Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 107

Chapter 107

Anna’s POV

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I stumbled into the bathroom, locking the door behind me before bracing my hands against the sink. My reflection stared back at me, and I barely recognized the woman looking back.

What the hell did I just do?

Strands of my hair had come loose from its bun, falling messily around my face. My lips were swollen, red from the kiss.

I’d let him kiss me. No, worse than that. I’d kissed him back with everything I had.

My fingers lifted to my mouth, brushing over the tender skin. I could still taste him. Coffee and mint and his distinct taste. The thought made my knees weaken slightly.

I gripped the sink harder.

It still felt like a dream that Roman Blackwood had stood there and told me. He’d told me he wanted to fuck me, wanted to know every inch of my body, wanted to make me scream.

After months of pushing me away, keeping me at arm’s length, treating me like just another employee, he’d suddenly made a complete U-turn.

And what did he expect? That I’d just agree? That I’d fall into his bed because he’d finally decided I was worth his attention?

The part that had waited months for this moment wanted to say yes and run back to his office, let him bend me over his desk, let him do everything he’d promised. But I couldn’t. My dignity wouldn’t let me.

He’d made it crystal clear he wanted just sex while I wanted mor True affection. Love. A real relationship. Not to be someone’s conquest, someone’s way of getting an itch scratched.

I didn’t know where the courage had come from to tell him off, ut I was glad I did.

His arrogance was sickening. But I couldn’t lie. It was also arousing. The way he’d looked at me, touched me, commanded me. The way he’d said I’d be his like it was inevitable.

It was a twisted mixture of anger and desire that left me shaking

How dare he say he’d have me even after I said no? Like my answer didn’t matter. Like he could just will me into submission.

I slid my hair with trembling fingers, tucking the loose strands back into place. I smoothed down my dress, checking for wrinkles. Then I stared at myself in the mirror, meeting my own eyes.

“You can’t be with Roman Blackwood,” I told my reflection firm “You have to kill this crush. He’s not the man for you. The right man, the one who will love and honor you, will show up athe right time.”

I believed that. I had to believe that.

I fixed my bun, making sure every hair was in place. I adjusted my dress one more time. When I felt presentable, I smiled at myself.

“You’ve got this,” I whispered. “Even though it’s going to be torture working as his assistant and not giving in to him. His lips. His fingers.” I closed my eyes, heat flooding through me again. “Get it together, Anna.”

I scolded myself one more time, grabbed my iPad, and walked out of the restroom with my head held high.

I was halfway to the elevator when I collided with someone.

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Chapter 107

“Oh, I’m so sorry…”

“Anna!”

I looked up to find Laurent Beaumont smiling down at me with genuine excitement.

My stomach dropped. Shit.

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I’d been caught. After ditching him at the club, after ignoring his calls all weekend because I wasn’t ready to face him.

“Laurent.” I forced a smile. “Hi.”

“It’s good to see you.” His smile didn’t fade, but his eyes searched mine. “You bailed on me at the club. One minute you were there, the next you were gone.”

Guilt washed over me. “I’m so sorry about that. Family emergency. I had to leave suddenly.”

It was a lie. Memories of how Roman had ambushed me in the restroom, kissed me, gave me orgasms, and how he practically threw me over his shoulder and forced me out of the club flooded back. But I couldn’t tell Laurent that.

“Hmm.” Laurent studied me for a moment. “I’m sorry to hear that. Is everything okay now?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Then perhaps you can also explain why you haven’t been taking my calls?” His tone was light, teasing, but I heard the sarcasm beneath. “I was worried about you.”

“I know, I’m sorry. It’s been a crazy weekend. I should have called you back.”

Laurent’s expression softened. “Anna, I need to apologize. About the club.”

He ran a hand through his dark hair, looking genuinely remorseful. “I was wrong for taking you there. It was too much. Practically a sex club. I saw how uncomfortable you were, and I understand why you left. You didn’t have to make up an

excuse.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. He thought I’d left because of the exhibition, not because of Roman. “No, that’s not…”

“You don’t have to be modest,” Laurent interrupted gently. “I crossed a line. That wasn’t an appropriate place for a first date. I wanted to impress you, show you something exciting, but I went too far.”

I opened my mouth to correct him, but the words stuck in my throat. What was I supposed to say? Actually, I left because my boss dragged me out of there and I spent the weekend at his estate.

“It’s okay,” I managed. “Really.”

“No, it’s not. Laurent stepped closer. “Let me make it up to you. Lunch. At a proper restaurant this time. No strangers having sex in the corner.”

I hesitated. Going to lunch with Laurent felt wrong after everything that had happened with Roman this morning. But Laurent didn’t know about Roman. He had no idea that Roman Had kissed me, touched me, told me he wanted me in the most explicit terms possible.

And Roman had made it clear what he wanted. Sex. Nothing more.

Laurent was offering something different. Friendship, maybe more, but without the games and power plays.

“Anna?” Laurent’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “Just lunch. Please. I promise to be on my best behavior.”

I thought about Roman’s arrogant smirk. His declaration that I’d be his no matter what I said. The way he’d held me against

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Fri, Feb 20

Chapter 107

his desk like he owned me.

“Okay.” I heard myself say. “Lunch sounds nice.”

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Laurent’s face lit up. “Wonderful. How about tomorrow? I know place not far from here. French cuisine, but not too formal.”

“Tomorrow works.”

“Perfect.” He reached out, gently touching my arm. “I’m glad we ran into each other. I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again.”

I smiled, but inside, my thoughts were tangled.

“We have a meeting in…” I glanced at my watch. “About fifteen minutes, actually. The campaign presentation.”

“Ah, yes.” Laurent’s eyes brightened. “The campaign. I’ve been looking forward to seeing what your team has created.”

“They’re the best in the industry,” I assured him, feeling a spark of pride. “You should be prepared to be blown away.”

Laurent leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a warmer note. Nothing can compete with how your beauty blows me away.”

My laugh came out nervous and breathy. “That’s… you’re very kind.”

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