Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2: What If He Actually Fired Me?

Ana’s POV

Those icy blue eyes locked on me, and I fidgeted in my seat. Roman Blackwood’s stare always had a way of slicing right through me, but this time, it was different. Colder. Angrier. And far too close.

I could barely breathe. My palms trembled uncontrollably against his desk, heat radiating from his skin and seeping into mine. I knew that look, the one that said he’d reached his limit with me, that I’d pushed him too far this time.

Oh God… what if he actually fired me?

“Please don’t fire me, Mr. Blackwood,” I blurted out before I could stop myself. My voice shook embarrassingly. “I promise to do better. I won’t get distracted anymore.”

His jaw clenched. “I’ve heard that same line from you more times than I can count.”

“This time is different,” I rushed out, desperate. “I swear it is.”

He leaned forward slightly, his tone meaner. “How am I supposed to believe that? You promise one thing and do another every damn time.”

The force in his voice made me flinch. My throat tightened. “I swear on my father’s memory,” I whispered, voice barely audible. “I wouldn’t joke with his name.”

For a moment, the hard part of him gave way to a more tender side. The sincerity in his eyes left me confused.

He exhaled slowly, straightening to his full, towering height. “Do you have any idea how many people would kill for your job?” He paced in front of me like a man keeping himself from exploding. “People out there would bleed for this position, and you treat it like a hobby.”

“I understand what an opportunity you’ve given me,” I said quickly. “I value this job. I’ll prove it.”

He slammed his hand against the desk, the loud bang echoing through the room, making me jump. My heart nearly stopped.

I flinched, staring down at the polished surface, too afraid to meet his eyes. Despite his obvious anger, I still felt drawn to him in a way I couldn’t control. Somehow, my body reacted to him, even when every instinct screamed that I shouldn’t.

Why did he have to look like that when he was angry? The way his sleeves were rolled up, veins visible against his forearms, jaw clenched in restrained fury… it was terrifying, and intoxicating all at once.

I bit my lip without thinking, and the movement didn’t go unnoticed. His gaze dropped for a second, and something dark flashed through his expression, heat maybe. Or maybe I just imagined it.

“Please…” My voice came out small, breathless. “Please give me one more chance, Mr. Blackwood.”

He searched my eyes, clearly not convinced. “Only if you tell me why you were staring at me all through the meeting,” he said, voice low and dangerous. “With those eyes… barely paying attention. What were you thinking about, Ana?”

My breath hitched. Memories of my fantasy came rushing back in flashes, his mouth on mine, his hands gripping my waist, the desk beneath me.

My cheeks burned, heat spreading all the way down my neck. Oh God, how could I possibly tell him that? That I’d been imagining him kissing me senseless right here? He’d fire me for sure.

“I… it was nothing,” I stammered, shifting in my chair. “Just work.”

“Work?” His tone was dry, mocking. “You were looking at me like that because of work?”

Panic rushed through me. I leaned back slightly, clutching the edge of the desk like it could anchor me. “It’s… work, most times,” I whispered, unable to meet his eyes.

Roman moved before I could blink. His hand came up, fingers sliding beneath my chin, forcing my gaze to meet his. The contact sent a jolt straight through me. His touch was firm, warm, too intimate for a boss.

“Good.”

He tapped the folder once. “You’ll be at my beck and call for the rest of the time I let you work for me. And this…” His hand brushed over the top page. “…is due first thing tomorrow morning.”

My heart dropped. I flipped the file open, scanning the pages, and my blood ran cold. “Mr. Blackwood… this is a full day’s worth of reports,” I murmured.

He raised a brow, unimpressed. “Are you saying you’re not capable of getting it done?”

“N-no, I can do it,” I stammered.

“Then prove it.”

He leaned against the edge of the desk, arms folded, watching me like a predator studying prey. “And Ana…” His voice lowered, deep. “If you miss that deadline by nine a.m, firing you will be the easy part. You’ll face whatever consequences I decide.”

“Y-yes, sir.”

Roman’s eyes lingered on me for a long, heavy moment. Then he gave a small nod, the gesture curt and final. “Good. You can go.”

That was it. No glance back, no softening in his tone, just dismissal.

I grabbed the folder, trying to steady my hands, and pushed up from the desk. My knees felt weak, like they could give out any second, but I somehow made it to the door.