Chapter 56: Penetrating the Market

Nash walked alongside Victoria down the corridor, completely naked, his erection refusing to soften.

The thing stood like a challenge, thick veins running up its length, throbbing with every step. He swallowed hard, trying to keep his eyes ahead, but every time they passed a sex worker or staff member, the same thing happened: first a polite bow to Victoria, then a startled jolt as their gaze inevitably dropped.

Every pair of eyes lingered. Shock, fascination, and blushes followed him like a shadow. He tried to ignore it, but it was impossible not to feel the weight of all that attention.

Victoria, on the other hand, was smooth and casual, her voice carrying just enough edge to make sure he heard every word.

"If you joined us," she said, "you could screw anyone here without even trying. Escorts, dancers, even the janitors, if that’s your jam. No rules, no time, just initiate it."

She glanced at him, smirking faintly.

"It’s one of the special services Blacklist has access to. You’d be surprised at the appetite around here."

They reached her office, and it was a spectacular sight.

Dark wood everywhere, glass gleaming, shelves packed with rare bottles and first editions, and out the window, the city pulsed with neon like some futuristic fever dream.

Dead center: a desk big enough to land a helicopter on, flanked by two leather chairs that practically whispered "Sit, you lucky bastard."

Victoria glided over and perched on the desk’s edge, all elegance and intent, reaching for a bottle of what looked like blood in a glass.

"Sit," she said, pouring out two glasses like some debauched sommelier.

Nash sank into a chair, still way too aware of himself. She slid his glass over, took a lazy swirl of her own, and locked eyes with him.

"Alright," she said, lips curling around the words. "Let’s cut to the chase. Business time."

Victoria studied him for a beat, her wine glass poised in her hand.

"You know the league doesn’t wait for anyone. Your window is now. Join Blacklist and you’ll walk straight into the season with the spotlight already on you. Wait, and you risk becoming just another talent lost in the noise."

Nash didn’t blink.

"I understand, and I’m not here to fade into the noise. But there’s a thing. I know my potential, I can be more than good, I can be the best. I’m not saying that as a big talker, I just really know what I can bring to the table. But if I join, I want to know if the team can match that. I don’t want to hurry and end up humiliated every game and carrying dead weight."

A smile tugged at her lips, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"Funny. Most men in your position would forget the game entirely if they had an empire of escorts, dancers, secretaries... every kind of woman here, starving for them."

He shook his head.

"That’s exactly why I’m questioning it. Why chase me this hard if I’m just a rookie? From where I stand, my two matches against Blacklist showed me a team without synergy, without strategy. I’m not interested in just playing; I’m here to win. And trust me, I don’t need your help to get women. That’s not what I’m here for."

The tease faded from her face, replaced by a cool, assessing focus. She leaned forward, resting her glass on the desk.

"I see... You’re not just some street hotshot. You actually know the game."

He shrugged.

"Enough to see where your team’s falling apart. Honestly? I’d chase me too, if I were you."

Her voice lowered, losing all pretense of seduction.

"Alright. Cards on the table. Tell me what you’ve seen and how you think you could fix it."

Nash just barreled right in, no hesitation, no filter.

"Look, first off, you’re leaning way too hard on Jinzo. The guy’s got a fuse the length of a matchstick. Rattle him even a little and he goes full meltdown, tries to do everything himself, starts chucking up shots nobody asked for. Total chaos."

Victoria nodded, her eyes locked onto his, sharp as ever.

"And Jaz?" Nash shrugged. "She’s got a linebacker’s build, and you’ve got her boxed in under the rim? That’s wasted potential. She could bulldoze half the defenders in this league if you just cut her loose. Seriously, she should be breaking people, not babysitting the paint."

He leaned closer, voice dropping a notch.

"Nia’s another story, she zones out if you so much as cough during a timeout. You need to figure out how to keep her head in the game, not just wind her up and hope for the best. That’s what I’ve got for now. Throw me into practice, I’ll probably find twice as much."

Victoria tilted her head.

"What about Drex and Mac? You rate them?"

"Drex and... who?" Nash shot back, eyebrows up.

A little smirk tugged at her lips.

"Thought so." She sighed, eyes scanning him a second longer, maybe too long.

For a heartbeat, her gaze flickered down, and Nash caught it, his eyes narrowing just a bit.

He was still hard, so long after dealing with Nia, without a sign of calming down.

Her offer had been any woman in the building. Was she counting herself in that? He hoped so, she was hands down the most jaw-dropping woman he’d ever seen.

Tall, legs for days, skin like caramel, and that hair, golden, almost glowing, falling down her back in waves that looked like they belonged in a shampoo ad.

One lock slipped over her eye, just enough to look accidental. And the sunglasses? Pure boss move. She wore that black gown like it was stitched to her skin, hugging every line, dipping low enough in front to make it hard not to stare.

Perched on the desk, she crossed her legs, and those thighs... they caught the light just right, disappearing up to where the slit in her dress promised all kinds of trouble.

Heels strapped around her ankles, glossy black, the whole package straight out of some fever dream.

He felt himself getting hard just thinking about it. Hell, he was already halfway there, pulse thumping like a drum solo.

Victoria didn’t let her eyes linger, but the way she blinked, the little smirk, she saw. And she wasn’t bothered. If anything, she seemed amused.

"Shame to waste talent like that," she said, her voice low.

Shifting on the desk, she deliberately let more of her golden thighs show, the curve of her hips and the outline of her ass clear beneath the fabric. Leaning to one side, she pressed a button on the desk.

"You can come in now," she called out, voice velvet-smooth.

Nash’s brow furrowed slightly as the door opened.

Victoria leaned back casually, her tone smooth.

"Nothing special. I’m just concerned about the condition of a dear customer. As the manager here, I have to make sure you’re... well taken care of."

A young woman stepped inside with confident poise. She was stunning, dark-skinned, her short platinum-blonde bob cut framing her light green eyes, lashes long and striking.

A beauty mark rested under her left eye, just above the curve of a glossy pink smile. Her fitted white dress hugged her every line, plunging deep at the neckline to show just enough cleavage, the seams pulling gently over her curves.

A high slit on the left revealed a smooth, toned thigh with each step.

Nash found himself staring as she crossed the room. Victoria didn’t need to direct much, just a glance and a faint tilt of her head.

The woman moved to him without hesitation, her eyes locked on his.

Without a word, she began slipping out of her dress, the fabric sliding down to reveal her smooth skin, before she stepped around to straddle him, fingers brushing the back of his chair

She eased herself fully naked onto his lap, her hand guiding his thick length until he was inside her.

Victoria’s voice flowed like silk.

"Don’t mind her. Just enjoy. We can keep talking."

The woman’s hands pressed against his chest as she started to ride him slowly, her hips rolling in steady rhythm. She muffled her moans against his shoulder, the heat of her body wrapping around him with every movement.

Victoria’s gaze stayed level, her tone firm yet calm.

"I want you relaxed while we discuss business, Nash. Consider it... a personal courtesy."