…
Knock, knock.
Not long after Pepper left, another knock sounded at Leon's office door.
"Come in."
The rhythmic click of high heels followed.
A blonde young woman stepped inside, dressed in a purple off-shoulder bodycon dress. Semi-sheer black stockings traced the curve of her legs, the overall look polished yet subtly provocative.
Sharon Carter.
On paper, she was a 22-year-old prodigy with dual doctorates.
In reality—
A S.H.I.E.L.D. operative placed here to get close to Leon.
Leon was sixteen years older than her. If he hadn't already known her real identity, her age alone would've made it hard to connect her to an intelligence agency.
S.H.I.E.L.D. really spared no effort.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Leon," Sharon said smoothly. "I'm Sharon Carter, here to interview for the executive secretary position. It's a pleasure."
"How pleased?" Leon replied lazily.
"…Excuse me?"
"Relax. I'm joking."
He gestured toward the seat across from him.
Sharon sat, smoothing her dress with careful composure. Whether the tension in her shoulders was genuine or performed—only she knew.
Silence filled the office.
Leon said nothing.
He simply looked at her.
Not subtly.
His gaze traveled from head to toe, slow and deliberate.
Minutes passed.
Finally, Sharon spoke, lips slightly parted.
"I—I apologize, Mr. Leon. I assumed today was only an interview, so I didn't wear formal office attire. If it's inappropriate, I can return home and change."
She began to rise—
Leon lifted a hand.
"No need."
He stood and walked around behind her, placing both hands lightly on her bare shoulders.
The moment his skin touched hers, her body stiffened for a fraction of a second before she forced herself to relax.
Leon noticed.
She wasn't Natasha Romanoff.
She didn't have that Red Room composure.
Good.
That made things… interesting.
Just as he was considering how to subtly shift this dynamic in his favor—
"Master Leon, Mr. Stark is calling."
J.A.R.V.I.S.'s voice came through his earpiece.
Leon stepped away.
"Put him through."
Sharon exhaled quietly, relief flickering across her face.
For a moment, she had thought he might escalate things immediately.
Still—
Up close, Leon Stark was even more striking than in photos.
Charismatic. Confident. Dangerous.
If she could extract intelligence without crossing certain lines, ideal.
If not…
She had her training.
Leon finished the call quickly.
Tony was ready.
It was time.
Leon turned toward the door—
But Sharon stepped in front of him.
"Mr. Leon, Miss Potts instructed that you remain in the office during this sensitive period. For stability optics."
"Oh?"
He approached her slowly.
Until she was backed lightly against the wall.
"So tell me, Miss Carter," he murmured.
"Are you my secretary… or Pepper's?"
"I—I am your secretary, Mr. Leon."
"Then listen to me."
His tone shifted—soft, but commanding.
"Move."
She hesitated.
Only for a second.
Then stepped aside.
Leon opened the door.
"Good. Handle the office. I trust you."
And just like that—
He left.
…
A few minutes later, believing herself alone, Sharon leaned back against the wall and exhaled deeply.
She reached down to adjust her stockings—one had snagged slightly when she lost her balance earlier.
The door suddenly opened again.
"Oh, right," Leon said casually from the doorway.
"That outfit suits you. No need to copy Pepper's corporate uniform style. I'm tired of that look."
Sharon froze.
Leon paused—
Then shut the door again.
After a brief moment, it opened once more.
"One more thing," he added lightly.
"Lock the door next time."
And then—
He was gone for good.
Sharon stood there, cheeks flushed—not entirely from embarrassment.
She wasn't sure what unsettled her more—
His confidence.
Or the fact that, at every step—
He had been completely in control.
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