Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 207

Chapter 207

Anna’s POV

:

I turned slowly to face Anna. The look in her eyes could have burned down the entire building.

58 vouchers

Her voice came out trembling. “You pushed me. You actually pushed me behind you like I’m some damsel who can’t handle herself.”

“He was trying to manipulate you.”

She shot back, taking a step closer. “And you’re not? At least Laurent asked if I wanted to talk. You just decided for me. Again.”

“Because I know what he wants from you.”

“And what’s that, Roman? What does Laurent want that’s so terrible?”

The word came out harsher than I intended. “You. He wants you. And I’m not going to let that happen.”

She stared at me. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. “You don’t get to decide that.”

“Your contract says otherwise.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “You don’t need to remind me every second that I’m tied to you, Mr.

Cold-Hearted.”

I chuckled, on purpose. Her words didn’t get to me. I’d been called worse.

“Now that you’ve thrown your tantrum, it’s my turn.” I paused. “Why haven’t you blocked Laurent yet when you promised you would?”

Anna’s arms stayed folded across her chest. “Because I realized he’s innocent from all your false accusations. And he’s actually a better man than you are.”

Jealousy coursed through my veins, hot and possessive.

“That’s what you think.”

She lifted her chin in defiance. “That’s what I know.”

Her voice rose. “How can you stand there with a straight face after what you did? You sat in that meeting. grinning while Laurent squirmed, knowing you’re the mastermind behind why those photographs are even missing.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Accusations, Anna. Accusations you can’t back up.”

Her laugh came out bitter. “Are you serious right now? You orchestrated the whole thing because I defied you.”

I took a step closer. “That was part of the reason. If you hadn’t gone to that photoshoot after I explicitly told

9:44 Thu, Apr 30

Chapter 207

:

you no, none of this would’ve happened. But you did. So here we are.”

55 vouchar

Her eyes blazed. “Here we are? Something is fundamentally wrong with you. Were you dropped on your head as a baby? What is all this for? To watch him squirm? To show that you can control me?”

Any other person who dared insult me would’ve faced my wrath. But this was Anna, so I let it slide.

I took another step closer. My voice dropped low. “Anna, you’re pushing…”

She didn’t back down, stared at me like I’d slapped her. “You’re insane.”

She struck yet again. I chuckled, closing the distance between us. “I’m realistic. While you are too innocent, Anna. You don’t know how ruthless this world is. How ruthless this industry is. The dark side of modeling. The things that happen to girls like you when they’re too trusting, too naive.”

“Girls like me?” Her voice went sharp.

“Beautiful. Innocent. Easy targets.” I paused, my gaze dropping to her lips before meeting her eyes again. “Men like Laurent? They don’t want to help you. They want to own you. Use you. And when they’re done, they’ll toss you aside like garbage.”

Her voice came out like ice. “And you’re different?”

“I’m honest about what I want.” I leaned in close enough to feel the heat radiating off her body. “And everything I’m doing is for your own good, whether you believe it or not.”

“I don’t trust you.” Her breath hitched.

I leaned in until my lips were inches from hers. “You don’t have to trust me. You just have to obey me.”

Her hands clenched into fists. “I hate you.”

My voice dropped to a growl. “Enough. Sit down. You work for me, Anna, so let’s get to the work you actually do for me.”

She rolled her eyes.

I grabbed her wrist. My fingers circled her pulse point. I could feel it racing. “You know better than to roll your eyes at me. Second time you’re pushing me…”

She yanked her wrist free, breath coming faster. “Whatever you say, Mr. Blackwood.”

The formality in her voice was laced with pure defiance.

I tilted my head, a slow smile spreading across my face. “So we’re back to Mr. Blackwood now?”

“Isn’t that what you want? Professional distance?”

I moved closer, backing her against the conference table. “No. What I want is for you to stop fighting me on everything.”

9:44 Thu, Apr 30 m

Chapter 207

“Then stop trying to control everything.”

:.

95

55 vouchme

She planted her palms on my chest, pushing back, not hard enough to move me, just enough to make a point.

We stood there, her hands on my chest, my body caged hers against the table.

I wanted to kiss her. Needed to taste that defiance on her lips.

Her hair had come loose from all that shouting, falling in soft waves around her flushed face.

Two buttons on her blouse had come undone, revealing the curve of her collarbone. Her chest rose and fell fast, each breath pressing her body closer to mine. The things I wanted to do to her…

I forced myself to step back, to break the spell before I did something we’d both regret, or maybe something only she’d regret.

I cleared my throat. “What do I have for the rest of the day?”

Anna took a moment to gather herself, her hands trembling slightly as she smoothed down her blouse. “I… have to check your calendar.”

I pulled out a seat. She sat, keeping her eyes down.

I took mine, closer than necessary.

She reached for her iPad and began scrolling. “You have a meeting with the design team at two. Lunch with the Beaumont investors at four. And then…” She paused. “The Global Advertising Excellence Awards ceremony next Friday at seven.”

I usually hated those things. Hardly went. Always sent someone in my place.

But looking at Anna, watching the way she bit her lip in concentration, a thought came to my head. What if I had one night with her? Free of office drama. No contracts, no arguments. Just us. Her in a dress that would make every man in that room jealous, and her leaving with me.

“Tell me more about the award.”

She glanced up, surprised. “They’re honoring you for your transformative impact on the advertising industry. Your campaigns have redefined luxury branding, and your philanthropic work with underprivileged youth programs has…”

She scrolled through her notes. “The International Advertising Hall of Fame is inducting you. It’s one of the most prestigious honors in the field.”

She paused. “I’ve been reminding you for weeks, but you said you weren’t attending. So who do you want to send in your stead? We have a few executives who could…”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify