FRABLE | CEO AU

[sodark]

[Nathan has a reputation, like most men in his position. He's ruthless, he's strategic, he makes risky moves and he fucks his assistants. They rarely leave on bad terms. Normally it's a promotion that takes them away from him. He likes to build them up and set them free.

It's how his executive officer won her position. They don't fuck anymore. She's married now, those days are in the past. All that's left of that relationship is an unwavering loyalty and a very careful approach to how she staffs his office. Thus far, she's been incredibly adept at securing women who are ambitious, clever, productive and very interested in casual sex. It's all he has time for, so in his view it makes sense to combine the role of assistant and fuck-buddy. So long as he's only furthering their career and not dragging them down with his proclivities.

What he has yet to realise is that he doesn't have as good a sense for it as his E.O does. Increasingly, he's interested in women who are harder to win over. Increasingly, his interviews are about grilling girls to see how they respond. He's a lawsuit waiting to happen, so he's been quietly left out of the process the last few times. Perhaps that's why the position is open once more.

He's not supposed to be in the office for this round, so both he and his E.O share a confused look as he strides past unfamiliar, nervous women. He quickly evaluates the situation, then the girls. Then he's taking his E.O's notebook from her and reading it. He disregards the running order, he beckons for the pale girl with the long legs.]

You're up.

[He holds open the door of his office for her. He'll shut it before the E.O can join them.]

What's your name?

Comments

[sodark]

Hardly. If I want company, I'll find it. [He's not really considering that the depth of a relationship is more nourishing than the amount of relationships. He hasn't felt particularly lonely, either. Not until recently, anyway.

He studies her for a moment, curious if she's goading him or if she's naive. The latter is more in line with his impression of her, the former is just a fantasy he has. That brushing against him or glancing at him or playing dumb is how she riles him up, knowing he can't do anything about it.

So he delivers his answer flatly.]

Getting someone to spread their legs for me.

[selfeffacingly]

[ It's goading, but innocent goading. Her own hubris at fault for bringing his crudeness out, but it still manages to make her stop and fluster.

Eyes down, she takes another swallow of her wine in order to save face. ]

So it's all about sex for you.

[ She hopes he takes the color in her cheeks as the fermented grapes at work. ]

[sodark]

[When it flusters her, he's not sure how he feels. Disappointed or charmed? His mouth twists, giving her some air while he thinks about it.]

Everything's about sex. And sex is a challenge, if you do it right.

[His voice lowers as he starts to dig a little deeper into it. He's swirling the remains of his drink around when he speaks.]

Win someone over. Figure out what gets them off. Do it over and over until one of us gets bored.

[He's not always the first to end things, but he always will.]

And I like seeing naked women.

[selfeffacingly]

Ah.

[ The syllable sounds ... unmoved. Confused, perhaps. ]

I have found that physicality isn't everything. In fact, it's not what people crack it up to be in a long-term relationship. [ Coming from one of eight siblings, no less. Is she being serious? Yep. ]

[sodark]

Physicality is-- [Nathan starts to respond, then cuts himself off. Wondering if he's been rage-baited into thinking about her sex-life again. Women are very complicated.

He shakes his head before he points in a joking but accusatory way.]

The only people who genuinely think that are people who haven't had good sex. Good sex and good chemistry is everything. [He pauses, then adds.]

But I imagine that fades too, in the long-term.

[selfeffacingly]

[ They've veered straight into dangerous territory. She instantly recognizes her mistake, the second he looks at her. Her gut twists.

She opens her mouth, then promptly closes it. But now she's Bothered, and not in a good way. Feeling defensive.

She can't help the retort, nor the bite in it. ]

Sex isn't everything.

[ She just made it worse. Fuck. ]

[sodark]

[Nathan falls back from his accusatory finger-pointing. He leans back in his chair, giving her an evaluating look. Clearly she's not a virgin, but it's also clear whatever kind of sex she has isn't doing it justice for her. Which feels such a shame. Like giving a Swiss made gun to a man who misses every target he's ever shot at. Wasted potential.

All of that he thinks to himself while watching her, silent before he asks:]

Does he ever eat you out?

[selfeffacingly]

[ Time to shut up and be quiet. Her body language stiff, withdrawn, she forcibly stares into the horizon. She's certain he now believes she's never had "good sex", whatever that may be. That he's judging her. Her relationship.

Her loyalty to her fiancé stirs guilt, but it's a shadow to the embarrassment she's currently undergoing.

Her voice is quiet when she answers, rubbing a hand over her knee. ]

Sometimes.

[sodark]

[He notices the withdrawal and finally his pattern recognition kick in. He visibly relents, demeanour softening for her.]

Some girls don't know how to ask for it.

[Reassuring, but he's not laying it on. His drink does move precariously with his gesticulating, though. He's had a few.]

And if he's a real man, he'll always eat what you offer. God knows you rile men up wherever you go.

[selfeffacingly]

I doubt that. [ Self-deprecating. All the same, she peeks over at him, soft features even softer with gratitude for the perceived compliment. Not one she would be willing to accept from virtually any other man on earth, but something has changed here over the past twenty-four hours. Between them.

Things aren't the same. They aren't.

She takes a steadying breath. The conversation sobered her up some. ]

Can I ask you something? [ Palpable hesitance. ] I think I was dreaming, or I misheard, back in the hospital. They thought you were my husband?

[sodark]

[Cable maintains steady eye contact, even when her reaction tickles something in him. He wants her to know he means it. That if she's not getting it from her man, there'd be others.

His brows shoot up at the question, clearly thrown by it. He's not sure what he expected her to say, he doesn't have much time to consider the response before he offers it.]

Well, I didn't want them to kick me out. [His voice wavers, like he's not really sure about his answer.]

And you needed me there.