I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 93

Zoe shuddered at his sheer audacity.

Hayden lightly pinched her chin.

It was a clear insinuation, and Zoe understood perfectly.

Hayden held the Lynd family's fate in his hands. If she did nothing, Philip and his family would be out on the streets by tomorrow.

Summoning her last shred of rationality, Zoe pushed against his chest.

Hayden's voice turned rough and deeply textured.

"How do you want to negotiate?"

He repeated the question, his gaze burning right through her.

His heavy breath lingered behind her ear, sending a wave of electric numbness crashing through her.

Hayden stared down at her beautiful face with deep, dark eyes.

Zoe bit her lip. Under his intense scrutiny, she reached for the buttons of her blouse.

And buttoned it all the way to the top.

Hayden let out an exasperated laugh.

The crisp click echoed in the cabin, and Zoe sucked in a sharp breath.

But Hayden didn't explode the way she anticipated.

Keeping one arm wrapped tightly around her slender waist, he freed his other hand and made a call.

Zoe looked up, her eyes landing right on his jawline.

A faint shadow of stubble dusted his skin.

The call connected, and an overly eager, almost trembling male voice spilled from the speaker.

"Mr. Thorne! What a pleasant—"

The man sounded incredibly flattered, but Hayden cut him off before he could finish.

"Regarding the Lynd family's loan, add another twenty million dollars."

Zoe: "..."

So that was what this was about.

The man on the other end paused for only a fraction of a second before immediately agreeing.

"You shouldn't have to trouble yourself with this personally, Mr. Thorne. Don't worry, I'll process it right away."

The banker's voice was sickeningly sycophantic.

Hayden didn't bother listening to the rest of the groveling.

A mature, seductive charm that she usually kept hidden surfaced in her features, rendering her utterly irresistible to him.

She was just trying to figure out how to reject him.

Suddenly, Hayden's phone rang, shattering the tense deadlock between them.

Startled, Zoe snapped wide awake.

Hayden frowned, a flash of irritation crossing his face as he grabbed the phone.

Whoever was calling had better have a life-or-death emergency. Otherwise, nobody would be able to withstand his impending wrath.

Sienna's name flashed on the screen.

Zoe caught a glimpse of it, her mood plummeting inexplicably.

"What is it?"

Hayden simply cupped the back of Zoe's head and kissed her.

On the other end of the line, Sienna heard unusual rustling sounds and confusedly pulled the phone away from her ear.

Was she hearing things?

Zoe flushed a deep red, pushing against him.

She cursed in a harsh whisper, "Hayden, you're on the phone!"