with my fingertip . Alexander's brand from last night . He came home from his investor meeting with hunger in his eyes and didn't waste time with pleasantries . Claimed me against the hallway wall , then carried me to bed where he made me forget my own name . The man's appetite is unquenchable when he's worked up about business . Different from Richard . With Richard , it was passionate but controlled . With Alexander , it's consuming . The doorbell pulls me from my thoughts . I set down the pot and pad barefoot to the entrance , checking the monitor . Kimberly stands there with her tablet hugged against her chest , looking as polished as always despite the early hour . I didn't call for her . Neither did Alexander , as far as I know . " Good morning , Miss Winfred , " she says as I let her in , her voice cheerfully professional despite my obvious state of undress . I lead her to the living room , settling into the cream leather chair . " Why are you here , Kimberly ? Did something happen ? " She opens her mouth to speak just as Alexander walks in from the bedroom . He's wearing only cream sweatpants , his hair messed from sleep , broad chest bare and marked with faint scratches from my nails . I watch Kimberly's face flush pink before she quickly looks down at her tablet . Strange . I have never felt anything when women stare at Alexander .... and they do , constantly . He's devastatingly handsome , wealthy , and charming . Of course , they look . So why does seeing Kimberly's harmless appreciation make something twist in my chest ? I clear my throat . " Kimberly ? " " Right . " She straightens , all business again . " Mr. Blackwood has agreed to meet with you about your proposal . " My eyebrow arches . I didn't expect Richard to respond so quickly . The proposal was meant to be a test , a way to gauge his desperation . " He's requesting a meeting in his office to discuss the details , " Kimberly continues . Alexander moves behind my chair , his hand finding my shoulder as he takes the tablet from Kimberly . I feel his attention shift as he scrolls through the message . " What do you plan to do ? " he asks , his voice carefully uninterested . I reach up and cover his hand with mine , smiling . " I'm going to meet with Richard and hear what he has to say . " " Are you sure you can handle him ? " The question should irritate me . I find his concern surprisingly charming . 1/5 Chapter 19 +15 Bonus " You don't need to worry about me , " I tell him , turning to meet his eyes . " This is part of my revenge , remember ? I'm going to help you drain Blackwood Industries into the ground . " Alexander doesn't look convinced , but he leans down and presses his lips to the sensitive spot where my neck meets my shoulder . " I trust you , " he murmurs against my skin . " I'm waiting to see what you have planned with this proposal . " My smile turns wicked . " Sit back and watch the show . " * I chose the red bodycon dress intentionally . It's one of my favorites ... silk that hugs every curve , ending just above my knees . Professional enough for a business meeting , seductive enough to remind Richard of what he lost . The black Lamborghini purrs as I pull up to Blackwood Industries . I sit for a moment , staring up at the glass tower that used to intimidate me . The last time I was here , I was pathetic . Desperate . Begging for scraps of attention from a man who couldn't wait to be rid of me . Now I'm the one holding all the cards . The moment I step out of the car , whispers follow me across the lobby . I can feel eyes tracking my movement , hear the murmur of recognition . ' Is that Claire Blackwood ? ' ' I thought she was Claire Winfred now . ' ' She looks incredible . ' ' Didn't she use to be married to ...... ' I let the speculation go as I walk to the elevator , my heels clicking on the marble floor . Janet looks up from her desk as I approach Richard's office , her face cycling through surprise , confusion , and something that might be fear . I remember the pity in her eyes during my marriage . The way she would look at me when I would wait for Richard , sometimes for hours , squeezing coffee that had long gone cold . Now I smile at her like we're old friends . " Hello , Janet . Please tell Mr Blackwood his ten o'clock is here . " She fumbles for her phone , clearly flustered . " Of course , Miss ... Winfred . He's expecting you . " The office door opens , and there he is . Richard Blackwood looks impressive . He wears a well - fitted charcoal suit , and his dark hair is styled neatly . His sea - blue eyes , which used to make me weak in the knees , now look at me with caution . " Claire . " His voice is carefully controlled . " Please , come in . " I walk past him into the office that used to be my second home . Nothing's changed .... same mahogany desk , same leather chairs , same view of Manhattan spreading out below us . But everything feels different now . I settle into the chair across from his desk , crossing my legs slowly . The dress rides up slightly , and I don't bother to adjust it . 2/5 Chapter 19 +15 Bonus Richard notices . How could he not ? He stands behind his desk like it's a shield , but I can feel his eyes watching me . Taking in the dress , the confident way I hold myself , the bare legs I deliberately chose not to cover with stockings . " You look well , " he says , settling into his chair . " Thank you . You look tired . " It's true . There are shadows under his eyes , tension in the set of his shoulders . The golden boy of Manhattan society looks like he's carrying the weight of the world . Good . " Let's discuss your proposal , " he says , pulling out a printed copy . " A children's foundation focused on trauma and rebuilding . " " That's right . I want to help families who've experienced loss . Betrayal . Help them find their strength again . " The words are loaded , and we both know it . " It's ambitious , " Richard continues . " The funding requirements alone ... " " Which is why I want you and Mrs Blackwood involved , " I interrupt . " Your names would lend credibility . Put you back in the spotlight in a positive way . " I lean forward slightly , letting him catch the scent of my perfume . Something new .... not the soft vanilla I used to wear , but something sharper . More dangerous . " Given your company's ... current reputation challenges ... this could be exactly what you need . " His jaw tightens at the quiet dig . " My company is doing fine . " " Is it ? " I tilt my head , letting confusion color my voice . " Because the headlines suggest otherwise . Stock prices, investor confidence , whispers about instability ... " " You seem remarkably well - informed about my business affairs . " " I make it my business to stay informed about things that interest me . " The silence between us is heavy with unspoken history . Richard drums his fingers on the desk , and I can almost see him thinking . He's debating whether he can trust me . Whether this proposal is genuine or some elaborate trap . Smart man . He should be suspicious . " Why me ? " he asks finally . " There are other well - known families who could support this foundation . Why come to your ex- husband ? " I stand slowly , smoothing down my dress . Richard's eyes follow the movement , and I see his throat work as he swallows . " Because , " I say , walking around his desk with planned steps , " I believe in second chances . In redemption . " He swivels his chair to face me , but doesn't back away as I approach . I can smell his cologne .... the same one he's worn for years . The one that used to comfort me . Now it just reminds me of lies . " I also believe , " I continue , stopping just close enough to be in his personal space , " that some people deserve to be reminded of 3/5 Chapter 19 +15 Bonus their mistakes . " His breath catches as I lean down , bracing one hand on the arm of his chair . We're inches apart now , and I can see the pulse jumping in his throat . " Tell me something , Richard , " I murmur , my voice dropping to that husky register I know drives him crazy . "Do you ever think about what you threw away ? " " Claire ..... " " Do you ever lie awake at night and wonder what would have happened if you'd been faithful ? If you'd chosen love over comfort ? 11 His hands grip the chair arms so tightly that his knuckles are white . " What are you doing ? " I reach out with my free hand , fingers finding his tie . The silk slides through my fingers as I twist it around my palm , using it to tilt his face up to mine . " I'm asking you a question . " My voice is steady , controlled . " Do you still find me disgusting , Richard ? " " Yes , " he says , but his voice cracks on the word . " Liar . " I tighten my grip on his tie , pulling him closer . " Your mouth says yes , but your body ... " I let my gaze drop slowly to his lap , where the proof of his dick strains against his perfectly pressed pants . " Your body says something else entirely . " He's breathing hard now , pupils dilated . I can feel the heat coming off his skin , see the way his chest rises and falls with each ragged breath . " Explain something to me , " I whisper , my lips barely an inch from his . " If I disgust you so much , why are you so hard right now ? The question hangs in the air between us like a loaded gun . Richard's eyes search my face , looking for some hint of the broken woman who signed those divorce papers . But she's gone . In her place stands someone who knows exactly what she wants and how to get it . Someone who's learned that the best revenge is making a man realize what he lost . " I ..... " he starts , but I press a finger to his lips . " Shh . " I lean closer , my breath warm against his ear . " Don't lie to me , Richard . We're past that now . " When I pull back , his eyes are dark with want and something else . Something that looks like regret . " The foundation , " he says hoarsely . " What about it ? " " I'll support it . Whatever you need . " I smile , slow and satisfied , and release his tie . He slumps back in his chair like a man who's just run a marathon . " I'll have my people send over the details , " I say , straightening my dress and walking toward the door . " We'll be in touch . " I pause at the threshold , looking back over my shoulder . " Oh , and Richard ? You might want to take care of your ... situation ... before your next meeting . " 4/5 Chapter 19 The door closes behind me with a soft click , and I can't help but smile . Round one to me .