Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 72

Chapter 72: You Can’t Have It Both Ways

Anna’s POV

Roman’s hand tightened in my hair, tilting my head back, exposing more of my neck to him. His nose traced along my throat, breathing me in like I was oxygen and he was drowning.

“What I’m thinking goes against every rule I’ve held onto,” his voice was rough with need. “Every promise I made to myself. Every line I swore I wouldn’t cross.”

His hand released my hair and traced down my spine, every vertebra, until it reached the small of my back.

“Tell me,” he breathed, his hand trailing up to my throat, his thumb tracing my racing pulse. “Tell me you didn’t do this for Laurent.”

The question cut through the haze, not enough to clear it, but enough to make the sting of his words hit me.

I pressed my palms to his chest, needing space, even if my body resisted the idea.

“So you think I did this to get Laurent’s attention?”

“Why else?” His hand left my throat, but the closeness didn’t fade. If anything, it felt heavier. “Laurent’s made it clear he wants you. And I’m not about to watch you encourage it by giving him mixed signals.”

“Whatever signals I give Laurent are none of your business,” I managed, though my voice shook. “As per your rules, Mr. Blackwood. I’m tired of reminding you to stick to your words.”

“Oh, it’s certainly my business.” His fingers slowly parted my thighs. “You work for me. You’re under my responsibility.”

“Responsibility?” I found enough strength to try pulling away. “Or under your control?”

He didn’t let go. His hand tightened around my waist instead, hauling me flush against him. The hardness of his body pressed into mine made escape feel impossible and made me question if I even wanted to escape.

“Don’t twist my words.”

“I’m not…”

“This is the second time you’ve made such ridiculous insinuations.”

I paused, my voice breaking slightly as the hurt spilled out. I couldn’t believe he was so blind, unable to see l was doing this for him. “You think I wore this dress for Laurent? Did my makeup for him? You really think that little of me? Of women in general?”

His expression shifted as though I’d struck a nerve, but he masked it quickly, looking away for just a second before meeting my eyes again.

“Prove it to me. Tell me what he said.”

“What are you talking about?”.

“Laurent.” He walked me backward until my spine hit the desk. “Did he invite you to lunch? Dinner? I know his type, Anna. I’ve seen men like him before.”

“His type?” I scoffed, even as I let him guide me, my body betraying every word of protest. “What type is that, Roman?”

“The type that sees a beautiful, innocent woman like you and thinks she’s a challenge to conquer.” His hands slid up my sides again, thumbs brushing dangerously close to the undersides of my breasts through the dress. “The type that looks at you the way he did today, like you’re something to be won.”

My breath hitched. Why does his touch make me forget everything?

“And what type are you?” I challenged, though my voice came out breathless.

He flinched, but his hands kept moving, kept touching, kept making me lose my mind. “The type that’s trying not to cross a line. The type that’s barely holding on

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Chapter 72. You Can’t Have It Both Ways

His hand moved higher, fingers grazing the swell of my cleavage. My chest heaved with each ragged breath, and a small gasp escaped before I could stop it.

The corner of his mouth lifted. Satisfaction gleamed in those dark eyes. He was enjoying this. Enjoying watching me get flustered.

Heat flooded my cheeks and I looked away, suddenly shy under his intense gaze.

“I watched you give him your number, which was highly inappropriate, by the way,” his voice dropped lower and rougher.

His thumb caught my chin, forcing my eyes back to his. “Can’t you see, Anna? I’m simply looking out for you.”

“I find it hard to believe…” I could barely form words as his finger dipped slowly into the neckline of my dress, beneath the edge of my bra. “That this isn’t an ego play.”

His thumb brushed across my nipple through the lace, and I whimpered. An actual whimper that made shame and desire mix together inside me.

“Anna…”

His eyes darkened, control slipping. He lifted me suddenly, effortlessly, setting me on the edge of the desk.

The movement made my dress ride up, revealing far too much of my thighs. He stepped between my legs, spreading them wide, and I felt him. Hard and demanding, pressed against my center. The thin barrier of our clothes did nothing to hide how much he wanted me.

Heat pooled low in my belly. My body throbbed where he pressed against me, aching for more contact, more pressure, more of him.

He leaned close, lips brushing the shell of my ear. “You’ll block his number. You won’t speak with him again.”

The audacity. Anger flared through the haze of desire. This was his plan all along, seduce me into submission, manipulate my body’s response to get what he wanted. Control disguised as passion.

Still, I was furious with myself for falling for it. For letting him touch me. For wanting more even as I recognized his manipulation.

“No.” I pressed both hands against his chest. “I won’t, Mr. Blackwood.”

His eyes flashed, surprise mixing with desire.

I met his gaze, using his own formality like a weapon. “I will not, Mr. Blackwood.”

“Anna…” His voice held a warning.

“I’m no longer yours to command.”

My anger built, replacing the heat with a fire of a different kind. “You can’t have it both ways.”

I pushed hard against his chest, forcing him back a step. My legs trembled as I slid down from the desk, yanking my dress back into place with shaking hands. I grabbed my bag from the desk.

“Anna, wait.”

I didn’t, I couldn’t. If I stayed one more second, I’d either scream at him or kiss him, and I refused to give him the satisfaction of either.

I rushed toward the door. Part of me expected him to follow, to chase after me, to grab my wrist and pull me back against him, but he didn’t.

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