Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 109

Chapter 109

Chapter 109

Anna’s POV

What? My heart stopped. He’s putting me in charge?

Confusion hit me first, then anger. What was he doing?

The marketing team looked shocked and glanced at each other uncertainly. Fay’s mouth hung open slightly.

4 ཟྭ 90%ti

55 vouchers

“Mr. Blackwood,” Fay spoke carefully. “If Anna’s idea is what we’re going with, the team can implement it. Anna doesn’t have to join us. We can…”

But Roman cut her off. “Anna is taking charge. That’s final.”

Fay looked disappointed, angry even, but she nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Great,” Laurent said. His smile widened at me. “I’ll work closely with her and the team.”

“Anna works closely with me,” Roman said immediately, his voice hard. “You can go through me for any input or approvals.”

I blinked. This is not normal. Roman never personally oversaw individual campaigns. He had team managers for that, layers of people between him and the day-to-day execution. He was CEO. He dealt with strategy, the big picture, not campaign details.

“I’ll be personally overseeing this project,” Roman continued, staring directly at Laurent. “To ensure it meets both our standards.

Laurent studied Roman for a moment, and I could practically see the wheels turning in his head. Then, surprisingly, he backed down. “Whatever will make the campaign a success.”

My head was spinning. It had all happened so fast. They had decided everything, spoken over my head like I wasn’t even there. They’re playing chess, and I’m apparently one of the pieces.

I was terrified. No one had asked if I wanted this responsibility or if I felt ready for it. I had no experience running a campaign. What if I failed? What if I embarrassed Roman? What if…

As though sensing my fear, Roman’s hand covered mine on the table. The touch was warm, solid, grounding. It sent electricity shooting up my arm.

He leaned in close, his voice low enough that only I could hear. “Don’t be scared. You can do this. And I’ll help you all the way through.”

I looked up at him, surprised by the gentleness in his voice, the sincerity in his eyes. For a moment, he wasn’t my impossible boss. He was just Roman, trying to ease my fear. Roman, who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.

Stop it. He made it clear this morning. This is all he wants from me. Sex. Nothing more. Don’t read into it.

All I could do was nod.

“Great.” Roman straightened, his professional expression sliding back into place. “Another thing. The model.” He gestured to the screen where the sultry model still posed. “I think we should go for a different model. Someone with a blend of innocence and fire. Beauty rising from ashes.”

He turned to me. “Anna?”

He’s asked my opinion again. I was shocked. This had never happened before. Roman had never sought my opinion, not like this. I was always serving coffee, taking notes, attending to emails and scheduling. I was invisible.

1/3

10:40 Fri, Feb 20

Chapter 109

0

90%

755 vouchers

Now I felt like I was part of something big, like I mattered.

“I agree. My voice came out stronger now. “The current model is stunning, but she’s predictable. We need someone unexpected. Someone who embodies the idea that lingerie isn’t just about looking perfect. It’s about feeling powerful in your own skin. Someone real.”

Laurent nodded thoughtfully. “I agree as well. The right face will make all the difference.”

Roman turned to the marketing team. “Can we see more pictures of potential models?”

“Yes, sir.” Fay operated the projector, and images began flashing across the screen.

Model after model appeared, tall, elegant women with perfect bodies, draped in Beaumont’s exquisite lingerie.

“Next,” Roman said.

Another image appeared, a blonde in ivory silk, the teddy cut high on her thighs, the lace barely concealing her breasts.

“No,” Laurent commented. “Too commercial. She looks like every other lingerie ad.”

Another appeared, a brunette in crimson, the bra emphasizing her curves, the panties little more than strings and lace.

“Next.”

They’re all beautiful, I thought. But Laurent’s right. They’re all the same.

We went through the entire presentation. Beautiful women, all of them, wearing lingerie meant to seduce and entice, but none felt right.

Down to the last slide, and we had found no one.

“Keep searching, team,” Roman urged. “Our new face is out there Find her.”

They all nodded, making notes.

Roman checked his watch. “The meeting is over. I have another meeting to head to now.”

Everyone began gathering their things, but Laurent’s voice stopped them.

“Just a moment, Roman.”

Roman relaxed back into his seat, one eyebrow raised. “Yes?”

“I think I might have the perfect face.”

Roman’s expression shifted to interest. “Great. Who is she? The team can pull up her picture.”

“No need.” Laurent’s smile widened, and his eyes locked on me with an intensity that made my breath catch. “She’s sitting right here.”

No, no, no. My nerves spiked as everyone looked around the table, confused. Then, following Laurent’s gaze, all eyes landed

on me.

I tensed, panic rising in my chest. Why are they looking at me? Surely he doesn’t mean…

“There’s no way,” Roman declared firmly.

“Yes way,” Laurent countered, standing and walking toward me. Why are we searching when Anna is that perfect blend of innocence and fire? Your words, Roman.”

2/3

Fri, Feb 20

Chapter 109

This isn’t happening.

90%會

55 vouchers

He turned to me, his voice appreciative. “Look at her face. The innocence and the fire underneath those eyes.”

Laurent rose from his seat and continued, circling me like I was a piece of art he was appraising. “I have the best glam team in the industry. I can already imagine the lingerie line on her. That body, those curves, she’s not some cookie-cutter model who has been starving herself. She’s real. Soft in all the right places.”

Oh God, he’s talking about my body in front of everyone.

“The way lace would look against her skin, not too pale, not too dark,” Laurent went on, his accent thickening. “That natural flush would highlight the pieces. Those breasts would fill out the bras perfectly. The high-waisted panties would emphasize that waist-to-hip ratio. The teddies would cling to every curve.”

Uncomfortable was putting it lightly. My lungs felt restricted. Why was he describing me like he had seen me naked?

“Enough.”

Roman’s roar echoed in the boardroom, forcing everyone to flinch and lean back.

Laurent paused, but his eyes stayed on me. “She has that quality we’re looking for. She looks like a woman discovering her own power, her own sexuality. Not manufactured. When women see her in Beaumont, they’ll think, I could be her. That’s what we need. And that body, God, imagine her in the black lace set. Or the ivory silk with the…”

“I said enough.” Roman stood abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. He turned to the team. “Thank you, everyone. You can leave now.”

Thank God. Make this stop.

Fay and the others scrambled to gather their tablets and folders, practically running from the room. I could feel their curious glances as they fled.

3/3

AD

Comment

Send gift

No Ads