Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Forgetting Broody Ceo

Anna’s POV

Later that evening, I stood in front of my full-length mirror, second-guessing every choice I’d made in the last hour.

The dress was Zoe’s idea. Her “revenge dress,” she’d called it with that wicked grin of hers.

Silver. Backless. The kind that plunged so low in the front I’d had to use fashion tape to keep everything in place. The fabric clung to every curve before flaring slightly at my hips, the hem hitting just above mid-thigh. Thin straps. Completely open back, dipping very low. No room for a bra at all.

I thought what I wore to work earlier was scandalous. This was a whole new level of exposure.

I wobbled slightly in the six-inch heels Zoe had insisted I borrow.

“These will make your legs look incredible,” she’d urged.

What she hadn’t mentioned was that I could barely walk in them. I was used to my comfortable three-inch pumps. These felt like stilts.

“Oh my God.”

I turned, nearly losing my balance, to find Zoe standing in my doorway. Her eyes were wide.

“You look hot,” she breathed, walking into the room slowly. “Like, seriously hot. When the French billionaire sees you, he’s going to lose his mind.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. “It’s too much, isn’t it? I should change.”

“Don’t you dare.” Zoe grabbed my hands before I could reach for my closet. “Anna, you look incredible. Confident. Sexy. Everything you should feel.”

“I don’t feel confident,” I admitted more to myself. “I feel like I’m pretending to be someone I’m not.”

Zoe’s expression shifted into that scheming look I knew too well. She sat on the edge of my bed, patting the space beside her.

I tried to walk over gracefully, but the heels made me wobble again. I grabbed onto the bedpost for support.

“These shoes are killing me,” I muttered. “And I haven’t even left the apartment yet.”

“Beauty is pain, babe.” Zoe grinned. “But seriously, you’ll get used to them. Just take smaller steps.”

I sat carefully, trying not to wrinkle the dress.

“Okay, remember,” she said, her eyes gleaming. “We both agreed that this was the way to go. Making Roman jealous. Showing him what he’s missing while he plays his stupid hot-and-cold games with you.”

“I know, but…”

“But nothing.” She squeezed my hand. “You’ve been pining after that man for months, Anna. Months. And what has he done? Touched you, kissed you, made you feel like you’re the only woman in the world, and then pulled back like you burned him.”

Memories flashed through my mind. His hands on me. His mouth on my neck. The way he’d looked at me like he wanted to devour me before accusing me of dressing up for Laurent.

“This is good,” Zoe continued. “You’re going out with a gorgeous, successful man who actually shows interest in you. Who asks you out properly instead of playing mind games.”

“But I don’t know if I like Laurent like that,” I admitted more to myself. “I want…”

“Roman. I know.” She gave me a sympathetic look. “But here’s the thing, sweetie. Maybe Laurent is exactly what you need. Not just to make Roman jealous, but to actually move on. To give someone else a real chance.”

I looked down at my hands. “What if I can’t?”

“Then at least you tried. At least you put yourself out there instead of waiting around for a man who’s too

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Chapter 73. Forgetting Broody Ceo

scared to claim you.”

She tilted my chin up, making me meet her eyes. “But who knows? Laurent might surprise you. He might be amazing. He might make you forget all about Mr. Broody CEO.”

A small laugh escaped me. “I doubt that.”

“Well, you won’t know unless you try.” She stood, pulling me up with her. I wobbled again in the heels. “Now listen, this is important. You’re going to a club, right?”

“Yeah, he said it’s exclusive. Very private.”

“Perfect.” Zoe’s eyes lit up. “Anna, tonight is about more than making Roman jealous. Tonight is about you having new experiences. Having fun. Living a little.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“I mean…” She walked to my dresser, picking up my lipstick and handing it to me. “You’re twenty-two years old. You’re beautiful. You’re smart. And you’ve spent your whole adult life playing it safe.”

“There’s nothing wrong with safe,” I protested weakly.

“There’s nothing wrong with a little adventure either.” She grinned. “Go to the club. Dance with Laurent. Let him flirt with you. Let him touch you, appropriately, of course. See where the night takes you.”

My eyes widened. “Zoe, I can’t just…”

“Let him kiss you,” she said firmly. “At the very least, kiss him. See if there’s chemistry. See if someone else can make you feel the way Roman does.”

“I’m not going to…”

“Anna.” Her voice softened. “You’re a virgin. You’ve never really dated. You’ve spent months obsessing over a man who won’t commit to you. Don’t you think it’s time to explore? To figure out what you actually want

instead of fixating on what you can’t have?”

The words stung, but they weren’t wrong.

“I’m not saying sleep with him on the first date,” Zoe continued. “I’m just saying… be open. Be present. Let yourself feel something for someone who’s actually available and interested.”

I took a breath. “What if it doesn’t feel right?”

“Then you come home and we eat ice cream and talk about both of them.” She pulled me into a hug. “But you won’t know unless you try. And honestly? I want you to come back with stories. New experiences. Maybe even a really good kiss that makes you forget everything else for a minute.”

“Zoe,” I groaned, but I was smiling now.

“I’m serious!” She pulled back, her hands on my shoulders. “Tomorrow morning, I want details. I want to know if he’s a good kisser. If he knows how to treat a woman. If he made you feel special.”

Heat crept up my neck. “You’re Impossible.”

“I’m practical.” She grabbed my clutch and handed it to me. “Now go. Have fun. Flirt. Let a gorgeous French billionaire sweep you off your feet a little. And for the love of God, stop thinking about Roman Blackwood for one night.”

“Easier said than done,” I muttered.

“I know. But try anyway.” She walked me toward the door. “And text me when you get there. And when you leave. And definitely text me if you kiss him.”

“Zoe!”

“What? I’m living through you right now. Let me have this.”

Despite my nerves, I laughed. “Fine. I’ll text you.”

“Good.” She hugged me again, quick and tight. “Now go show both of those men what they’re dealing with. You’re Winters, and you’re a catch.”

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Chapter 73: Forgetting Broody Ceo

Laurent was waiting outside my building, leaning casually against a sleek black sports car that was clearly expensive. Not that I’d expected anything less. The driver’s door hung open behind him.

When he saw me step out of the building, his whole face lit up.

“Anna,” he breathed, straightening immediately. “You are… breathtaking.”

I felt my cheeks heat as I approached, wobbling slightly in the heels. “Thank you. You look nice too.”

“Nice?” He laughed, that easy, charming sound. “I spend almost an hour getting ready and I get ‘nice.’ But you, ma belle, you could stop traffic looking like this.”

I panicked slightly, shaking my head. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just… I’m not good at this.”

Laurent reached for my hand, bringing it to his lips. The gesture should have felt over the top, but somehow it just felt… sweet.

“It’s all right,” he said with a smile. “I was just messing with you.”

“Oh.” I let out a small laugh, relaxing slightly. “Okay.”

Zoe was right. This is nice. He’s nice. Maybe I should just enjoy it.

“Shall we?” He gestured to the passenger side, moving to open the door for me.

“You’re driving?” I asked, surprised. “I thought billionaires had drivers for everything.”

“Ah, but then I would miss out on your company.” He held the door open, that playful smile still on his face.” Besides, I enjoy driving. Especially cars like this. And especially with beautiful women beside me.”

I slid into the passenger seat. The leather was soft and expensive. The whole car smelled like new leather and his cologne.

Laurent closed my door gently before walking around and sliding into the driver’s seat easily.

The engine came to life, smooth and powerful.

“So,” I said as he pulled into traffic. “You mentioned a club?”

“Oui. I haven’t been there myself, but I was told it’s very exclusive. Very sophisticated.”

Something in his tone made me pause. “Sophisticated how?”

“It’s described as a place where people can be themselves without judgment,” he said carefully. “Where they can explore their desires in a safe, controlled environment.”

Desires?

My stomach dropped. What did that mean?

“What kind of club is this exactly?”

Laurent glanced at me, his expression softening. “There’s no need to worry. It’s also my first time there. We’ll explore it together.”

He squeezed my hand gently. “The clientele is just more… more open-minded.”

“Open-minded about what?”

“Anna, I promise you, if at any point you feel uncomfortable, we leave. No questions asked. I would never put you in a situation that makes you unhappy.”

That doesn’t really answer my question.

But I nodded anyway, trying to ignore the worry building in my chest.

Zoe said to have fun. To try new things. To give him a real chance.

“I’ll ensure you get home safely,” he added. “That’s a promise.”

“Anna?”

He must have sensed my nervousness because he placed a hand on my lap.

“Are you alright? You’ve been tense for a few minutes now.”

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Chapter 73: Forgetting Broody Ceo

“I’m fine,” I said quickly. “Just… I don’t really go to clubs much. I’m not sure I’ll fit in.”

“You’ll fit in perfectly,” he insisted. “Trust you’ll be safe with me.”

His confidence should have been reassuring. Instead, it just made me more aware of how out of my depth I

was.

Safe wasn’t exactly what I was worried about.

What am I doing? I don’t go to clubs. I barely go to bars. I’m a twenty-two-year-old virgin who still blushes when people talk about sex.

But that’s the point, isn’t it? To step out of my comfort zone. To try something new. To see if someone else can make me feel the way Roman does.

“I’m looking forward to it,” I grinned, trying to appear confident.

Laurent smiled, that charming, easy smile that should have made my heart race, but it didn’t.

Give him a chance, Anna. A real chance. See where this goes.

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