Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Roman’s POV

1. GG.

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I tried to look straight ahead as my driver moved through the city, the buildings sliding past, giving me anything else to focus on. But my eyes kept drifting to Anna. She was right beside me in the backseat.

My gaze slid over her flawless skin, her lips, the curve of her neck. Then down her body, even though I kept telling myself to look away.

But all I could think about was twenty minutes ago Pulling her to me. Feeling every curve against mine. Grinding my cock against her perfect ass. The soft gasp that shipped from her lips. The way her body shook. The way she pushed back into me like she wanted it just as much as I did.

I tore my eyes away and planted my hands on my knees, trying to breathe like nothing was wrong.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I shifted, uncomfortable. My cock was still half–hard, pressing against my pants, refusing to settle even now.

Unacceptable.

I was Roman Blackwood. I did not lose control. I did not let desire get in the way of my judgment. I did not put my hands on an employee like some frustrated teenager who could not manage himself.

And yet, that was exactly what I had just done.

I dragged a hand through my hair and reached for the iPad that separated us. I tapped the screen, pulling up numbers and projections, anything that could drag my mind away from how she had felt in my arms.

But my head kept going back to that extra contract I had made her sign.

1 had never written a contract like that for an employee before. Only for the women I slept with, and even then I had never pushed it that far. I had never demanded that much from anyone.

But the last time she stood in my office and looked me dead in the eye and told me to go and fuck off, something twisted inside me. A need to prove I was still in control.

She was not the same sweet, timid assistant who used to avoid my eyes. After that night she walked in like she did not fear me at all, bold and defiant, and she had hit my ego harder than anyone ever had.

When she walked out of my office that day. I thought that was it, she’d disappear and never return.

But part of me still counted on the fact that people rarely walked away from money.

So I spent hours that night writing those clauses, rewriting them explicitly.

And when she showed up this morning, it only confirmed what expected, she wasn’t different from the rest. The hard–to- get act, it was all just performance.

I pushed the thought of her out of my head and stared out the window.

From the front seat, Marcus cleared his throat.

“Mr Blackwood, we have arrived. Valentina Mall.”

Anna’s head snapped toward me. “Wait, this is the…?”

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15:49 Fri, Jan 23 GG.

Chapter 20

Her eyes went wide as she stared at the boutique in front of us massive building, all glass and gold edges, designer dresses displayed like art. A place where one dress cost more than most people made in a month.

“I thought you said we were going to a business lunch with an ingestor.”

“We are.” My voice did not move

You cannot go dressed like that.” I waved a hand at her outfit.

She looked down at herself. The oversized white button–up shirt that hung off her shoulders. The black skirt that went past her knees and looked two sizes too big. It pissed me off. All that bric hiding what I knew was underneath.

Her back went straight. “Excuse me?”

“How else do you need me to spell it out?” I let my eyes drag down her body on purpose. “Your outfit is not appropriate for at business lunch.”

She looked down at her clothes again and touched the fabric of her shirt. “There is nothing wrong with my outfit.” Her voice grew louder and her cheeks went red. “It is professional and…”

“You are drowning in fabric like you are scared to be seen.” I leaned in, my voice dropping. “And those eyes.”

I tilted my head, looking straight at her through those huge glasses she hid behind.

“You are trying to disappear. Trying to make people overlook you.”

She crossed her arms, stubborn as ever. “That is not true.”

“It is.” I watched her face shift, anger pushing up under the embarrassment she tried to hide. “But that stops now. As my assistant, you represent me. You will look the part, Miss Winters. Not like someone I dragged in off the sidewalk.”

Fire lit up in her eyes. Her hands balled into fists in her lap. I could see her biting back whatever she wanted to say.

Good. Get angry. Show me that fire.

“I did not agree to…”

“Actually, you did.” I cut her off. “Clause twelve of your contract. Your appearance and presentation must meet the standards I set for Blackwood Enterprises. Remember?”

She rolled her eyes.

I heard her mumble something under her breath. “Bloody contract.”

Marcus stepped out and opened the car door on her side.

“Get down,” I ordered.

She did not budge. She just sat there with her arms crossed like she planned to stay in that seat forever.

“She had to push all my buttons. Damn it.”

I muttered a curse under my breath and got out. By the time I walked around the car, she was still planted there, staring straight ahead, pushing every limit she could find.

“I do not have time for this. The meeting is in forty minutes.” I shot her a glare before holding out my hand. “Anna, step out

of the car.”

She stared at my hand like it offended her, but after a few seconds she slipped her fingers into mine and let me pull her up.

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15:49 Fri, Jan 23 DGG.

Chapter 20

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Ks Vounters

I did not let go. I kept her hand in mine as I led her toward the boutique doors. “Behave in there and this goes fast.”

“I do not need you buying me clothes,” she hissed.

Think of it as part of your uniform,” I answered, pushing the door open. The soft chime rang out. “Not a gift.”

Valentina appeared almost instantly, tall and elegant. Her eyes ran over Anna in one slow sweep, and the tight pinch at the corner of her mouth said everything. She did not like what she saw.

“Mr Blackwood,” she greeted with a smile that was too bright to be real. “When my assistant told me you were coming, I dropped everything. It is always an honor.”

She stepped forward, hands lifting as if she planned to kiss my checks.

I stepped back and gave her a single nod. “Valentina. Thanks for making the time.”

She placed a hand on her chest, dramatic as always. “It is my pleasure. What can I do for you?”

I reached behind me, caught Anna by the wrist, and pulled her forward. “This is Miss Winters, my new executive assistant. She needs an outfit for a business lunch. We have thirty minutes

Valentina’s eyebrows rose slightly, but she said nothing. “Of course. Come with me, Miss Winters.”

She snapped her fingers twice. Three women in black uniforms appeared from the back, already smiling.

“Mr Blackwood, lovely to see you again,” one of them said.

“Always an honor,” another added.

Valentina leaned in and whispered something to them under her breath. Whatever she said made their eyes sharpen with interest as they looked Anna over again.

Then Valentina placed a hand on Anna’s arm.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Winters. Do not worry. We will have you looking like someone who works beside a man like Mr Blackwood. You will be turning heads in no time.”

Anna gave her a smile that was clearly fake and made me want to chuckle.

“I am sure.”

Valentina’s hand slid from Anna’s arm to her shoulder as she guided her toward the back of the boutique.

Anna turned once, just before the curtain closed, her eyes burning with anger and embarrassment. Then she disappeared into the dressing area.