Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
ROMAN
S itting straight, I meet the eyes of the four men sitting opposite me in the conference room of Wright Construction’s new HQ building. “Are we all done here, gentlemen?”
There are nods all around. Like me, they’re probably wishing their day was ending after this meeting. It’s late afternoon, but with the dark clouds finally delivering the rain they promised this morning, it feels much later. Thunder rumbles in the distance, and there’s an occasional flash of lightning to brighten the dimness outside.
This is our final meeting before Wright Construction takes over managing the InnovaCore development. The contracts are all signed, and the lawyers have just left. Now all I want is to get out of here and back to King Plaza before the increasingly heavy rain brings traffic to a standstill.
Beside me, Chloe sits primly, her slender fingers poised over her tablet keyboard as she waits to see whether any of us will add to the conversation before we call it quits. Though I’ve made sure, as always, to not sit too close, I sense her all the same. Even with the space I’m careful to put between us, I’m concerned my attraction to her is obvious.
Though Ethan Dane—Wright’s VP of operations—hasn’t sensed it. Through most of the meeting, he’s been focused on her. With every minute that’s passed, more tension has built in my neck and shoulders. I caught his eye once and gave him a look that told him to take his mind off my assistant and put it back where it should be—on our business.
And for the most part, he has. Thank fuck.
Now I have to steel myself for the ride back across town, where I’ll do my best to not notice the way the dark gray fitted dress she’s wearing today rides up her thighs when she crosses her legs in the seat beside me.
Just the thought has a knot forming in my chest. How the hell am I going to ignore the effect she has on me while we’re in France? When we’re in the close quarters of my private jet, or when she’s on the other side of a hotel wall?
I mentally shake away the doubt. I’ll manage it. Just like I have for the last few months. Even if it’s getting more difficult every day. Maybe it would be easier if the attraction didn’t go both ways. But I’ve seen her looking at me too, when she thinks I’m not paying attention. How her stares linger and she bites her bottom lip. The way her pulse flutters at the base of her throat when she stands close to me. What she doesn’t realize is that when she’s in the room, I’m always paying attention.
With a heavy exhale, I nod at her to let her know we’re done, then stand and address the men at the table. “Thank you for doing business with the King Group.”
Sean Prescott, the CEO, stands as well, and the rest of his team joins him. “We’re looking forward to working with you, Roman.”
On autopilot, I put my hand on Chloe’s back to guide her out of the room. When the heat of her body through the thin material of her dress warms my palm, I pull away and reluctantly let it drop.
She continues to the door, but before I can follow, Sean rounds the table and approaches me with his hand held out.
“I’m glad you considered us,” he says with a grin. “I was certain you’d go with Haverscombe, since he used to be the King Group’s go-to for this kind of partnership.”
“We’re moving on from the way we used to do things. I’m looking forward to this new partnership, and I’m hopeful that it’ll be even more successful.” In my periphery, Ethan approaches Chloe where she’s waiting for me in the hallway.
My spine stiffens, and an unfamiliar burn smolders to life inside me. With a curt nod at Sean, who’s mid-reply, I stride out into the hallway. When I approach them, Ethan, who is standing too damn close to Chloe, smiles and hands her a business card.
I come to an abrupt stop too close behind her. The move is territorial—the way Ethan straightens and pulls his shoulders back tells me that—but it’s instinctive. It’s all I can do to restrain myself from wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her against me.
The urge to stake a claim on a woman who isn’t mine—who will never be mine—is ridiculous.
Chloe shoots me a glance over her shoulder, her brow furrowing as she sees how close behind her I am.
“We’re leaving, Miss Callahan.”
Ethan grimaces at my tone, but schools his expression quickly and focuses back on Chloe. “That card has my personal cell number on it. Call me if you want to get together for a drink sometime.”
The guy’s got balls, I’ll give him that.
The base of my skull starts to pound at the thought of her going on a date with him. Of him touching her when I can’t.
“Thank you, I will,” she says, inspecting the card in her hand. There’s hesitation in her voice, like maybe she isn’t sure how to handle being asked out while she’s at work—or at least with her boss standing right behind her.
I’d also like to think it’s because she has no interest in Ethan. He might be relatively attractive in that preppy kind of way, but I can’t imagine him being her type.
She needs someone stronger than Ethan. A man who’ll look after her while she’s too busy looking after her dad to do it herself. Better still, a man who can look after both of them. One who can show her the world, who can give her everything she’ll ever need or want, because she’ll sacrifice those things to make sure others get theirs.
A man like me.
I grit my teeth. Clearly, my increasing obsession with my assistant is making me crazy. I have no business thinking shit like that. I’m the last man she needs.
A louder growl of thunder rattles the windows, shaking me out of my ridiculous thoughts. It’s time to get back to the office. Depending on the traffic, I might send Chloe straight home with Phillip from there. I don’t want her catching the bus or walking in this weather.
I lean in, tilting my head close to hers. “Let’s go.”
Without a word to Ethan, I follow Chloe to the elevators.
Once we’re inside, I press the down button, and as we start to descend, I step back until I’m standing next to her.
“That seemed to go well.” She smiles up at me.
“It did. If things go to plan, we may consider partnering with them on other?—”
The lights in the elevator flicker, drawing my focus up to them.
Chloe lets out a nervous laugh. “I hope it’s not going to?—”
The stainless-steel car shudders to a halt, and an instant later, the lights go out, plunging us into darkness.
Beside me, Chloe lets out a little shriek.
Immediately, I reach for her, my hand finding her trembling shoulder. “The backup system should come on any moment.”
“Okay,” she says, her voice shaky.
We wait in silence, but after several seconds, when it’s still pitch black and the elevator hasn’t moved, I feel around for the emergency call button. Pressing it does nothing. The whole system must be down.
“Why isn’t the backup system kicking in?” Chloe asks.
“If I had to hazard a guess,” I say with a frustrated sigh. “Bad timing. This is a brand-new building; the uninterrupted power supply probably hasn’t been calibrated properly yet.”
The blackness filling the small space is all-encompassing. She’s so quiet now that if I didn’t know better, I’d think I was alone. All I hear is the sound of my own breaths in my ears. “Chloe?”
“Yes.” Her voice is shaky again, the quiver stronger this time.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Her tone contradicts the sentiment.
Frowning, I turn toward her, my movements cautious so I don’t bump her. “Are you scared?”
The slight hesitation before she speaks is telling. “No. Of course not.”
That hint of fear in her voice has my stomach twisting.
“Chloe.”
She doesn’t respond. Shit. What’s keeping that far too distracting mouth of hers quiet? “Tell me what’s wrong, sweetheart.” The endearment falls from my lips unbidden.
She shuffles, the sounds far too loud in the silence. “When I was little, I got stuck in an old wardrobe, and it took Dad a while to find me. It’s stupid to be scared, I know, and typically, confined spaces aren’t too bad. It’s just when it’s dark as well…”
I reach toward where her voice is coming from and find her arm. “Come here,” I say gruffly, tugging her toward me.
She comes with no resistance, and after only a moment’s hesitation, I pull her into my arms and hold her trembling body tight. “It’s okay. They’ll have us out soon.” It’s probably unwise to hold her like this, but I’m beyond caring right now. Particularly when she tentatively slides her own arms under my jacket and loops them around my waist, then rests her head against my chest.
“Focus on my heartbeat,” I tell her. “Listen to it counting down until the lights go back on and we start moving again, okay?”
I smooth my hand up and down the curve of her back and inhale the sweet smell of her shampoo, all the while wondering who the hell has taken over my body. I’m not the comforting type. It takes more willpower than I’d like to admit to concentrate on her slowing breaths, on the way she relaxes into me, instead of the way her body feels against mine.
“How did you manage to get trapped inside a wardrobe?” I keep my tone light, hoping that getting her talking will help.
She exhales, her breath warming my skin through my shirt. “Dad was in his studio painting, and I was bored. So I asked Mom if she’d play hide and seek with me. She didn’t want to, but I pestered her until she agreed. I thought hiding in the wardrobe was a great idea, but when Mom didn’t come find me, I realized the door had closed all the way behind me, and I couldn’t open it from the inside. I panicked.”
“Why didn’t your mom find you?”
Her small laugh is mirthless. “She wasn’t even looking. She went outside so she could call a friend without being bothered by me. I guess she figured I’d eventually get sick of hiding and come out on my own. When Dad finally came out of his studio, he heard me screaming and found me right away.”
With anger swelling inside me, I tighten my arms around her. “How old were you?”
“Eight. Dad was so angry at Mom, but she laughed it off. Told me to find a better hiding place next time. Not that there was a next time. I don’t think I ever played hide and seek again.”
“I’m sorry,” I tell her, still smoothing my hand over her back. Apparently, neither of our moms were particularly nurturing.
“It’s okay.” She lets out another soft sigh, her hands pressing into me, almost as if she’s subconsciously trying to draw me closer.
And fuck if I don’t want to get closer.
Here in the blanket of darkness, it’s just us. Hidden away from the world, it’s far too easy to forget why I shouldn’t be holding her, why there can never be more than this.
And it’s far too easy to forget what kind of man wanting more makes me.
After all, what’s another blurred line in the long list I promised myself I’d never cross?
Despite my better judgment, I slide my hand up underneath her hair and curve it around the back of her neck, relishing the smooth, warm skin beneath my palm.
A shiver runs through her, but she doesn’t stiffen, and she doesn’t attempt to pull away.
If anything, she presses closer.
I inhale, breathe in honey and vanilla, lose my mind a little.
When I tighten my grip, she lets out the tiniest whimper.
“Roman,” she whispers. It’s not a question. It’s not a protest. The two syllables are pure need.
It’s wrong. I’m crossing far too many lines. Even so, the urge to do what I’ve wanted to do since the moment I saw her is too strong. So I wrap the thick length of her hair around my fist and tug her head back. I can’t see her, but I can feel her, I can hear her. Her body is pliant against mine, her breaths coming in shallow pants. It’s easy to picture her soft lips parted, waiting for me. I’ve done it far too many times already.
The dark shields us from the reality of what’s happening between us.
I’m not reckless. I never lose control. But I’m on the edge of it now. My cock is hard and throbbing, pressing against her stomach. There’s no way she can’t feel it, but she doesn’t draw away.
My blood pulses through my veins in a violent rush and every sense is focused on Chloe. I want to taste her. I want her bare skin against mine. I want to hear her moaning my name.
And for once, I’m not thinking about anything else.
She clutches my shirt, and I splay my free hand over the small of her back, using it to drag her body flush against mine.
As I lower my head, her increasingly ragged breaths wash over my lips. Anticipation is a hot spark up my spine.
Between one heartbeat and the next, there’s a jolt, then the lights flicker. We freeze, still wrapped around one another for an instant. But as the lighting stabilizes and our surroundings are fully illuminated again, we quickly break apart.
As the elevator jerks and begins its descent once more, I can’t help but drink her in. Her cheeks are pink, and her hair is mussed from my hand. Wide eyes search mine in fast, dazed flicks.
Then her expression shutters, and she rubs her palms against her skirt. “That was a mistake.”
Every part of me demands that I tell her she’s wrong.
All except my head. And it’s my head that’s back in control now.
Before I have a chance to respond, the elevator stops, and the doors slide open. She quickly brushes past me and steps out into the foyer, where a group of men wearing concerned expressions are hovering.
I follow her out and snap at them. “What the hell happened?”
One turns to me, his eyes going wide. “Mr. King. I’m so sorry. A lightning strike short-circuited a sub-station.”
“And the backup power?”
“We’re recalibrating the system now.”
With a grunt, I stalk after my assistant. “Chloe.”
She stops at the exit, staring out at the still-torrential rain for a second before turning to face me. “The weather?—”
“I’m not worried about the weather.” I pull out my phone and message Phillip, asking him to meet us out front, then usher her through the door, guiding her to a dry space underneath an awning where we can’t be seen from inside.
I shift closer, studying her expression. “What’s going on in your head right now?”
She wets her lips, her gaze sliding away from mine. “You were trying to comfort me, and things went too far. I promise it won’t happen again, Mr. King.”
I might have regained control, but holding onto it is harder than it should be. “It’s Roman ,” I growl. “What happened is not your fault. But you’re right, it won’t happen again. I won’t allow myself to lose control again, I promise you that.” I take a deep breath and force myself to continue. “If I made you uncomfortable?—”
She shakes her head quickly. “You didn’t. I understand the situation. I…” Head angled back, she looks skyward for a moment, then meets my gaze again. “It’s not like I didn’t respond.”
I curl my hands into fists in an effort not to drag her to me again—to find out how well she’d respond to all the things I could do to her.
She labeled our encounter correctly, though. It was a mistake. One that takes me a step too close to becoming someone I don’t want to be.
The knowledge has ice trickling into my veins. But even that does nothing to quell the fire still leaping and sparking deep in my gut. The burn that tells me that if I were in that situation again, I’d do the same fucking thing over. If those lights hadn’t come on, I would have done more.
Raking a hand through my hair, I lock my gaze on her face. When I speak, my voice is rough. “I need you to know I didn’t hire you for that. I never intended for it to happen.”
Understanding blooms in her eyes, and she reaches out, her touch gentle against my arm. “I know that.” Then, as if to ease the tension, she gives me a hint of a smile. “You didn’t want to hire me at all.”
That beguiling expression heats my chest while simultaneously causing unease to slice into it. Because the warmth washing over me feels like more than lust. It’s a heat that feels… dangerously addictive.
Before I can allow that thought to sink in, Phillip pulls up and breaks the spell. I gesture at him to stay in the car, since the rain is still coming down hard, then I strip off my jacket.
“Hold this over your head,” I tell Chloe.
“But you’ll get soaked.”
“I’ll live.” I stare at her until she takes the jacket and lifts it above her.
“You know you could join me under here.”
I could. But for my jacket to cover us both, I’d have to get close. I’d have to slide my arm around her waist and pull her into me. And that’s too damn dangerous.
“Just go. Before the weather gets even worse.”
Without another moment of hesitation, she takes off. I follow, my shirt getting instantly drenched. Because Chloe’s wearing heels, I overtake her and open the car door for her.
She slides in, and I climb in right behind her.