Chapter 32: The Offer.
Things were going well. Liam kept a careful pace with the wine, sipping just enough to appear relaxed without losing his edge. He noticed Vanessa doing the same—a subtle mirroring that made him chuckle internally.
"She’s ready for business," he thought. "She just doesn’t know which kind yet."
The drink did its job, softening the edges of what could have felt like a corporate negotiation. Mrs. Harriet had sent Vanessa to sway him toward the New York position—a golden handcuff disguised as opportunity. But Liam had other ideas. He was playing a longer game, aiming to sway her instead, to turn her into an asset for the startup firm he was planning to open.
"I should get straight to business," Liam said, setting his glass down. "You’re a junior at Harlan, but your salary beats nearly every competitor. I know that’s their strength—unmatched pay and benefits. Makes it hard for other firms to poach talent." Liam admitted, this was one of the things he admired.
Vanessa’s eyebrow arched. She leaned back, her crop top riding up just a fraction of an inch. "You’ve done your homework."
"I worked there, don’t forget," Liam said with a smug expression.
She touched her temple, swayed slightly—a performance that didn’t fool him for a second. "I must have had quite a lot to drink. I’m rather tipsy."
Liam fought the urge to smile. She hadn’t had nearly enough for this effect to take place even for a light-head but he played along. "Let me get you some water."
He started to rise, but her hand landed on his thigh, firm and warm. "No, stay. I’m fine."
The touch lingered. Liam’s pulse quickened for just a second, but he kept his face neutral. He glanced down at her hand, then back up at her eyes.
"Vanessa, the truth is I brought you here for my own selfish reasons."
Her fingers tightened slightly on his leg.
"Direct," she thought. Unusual. Her mind raced—was he about to make a move? The thought sent a thrill through her, something far from innocent. The flush in his cheeks from the wine, the way his body tensed under her touch—it was adorable.
"Yes, Liam?" She leaned in, lips parting.
He sighed, then said it. "I want you to leave Harlan & Associates and join me."
The words hit like a bucket of cold water. Vanessa recoiled, her hand snapping back as if burned. A laugh burst from her, dismissive and sharp.
"Please tell me there’s a camera crew in the back. This is a prank, right?"
Liam’s expression didn’t waver. "I’m serious."
"Are you serious?" Vanessa had to confirm.
He nodded. "I can’t match your current salary at first. But I can offer you a career path—a guaranteed advancement that will earn you far more in the long run. At Harlan, you know your ceiling. With me, the sky’s the limit."
She stared at him, processing. He was right about her chances of making senior associate—slim, unless she played political games she hated. But leaving? For a startup? That was a huge gamble considering she had no idea who this man was apart from what she had been told.
"You’re insane," she said, standing abruptly. The sudden motion pulled her crop top askew, the underside of her breasts exposed for a brief second. She didn’t bother to cover herself. "Is this an insult, Liam?"
But as she stood over him, she caught his eyes flick downward—then quickly away.
"Ho? He does react. I can still do this!" A slow smile crept across her face.
She sat back down, closer this time, her knee brushing his.
"Does this mean you’re rejecting the New York offer?" Her voice softened, turned syrupy. "Come on, Liam. I know you want to do it."
She’d used her body to entice clients before—sex appeal as marketing. But she was no whore who’d go all the way. She still had dignity. Still had standards. But a little temptation? That was fair game.
Liam finally turned to face her fully. His eyes were different now—calculating, direct.
"You dressed like that to influence me. So let me ask you something." He paused. "If I asked you to take off your top before I said yes, would you do it?"
Vanessa blinked. Her playful mask cracked. "Where did that come from?"
"Vanessa, I want you to take off your top."
The demand hung in the air. Vanessa’s breath caught. She stared at him, searching for a joke, finding none.
"You’re serious," she said slowly. "You actually want me to strip. Here. Now."
"I’m answering your question. You wanted to know if I want to ’do it.’ That’s my answer."
She let out a low laugh, shaking her head. "You’ve got balls, I’ll give you that." She reached for her glass, took a drink, then set it down with a clink. "But I’m not some party trick you can pull out to prove a point."
Liam held her gaze. "I’m not asking for a trick. I’m asking for a demonstration of trust. You came here in that outfit to use your body as leverage. I’m calling that bluff."
Vanessa’s cheeks flushed—not from wine, but from irritation mixed with intrigue. She leaned forward, elbows on her knees, her top gaping dangerously. "And if I say no?"
"Then we continue this conversation like professionals, and you consider my offer on its merits."
She laughed again, softer this time. "You’re a piece of work, Liam. You know that?"
"So I’ve been told, right before I was fired."
She stood, smoothed her top down, and walked around the table. She stopped beside him, bent low, her mouth near his ear. Her breath was warm, tinged with wine and something floral.
"I’ll tell you what. You send me your proposal—a real one, with numbers, timeline, equity split. If it impresses me, we’ll have this conversation again. In a more... private setting." She straightened, looking down at him.
"But no free shows tonight. Not for a promise." The way she composed herself under pressure was impressive.
She grabbed her purse from the counter and headed for the door. At the threshold, she paused, glancing over her shoulder. The curve of her spine was visible above her low-rise jeans, a final flash of temptation.
"Don’t keep me waiting too long. I’m not a patient woman."
But she stopped a little too long before turning back at Liam, Liam expected her to have gone so he wondered why she turned to face him.
"Um...? Did you forget something?" Liam asked with a raised brow.
And all he could see with a perverse smirk on Vanessa’s flushed face.
