Warnings: smut, strong language, physical and psychological violence, emotional manipulation, obsessive relationship dynamics, toxic relationship, abuse of power, childhood trauma, intense psychological tension, and romantic/sensual scenes
Words: 6330
———
Julian clenched his fingers tightly around the steering wheel, his knuckles turned white. He was breathing deeply. He was exhausted, pissed off, and disappointed. He wondered how it was possible to feel all of those things at once and not lose his temper.
- You’re trying so fucking hard, making her a fucking breakfast, confiding… a little… about your feelings and desires TOWARD HER. And she doesn’t give a shit! What the fuck?! - he slammed his fist into the steering wheel and pressed harder on the gas pedal - these women drive me crazy! Goddamn it!
He suddenly stopped sharply in front of the gate of Dillinger Systems headquarters.
- Open the fucking gate! - he shouted at the security guard as he rolled down the car window.
The gate slowly slid open.
- Hurry up… - Julian drummed his fingers on the steering wheel.
He drove onto the grounds and stopped at the main entrance. He got out and walked briskly toward the main doors. The security guards opened them without a word, merely nodding their heads in greeting. Julian headed toward his office. He rushed inside and went into the dressing room. He put on fresh clothes, a perfectly tailored black suit. He looked at himself in the mirror, running his fingers through his hair. He pulled a USB drive out of the pocket of his previous pair of pants. He twirled it between his fingers. His face showed no emotion.
- Time to get the party started - he sighed as he walked over to his desk.
His phone kept buzzing him to new notifications. He glanced at the screen.
“10 missed calls from: Amanda”
“5 messages from: Amanda”
He shrugged and tucked his phone into the inside pocket of his jacket. He sat down at his desk and entered his computer’s passcode.
———
Amanda returned to the apartment late in the afternoon. The cold wind brought the smell of the city with it, but inside there was only silence. She pushed the damaged door open and threw her bag onto a chair nearby. She looked around and narrowed her eyes. Something wasn’t right.
She went into the kitchen, no trace of the breakfast Julian had prepared for her.
- What the hell? - she already knew something had gone wrong.
She pushed open the bathroom door and looked at the counter by the sink. The USB drive with the Permanence Code was gone.
- Oh no… no… no… - she held her breath for a second.
She ran to the bedroom and opened the wardrobe. She grabbed a black dress and heels. She quickly changed into something that would make her look professional and confident.
She looked at herself in the mirror and smoothed her hair. She took her phone and ordered an Uber. Then she started texting Julian:
“Don’t do anything rash, think it through!”
“This is not a joke! I’m coming to you and we’ll talk!”
She ran out of the apartment.
When she arrived at Dillinger Systems, she drove through the gate without any problem, got out of the car and headed to the main entrance. Now it wouldn’t be that easy.
A few men in black were blocking the entrance.
- Good evening, I’ve come to see Mr. Julian Dillinger - she said, smiling sweetly at one of them.
- Good evening, ID please.
- One moment - she said, reaching into her bag and handing over her card.
The guard looked at her plastic ID and then at Amanda.
- Ma’am, unfortunately I cannot let you in. Mr. Dillinger does not receive guests from Encom.
Amanda held her breath.
Encom, her own company, had become the barrier between her and Julian.
———
Suddenly, Julian’s gaze was drawn to the surveillance screens, particularly one feed showing the main entrance to the building. It showed security guards talking to a petite brunette. He watched the scene with his head tilted and his eyebrows raised.
- Fascinating - he sighed and reached for his phone, calling the head of security.
- Yes, sir? - he answered after the first ring.
- Get rid of that little creature at the main entrance.
- Sir, we checked her ID. She works for Encom.
- That’s exactly what I’m talking about, she’s the enemy - he said calmly.
- Sir, what procedures should we follow?
Julian was silent for a moment as he watched Amanda try to squeeze her way through the mountain of muscles known as the bodyguards.
- Just load her into the van and get her out of here. She's completely unnecessary here - he rolled his eyes and hung up, setting the phone down on his desk.
His eyes were still fixed on the surveillance screens. Amanda had calmed down, as if she had given up on trying to get inside the building. Julian looked away because there was nothing interesting left to see. He was typing complex commands and codes into his computer. He focused on his task. After a moment, his gaze returned to the screen showing the feed from the camera pointed at the main entrance. Amanda waved goodbye to the security guards and dashed around the building. Julian slowly stood up, picked up his phone and a flash drive, which he slipped into his pants pocket, and reconnected with the security guard. He moved closer to the screens, watching Amanda run on them.
- Is it just me, or is she looking for a side entrance?
- Sir, I don't think that woman is going to give up. I think she's heading for the emergency exit.
- Yes… block off all the side entrances. Disable the alarm at emergency exit C1 and unlock it - he gave the order without taking his eyes off Amanda.
- Yes, sir. Entrances C2, C3, and C4 have been blocked off. Entrance C1 has been unlocked, and the alarm system has been disabled.
Julian hung up without saying a word. He walked slowly toward the elevator and rode it down to the lowest floor.
- Level minus one - said the AI in the elevator.
- Level minus one, almost like hell, but not for me - he smiled mockingly and walked slowly down the hallway leading to the emergency exit.
The floor lights came on one by one, following Julian’s footsteps. He stopped just around the corner, hearing quiet footsteps approaching him. He waited. He felt no anger, only cold self-assurance.
- Hi, Amanda. I knew you'd come - he said, leaning out from around the corner, causing Amanda to nearly stumble.
- Oh my God! - she clutched her heart, breathing heavily - Julian… I…
- Did you think I wouldn’t find out about your cunning plan to use the emergency exit? - he pointed to the flashing red light and the cameras - it’s thanks to me that you got in here, I let you. I’ve been watching your every move, just like I always do.
Amanda felt a shiver run down her spine. She didn't feel fear or anger. It was tension, the realization that she was starting to play his game.
- Julian… - she began, her voice trembling - please, just let it go. You know this will ruin everything.
- On the contrary - he said, tilting his head - this is just the beginning - he whispered.
He came closer.
- If you hadn't rejected me, I wouldn't even have thought of using that code. It was your decision that started this, Amanda.
- You can't blame me for your decisions! - she replied sharply.
- I'm not blaming you - Julian whispered - I'm just making sense of the consequences.
Julian took another step toward her.
- Why did you come here? - he asked her in a flat tone - surely not just to say hello?
- You can't do that!
- What can't I do? - he raised an eyebrow thoughtfully.
- What you're about to do! That… that…
- Oh… I thought you were smarter than that. And they say you’re one of the best programmers at Encom - Julian shoved his hands into his pockets and shook his head in disbelief - how is that even possible?
- Apparently, you didn’t make your intentions clear.
- Apparently… you were so into me that you didn’t hear a single word I said back then - he smiled coldly at her.
Amanda stared at him, racking her brain to figure out how this unfriendly man could have convinced her that he would choose her instead of carrying out his plan, which was to obtain and use the stability code at any cost. How foolish and naive she had been.
- Come on, I'll show you something - he said as he set off down the hallway.
Amanda looked at the cameras and, after a moment, followed him.
The hallways of Dillinger Systems were nearly empty, the lights reflected off the glass walls, and the echo of their footsteps sounded like a heartbeat.
Julian paused for a moment at the security panels, entering a code on the screen and disarming the alarms in the dark rooms. Amanda watched his every gesture, every slight movement of his fingers.
- Julian… where are we going? - Amanda broke the silence.
Julian gave her a single, piercing look. He wasn't smiling. There wasn't a trace of doubt in his eyes. He was focused and determined.
- We're going to a place where you might finally understand why I'm doing all this. Um… with an emphasis on "might"…
Amanda walked slowly behind him, trying not to let on that her heart was racing. For a moment, she could sense a hint of his obsession, his power, his control over this place… over her.
Julian stopped in front of the heavy glass doors to the server room. His hand touched the panel, and the screen lit up with a green glow. The doors slowly slid open with a quiet hiss from the hydraulics, revealing an interior filled with flickering screens and the pulsing lights of the servers.
Julian looked around the room and took a deep breath.
- This is my kingdom - he said, nodding his head proudly - this is where it all begins. This is where I'll run the code.
Amanda felt a cold shiver run down her spine. She stared at his straight back and the taut muscles straining against the fabric of his perfectly fitted jacket.
Julian entered the room first. His hand slipped into his pants pocket, pulling out a USB drive. He weighed it in his hand. His eyes glinted in the dim light, confident and dangerous.
- Amanda, look… - he nodded toward his hand, where the flash drive rested - every command, every line of this code… this isn’t a game or a whim… it’s power.
Amanda stood motionless, watching his every move. She didn't yet know how to stop him, but she knew one thing, every move he made was deliberate, and every step led to the moment when she would have to react.
He walked over to one of the computers and turned it on. The screens lit up with a bright glow, and the server room filled with the soft hum of the equipment. He stood there for a moment, watching the flashing data, then turned to Amanda.
- So, now you see. Every pulse, every line of code… everything is under my control - he pointed to the computer - what happens next depends entirely on me.
Amanda sensed a heaviness in the air. She knew she had to act now if she wanted to stop his next move.
The screens in the server room flickered with a golden light, reflecting in Julian’s eyes. The flash drive containing the code was still in his hand; everything was ready. His hands trembled with adrenaline, and every flicker of the server lights seemed to echo his anger.
Amanda walked slowly toward him and stood beside him, trying to stay calm. Their eyes met for a moment, and she knew that if she backed down now, she would lose everything.
- Julian… stop - she said calmly but firmly - you don't have to do this. I know you really want to, but this isn't the answer.
Julian flinched, but didn't take his eyes off the screen. His face showed tension and anger, but also something else, a hint of doubt.
- Amanda… this is my choice, I want this… I don't think you'll be able to stop me - his tone was quiet, cold, and piercing.
- I see - Amanda said, taking a step forward.
She realized she had to play on his psychology, appeal to his ambition, before he activated the code.
- Julian… - she gently touched his shoulder - do you remember when we first met, how nice it was? - she squeezed his shoulder lightly to get his attention.
Julian turned his head toward her, looking at Amanda for a moment. He was breathing deeply, his gaze wandering over her face.
- I don't think this has anything to do with what's happening right now.
- But it does… - she began quietly - you don't have to do this, Julian - she pulled him away from the computer - listen, we cracked this code together, so I think we should still be in this together.
Julian tilted his head slightly and raised an eyebrow. He began to wonder what Amanda was really trying to tell him.
- “She wants to do this with me? What the hell?!” - he thought.
- Trust me, Julian. Let's not rush things. There's a time for everything. I think we need to discuss this some more so we can do it at the right time - she smiled slightly.
He didn't pull away from her, but he didn't immediately grasp what she was saying either. Each of her words felt like a slow impulse in his mind, stirring up anger mixed with something he couldn't name.
- Amanda... - he said quietly, as if more to himself. He took a few steps back. He needed some space.
There was a moment of silence between them. The only sound in the server room was the quiet hum of the machines.
Amanda closed the gap between them.
- If you trust me now… if you listen to me… we won't lose anything.
Julian closed his eyes for a moment. His breathing was heavy, his anger mingled with desire and remorse. But something in his mind still wouldn't let him rest.
Suddenly, a red emergency light began to flash in the server room.
- What's going on? - he opened his eyes and looked around the room. He looked at Amanda.
Her arms were crossed behind her back. She stared at him with a poker face.
- What did you do?
- Nothing at all.
Julian looked at the computer’s USB port, where the precious flash drive should have been. It wasn’t there. Or at least, he was sure he’d plugged it in there. He wasn’t sure anymore. He was too overwhelmed by Amanda’s presence.
- Amanda… - he hissed through clenched teeth.
Amanda stepped closer and smiled sweetly.
- Hmm… Julian, I’ve changed my mind.
- About what? - he raised an eyebrow - for example, I haven’t changed my mind about y o u - he emphasized the last word.
He took a step closer. Amanda took a slight step back, she didn't want to show her fear. But Julian could see it. He always could.
- I still think you’re the smartest woman I know. And the only one who could have stopped me… if she hadn’t decided to hurt me.
- Julian, stop trying to make me think it’s my fault! - she replied more sharply than she intended.
His smile twisted like a crack in glass.
- I'm not making this up. You're the one who rejected me. Everyone else I tried to love walked away. But you… you were supposed to be different. I believed that.
Amanda felt a sharp twinge in her chest.
- And you were supposed to be the good one. Just this once - she whispered.
Julian closed his eyes for a split second, as if her words had reopened an old wound in his heart.
- I'm no good, Amanda. I never will be. I don't even know if I'm capable of it. But I could have been yours. Maybe then, at least, I could have managed to be a better person.
Amanda stared at him in silence.
- Just say one word. One. And I'll stop. I'll delete the code, I'll abandon the whole project. All you have to do is say you want me
Amanda knew he wasn't saying that to deceive her. Julian would truly be willing to lay the whole world at her feet for her. And at the same time, he would set it ablaze if she rejected him.
- I can't…
Julian sighed deeply, as if that were the answer he had been waiting for.
- Give me what you're hiding behind your back - he said calmly.
Amanda slowly placed the flash drive in his hand.
- In that case, you're here for one of two reasons. Either for the code or for me. And you know I'm not going to give you anything.
- You sound way too confident. That's unhealthy.
- I don't think we're going to negotiate.
Julian walked past Amanda and went back to the computer, set the flash drive aside, and began typing something on the keyboard.
Suddenly, there was silence. The sound of the keys could no longer be heard. Amanda turned and looked at Julian. He wasn't as tense as he had been before. You could see that he was breathing heavily and seemed to tremble slightly.
Julian slowly reached for the flash drive and turned toward Amanda, who was watching him in silence. She was waiting to see what he would do next.
He turned the flash drive slowly between his fingers, then clenched it in his fist. He looked down at his clenched fist and relaxed his grip. The flash drive fell out and bounced off the floor with a metallic clang.
Amanda watched in disbelief as the man standing before her crumbled and gave in.
- I can't... - he whispered.
His knees buckled beneath him, as if he’d suddenly lost all his strength. He rested one hand on the cool floor of the server room and clenched the other into a fist against his forehead. For the first time in a long while, he didn’t look like the CEO of Dillinger Systems. He didn’t even look like a man who was in control of everything. He looked like someone who had just lost a battle with himself.
Amanda took a cautious step toward him.
- Julian…
He didn’t answer. At that moment, he wasn’t kneeling before his opponent. He was kneeling before the only person he had allowed to see his greatest weakness.
It wasn’t submission, but a mixture of emotions. An inner struggle. Obsession and feelings collided, and for the first time, he was unable to maintain the facade of a confident leader.
Amanda made sure Julian had his eyes closed and was still wallowing in self-pity. She quickly reached for the flash drive lying on the floor. But she didn’t expect that Julian was just pretending to be broken.
He grabbed Amanda by the ankle, holding her down and knocking her over, while snatching the flash drive with his other hand. He pinned her to the floor with his body.
Amanda's heart began to race. Julian could feel it. He leaned in so close that his breath brushed against her parted lips. His eyes wandered over her face, taking in every detail as if for the first time.
- I've never met anyone who could hurt me like this - he whispered, staring into her eyes.
- Damn, and I thought you were going to kiss me.
Julian raised his eyebrows high in a look of amusement.
- I wouldn't kiss a liar who pretends she never felt anything for me, not even for a moment - he said, not moving from where he was, still pressing her against the cold floor.
Amanda's mouth fell open in surprise and outrage.
- What?! I don't need some tyrant who claims he'll stop the world from being taken over in the name of fucking love! - she tried to break free from his grip, but it was no use.
They locked eyes for a moment and tugged slightly at each other when suddenly Amanda slapped him hard across the face. Because he’d hit the nail on the head… as always!
Julian closed his eyes and pressed his lips tightly together. But he didn't lose control of himself.
- Give me that flash drive - Amanda insisted.
- Nope. Try to take it from me - he said with a devilish smile.
Amanda dug her perfectly manicured nails into his ribs with all her might, catching him off guard. This caused him to pull away from her, and she managed to slip out from under him. The flash drive slipped out of his hand. Amanda lunged toward it.
Julian immediately stood up and moved—faster than she should have expected. He turned her sideways, blocking her arm but without causing her any pain. It was a struggle for control. Not to hurt her.
Their bodies collided once more. Their breaths mingled. Their hostility sounded like an echo of a past passion.
- Let me go! - Amanda said, struggling.
- I can't!
- Yes, you can!
Julian started watching her again, and Amanda took advantage of his momentary distraction. She kicked him in the knee, not hard, but enough to throw him off balance. He staggered.
The flash drive slipped from his hand.
Amanda lunged to catch it.
Julian was faster.
- Oh you little…
He pinned her to the floor, this time more gently than before. As if he were afraid of hurting her. Their faces were just centimeters apart.
- Don't do that, don't fight me - he said in a strained voice.
- I have to.
And then he looked at her as if something inside him had snapped.
- Why did you leave me? Tell me the truth. But not some made-up version. The real one.
Amanda stopped fighting. Not because she couldn't, but because, for the first time in months, she saw… a human being in his eyes.
- I was afraid I would love you more than I love myself.
Julian froze.
That single sentence disarmed him more effectively than all her blows.
The grip on her wrists loosened. His weight shifted; it no longer blocked or restrained her. He looked at her as if her words had pulled the rug out from under him.
Amanda seized the moment.
She twisted her wrist, slipped out from under him, grabbed the pendrive, and spun around so that now Julian was on his knees in front of her.
Surprised. Hurt. And defeated.
- It's over, Julian. I won't be your weakness. And I won't be your weapon.
Julian raised his head. His face showed pain, not physical pain, but something worse.
- Amanda… give it back to me - he whispered - please.
For the first time… he asked.
Amanda stepped back, cautiously but confidently. She could feel the coolness of the flash drive in her hand.
- No, I'm the one who decides now.
The red glow from the server room flickered across both their faces. Amanda was slowly backing away. Julian was still kneeling, resting one hand on the floor, as if he had suddenly lost all his strength.
He was breathing heavily.
But not from exertion.
From pain.
He slowly stood up and moved toward her.
- Don't come any closer - Amanda whispered.
Julian stopped and didn't move a millimeter. He turned his head away, as if trying to hide the emotion that had surfaced for the first time in months.
- You know… when I was twelve, my father locked me in the server room. All night long. He explained that if I wanted to live up to the Dillinger name… I had to learn to survive on my own.
Amanda froze. Julian had never talked about his past. He never let any weakness show. He was always secretive.
- - I screamed that I wanted to get out. That I didn't want to be alone. He just stared through the glass and kept saying that the Dillingers have no weaknesses. And if they do… they have to be overcome.
W There was something darker than anger in his voice.
- Ever since then, I’ve wanted only one thing: that no one could ever lock me up again. Break me. Reject me.
He looked up at Amanda. And his eyes, usually perfectly cold, were now cracked like glass.
- The Permanence Code… guarantees that I’ll never be dependent again. Never. On anyone.
Amanda gripped the flash drive tighter. Her hand throbbed in time with her rapid breathing.
- Julian… that's not freedom. It's an escape into the monster your father created.
Those words hit him harder than any of her previous blows.
Julian squeezed his eyelids shut. It was as if something inside him had snapped.
It was as if, for a second, he really wanted someone to stop him.
- So destroy it. If you believe it will help me… destroy it.
Amanda took a step back. Then another.
She held the flash drive with both hands.
Higher.
Tighter.
She could have smashed it. She could have ended it right then. She could have freed him from all of this.
Julian didn’t look at her as an enemy. He looked at her as someone begging to be saved, but unable to ask for it.
Amanda raised the flash drive even higher. Her fingers were trembling.
But…
She couldn’t.
It wasn't because she was afraid of his reaction.
She was afraid she would destroy something that could save them both… if they used it wisely.
She took a deep breath.
- I won't destroy it, but I won't give it to you either.
Julian opened his eyes.
Surprise.
Relief.
Anger.
And then…
- Julian, I’ve an idea. Close your eyes again and don’t peek.
He did what she asked.
Amanda slipped the USB drive under the service panel of one of the consoles and wedged it into the slot that led deep into the cable and cooling system. It wasn’t damaged, and Julian couldn’t access it.
- Open your eyes.
Julian slowly opened his eyes. He ran his hand through his hair, as if that would give him strength.
- You hid it.
- -Yes - she replied calmly - because I believe you can still be someone other than the Dillinger your father wanted you to become.
Julian took a step.
Amanda raised her hand in warning.
- One more step… and I'll really take away your access to it forever.
Julian stopped.
But then…
The lights in the server room suddenly changed. They switched from red to green. The panel behind Julian lit up.
System:
- “Emergency mode disabled.
Priority: authorization by the CEO, Julian Dillinger”
Amanda spun around abruptly.
- Impossible… - she whispered.
Julian slowly raised his hand. A thin, almost transparent bracelet glinted on his wrist. Something different, integrated into the system.
- You thought that USB drive was the key, that's true, but not entirely - he began quietly - it just grants access, Armanda. And I… I gained access to the code a long time ago.
The codes began flashing across the screen, faster and faster.
Amanda stepped back, terrified.
Julian smiled sadly.
- I didn't want you to know that. But you chose this yourself, didn't you?
Julian took a step toward the computer and watched the data flashing across the screen.
- The Permanence Code doesn’t have to be activated from a flash drive. All it takes is a trace of it. And that trace… is inside me - he turned toward Amanda and smiled again, this time with a hint of triumph. He was proud of himself.
Amanda felt a sudden chill.
Julian was standing right in front of the computer. The lights flickered across his face. One confirmation command was all it would take for him to activate the Permanence Code.
Amanda knew that if he did that, she would lose him forever. So she did something he would never have expected.
- Julian… please.
He didn’t react, but his shoulder twitched slightly. His hands hovered over the keyboard.
Amanda moved closer.
Too close.
Close enough for him to feel her breath on the back of his neck.
- I… I don’t want… I don’t want this to be the end - her voice trembled, perfectly, as if from the emotions she was acting out like a perfect actress.
Julian looked at her and narrowed his eyes.
- - You're bringing that up now? When you're trying to stop me just to save this world that you don't even care about anyway?
Amanda quickly grabbed his hand, not to stop him, but to touch his skin. So he could feel her.
- It’s not the world, Julian. It’s you I care about.
Something in his face cracked.
Gently, uncertainly.
Amanda moved on, conscious of every word.
- Do you think I stole that code just for you… so you could be more powerful? - she whispered, almost into his mouth - I took it because I was afraid that…
Her voice trailed off.
Carefully.
In a controlled manner.
Julian held his breath.
- What? Finish that.
Amanda looked up. Her eyes sparkled with tears, beautiful, big, and mercilessly fake.
- That I’ll lose you.
That whispered sentence was so sincere that even she might have believed it for a second. Julian, on the other hand, believed it completely.
- Amanda…
She took one last step, the one meant to finish him off emotionally.
Gently, slowly, she placed her hands on his cheeks and made him look her straight in the eyes.
- If you enter that code… I won’t be able to follow you. I’ll lose you. And I… I don’t want to lose you.
She said it in a trembling, broken whisper.
Unreal.
Perfect.
Julian closed his eyes.
And then what Amanda needed most happened.
He made the first move.
Their lips met in a desperate kiss, filled with tears, only his were real. Hers, carefully staged, streamed down her cheeks, mingling with his.
Julian rested his head on her shoulder, trembling.
- If you want me… if you really do… - he said in a half-whisper - then I don't need that code. I don't need anything.
Amanda pulled him closer, still burying her face in his neck, because she knew that if he looked into her eyes now, he would see that she wasn't crying anymore.
- That's exactly what I wanted.
Her hand glided over his back, as if to calm him down.
She looked toward the spot where she had hidden the flash drive. In fact, he needed that drive. The Permanence Code required an additional activation code.
Julian didn't know that to get it back, he'd have to tear apart half the server room.
Amanda slowly pulled away, brushing his lips.
- Come on. I'm taking you away from here.
Julian nodded.
Shyly.
Naively.
With a trust that was his most dangerous weakness.
Amanda took his hand.
And as she led him toward the exit of the server room, her lips curved into a barely perceptible, cold smile. Not because she had won. But because now Julian was hers. Completely.
——
The hallways of Dillinger Systems felt frozen, silent, sterile, and too bright. Julian walked beside her in silence, still reeling from what had happened in the server room. Amanda held his hand, guiding him as if she herself believed she was doing it out of concern.
The door to his private office slid open silently. Inside, it was dimly lit. The panoramic window overlooking the city glowed with the blue lights of the skyscrapers. The black-glass desk reflected their silhouettes as if in a sheet of ice.
Julian stopped, looking at her as if to make sure she was really there.
Amanda had never seen him so tender, so open, before. It took just a second, a single questioning glance, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, as if he were afraid she would disappear.
The kiss was hard to stop. It was heavy with all the unspoken words, with trembling breaths, with emotions that had turned into desperate closeness.
Amanda let him take the lead. Julian was careful, gentle, as if he were afraid of hurting her. His hands were warm, almost uncertain, completely different from his cool, calculated gestures.
When Amanda sat down on the edge of the desk, Julian parted her legs and pressed himself against her body. He leaned in, resting his forehead against her temple. For a moment, the world stood still-held captive by their breaths, their soft touches, their kisses, and the whispers that sounded like promises neither of them should have made.
That was the moment when Julian truly opened up. When he allowed himself to trust her. When he surrendered control, all of it.
Amanda could feel Julian’s manhood, still fully clothed, brushing against her wet panties. His lips trembled as he kissed her neck. His hands clenched around her buttocks.
- Do it… - she gently bit the tip of his ear - take me right here, right now… Julian - she whispered his name.
Julian pulled back and looked into her eyes. His hand slid between her legs. She felt him push her panties aside. Still looking into her eyes, he unbuttoned his pants and, without warning, thrust deep inside her.
- Julian! That's exactly what I needed! Oh my God!
He moved quickly, thrusting deep inside her each time. If the desk hadn't been bolted to the floor, it would have ended up in the middle of the room long ago.
- I can't breathe! - Amanda cried out, running her fingers through his hair and tugging hard.
She heard a growl, then Julian pressed his lips against hers, kissing her greedily. His movements became erratic. He held his breath and moaned loudly. He came quickly and unexpectedly. He rested his head on her shoulder. His breathing was ragged.
When everything had quieted down, as they leaned against each other, breathing unevenly, Amanda brushed his cheek.
- Julian? I…
- What? - he stepped away from her, zipped up his pants, and fixed his hair.
- I didn't…
And then…
Something snapped.
Not in her.
In him.
Julian suddenly tensed, as if a realization had struck him in the chest. He snapped out of Amanda’s spell.
- Wait.
He pulled away.
Too quickly.
Too roughly.
Amanda froze.
Julian walked slowly across the room until he stood in front of the translucent console. He touched it with one hand. He began typing something, checking it… he stood there, breathing heavily and clenching his fists.
And suddenly it all dawned on him.
He turned toward her.
But this wasn’t the Julian she’d gotten to know in the server room, or the one who, just a minute ago, had used her solely for his own pleasure. This was Julian Dillinger, the real one, the dangerous one.
- Something's wrong…
Amanda felt an icy tightness in her stomach.
Julian slowly moved closer. With every step, the expression on his face grew more intense. No emotion. None of the tenderness that had been there just a moment ago.
- You convinced me not to activate the code, to back off. You tricked me - he said, his voice dangerously calm.
Julian leaned over her, resting his hands on either side of the desk, trapping her between his arms. His gaze was as cold as a blade.
- It was just a game… right, Amanda?
- Julian… I… - trembling, she fixed herself on the desk, feeling that it was too wet there.
Amanda tried to stay calm, but her voice sounded too soft.
- - Tell the truth!
The echo of his words bounced off the walls of the room.
Amanda flinched.
Julian smiled slowly and dangerously.
- Do you want to know exactly when I realized it? - he leaned in close to her ear - it was when you stopped crying, right when you thought I couldn't see it.
Amanda turned pale.
Julian stepped back, looking at her with a mixture of contempt and disappointment so deep it actually hurt.
- I… really believed it. For a moment… I thought I could be someone else. That… we had a chance - he shook his head in disbelief - and you made a fool of me - he nodded, confirming his words - well, I can be a good actor, too.
He pressed the button under the desk.
The door opened immediately.
Two security guards in black suits walked in.
- Julian… don't let them…
- -Take her away, he interrupted her.
The security guards grabbed her by the shoulders. Not roughly, but professionally and firmly.
Amanda tried to break free, but Julian didn’t even look at her. He had his back to her. He was gazing out at the city skyline. As if she no longer existed.
- Next time, Amanda... - he said before the door closed behind them - if you want to break me... take some acting lessons, because you're a hopeless actress.
The door closed with a soft hiss.
Amanda was escorted out of the Dillinger Systems building.
