Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Tending To Her Bruises

Roman’s POV

I opened the first aid kit. Antiseptic, bandages, ointment, cotton swabs, all neatly organized. I pulled out what I needed and turned to her.

“This might sting,” I warned, dabbing antiseptic on a cotton swab.

I started with the bump on her forehead. A small but swollen cut right at her hairline, the skin around it already turning purple. It must have happened when that animal bent her over the desk. When he put his filthy hands on her.

Rage flooded through me again at the thought.

“Ouch.” She flinched, her hand instinctively rising.

“I’m sorry.” The words came out softer than I expected. “Just hold still for me.”

I moved to her lip, carefully cleaning away the dried blood. “Did he hit you here, or did you bite it when you were fighting him?”

“I bit it. When I was trying to scream.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

My hand stilled. The image slammed into me, Anna screaming, terrified, fighting for her life, while I sat in that bloody car, waiting, when I could have followed my instincts and delivered the cash myself.

“He’s lucky he’s still breathing,” I gritted, and I meant every word.

I set the cotton swab aside and reached for the antiseptic ointment. “Take off your hoodie. I need to check for more bruises.”

She stiffened immediately, her entire body going rigid. “I think that’s just it.”

“Anna, this isn’t the time to argue. Just do it.”

She looked at me for a long moment, conflict clear in her eyes. Then she sighed like she had no choice.

Her fingers went to the zipper..

My eyes followed as she unzipped the hoodie slowly and slid it off her shoulders.

She was wearing only a thin white camisole underneath.

And she wasn’t wearing a bra.

The realization hit me like a freight train. The delicate fabric clung to her curves, revealing everything, the soft swell of her breasts, the shape of her nipples, the gentle curve of her waist.

Jesus Christ.

She was self-conscious, I could see it in the way she hunched her shoulders, the way her eyes darted away from mine, the flush creeping up her neck.

Now I understood her hesitation.

And under any other circumstances, I would have let it be. Would have respected her boundaries and moved

But I needed to make sure she wasn’t hurt.

Though I couldn’t help how my body reacted, heat surged through my veins, raw and instinctive. I couldn’t look away from her, from the soft curves, the perfectly shaped areolas visible through the thin material.

I sucked in a deep breath as she subtly used her arms to try to cover herself. I gently caught her wrists, stopping her, though my entire body felt like It was on fire.

Focus. She needs medical attention, not you being a depraved bastard.

“I can’t check for bruises If your arms are crossed like a shield.”

“Oh.” She unfolded her arms, her cheeks fashion pood Pupid

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Chapter 31: Tending To Her Bruises

My eyes traced her skin as my hands followed, along her neck first, smooth and unmarked. Her skin was soft, impossibly warm beneath my fingertips.

I felt her tense, and I wondered if she felt it too, the electricity between us.

My gaze drifted lower, along her collarbone, and that’s when I saw it. A dark bruise on her clavicle, easy to miss if you weren’t looking closely.

It must have been from the way his fingers had dug in when she tried to pull away.

The thought made something savage twist in my chest. I wanted to go back and teach that bastard exactly what it felt like to be powerless.

I slid the strap of her camisole slightly to get a better look.

“What are you…” she protested.

Of course that’s what she thought.

Not this time.

I paid her no mind, reaching for the ointment. I squeezed some onto my fingers and began massaging it gently into the bruise.

She flinched, a small gasp escaping her lips.

“Oh.”

That’s when it clicked for her. I felt it when her body eased. She had expected something selfish. She hadn’t expected this.

“Almost done,” I murmured.

“Thanks.”

I leaned back, my eyes tracing every inch of her exposed skin. “I think that’s all the visible ones. But we wouldn’ t really know unless you were completely naked and I inspected every inch of your skin.”

She pulled away slightly. “There’s no need for…”

Despite everything, I felt my mouth curve into a smirk. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t ask you to take off your clothes.” I paused deliberately. “Just yet.”

Her eyes widened, her mouth opening and closing like she didn’t know whether to be offended or amused. “I… you… that’s completely inappropriate.”

“Given the circumstances.” I slid the camisole strap back into place, my fingers lingering a moment too long on her shoulder. “I don’t think so.”

She exhaled shakily. “Thank you. For everything. For coming to rescue me. For…” She gestured vaguely at the first aid kit. “This.”

I closed the kit and set it aside.

“I have to ask, Anna.” I leaned forward, holding her gaze. “What were you doing in a place like that?”

I noticed immediately how she tensed, her body language shifting. She pulled back slightly, putting distance between us.

“I… um…” She swallowed hard. “I ran into some trouble. And I went to sort it out.”

“Some kind of trouble?” I leaned closer, not letting her retreat. “No. I don’t believe that’s the truth, Anna. Men like Drago are dangerous. They deal with all sorts of illegal activities, drugs, weapons, human trafficking. I know you’re not the kind of woman to have dealings with men like that.”

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eached out and brushed her cheek with the back of my hand, my touch gentle. “You’re far too innocent for

that world.”

She pulled away from my touch like I’d burned her, shifting further back on the sofa. “I’ve told you before, Roman. I’m not as innocent as you think.”

“You can try to act tough all you want.” My voice hardened despite my best efforts. “But I can see right through

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