Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54: He Was Watching Me All Night

Anna’s POV

“Like a model for your lingerie line?” The words came out harsher than I intended.

Laurent laughed. “Among other things. But yes, I meant what I said earlier. You have natural curves, real beauty, not that manufactured, photoshopped nonsense. Women would see you and think, ‘I could look like that. I could feel that confident.”

His hand moved to my knee. “You’d be inspiring them.”

I took another drink, needing the liquid courage. “I already told you I’m not model material.”

“Let me be the judge of that.” His thumb traced a small circle on my knee. “I’ve worked with hundreds of models. I know beauty when I see it. And Anna, you’re beautiful in a way that can’t be taught or faked.”

My cheeks burned. I glanced toward Roman again, I couldn’t help it, and this time I caught him staring directly at us. The look on his face made my breath catch. Dark. Intense. Almost… possessive.

“He keeps looking at you,” Laurent observed, following my gaze.

I quickly looked away, feigning confusion. “Who?”

“Blackwood.”

I coughed slightly, waving a hand dismissively. “He’s just checking to see if I’m fine.”

“That’s a little too protective, don’t you think?”

I shrugged, playing innocent. “I think he’s just doing what any good boss would do.”

Laurent didn’t look convinced. He took a long drink, then set his glass. “Forgive me for being blunt, Anna, but I believe Blackwood has taken a rather romantic interest in you.”

My eyes widened. “What? No!”

“I’m a man who’s been around powerful men and women, and I know exactly what a man who wants a woman looks like when I see it.”

“I think you’re imagining things.” I forced a laugh. “Mr. Blackwood might be intense, but romantic feelings?”

I shook my head. “I don’t think I’m the kind of woman he would fancy. Besides, he has a strict no dating his workers policy.”

The scene he’d made after our kiss flashed through my mind. The NDA he’d had me sign. The way he’d looked at me like I was a problem that needed to be contained.

“He can’t go against his own rules. He prides himself on it too much.”

Laurent studied me for a moment, then smiled. “First of all, there’s every reason why Blackwood would like you. You’re beautiful and smart, Any man in his right mind would never pass you off.”

He paused. “But since you’ve assured me of Blackwood’s discipline to his rules, I’ll back off on this issue for now.”

I let out a nervous breath of relief. “Great. Thank you.”

Then Laurent smirked wickedly. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll make it easy on him.”

“How do you mean…”

Before I could finish, he dragged my stool, positioning me between his spread thighs. One hand settled on my lap while the other moved to the bar beside me, effectively caging me in.

He leaned in close, his mouth near my ear. “I want to test just how disciplined your CEO really is, mon chérie.” His breath was warm against my skin. “Now, laugh. Like I’m your lover and I just whispered the sweetest words you’ve ever heard.”

Then he pulled back slightly and added in a normal volen “You knny what the difference is between French

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Chapter 54: He Was Watching Me All Night

wine and French women?”

My eyes widened. “What do you mean…”

“French wine gets better with age. French women just get more expensive.” He grinned. “But you, chérie? You’ re like a rare vintage, priceless from the very first taste.”

The absurdity of it hit me all at once. I couldn’t help it. I laughed uncontrollably, throwing my head back, covering my mouth with my hand, embarrassed by how hard I was laughing.

Laurent grinned, clearly pleased with himself, his hand still resting on my back.

And across the room, I could feel Roman’s eyes burning into us.

When my laughter finally subsided, Laurent stood smoothly, extending his hand. “Dance with me.”

I shook my head immediately. “No, I can’t. My boss…”

“You said he has no feelings for you,” Laurent interrupted, his smile coy. “So why would he mind?”

How could I explain the ground rules without revealing too much? The no fraternizing policy. The NDA. The complicated mess we’d made of things.

“I’m his date tonight,” I argued weakly.

“Bullshit,” Laurent said. [bullshit: a blunt dismissal meaning “that’s not true”] His hand caught mine, pulling me gently to my feet. “You’re his assistant playing a role. There’s a difference.”

Before I could protest further, he tugged my hands, pulling me to my feet as I mumbled, “You’re going to get me in trouble, Laurent…”

His response was cocky, confident. “I’m trying to get you to make the most of the night.”

He was already walking boldly toward the dance floor, my hand clasped in his, where other couples swayed to an upbeat jazz melody that filled the air with energy.

Without warning, he pulled me against his chest. I landed with a gasp, my palms flat against the smooth fabric of his suit.

“Careful, chérie,” he murmured with a playful grin. “I don’t bite, unless you ask nicely.”

His hand settled on my waist, the other holding mine as we began to move. He was a really good dancer, leading without being overbearing.

I had to admit, the dance was nice. Pleasant, even. But I couldn’t help but notice that I didn’t feel the same sparks, the same electric chemistry I always felt with Roman. No racing pulse. No breathlessness or fireworks.

Laurent’s voice pulled me from my thoughts as he drew me closer. “Tell me about your hobbies. What does Anna do when she’s not being the perfect assistant?”

I blinked, gathering my scattered thoughts. “I read, mostly.”

“What do you read?”

“Everything. Novels, mostly. Sometimes magazines.”

His eyebrow arched with interest. “What kind of magazines?”

Heat crept up my neck. “Fashion, lifestyle… sometimes romance.”

“Romance?” His smile widened, playful and teasing. “The innocent ones or the spicy ones?”

I hesitated, not certain I wanted to reveal too much about myself. “Laurent…”

“I’m teasing.” But his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Though I have to say, the idea of you reading something erotic is incredibly appealing.”

“I didn’t say erotic…”

“You didn’t have to. Your face says it all.” He spun me gently, effortlessly. “What about dreams? What does Anna dream about?”

“I don’t know. Normal things.”

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Chapter 54: He Was Watching Me All Night

“Like?”

“Like… having my own place someday. Traveling. Seeing Paris.”

“Paris?” His expression softened, becoming almost tender. “You’ve never been?”

I shook my head.

“Then I’ll take you. Show you the real Paris, not the tourist traps, but the hidden corners. The cafés where locals go, the markets at dawn, the…”

“Laurent.” I stopped him gently. “You barely know me.”

“I know enough to want to know more.” His hand tightened on my waist, drawing me incrementally closer.”

And I like your company, Anna. You’re refreshing. Real. Not like the women I usually meet who only care about what I can do for their careers.”

Despite myself, I found I liked his company too. He was charming, yes, but there was a genuine side to him that I enjoyed.

Still, I couldn’t resist adding, “Don’t all men say that when they want something from a woman?”

Laurent threw his head back and laughed. “You’re absolutely right. They do.” His eyes met mine again, more serious now. “And I’m not going to pretend to be innocent. I’ve had my fair share of women and playing games. But I’m done with that life. I want to get serious. A man’s not getting any younger.”

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical but intrigued. “And you think you’ve found something serious with a woman you just met tonight?”

“I think I’ve found someone worth pursuing.” He paused, then pressed on. “Have lunch with me. Tomorrow. Or the day after. Whenever you’re free.”

Panic rose in my chest. No. Absolutely not.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

Because Roman would be furious. Because I can’t afford to make things more complicated than they already

are.

“Because…” I searched for the right words that wouldn’t reveal too much. “It’s complicated.”

“Lunch is complicated?” He tilted his head. “We’d be sitting across from each other, eating food, talking. It’s quite simple, actually.”

“Laurent…” My mind raced. How could I explain without sounding like I needed Roman’s permission? Without admitting that the thought of telling him about this lunch made my pulse spike with anxiety?

“One lunch, Anna. That’s all I’m asking.” Laurent’s voice softened, becoming almost coaxing. “If you hate it, if you find me insufferable, you never have to see me again outside of business. But if you enjoy it even half as much as I think you will, then maybe we see where this goes.”

“I…” I hesitated, my throat tight. “I don’t want to create any awkwardness. You’re an important client.”

“Which is exactly why a lunch meeting would be perfectly appropriate,” Laurent countered smoothly. “We could discuss the campaign. The launch strategy. Whatever you need to justify it professionally.”

He was giving me an out. A way to frame this that wouldn’t seem like a date.

But we both knew it would be.

“Laurent, I really shouldn’t…”

“One lunch,” he insisted, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my waist. “Just one. What’s the harm in that?” Roman doesn’t own you, I tried to tell myself. He made his rules clear. No fraternizing. Professional boundaries. He can’t have it both ways.

“One lunch,” I finally agreed.

Laurent’s face lit up with genuine pleasure. “You won’t regret it, chérie. I promise.”

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Chapter 54: He Was Watching Me All Night

Before I could respond, he leaned down and placed a soft, unexpected kiss on my forehead.

My body tensed from the contact.

Then he leaned lower, his face moving toward mine, and confusion flooded through me. Was he going to kiss me?

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