An hour had passed since Devon stepped out of the director's office. Rather than heading straight to his own, he chose to take a brief stroll through the hospital's sprawling corridors, a quiet tour of his new domain.
Eventually, Devon arrived at his office.
To call it impressive would be an understatement. The polished marble floors reflected the soft glow of the encroaching twilight, casting delicate reflections that danced beneath his feet. Rich hardwood paneling stretched across the walls, warm and grounding, while a display of awards shimmered in sleek, backlit cases with each one a silent testament to excellence. The room exuded both power and taste.
The space was immaculate, yet it didn't feel cold or impersonal. Every element, from the carefully chosen leather chairs to the towering plants in the corners, spoke of a carefully curated comfort. At the center of it all stood a state of the art workstation,minimalist in design, but unmistakably advanced. Yet Devon ignored it for now.
He stood before the floor to ceiling glass wall, one hand tucked into his pocket, eyes scanning the horizon where the city skyline met the fading hues of dusk. The view was expansive, yet something in his posture suggested his thoughts lay far beyond what the eye could see somewhere deeper, quieter.
His moment of solitude was gently interrupted by a knock at the door. The sound was soft, respectful, almost hesitant.
"Come in," he said, his voice calm and even.
The door opened and Sophie stepped inside, the same composed grace she'd shown during their earlier walk through the hospital still evident in every movement. Her smile was understated, but there was a spark behind it, a flicker of anticipation.
"Doctor Devon," Sophie greeted softly, her tone warm yet resolute as she approached. "I've just finished organizing your schedule and this are the rest of the documents you will be needing."
Devon looked up from his brief contemplation, meeting her eyes with the same measured calm. "Thank you, Sophie," he replied, his voice steady. "I hope everything is in order?"
She offered a confident nod, briefly glancing over the neatly arranged folders. "Everything's just as it should be. I've noted a few priority items that we might need to address today," she explained, letting her tone suggest that there was more beneath the surface of the paperwork than mere administrative routine.
"Oh?" Devon's voice was low, intrigued but still calm, as he moved toward her.
Sophie handed him the files, and he flipped through the pages with the quiet precision of someone accustomed to managing information. He paused for a moment, his fingers lingering on a particular page before placing the stack gently on his desk. "This doesn't seem like it should pose any issue. We'll review them together," he said, his voice steady.
Sophie's eyes twitched, almost imperceptibly. For a moment, her composure seemed to falter. Had she misheard him? Her gaze briefly shifted, unsure.
"You have a problem with reviewing them together?" Devon's voice was measured, but there was a hint of curiosity beneath his calm, as though he had anticipated a different response.
Sophie's response came quickly, almost too abruptly. "No. Of course not," she said, her voice tight with sudden tension. Her smile returned, though it now seemed slightly strained, as if she were forcing the words out. "It's such an honor, truly. Thank you for this opportunity." Her eyes gleamed with excitement, her enthusiasm palpable. "I promise I won't disappoint you."
The eagerness was evident from Sophie as while for many Devon Aldridge was a legend in making for her he was a personal milestone.
"But before then I need to know who I'm working with." Devon replied, "please sit." he said, pointing his hand towards the seat in front of her.
Sophie nodded her head almost immediately, she hurriedly sat down, ready to leave a good impression. "I'm Sophie Turner. I've worked in healthcare administration for over seven years, specializing in executive support and operational management. I've helped streamline processes, handle high-priority tasks, and manage complex schedules to ensure everything runs smoothly. I pride myself on being organized, efficient, and always staying ahead of deadlines."
"On a personal note, I'm married and believe that balancing both my professional and personal life has taught me the value of time management and prioritization." She said, her smile was warm but professional, leaving little doubt in her capabilities.
"You're married?" Devon muttered, the words slipping out before he could mask his surprise.
"Yes, I am, sir," Sophie replied calmly, her tone steady and professional.
Though the moment passed in an instant, Sophie didn't miss the faint flicker across Devon's face, the slight narrowing of his eyes and the subtle shift in his posture. She caught it. And she knew exactly what it meant.
Before he could say anything further, she spoke, her voice firm but not defensive. "My personal life will never interfere with my work."
"I can assure you of that," she added, her gaze meeting his without hesitation.
As she finished, Devon had already circled behind her. His presence loomed quietly, and she felt the deliberate pause as he reached out to rest a hand lightly on her shoulder.
Sophie registered the contact, the heat of his palm through the fabric of her blouse, and though her body shifted ever so slightly, she didn't recoil. She didn't remove his hand. Instead, she held her ground and continued, voice unwavering.
"I'm committed. When I take on a role, I give it everything. I keep my life in order so my work remains untouched by it."
As Devon's hand began to glide slowly over the soft fabric of her blouse, his fingers brushing just a little too deliberately near her chest, Sophie rose from her seat with composed urgency. Though the gesture had caught her off guard, she didn't allow the bewilderment to crack her carefully maintained poise.
"Dr. Devon," she said.
He paused, eyes lifting to meet hers. His gaze lingered on her face for a beat, tracing the line of her cheek, the curve of her lips, before staring down her body as though gravity itself had changed course.
Sophie stood before him, dressed in a fitted green blouse, that clung to her curves like a second skin, perfectly accentuating her generous breasts that seemed poised to spill over the neckline. The fabric hugged her curves very dearly, the soft sheen of it drawing subtle attention to every contour. It fell just low enough to tantalize the senses, framing her in a way that was both alluring and tasteful, leaving just enough to the imagination.
Her attire was beautifully complemented by a sleek black pencil skirt that hugged her hips and thighs, gracefully emphasizing her hourglass figure. The length of the skirt stopped just above her knees, allowing a tantalizing glimpse of her shapely legs, which were elegantly framed by a pair of tasteful heels. She looked every inch the professional, refined, polished, utterly in control. But beneath the surface, there was no mistaking the mature, sultry, magnetic femininity she carried with effortless grace.
"Take it off," Devon said, his voice low, cutting through the silence like a blade dipped in desire.
Sophie froze.
Her voice came out sharp, edged with authority. "What did you just say?"
"Didn't you just say when you take on a role you give it your everything and that your personal life won't interfere with your work?" He continued.
Devon didn't blink nor falter. He simply smiled, a slow, predatory curl of his lips. His eyes didn't rise to meet hers. They stayed fixed on her body, drinking her in with animal hunger.
"I said…" his voice suddenly became rough with heat, "Strip. Every piece of clothing. I want to see you naked, Sophie. Every inch of that body you've been hiding in tight blouses and pencil skirts, take it all off. Now!"