Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 62

Chapter 62: The Best I Could Offer You

ROMAN’S POV

Anna’s expression didn’t change. “Go on.”

“What I said last night was wrong. You didn’t deserve any of it, and I want to make things right.”

God, this was harder than I thought.

I’d never apologized to anyone before. Never had to. But for her, I’d do it. Even if every word felt uncomfortable.

“I was out of line,” I continued. “The way I spoke to you, the things I implied, it was unacceptable. I hurt you, and that was never my intention.”

“What was your intention, then?” she shot back. “Because from where I’m sitting, it seemed pretty intentional.”

She wasn’t making this easy.

But I didn’t expect her to.

“I was angry,” I admitted, the words tasting bitter. “I saw you with Laurent, and I lost control. That’s not an excuse, just the truth.”

“So you were angry, and you made me come, then told me it was just to keep me from sleeping with someone else. That’s your truth?”

Each word stung.

“I said things I didn’t mean because I didn’t know how else to handle what I was feeling. What we did.”

I sucked in a deep breath. “What happened between us, it wasn’t what I said it was.”

“Then what was it?” she challenged, leaning forward. “Because it felt pretty clear to me.”

Tell her the truth. Tell her it meant something.

But I couldn’t. Because if I did, if I admitted how much she’d gotten under my skin, there would be no going back.

“It was me being a jerk,” I said instead. “Taking out my frustration on you when you didn’t deserve it.”

“That’s it? That’s your big apology?”

I leaned back in my chair. What else did she want? I’d admitted I was wrong, but it still wasn’t enough. “That should suffice,” I replied.

She scoffed. “So it’s true what they say about you rich folks.”

My eyes narrowed. “And what is that?”

“That you’re all so out of touch with reality that you’ve lost basic human decency.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “All humans are the same. The ones who complain about the rich would do the same or worse if they were in our shoes. People have a false sense of morality until they’re the ones with power.”

“I’ve listened to what you have to say, Mr. Blackwood.”

She rose from her seat. “If that would be all.”

She was treating my apology like nothing. Dismissing me.

“No,” I cut her off abruptly. “There’s another thing I need to address. What happened between us last night, the physical aspect of it, it can’t happen again.”

Every trace of softness in her expression disappeared Instantly, replaced by cold fury.

“Excuse me?”

“We crossed a line that shouldn’t have been crossed. I’m your boss, you’re my employee. It was inappropriate, and it won’t happen again.”

Successfully unlocked!

1/3

Chapter 62. The Best I Could Offer You

This is the right thing to say. So why does it feel so wrong?

“Inappropriate,” she repeated in disbelief.

“Yes.”

“You had your fingers inside me, made me scream your name, and now it’s inappropriate?”

Heat rushed through me at the memory. “Anna.”

“No, please, continue,” she cut me off, standing abruptly. “Tell me more about how inappropriate it was when you had me pressed against that wall, telling me I was yours.”

This is going sideways fast.

“I’m trying to do the right thing here,” I reiterated, standing to face her.

“The right thing? Or the easy thing?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you’re scared,” she shot back, her eyes blazing. “You felt something real last night, and it terrified you, so now you’re running. Hiding behind professional boundaries and corporate policy.”

She’s not wrong.

“This isn’t about fear,” I lied. “It’s about protecting both of us. You work for me, Anna. There are rules.”

“Rules you had no problem breaking last night when you had your hand under my dress.”

My body reacted at the memory, and I had to fight to keep my expression neutral.

“That was a mistake.”

“A mistake?” Her voice rose. “You didn’t seem to think it was a mistake when I was coming on your fingers. You seemed pretty deliberate about it.”

“Anna, please.”

“Please what? Please accept your half-hearted apology and pretend it never happened?”

I ran a hand through my hair, frustration mounting. “I’m ready to meet any demands you have to ensure you feel comfortable continuing to work here. Whatever compensation or adjustments you need, I’m prepared to discuss them.”

That should do it. I was giving her a blank check to make whatever demands she wanted, no matter how outrageous. I was ready to meet them.

But the look on her face told me I’d just made things infinitely worse.

“Compensation?” she repeated in complete disbelief.

“Yes. I understand what happened was a breach of professional conduct. If you need assurances, additional benefits, or.”

“What’s wrong with you?” she interrupted.

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You’re reducing it to a transaction? Like I’m supposed to charge a fee for your services?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Isn’t it?” She crossed her arms, her eyes blazing. “You think you can just throw money at this and make it go away? Sign some contract and pretend it never happened?”

Why is she making this so difficult?

“I’m trying to handle this professionally,” I said, keeping my voice level.

“No, you’re doing what you always do. Treating everything like a business deal that can be negotiated and filed away.”

“Anna, I’m trying to make this right.”

2/3

Chapter 62. The Best I Could Offer You

“By offering me what? A raise? A new title? Maybe a nice bonus for letting you touch me in your penthouse?”

Heat flooded my face, anger mixing with arousal at her blunt words.

“Watch your mouth,” I warned.

“Why? Because the truth always makes you uncomfortable?” She leaned forward, her hands flat on my desk.” You want to know what I want, Mr. Blackwood? I want you to be real for five seconds instead of hiding behind your corporate nonsense.”

She wants real.

But I didn’t know how to do that. Didn’t know how to navigate this emotional minefield without my usual tools.

“I am being real,” I declared, but even I could hear how hollow it sounded.

“No, you’re being Roman Blackwood, CEO. The man who thinks everything can be fixed with money and contracts. But what happened last night wasn’t a business deal.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“Are you? Because you’re treating it exactly that way. I take full responsibility. What are your demands? As if I’ m a shareholder you need to appease.”

She was right, but I couldn’t let her know that. Neither could I back down now.

I leaned back in my chair, exhaustion seeping through me. “This is the best I can offer you.”

3/3

Subscribe

:

0 Likes