Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 121

Chapter 121

Anna’s POV

55 vouchers

I spotted Laurent the moment I stepped into Maison de Lune. He was already walking toward me, that easy smile on his face.

“Anna.” He leaned in, pressing a light kiss to each of my cheeks in that European way.

I stiffened slightly. I still was not used to the whole double cheek kiss thing.

“You look beautiful.” He pulled back with a smile.

“Thank you.” I smiled, glad I had chosen the purple wrap dress instead of my usual work clothes.

His hand touched the small of my back as he guided me through the restaurant.

A corner booth with leather seats awaited us. The other diners looked like business executives, people who belonged here. Like Roman and Laurent, not like me.

He gestured to the table. “I took the liberty of reserving the best seat by the window. The view is incredible this time of the evening.”

I looked outside, admiring the city lights glittering in the distance. “It’s lovely. Thank you for being so thoughtful.”

He pulled out my chair and waited for me to sit before taking his own seat across from me.

“Do you trust me?” Laurent leaned back.

“Should I?”

“Always.”

A waiter appeared instantly, as if summoned by some invisible signal.

“Wine?” Laurent asked, his eyes meeting mine. “Or would you prefer something else?”

“Wine is fine.”

He ordered in flawless French, the kind that made the waiter’s face light up with appreciation. When the man left, Laurent leaned back in his seat, studying me.

“I’m glad you could make it tonight. I was beginning to think you’d changed your mind.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because you’ve been avoiding me.” His smile was knowing. “At the office. In the hallways. I noticed.”

Heat crept up my neck. “I haven’t been avoiding you. I’ve just been busy.”

“Busy.” He repeated the word slowly. “With Roman?”

A shiver ran through me at the thought of what we had been up to. “Work only,” I managed

“Ah. He did not look convinced. “Work. Of course.*

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat

1/3

11:24 Thu, Feb 26 M

Chapter 121

M

55 vouchers

Laurent was staring at me across the table, intensely. His gaze was so focused it felt like he was trying to read me.

Studying me to get the truth. But then the moment passed.

For a second, I thought he had drifted off into some kind of trance.

“What?” I touched my face self-consciously. “Do I have something on my face?”

“Anna.” He shook his head slowly. “You simply amaze me. I met you as an executive assistant. Then I found out you’re a writer. And now it seems you have what it takes to run a campaign. Because of your idea, you’re taking the lead on one of the major marketing initiatives of the year. How does one person contain so much talent?”

Heat crept up my neck. “You flatter me too much. It was just one idea. And besides, I think both you and Mr. Blackwood have a soft spot for me.”

Laurent’s smile shifted for just a fraction of a second at the mention of Roman’s name.

“So you finally admit Roman likes you.”

Goosebumps rose on my arms. “Well, I said soft spot. As his assistant. To like me means he has a heart, and I doubt…..

The words tumbled out before I could stop them, my emotions taking over. I caught myself. pressing my lips together.

Laurent’s expression shifted to something almost triumphant. “At least we’re on the same page about one thing. Roman is heartless and doesn’t deserve a woman like you.”

“A woman like me?”

He leaned forward, his voice dropping lower. “A woman who’s beautiful, passionate, endearing. Someone who actually has depth, who thinks, who creates.” His eyes held mine. “Someone real.”

My face burned. I looked down at my plate, not knowing what to say to that.

Laurent seemed to sense he had pushed too far. He leaned back his tone shifting to something lighter. “How is the campaign treating you? Is Roman working you too hard?”

“It’s been intense, but good.”

“The team? Are they listening to you or proving difficult?”

I hesitated. “The team is helpful now. But at first…” I trailed off, remembering those first few days. How they had seen me as just an assistant and resented taking direction from someone they considered beneath them. It had taken Roman’s explicit backing, his presence in meetings he had no business attending and the way he had shut down anyone who questioned me, for them to finally listen and respect me. “It’s better now.”

“And Roman?” Laurent pressed. “Is he working you too hard?”

The past few days had been torture. Working closely with him while fighting not to give in to his pull. Every time he looked at me like I was something he wanted to devour, my heart melted a little more.

“He’s been really supportive,” I managed.

What I really wanted to say was how he used every opportunity to get close to me. How his hand would rest on the small of my back during meetings. How he would lean over my shoulder to look at my computer screen, his breath warm against my neck. How my skin flushed just thinking about the way he touched me. How he was actively trying to seduce me into his bed. How sometimes I caught him staring at me like he was imagining doing things that would make me blush for days.

But I could not say any of that.

2/3

11 24 Thu, Feb 26 M

Chapter 121

The waiter arrived then, saving me. I had never been so grateful for an interruption in my life.

He placed the dishes in front of us. The portions were arranged so neatly it almost felt wrong to disturb them.

55 vouchers

“The wine.” Laurent said, swirling his glass, “is from a small vineyard in Bordeaux. Family-owned for generations. They produce fewer than a thousand cases a year.”

He took a sip, his expression turning smug. “Most people will never taste anything like this.”

I took a sip. The wine was smooth and rich, with layers of flavor did not have the vocabulary to describe.

I should have been charmed. This was exactly the kind of date I had written about in my novels, a sophisticated man, an expensive restaurant, wine I had never heard of.

But all I could think about was how Roman had bent me over the boardroom table, his hands rough and possessive, teasing.

How maybe I should have been on a date with him instead of here.

Focus on Laurent, I told myself firmly. Roman is not the man for you. He’s your boss. He’s complicated and dangerous.