Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 93

Chapter 93

Anna’s POV

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I followed him outside. The terrace opened up ahead of us, string lights glowing overhead, candles on the table, the forest going dark around us.

When did you do all this?” I asked, looking around.

He set the plates down. “I never fail at a challenge.”

“Do you know how arrogant that sounds?”

He just smiled, that infuriating, confident smile. He placed one plate on my side, the other at the head of the table. The cutlery was already laid out, everything arranged like we were at some fancy restaurant. For a man who hadn’t cooked in years, he was doing this like he’d been running a kitchen his whole life.

He gave a little bow. “Food is ready, madam.”

I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling.

He walked around to my chair and pulled it out. “Take your seat, bella.”

I sat, and he pushed the chair in gently before going to his own seat at the head of the table.

I looked down at my plate. The pasta was arranged perfectly, the sauce coating each strand, fresh basil on top, even a little drizzle of olive oil. The smell alone made my mouth water.

“I have to confess,” I said, “it looks divine. Let’s hope it tastes the same.”

His eyebrow raised. “Oh, it certainly does.”

“Confident much?”

“Always.” He nudged my arm. “Taste it.”

I reached for my fork, but then stopped. “Let’s say grace first.”

He looked surprised. “By all means.”

“Bow your head.”

He did, no questions asked.

I closed my eyes. “Dear God, thank you for this food. Thank you for this beautiful evening. And thank you for my CEO, who apparently has many hidden talents. Please bless this meal and let it taste as good as it looks. Amen.”

I opened my eyes.

Roman was looking at me, amused. “Did you just thank God for me?”

“I thanked God for the food. You just happened to make it.”

He smirked. “Right.”

Then he got to his feet, uncorked the wine, and poured for both of us. He held one glass out to me.

I clinked my glass against his. The candlelight caught his face, all sharp angles and that damn smirk. He knew exactly how

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Chapter 93

good he looked right now.

We started cating, and I couldn’t hold back the sound that escaped at the first bite.

“Oh God.”

my

“Good?”

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I took another bite, pretending to think about it. I wanted to mess with him, wanted to see that eager look on his face as he waited for my verdict.

“It’s… I don’t know. Might need another taste to be sure.”

He smirked. “I know you’re just messing with me.”

I couldn’t keep it up. “Okay, fine. It’s amazing. It’s surprisingly good. Your mom’s recipe is top-notch. Best I’ve ever tasted.”

I paused. “But you haven’t cooked in years. How do you still remember it?”

He grinned. “Cooking was one of the few things my mom and I shared.”

Then his tone dropped. “She was originally from Italy. Used to make this every Sunday for years with me by her side. It’s hard to forget a memory like that, no matter how much time goes by. Some things stick with you.”

“Seems like you have a hidden talent the world doesn’t know about, Mr. Blackwood. I can totally see you running a five-star restaurant, all the elites lining up for reservations.”

He smiled, leaning back in his chair. “When I was younger, I wanted to go to culinary school. Work in an elite restaurant. Maybe open my own place someday.”

I stared at him. “Really?”

“Aha.”

Something clicked. “You and your mother. You loved cooking together. You wanted to open a restaurant. Was that the p For both of you?”

He was quiet for a moment. “Maybe. I mean, we spoke about it. A lot. She’d run the pastry side, I’d handle everything else. was a dream we shared.”

“And…”

“My father died,” he said simply, like he was stating a fact. “He lef me the company and made me promise I’d run it. Keep his legacy alive.”

“That must have been hard. Giving up your dream.”

“I was sixteen. I didn’t really have a choice.”

“Sixteen?” My fork clattered against my plate. “You took over a company at sixteen?”

“With help. My uncle, my father’s brother, helped me navigate the first few years. But yes. Blackwood Advertising became mine at sixteen.”

“I had no idea. I mean, I knew you were young when you took over, but…”

“It wasn’t called Blackwood back then,” he said. “It was Emmawood Advertising.”

“Emmawood? Who’s Emma?”

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Chapter 93

“My mother.”

Oh. “Your parents founded it together

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“My father founded it. He named it after her.” Pain flashed acros his face briefly. “When I took over, I changed it. Blackwood felt cleaner.”

1 reached across the table, placing my hand over his. “I’m sorry out your father.”

“It’s been years.”

“Still.” I squeezed his hand. “Losing a parent. It never really gets sier, does it?”

“No. It doesn’t.” He looked at me. “I’m sorry about yours too.”

I gave him a soft smile.

“And we both have strained relationships with our mothers.” A small smile played on his lips. “We’re quite the pair, aren’t

we?”

I laughed. “We should start a support group.”

He laughed too, and the sound made a warm feeling spread through my chest.

When we finished eating, I grabbed my plate quickly and stood, ready moving toward the kitchen before he could stop

“You cooked. It’s only fair I clean.”

“Anna.” He was up, following me.

I kept walking. “Nope. Fair is fair.”

He caught up and took the plate from my hand. “Leave it.”

My brows drew together. “We have to clean up.”

“I did the cooking, as you demanded. So rest assured, I have people who handle that.”

I looked around the empty house. “Where are these people?”

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