FORBIDDEN DESIRES: 10 EROTIC STORIES

Elena Hartley had been trying to get a meeting with Adrian Kane for months. Since the first letter she’d sent, two weeks ago, her calls had been ignored, her emails unanswered, and her office visits met with polite but firm refusals. She’d tried everything to get an appointment, from scheduling a formal pitch through his assistant to showing up uninvited with her portfolio, all of it had failed. Adrian Kane didn’t have time for small fish, and that was exactly what she was in his world. But when you’re desperate enough, you don’t care about pride. And today, for the first time, she had finally secured a slot in his busy calendar. The moment she received the call from his assistant, a strange mix of elation and anxiety rushed over her. She had been given a chance, but what would she do with it? How would she convince a man like Adrian Kane to invest in her small, struggling business? Her heart raced as she rode the elevator up to his top-floor office, her mind still reeling from the significance of this moment. The building itself, towering above the rest of the city’s skyline, seemed to mock her, it was a reminder of just how far apart their worlds were. She had prepared for this day for weeks. She had gone over her pitch, rehearsed it until her voice had started to crack, and fine-tuned her approach. This was her chance. She wouldn’t waste it. The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open with a soft swish. The sleek, minimalist design of the building’s interior left her no room for distractions. Everything about this place screamed success, wealth, and power. She felt small as she stepped off the elevator, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she walked towards the glass doors of Adrian Kane’s office. When she entered the room, the first thing she noticed was how cold it felt; not just in temperature, but in energy. The space was sparse, almost sterile. The large windows offered an unbroken view of the city, but the emptiness of the office reflected a man who didn’t believe in sentimentality. Adrian Kane himself sat behind a polished mahogany desk, looking every bit the ruthless CEO his reputation suggested. The thirty-year-old man was all sharp angles from his tailored suit to the perfect lines of his jaw, the calculated look in his eyes. He didn’t rise as she entered, didn’t even acknowledge her presence with more than a brief glance before turning his attention back to the papers in front of him. His assistant, David, who had escorted her in, spoke first. “Mr. Kane, this is Elena Hartley, the interior designer.” Adrian gave a slight nod, his lips barely twitching. “Ms. Hartley,” he said in a tone that was professional, but distant. “Please, take a seat. Let’s get this over with.” Elena forced a smile, her nerves barely under control. She straightened her blazer as she walked to the chair opposite his desk, sitting down with the poise of someone far more confident than she felt. She had come this far. She could do this. “I appreciate you making time to meet with me, Mr. Kane,” she began, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest. “I know you’re busy, and I won’t take much of your time.” Adrian’s eyes flicked to her, and then back to the papers he was reviewing. “Get to the point, Ms. Hartley. I have more important things to do.” She nodded, forcing herself to remain calm. “Of course. I run Hartley Design, a small but reputable interior design studio. We’ve worked with a number of high-profile clients, but recently, due to some unforeseen circumstances, we’ve fallen into financial trouble. My company is facing a serious cash flow issue, and I’m seeking an investor who can help us stay afloat.” He didn’t react immediately. Instead, he steepled his fingers, looking at her through narrowed eyes. “And what makes you think I’m the person to help you?” “I’ve done my research,” Elena replied, meeting his gaze directly. “Kane Enterprises has a reputation for turning businesses around. You’ve worked with startups before, helping them scale in a way that brings both profits and prestige. And I believe Hartley Design has the potential to do the same, if it had the right backing.” Adrian didn’t respond right away. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, studying her with a gaze that seemed to pierce straight through her. He was assessing, calculating, as if every word she spoke was just another number on a balance sheet. “And what exactly is it that you need from me?” Adrian asked, his voice cool and dismissive. “I need an investor who’s willing to take a risk,” she said, not flinching under his scrutiny. “But more than that, I need someone who understands that design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about creating value. I’m asking for your financial support, not just to pay off debt, but to help expand the business. With the right investment, I can turn this studio into a household name.” Adrian raised an eyebrow. “And you think I would do that?” She took a breath, steadying herself. “Yes. Because I believe that, just as you have done with your other investments, you can see the potential in turning something modest into something extraordinary.” A long silence followed. Adrian didn’t speak, didn’t move. He simply stared at her, his sharp gaze unblinking. It was as though he were weighing every word she had said, every moment of this conversation. Finally, he spoke, his voice as calm and controlled as ever. “And why should I take the risk? There are hundreds of designers, hundreds of businesses asking for funding every day. What makes you different?” Elena took a moment to collect her thoughts. This was the hardest part of the pitch (proving that she wasn’t just another designer), another failure waiting to happen. “What makes me different,” she said carefully, “is that I understand the value of partnership. This isn’t just about money. This is about building a legacy. Your legacy. Helping to create something that can outlast the numbers, the profits. I know you’re not a man who just looks at dollars and cents. You understand the impact your investments can have and that’s what I’m asking for.” Adrian leaned forward slightly, his expression inscrutable. “You’ve done your homework,” he said, as though impressed, but there was still a hint of skepticism in his voice. “I have,” she replied. “I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t.” He looked at her for a long moment, and Elena felt the weight of his gaze, like an invisible pressure pressing down on her. Finally, Adrian leaned back in his chair again, as though coming to a decision. “I’ll tell you what, Ms. Hartley,” he said, his tone shifting slightly, though still businesslike. “I’ll consider your proposal. But I’m not going to hand you a blank check.” She held her breath. “Of course, Mr. Kane. I wouldn’t expect that.” He gave her a sharp look. “I’ll make an offer, but it comes with a condition. I’ll invest in your business, help you pay off your debt and fund your expansion on one condition: You’ll have to work with me on a project that requires… a certain level of image management.” Elena’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, unsure of what he meant. “Image management?” “Yes,” Adrian said, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You’ll work with me in the public eye. Attend events, appear in the media with me. You’ll be part of my rebranding effort.” She blinked, taken aback. “Rebranding?” “I need to appear more… family-oriented. More respectable,” he said. “I have a business deal that hinges on a public perception of me. And you, Ms. Hartley, will help me with that. In return, I’ll help you save your business.”