Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 48

Chapter 48: You’re Worth The Wait

Roman’s POV

I checked my watch for the third time in as many minutes.

Thirty minutes. I’d been waiting for thirty goddamn minutes.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d waited this long for a woman. Years, probably. Women bent to my schedule, not the other way around. They showed up early, eager to please, desperate not to waste a single second of my time.

But here I was, pacing the marble floor of my foyer like some lovesick fool, waiting for my assistant to get ready for a party I didn’t even want to attend.

The Beaumont masquerade ball.

I had no interest in the spectacle, the shallow socialites parading around in their designer masks, thinking they were sophisticated. The whole thing was exhausting.

And after my last encounter with Laurent Beaumont at that lunch meeting, I had even less desire to be in the same room as that arrogant French bastard.

I could still see the way he’d looked at Anna across the table. The hunger in his eyes when he’d taken her hand, kissed it like some medieval prince courting a maiden. The way he’d smiled at her, all charm and European sophistication, clearly already planning how he’d seduce her.

My hands curled into fists just remembering it.

Tonight would be no different. Laurent would see Anna in that dress, and those playboy instincts would kick in immediately. He’d circle her like a shark, all smooth words and cultured gestures, trying to get under her skin.

Not on my watch.

But I needed to be there. Maison Beaumont himself would be at the ball tonight, and securing his partnership meant everything to the expansion I’d been planning for months. So the plan was to seal the deal with him and leave as quickly as possible.

No lingering or socializing. No watching Laurent try to put his hands on Anna.

I was mid-pace when I heard footsteps at the top of the stairs.

I looked up, then forgot how to breathe.

Anna appeared at the landing, and for a genuine, disorienting moment, I didn’t recognize her.

The silver dress I’d chosen clung to her body like it had been painted on. Every curve, every dip, every soft line was accentuated in a way that made my mouth go dry. The plunging neckline showcased the swell of her breasts in a way that was both elegant and devastatingly sensual. The thigh-high slit revealed the smooth length of her leg with each step’ she took.

Her hair had been styled in soft waves that flowed over one shoulder. The makeup was subtle but transformative. Her eyes looked larger, more beautiful behind the delicate silver mask. Her lips were painted a deep rose that made me think thoughts I had no business thinking about my assistant.

She was breathtaking.

I’d seen beautiful women before. I’d been with models, actresses, socialites who spent fortunes maintaining their appearance. But standing there, watching Anna descend the stairs with that shy and innocent stare, I genuinely couldn’t remember ever seeing a woman more beautiful in my entire life.

She took the final step and stood in front of me, her hands clasped nervously at her sides.

I’d wanted to see her transformed from the nervous, nerdy assistant who hid behind oversized clothes into the confident woman I knew she could be.

This was just the beginning.

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Chapter 48: You’re Worth The Wait

“Mr. Blackwood.” Her smile was small. “I’m sorry I kept you waiting.”

The response came from somewhere I didn’t recognize, some part of me that had apparently decided honesty was the best policy tonight.

“You look breathtaking,” I finally said, my voice coming out rougher than intended. “So it’s safe to say you were worth the wait.”

Her cheeks flushed pink beneath the makeup, and she gestured at her outfit self-consciously. “Thank you for the dress. And the shoes. And… everything.”

I couldn’t look away from her or form words for a moment that stretched too long.

“I have excellent taste,” I replied finally, letting a hint of arrogance return to my voice. “It’s one of my better qualities.”

But then her hands moved to her sides, fidgeting with the fabric of the dress. Her eyes dropped to the neckline, and I watched her confidence shift.

“I was thinking…” She swallowed hard. “The dress is beautiful, but it’s… it’s maybe too exposed? I don’t usually wear things this revealing.”

There it was. The insecurity I’d expected.

I stepped closer, closing the distance between us. “Do you like the dress?”

She looked up at me, surprised by the question. “Yes. I do. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever worn. But I’m just not used to…”

“You’ll get used to it,” I said simply.

Her eyes widened slightly, but I could see her mind working, processing what I meant. That this wouldn’t be the last time. That I intended for her world to expand beyond the safe, comfortable boundaries she’d built around herself.

She bit her lip, her hands moving unconsciously to her chest. “It’s just… I feel like everything is on display. My breasts are practically…” She gestured vaguely, her blush deepening. “And the slit is so high, and I’m not… I don’ t have the kind of body that…”

“Stop.” The command in my voice made her freeze. “Come with me.”

I didn’t wait for her response. I placed my hand on the small of her back, feeling the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric, and guided her toward the full-length mirror in the hallway.

She followed hesitantly, confusion written across her face.

When we reached the mirror, I positioned her directly in front of it, then stepped behind her. Close enough that she could feel my presence but not touching. Not yet.

“Look at yourself,” I ordered.

“1..”

“Look, Anna.”

She obeyed, her eyes lifting reluctantly to her reflection. I watched her take herself in, the dress, the styling, the transformation, and I saw nothing but doubt in her expression.

Time to change that.

I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping lower. “Do you know what I see?”

She shook her head mutely.

“see a woman who is absolutely stunning.” I let my eyes travel slowly over her reflection, making sure she saw where my gaze went. “This dress was made for you. Look at how it follows every curve.”

My hand lifted, hovering near her waist without touching. “Here. The way it cinches at your waist and flows over your hips. Perfect.”

Her breathing had quickened. I could see her chest rising and falling.

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Chapter 48: You’re Worth The Wait

“And here,” I continued, my voice taking on a darker edge as my gaze moved to the plunging neckline. “Your breasts aren’t on display. They’re showcased. There’s a difference. This neckline is elegant, sophisticated. It draws the eye exactly where it should go.”

A soft gasp escaped her lips.

“The slit,” I said, noting how the fabric fell open to reveal her leg, “shows just enough to be intriguing without being vulgar. Every man in that ballroom tonight will wonder what it would be like to run his hand up that thigh.”

“Mr. Blackwood…” Her voice was stunned but breathy.

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