The Rose He Showed Off Is Putting Down Roots in a Garden of Her Own novel Chapter 88

Elara was incredibly busy, and she knew Zane was just as swamped. Whenever she needed to discuss strategy, she had to squeeze it into the narrow gaps in their schedules. They simply didn't have the luxury of extended, formal meetings.

Because of that, getting bogged down by social formalities was a waste of time.

Elara accepted smoothly. "I'd be delighted."

The two headed upstairs. This time, neither of them drank to excess.

Zane courteously unlocked the door with a biometric scan. Just like before, there were no guest slippers in sight.

"The cleaners come every day. No need to take off your shoes."

Elara nodded slightly. "Thank you."

Her heels clicked softly against the hardwood before sinking into the plush living room rug.

Zane stood before his massive, wall-to-wall wine cellar and selected his finest vintage.

Knowing it was far too expensive to accept casually, Elara immediately reached for a different bottle. "Mr. Whitaker, I haven't earned a prize like that yet. Let's go with this one."

Zane insisted. "I'm not much of a drinker anyway. The expensive ones are mostly for show. Great wine is meant to be shared with someone who appreciates it."

Elara mentally scoffed. *Not much of a drinker? Out of the ten times I've seen you, nine of them involved you either drinking or already drunk.*

"I really want to try the one I'm holding," Elara maintained.

Zane offered an easy smile and flawlessly clamped the corkscrew onto his expensive bottle anyway. "Next time."

Defeated, Elara placed her bottle back on the rack and went to retrieve glasses and a decanter, forced to partake in the outrageously priced vintage.

Floor-to-ceiling windows, the rich texture of the leather sofa, the click of stilettos on the rug—it was an atmosphere perfectly engineered for seduction.

But Zane rigorously kept his eyes locked on the tips of his own shoes.

Legs crossed casually, he sat across the low coffee table from Elara and tapped his glass against hers.

"Cheers."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Whitaker. You really shouldn't have."

Zane chuckled. "I just wanted an excuse to open it."

After a few minutes of polite small talk, Elara pivoted to business.

Zane's gaze drifted, inevitably landing on her feet. From there, his mind spiraled straight into the gutter.

*Why are her feet so pretty?*

*Her ankles are flawless. The bone structure is incredible...*

*Luminous skin is usually just a metaphor, but I remember exactly how she felt...*

His mind flashed to something far more explicit, and he cursed himself for being a pathetic wreck.

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