Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 90

Chapter 90

Anna’s POV

My phone buzzed at exactly 3 PM.

Roman: Be ready by 5. I’m sending a little gift over.

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I stared at the message, my thumb hovering over the keyboard. Before I could type a response, another text came through

Roman: And Anna? Don’t argue.

Arrogant ass.

Twenty minutes later, my doorbell rang.

A delivery man stood there holding a garment bag and a shoebox.

“Miss Anna Winters?”

“That’s me.”

He handed them over with a smile and left before I could even think about tipping him.

I carried everything to my bedroom and unzipped the garment bag slowly, half afraid of what I’d find.

At 4:45, I stood in front of my mirror.

My hair was down in loose waves. Light makeup. I looked… different and softer.

The dress fit perfectly, like it had been made for me. It was a soft pink sundress with flowery shapes all over it, a sweetheart neckline that pushed my breasts up, with a sultry open back.

The kind of dress I’d walk past in a store window and keep going because when would I ever wear something like that?

My phone buzzed.

Roman: Thomas is downstairs.

I grabbed my purse and headed down.

Roman’s black SUV sat waiting at the curb. Thomas stood by the rear door, and when he saw me, his face broke into a smile.

“Miss Winters, don’t you look lovely this evening.”

“Thanks, Thomas.”

He held the door open. I slid into the backseat, the leather cool against my bare back. “Do you know where we’re going?”

His eyes crinkled as he closed the door. “I do.”

“And?”

“And Mr. Blackwood would have my head if I ruined the surprise

Thomas settled into the driver’s seat and pulled into traffic. I fished my phone from my purse.

Me: Where exactly are we going?

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11:01 Sat, Feb 7 BBB.

Chapter 90

Three dots appeared right away.

Roman: You’ll see.

Me: That’s not an answer.

Roman: It’s the only one you’re getting. Relax, Anna. Trust me.

Trust him. Right.

I watched the city disappear as we headed north. Buildings got sorter, then turned into suburbs.

“Thomas, can you at least tell me how far?”

“About forty minutes, miss, Mr. Blackwood’s Hudson Valley property.”

“Forty minutes for dinner?”

“Yes, miss.”

What was Roman planning?

I texted Roman again.

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Me: Thomas won’t tell me anything. Are you planning to kidnap me? Because we just passed what feels like acres and acres of woods, and there’s literally nothing out here.

His response came fast.

Roman: If I wanted to kidnap you, Anna, I’d be much more subtle about it. And for the record, it’s two hundred acres.

Me: ONLY two hundred acres???

Roman: You’re almost here. Stop texting and look out the window.

I looked up just as we turned onto a private road. No sign or marker.

Then gates appeared. Tall iron gates with a B in the center. They swung open.

We drove for what felt like miles.

The trees opened up. Stone and wood and glass, gardens with flowers everywhere.

“Oh my God,” I whispered.

Thomas pulled up to the front entrance and came around to open my door.

“Follow me, Miss Winters.”

I stepped out onto gravel as he led the way up the steps. Large glass doors, the kind that blurred the line between inside and outside.

The door opened before we reached it.

Roman approached, wearing dark jeans and a white button-dow with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

“Anna.” His voice was warm. “Welcome.”

Before I could respond, he reached for me. His hand cupped my face, tilting it up as he leaned in. He kissed my cheek, but

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11:01 Sat, Feb 7 BBB

Chapter 90

his lips lingered there, warm and soft against my skin.

When he finally pulled back, I had to remind myself how to think.

That was when I really looked at him.

The apron tied around his waist.

The dish towel slung over one shoulder.

Roman Blackwood. Billionaire CEO.

And he was standing in front of me, dressed and ready to cook dinner for me.

He looked… I didn’t even have words.

1 giggled. I couldn’t help it.

One eyebrow lifted. “Something funny?”

“You. In an apron. Looking very…” I gestured vaguely at him. “Domestic.”

Except he looked anything but domestic. He looked like he belonged in a magazine spread. Sexiest chef alive.

“You said you wanted to watch me cook.” He stepped aside to let me in. “I’m a man of my word.”

“I thought you said dinner at your place. I expected your Manhatan apartment.”

“I have multiple places.” The door slid shut behind us. “I though you’d appreciate this one more.”

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The kitchen was to the left, all marble countertops and high-end appliances. Beyond it, glass doors stood open to the terrace, letting the evening air drift inside.

“How did you know?” I asked.

He didn’t answer right away.

“You’re a writer, so surely you appreciate beauty, atmosphere, and setting.”

His eyes traveled over me slowly, starting at my face and moving down to my legs and back up again.

Heat crept up my neck under his scrutiny, the way he looked at me like I was something he wanted to savor.

Don’t read into it, Anna. He probably says that to everyone.

His fingers lifted, brushing along my cheekbone.

“You look…” His touch trailed down, tracing the line of my jaw. “Beautiful.”

The word came out rough, almost reverent. His fingertips continued their path, skimming down the side of my neck, over my collarbone. Lower. Feather-light across the swell of my breasts, barely touching the fabric.

I sucked in a deep breath.

“I knew the dress would be perfect on you.” His thumb grazed my skin just above the neckline. “Highlights the shade of your

soft skin.”

Then he pulled away. Abrupt. Like he’d caught himself doing something he shouldn’t.

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