The grand lobby of the Elysium Hotel was a cathedral of opulence, all glittering chandeliers and polished marble that echoed with every step. Anastasia Voss strode in like she owned the place, her crimson stilettos clicking with the sharp authority of a woman who knew exactly what she wanted—and how to get it. Her tailored black blazer hugged her curves, the deep V of her silk blouse daring anyone to look twice. She’d just closed a seven-figure deal, and the adrenaline of victory coursed through her veins. Tonight, she was celebrating, and heaven help anyone who stood in her way.
She approached the check-in desk, her piercing green eyes locking onto the man behind it before he even had a chance to look up from his paperwork. Viktor, according to the gold nameplate pinned to his crisp navy uniform, was all broad shoulders and boyish charm, with a mop of dark hair that looked like it had been tousled by a lover’s hands. He glanced up, and his pen slipped from his fingers, clattering onto the counter. Anastasia’s lips curled into a predatory smirk.
“Well, well,” she purred, leaning forward just enough to make the air between them crackle. “If I’d known the staff here was this distracting, I’d have booked a room months ago. Having trouble with your… equipment already?”
Viktor’s cheeks flushed a delightful shade of pink, but he recovered with a sheepish grin, scrambling to pick up the pen. “My apologies, Miss…?”
“Voss. Anastasia Voss. And I don’t do apologies, darling. I do expect results, though.” She tapped a manicured nail on the counter, her voice dripping with mock impatience. “So, are you going to check me in, or do I need to take over your job, too?”
He chuckled, a low, nervous sound that only made her smirk wider. “No need for a hostile takeover, Miss Voss. I’ve got this under control. Just give me a second to… uh, find your reservation.” His fingers fumbled over the keyboard, and she arched a perfectly sculpted brow.
“A second? Sweetheart, I’ve closed deals faster than you can type. Tell me, Viktor, do you always move this slow, or am I just lucky to get the full… scenic experience?” Her gaze flicked down to his hands, then back up to his eyes, daring him to respond.
He swallowed hard, but his grin turned a little bolder. “Only for the guests who demand my full attention. And trust me, you’ve got it. Let’s see… Ah, here we are. Standard king room, booked for two nights.”
Anastasia tilted her head, her smile sharpening. “Standard? Oh, no, no, no. That won’t do. I didn’t just crush a boardroom full of suits to sleep in something ‘standard.’ I want the best suite you’ve got. And I want it now.” Her tone left no room for argument, but the glint in her eye promised she’d enjoy watching him squirm.
Viktor blinked, then rubbed the back of his neck, clearly out of his depth but determined to keep up. “The best suite, huh? That’s… well, it’s usually reserved for—”
“For me,” she cut in smoothly, stepping closer until the counter was the only thing separating them. “Unless you’d rather explain to your manager why I’m walking out of here in a huff. But I’m sure a man like you knows how to… handle a demanding woman, don’t you, Viktor?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he met her gaze, a spark of mischief flashing in his hazel eyes. “I’ve been known to rise to the occasion, Miss Voss. Let me see what I can do.” A few hurried clicks later, he looked up with a triumphant grin. “Done. The Imperial Suite. Top floor, panoramic views, and a bed that could fit a small army. Compliments of the house… and, well, me.”
She laughed, a rich, throaty sound that made his ears turn red. “Compliments, hmm? Careful, Viktor. I might start expecting this kind of service every time I breeze through these doors. Now, why don’t you be a dear and escort me up? I’d hate to get lost on my way to paradise.”
“Escort you?” He hesitated, glancing at the desk as if it might save him. “I’m not sure I’m supposed to—”
“Oh, come now,” she interrupted, her voice a velvet whip. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of a little adventure. I promise I don’t bite… unless asked nicely.” She winked, already turning toward the elevators with the confidence of a queen, leaving him no choice but to follow.
The ride up to the top floor was charged with unspoken tension, the mirrored walls reflecting the way Viktor kept stealing glances at her. She caught his eye in the reflection and smirked. “See something you like, or are you just making sure I don’t steal the fixtures?”
He coughed, loosening his tie. “Just… admiring the view, Miss Voss.”
“Call me Anastasia,” she said, stepping out as the doors dinged open. “And keep up. I don’t wait for stragglers.”
The Imperial Suite was a masterpiece of decadence—plush velvet drapes, a sprawling balcony overlooking the city skyline, and a king-sized bed that looked like it was made for sin. Anastasia tossed her purse onto a chaise lounge and spun on her heel to face Viktor, who hovered awkwardly by the door.
“Well?” she demanded, hands on her hips. “Are you going to stand there gawking, or are you going to come in and make sure everything’s up to my… standards?”
He stepped inside, closing the door behind him with a soft click. “Just doing my job, Anastasia. Wouldn’t want you to find any faults with the room.”
“Oh, I’m finding plenty of faults,” she teased, sauntering toward him with a sway that could stop traffic. “Starting with how overdressed you are for a proper inspection. Tell me, Viktor, do you always play it so safe, or can I convince you to take a risk?”
His breath hitched as she stopped mere inches from him, her perfume—a heady mix of jasmine and spice—wrapping around him like a trap. “I… I’m not sure that’s in the employee handbook,” he stammered, but his eyes betrayed him, dark with want.
She laughed again, reaching up to tug at his tie, pulling him closer. “Good thing I don’t follow rules, then. And neither should you. Now, let’s see if you can keep up with a woman who knows exactly what she wants.” Her voice dropped to a whisper, her lips brushing his ear. “Spoiler alert: I always get it.”
What followed was a whirlwind of heat and command, Anastasia taking the lead with a ferocity that left Viktor breathless and eager to please. She pushed him back onto the bed, her hands deft and sure as she stripped away his hesitation along with his uniform. Every order she gave was laced with wicked humor, every touch a lesson in surrender. “Not bad for a rookie,” she taunted, straddling him with a grin as she pinned his wrists above his head. “But I expect five-star service, darling. Don’t make me leave a bad review.”
By the time they collapsed onto the silken sheets, breathless and tangled, the city lights beyond the balcony were the last thing on their minds. Anastasia propped herself up on an elbow, her hair a tousled cascade over one shoulder, and shot him a smirk. “Well, Viktor, I’ll give you a passing grade… barely. But your ‘service skills’ could use some polishing. Lucky for you, I’m a very hands-on teacher.”
He laughed, still catching his breath, his hand resting on her hip. “I’ll take all the lessons you’ve got, Anastasia. Just name the time and place.”
She rolled her eyes, but the glint of amusement in them was unmistakable. “Oh, darling, you’ve got no idea what you’ve just signed up for. Now, get some rest. You’re going to need it.”
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