The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 31

**Dust Writes New Stories by Rei Holt Wilder**
**Chapter 31**

**Aria’s POV**

The underlying message was unmistakable. This situation didn’t revolve around the capabilities of Stellar Impressions; it was about my personal failure to meet the expectations of our agreement. The weight of that realization settled heavily on my chest.

“Fine,” I managed to say, my heart racing like a drum in my ears. “What would it take to reinstate the contract? It’s crucial for my company—and for my employees.”

Devon leaned back in his chair, his gaze piercing as he assessed me. “Prove to me that you take our agreements seriously. Show me your… commitment.”

The way he lingered on that last word sent a rush of heat to my cheeks. I knew precisely what he was implying, and it made my pulse quicken.

“Here? Now?” I shot a nervous glance towards the door, my mind racing with the implications.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he replied, rising to his feet with an air of finality. “I’m leaving for the evening. If you truly wish to salvage this partnership, you know where to find me.”

He brushed past me, his cologne enveloping me in a lingering scent as he exited the room. I stood there, momentarily paralyzed by the gravity of the moment, before I felt an urgent need to follow him.

By the time I reached the elevator bank, Devon was already stepping into a private elevator. My heart pounded fiercely as I quickened my pace, managing to slip through the doors just before they closed.

Devon raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips as I joined him inside. “Determined, aren’t you?”

Instead of responding verbally, I took a bold step forward, pressing my body against his and rising onto my tiptoes to kiss him. For a fleeting moment, he was still, caught off guard by my audacity.

Then, as if a switch had been flipped, his hands gripped my waist with a possessive urgency, pushing me against the elevator wall as he deepened the kiss.

The elevator descended smoothly to the underground parking garage, the absence of stops providing us with a cocoon of privacy that Devon wasted no time exploiting. His hands roamed over my body, igniting a fire within me, as if he were compensating for the opportunity we’d missed the previous night.

When the doors opened to the empty garage, he pulled back slightly, his breathing uneven and filled with desire. “My car. Now.”

I followed him, my legs feeling unsteady beneath me, to a sleek black Aston Martin that gleamed in the dim light. Once we were inside, Devon’s hand found its way to my thigh, slipping beneath my skirt as he navigated out of the garage with practiced ease.

The drive to his apartment unfolded in a blur of anticipation and nervous energy. Devon maintained contact with me throughout, his touch both possessive and confident. By the time we arrived at his building—an ultra-luxurious skyscraper that towered over the Manhattan skyline—I was practically vibrating with tension and excitement.

The private elevator to his penthouse required a fingerprint scan, and as soon as the doors closed behind us, Devon pinned me against the wall, his mouth claiming mine in a kiss that left no room for doubt about his intentions.

We stumbled into his apartment, still entwined, shedding articles of clothing as we moved through the entryway. I barely registered the breathtaking space around me—soaring ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the city, and furnishings that exuded an air of tasteful opulence.

I complied, my heart racing as I watched him remove the rest of his clothes. His body was just as impressive as I remembered—lean muscle, tanned skin, and not an ounce of excess anywhere.

“Now,” he said, joining me on the bed, “you’re going to show me just how sincere you are about wanting this contract reinstated.”

He positioned himself against the headboard and pulled me on top of him. “Your show, Ms. Harper. Convince me.”

Swallowing my pride, I began to move, establishing a rhythm that soon had my breath coming in short, desperate gasps. Devon’s intense gray eyes remained fixed on me, his hands resting lightly on my hips, offering no assistance.

“Is that the best you can do?” he asked after a few minutes, a hint of amusement threading through his voice.

I increased my efforts, but soon my thighs began to tremble with exertion. I wasn’t accustomed to taking the lead in this way, and my stamina was quickly waning.

Devon chuckled softly, the sound reverberating through his chest. “Haven’t been eating properly, Ms. Harper? Or perhaps you need more cardio in your fitness routine?”

Before I could muster a retort, he effortlessly flipped our positions in one smooth motion, pinning me beneath him with a confident grin.

“Allow me to demonstrate proper technique,” he murmured, then proceeded to set a pace that had me gasping and clutching at his shoulders, utterly lost in the moment.