Temptation: Breaking Victoria Sharp

James had always prided himself on his strategic thinking, but the past weeks had tested the limits of his analytical abilities in ways he had never anticipated. Victoria Sharp, brilliant, infuriating, impossible Victoria was driving him crazy with her stubborn refusal to acknowledge what had passed between them.

The kiss that was not quite a kiss. The challenge he'd issued. The way her pupils had dilated when he had turned her over and leaned close, the slight catch in her breathing that betrayed everything her carefully controlled expression sought to hide.

She felt something. James was certain of it now, had been certain of it the moment her lips had grazed his and her entire body had gone rigid with want rather than rejection.

Was he happy? Of course. Although, it was too soon to celebrate. Victoria Sharp, CEO and master of her own universe, seemed determined to categorize their interaction as nothing more than a momentary lapse in professional judgment.

Well. James had news for her.

Standing before his bedroom mirror on Monday morning, James adjusted the deep burgundy cashmere V-neck sweater over his crisp white Oxford shirt...burgundy being the exact shade Victoria had worn to the Singapore presentation, the color that had made her skin glow and her eyes appear almost amber in certain lights. He had noticed her noticing style, the way her gaze lingered appreciatively on well-coordinated ensembles, the subtle nod of approval she had given when employees dressed with sophisticated flair. Victoria Sharp's company was known for its impeccably dressed staff, she had cultivated a culture where fashion sense was as valued as professional competence.

The charcoal wool trousers fit perfectly, tailored to accommodate his athletic build without being obvious about it. Years of morning runs and evening workouts had given him broad shoulders, defined arms, and the kind of solid, muscular frame that looked good in well-cut clothing. If Victoria thought she could simply ignore the attraction crackling between them, she was about to discover just how stubborn James too could be when he set his mind to something.

The burgundy cashmere was just the beginning.

Victoria's first indication that something had shifted came at 8:47 AM, precisely thirteen minutes after she had settled into her office with her usual morning ritual of coffee, market reports, and strategic planning documents. James knocked on her door, two sharp raps followed by his customary pause and entered when she called for him to come in.

She looked up from her tablet, ready to discuss the Singapore regulatory modifications they had been navigating, and felt her breath catch in her throat.

James stood in her doorway wearing a burgundy cashmere V-neck that clung to his athletic torso in all the right places, the soft wool emphasizing the breadth of his shoulders and the strong line of his chest. Beneath it, a crisp white Oxford shirt provided contrast, while perfectly tailored charcoal trousers showed off his lean waist and powerful thighs. The combination was striking, sophisticated yet masculine, professional yet somehow intimate, as if he had selected each piece with deliberate care.

The burgundy was the exact shade she had chosen for the Singapore presentation.

No. Wait, wait. She caught herself. Why exactly was she attaching meaning to something of probably no insignificance?

"Good morning, Victoria," he said, his voice carrying that same quiet confidence he had displayed during their confrontation. He moved into her office with unhurried precision, carrying a leather messenger bag that matched his brown leather Chelsea boots, his movements economical and purposeful. The cashmere stretched appealingly across his wide chest as he walked.

"James," she replied, pleased that her voice remained steady despite the way her pulse had accelerated at the sight of him. "I trust you had a productive break?"

"Very productive," he confirmed, settling into the chair across from her desk with fluid grace. Something about his posture was different, still respectful of her position, but no longer deferential. He sat like a man comfortable in his own skin, confident in his value and unafraid to claim space. The V-neck's deep neckline revealed a tantalizing hint of collarbones and the strong column of his throat.

Victoria found herself studying the way the cashmere molded to his torso, the precise way his collar framed his throat, the subtle shift of fabric across his shoulders as he opened his messenger bag. The burgundy seemed to pulse with significance she was not ready to examine.

"The Singapore regulatory team responded to our modifications," James continued, seemingly oblivious to her scrutiny. "They're requesting additional documentation regarding our data storage protocols, but the feedback suggests we're moving in the right direction."

Victoria forced herself to focus on his words rather than the way his fingers moved as he extracted documents from the bag, or how the cashmere emphasized the defined muscles of his forearms when he reached. "Excellent. What's their timeline for the next review phase?"

"Six weeks, which gives us adequate time to address their concerns without compromising our launch schedule." James leaned forward slightly, and Victoria caught a hint of his cologne, the same scent she had complimented, subtly spiced and entirely too appealing. The movement made the cashmere stretch across his chest in ways that made her mouth go dry. "I've already coordinated with the technical team to begin compiling the additional documentation."

The meeting proceeded normally for the next twenty minutes, covering regulatory requirements, market analysis, and strategic positioning. Yet throughout their discussion, Victoria found herself hyperaware of James's presence in ways that had nothing to do with professional collaboration.

The way he listened with complete attention, his dark eyes never wavering from her face when she spoke. The economical gestures of his hands as he made notes, fingers that she now could not stop remembering had held her waist and brushed her hand. The burgundy cashmere that seemed to mock her attempts at professional distance while showcasing exactly how well built her strategic officer was beneath his typically conservative attire.

"Was there anything else you needed to discuss?" Victoria asked when they had covered all the agenda items, her tone perhaps slightly sharper than necessary.

James regarded her with that steady gaze that seemed to see entirely too much. "Nothing that can't wait," he replied, rising from his chair with the same fluid grace he had displayed all morning. The cashmere pulled taut across his back as he stood, revealing the V-shape of his torso. "Though I should mention, I've scheduled lunch with the regulatory consultant this Thursday. I thought you might want to join us."

"Send me the details," Victoria said, focusing intently on her tablet screen to avoid staring at the way his trousers fit his athletic thighs. "I'll review my calendar."