Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Anna’s POV

“Roman, please..” Dimitri stood quickly, hands raised.

X 55 vouchers

“Mr. Blackwood.” Laurent spread his hands, attempting to appear innocent. “I apologize if my questions offended you in any

way.

But his eyes were laughing.

“That was never my intention.”

“Wasn’t it?”

Dimitri moved between them. “Roman is right. Let’s refocus. Laurent, please. The campaign…”

“Yes,” Laurent nodded slowly. His expression shifted. More serious now. “Of course. You are right.”

He glanced at his own iPad, scrolling. “I like the campaign plans. But I will need to discuss them with my father before moving forward.”

His gaze shifted to Roman. “We will be in touch on whether we are going ahead.”

Roman scoffed. “And there you were, claiming you had negotiating power.”

Laurent’s smile faded for the first time. “I do have authority. But Maison Laurent is still a family business. Major decisions go through my father. I am sure you understand how that works.”

Roman leaned back in his chair, still scowling. “Fine.”

“Wonderful.” Laurent poured wine into crystal glasses. “Then let us at least toast to a productive first meeting. If we decide to go ahead with your company, it is going to be a long–term partnership.” He smiled. “We should celebrate the possibility.”

Dimitri looked at Roman, silently begging him to cooperate. “Just one drink,” he urged, “to a smooth partnership.”

Roman stared at him for a long second, then reluctantly said, “One glass.”

“Magnifique.” Laurent clapped once, pleased with himself. He gestured at our chairs. “Please. Sit. We cannot toast while you are both standing. And trust me, everyone is watching.”

Roman’s hand slipped from my wrist, though I still felt the imprint burning my skin. He pulled my chair back and I lowered myself onto the seat.

He sat beside me, his irritation obvious.

Everyone reached for their glasses at the same time.

Crystal clinked.

“Sante.” Laurent’s voice rang out.

Laurent clinked with Dimitri first. Then Roman, whose hand barely lifted the glass high enough to reach.

Finally, Laurent turned to me, winking.

“A la beauté.”

1/4

15:49 Fri, Jan 23 GG.

Chapter 24

Our glasses touched with a soft click.

To beauty.

My lips lifted into a small smile I could not stop as I took a sip of the expensive wine.

Roman gripped the stem of the glass tightly. I feared it might break.

Laurent took a gulp and leaned back, relaxed, as if he had not just set Roman on fire.

79%

55 valieners

Speaking of celebrations, Laurent continued lightly, “I am hosting a masquerade ball in a few days. For the collection launch.” His smile widened. “Our first American ball”

Roman did not react at first. He stared at the swirl of wine in his glass, like he was trying to keep himself from snapping.

“It will be quite the event. Laurent added. “Design houses, CEOs press, influencers.” He turned to Roman. “You should be there. My father will attend. A perfect opportunity to meet Maisen himself. And to discuss the partnership in more depth.”

Roman finally looked up, face blank, tone clipped. “I will consider it.”

“I hope you will do more than consider,” Laurent replied smoothly. “My father does not attend often. It would be valuable.”

A tense moment passed, then Roman nodded once. “Fine. I will be there.”

But Laurent was not done.

His gaze shifted to me.

“Anna. His voice softened. “I would like you to be there as well.” A pause. Then, deliberately. “As my date.”

Oh God.

The room went absolutely still.

My heart stopped. Then started again, racing.

Did he just…

Roman went rigid beside me.

I felt it. The shift. Like a switch flipping.

His entire body turned to stone.

“She is not available.

Laurent barely looked at him. “I was not asking you, Roman. His gaze stayed on me, waiting. “Anna?”

This is happening. This is actually happening.

Part of me was thrilled at the attention. At having someone look at me like that, like I was someone worth pursuing. At making Roman see that he did not own me. That I had choices.

But the sensible and terrified part was screaming.

He is still your boss. You need this job. You cannot afford to lose this position. Do not push your luck.

Before I could form a response, Roman answered for me,

2/4

13:49 Fil, Jail 23

Chapter 24

“She is coming as my date.”

What?

My head turned toward him, completely shocked. Heat rushed into my face.

He had not even looked at me before saying it. He just decided.

Laurent tilted his head. “Is that true. Anna?”

My throat felt dry. My thoughts scattered. I did not even know when the words left my mouth.

“… yes. It is true. Mr Blackwood is right.”

Disappointment crossed Laurent’s face. Then he smoothed it away with a polite smile.

“No problem,” he said softly. “As long as you will be there.”

Roman let out an angry scoff. “We are done here.”

EL 55 vouchers

Before I could gather myself, he was already pushing his chair back. Then his hand closed around mine, firm and demanding, pulling me to my feet.

Laurent’s smile disappeared. Dimitri’s mouth opened, but no words came out.

I did not get a chance to say goodbye. I glanced at them once, then had to look forward. Roman was already moving.

I had to jog to keep up with his long strides.

“Mr Blackwood, wait…”

He did not wait or slow down. He kept walking through the lobby, past the reception desk, and through the glass doors.

The afternoon sun hit my face. I squinted against the brightness

His black SUV sat at the curb.

The driver stepped out of the car and greeted him with a polite mod..

Roman did not look at the man. “Go.”

The driver understood right away. He stepped back and walked toward the far end of the lot, giving Roman space.

I expected Roman to open the car door. Maybe pull me inside where we could at least have privacy.

He spun me around instead.

My back pressed against the side of the huge black SUV, one hand beside my head, the other gripping my waist hard enough to make my breath catch. His chest hovered close enough for me to feel the heat pouring off him.

God, he is so close.

His cologne wrapped around me, clean, expensive, overwhelming in the best way.

I felt warm all over. This was wrong. He was angry. I should be angry too.

But all I could think about was how good he looked like this. Worked up. Losing control because of me.

Stop it, Anna. Stop.

3/4

9.49 Fil, Jall 25

Chapter 24

“What the hell was that?” His voice came out rough, strained.