Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
ROMAN
B ringing Chloe to dinner tonight wasn’t part of the plan. I don’t think I’ve ever brought an assistant to a dinner meeting, but since it was Ellis’s suggestion, I’ll go along with it. Even if her presence is distracting at the best of times, let alone when I need my head in the game like tonight.
At seven thirty, I knock on her door.
When it swings open, I nearly stop breathing.
She looks like fucking sin wrapped in the most innocent package.
Her hair falls in loose waves over her shoulders, which are bare except for the thin straps of a cream-colored dress. The bodice is modest, yet it’s impossible not to notice the swell of her breasts beneath the thin material. The dress cinches in tightly around her waist and then flares out at her hips before falling to just above her knees.
Her makeup is a little heavier than usual, emphasizing the color of her eyes. And the subtle pink shimmer on her lips has me imagining how quickly and thoroughly I could kiss it off her.
Sitting next to her while she looks like that is going to be torture. How am I supposed to keep my mind on winning EcoTech, when I’ll have to consciously fight my instincts to touch her?
“You look beautiful.” It’s an understatement, but giving her the simple compliment is safer than saying she looks good enough to eat. And I don’t mean in the metaphorical sense. I mean in the I want to drop to my knees, pull down her panties, and finally satisfy this hunger that keeps growing inside me sense.
Cheeks going pink, she gives me a small smile. “Thank you. You look very… uh…” She gives me a once-over, lingering for a moment on the spot where the top button of my shirt is undone. “Very handsome.”
A frisson of heat works its way through me. Unable to ignore it, I tip my head down and hold her gaze. “Thank you.”
Once again, tension fills the air between us, a sensation that sizzles over my skin and tightens around the base of my cock.
Rather than giving in to the urge to slide my hand into her hair and pull her toward me, I gesture toward the bank of elevators. “Shall we?”
The restaurant is one of the most highly rated in the area, and since it’s located in the hotel itself, I don’t have to suffer through a car ride with Chloe, where we’ll have to sit side by side and I’ll be forced to breathe in her scent while wishing to god she was anyone but my fucking assistant.
Inside the restaurant, I give the ma?tre d’ my name, and he guides us to a table where Ellis and an elegant red-haired woman about his age are already seated.
He stands when we get there and shakes my hand, his grip firm. Then he introduces us to his wife. “Jasmine, this is Roman King and his assistant, Chloe.”
Chloe smiles warmly, and Jasmine responds in kind.
“It’s so lovely to meet you. I convinced Ellis to let me tag along because I’ve been dying to try this restaurant, but talking about business makes for a very dry evening.”
Chloe’s light, melodic laugh lights me up inside. I find myself inspecting her profile when I should be focused on tonight’s business, and from the way Ellis’s expression has sharpened, he’s noticed.
I keep my own features schooled, even as a thought strikes me. Does he have an ulterior motive for inviting Chloe to dinner tonight? Ethics are a top priority for him. I wouldn’t put it past him to be trying to discern what the exact nature of my relationship with her is.
As we settle into our seats, a waiter materializes with menus and a wine list. I allow Ellis to choose a bottle for the table, and after we’ve had a few minutes to go through the menu, we order.
The food is exquisite, as expected. And while Ellis and Jasmine keep conversation light to start with, I’m impatient to steer the topic to matters of business. Discreetly, Chloe assesses me. And I swear the damn woman can read my mind, because with an imperceptible dip of her chin, she turns to Jasmine and engages her in a discussion about which parts of France she’s traveled to, allowing me to finally broach the topic this dinner is centered around.
Ellis must have the same idea. With a sip of wine, he focuses on me. “It’s good to talk to you in a more informal setting. I’m sure you’ll agree that it can be hard to get the measure of a man from the end of a conference table.”
I nod. Ellis is clever. I have no doubt that despite his amiable demeanor, he’s watching carefully for signs that the King Group isn’t the right choice for this acquisition.
“I do agree. And I’m glad we have the chance to talk about what could hopefully be a new era for both of us.”
Ellis taps the side of his thumb on the table. “Stepping into new eras isn’t always easy, is it? Especially when we carry the legacy of others on our shoulders.”
I’m not a man who likes to dance around unpleasantries, and it’s clear he’s referring to my dad, so I give him a relatively direct answer. “My father’s choices have been… challenging to deal with.”
He studies me, his expression thoughtful. “Stepping out from that shadow couldn’t have been easy.”
“It wasn’t,” I admit. “But I believe my brothers and I have done it. Our focus is on building our own future, not just expanding the empire our father left behind.”
He nods, taking another sip of wine. “As you can imagine, my main priority is ensuring that EcoTech continues to operate under the highest ethical standards. For us, sustainability isn’t just about technology—it’s about corporate responsibility as well.”
“And that’s exactly where my brothers and I stand. Transparency and integrity are at the core of everything we do.”
His lips curve in a small smile. “Those are the kinds of values that align with our vision for EcoTech’s future. I do think there’s great potential for a meaningful partnership between EcoTech and the King Group.”
“My hope is that we can make that a reality.”
Our waiter appears to clear our empty plates, and once he’s done, Jasmine turns to Chloe. “I think I might visit the restroom to freshen up before dessert. Care to join me?”
Chloe glances at me, then back to Jasmine. “Of course.”
As the two of them excuse themselves and walk away, it takes more willpower than it should not to watch Chloe. I’m successful, but when I focus on Ellis again, it’s clear the mood has shifted.
He takes another sip of his wine and contemplates me. Then he sets down his glass and clears his throat. “If you don’t mind, Roman, I’d like to speak frankly for a moment.”
Tension curls around the back of my neck and tightens.
“Chloe seems like a lovely young woman, and I’m sure she’s a very capable and dedicated assistant. But given your father’s history, his business practices aren’t all that concerned me. His… interpersonal dynamics were well known to many of us. To be honest, it’s one of the reasons we’ve steered clear of the King Group in the past.”
A lead weight settles in my stomach, but I nod. “Chloe’s role is strictly professional.”
“I respect that, but these kinds of relationships—between a CEO and a close assistant—can sometimes be misinterpreted.”
Reining in my frustration, I choose my words carefully. “I’ve learned from my father’s mistakes. Not just his business failings but his personal ones too. I have no intention of following in his footsteps.”
Ellis’s expression softens a little. “I’m sorry I had to bring up such an uncomfortable topic. But I’m sure you understand that a leader’s actions within his own company often reflect his values outside of it. I need to make decisions for my own company’s future based on what I believe is best for it.”
“Of course. We both have the best interests of our companies in mind.”
“I’m glad we seem to be on the same page.”
Before I have a chance to respond, Chloe and Jasmine return. Once they’re seated, Jasmine turns to her husband. “Chloe was telling me her father is an artist. Isn’t that wonderful?”
He smiles at my assistant. “Indeed it is. What does he paint?”
“Most of his work is based around New York. He likes to capture the hidden beauty of the city.”
Jasmine’s eyes light up. “That’s a lovely way to put it. And is his work displayed in any galleries?”
Chloe shifts in her seat. Despite the sensitive topic, her pleasant smile doesn’t slip. I’m the one struggling to keep my emotions in check. The most ridiculous urge to cup the back of her neck washes over me. To stroke my thumb over her warm skin, to soothe her in some small way.
“No, he used to have a small studio, and he sold his work there. Then he moved to mostly online. But he’s taking a break for a while.”
Leaning back, Ellis slings his arm over the back of his wife’s chair. “Were you ever tempted to follow in his footsteps?”
Chloe takes a small sip of her wine. “When I was younger, I wanted to. But… well,” she darts a look at me, the move so quick, I almost miss it, “we had some challenges along the way. I decided having a stable job was a better fit for me.”
My chest constricts at the admission. I didn’t know that about her. I hadn’t even thought to ask. The derailment of Chloe’s childhood dreams shouldn’t bother me, but the tightness in my ribs tells me that it does. A lot.
“Do you paint for fun, at least?” Jasmine asks. “I’ve always wished I was more creative, but alas, I wasn’t blessed with that kind of talent. I’ve had to settle for being a patron of the arts.” She finishes with a grin at her husband.
The older man chuckles. “So many paintings, so few walls.”
It’s unlikely that either of them notices the way Chloe’s expression dims slightly. Not when she keeps her tone light as she says, “You know how it is. Life is so busy. I don’t really have time for hobbies.”
“That’s a shame,” Jasmine says. “But I understand. A young woman like you probably has a hectic social life. When your boss isn’t cracking the whip, of course.” She winks at me.
That’s another thing I don’t know about my assistant. Does she get any opportunity to spend time with friends, to go out, to date ? My jaw clenches at the thought of her sitting in a restaurant like this with another man, gracing him with that pretty smile. Or maybe hooking up with someone at a club. Does she frequent clubs? Her dad is clearly her top priority, so I can’t imagine she spends too much time out on the town.
Not knowing what she does outside of work irritates me far more than it should. It feels like I should know. Like I should have asked her. Like I should have made sure she has time to relax. Even on this trip, her first to Europe, she’s had no time to enjoy the sights or experience the culture.
“So, considering we’re in France, I have to ask. Have you ever been to the Louvre?” Ellis asks.
“Oh, yes,” Jasmine breaks in. “It’s one of my favorite places to visit when we’re in Paris.”
“This is actually my first visit,” Chloe says. “But I’d love to see it one day.”
“Yes, you absolutely must,” Jasmine says.
Our waiter is back once again, this time with dessert. I only ordered a glass of Muscat. But Chloe has the Tarte Tropézienne, a sweet brioche filled with a mixture of custard and buttercream, with sugar crystals sprinkled on top.
Sitting next to her as she eats it is a test of my self-control. The appreciative noises she makes, the way she licks the sugar crystals from her lips, has my dick swelling against the fly of my pants.
Rather than dwell on the thought of how sweet she’d taste if I were to kiss her right now, I force myself to focus on the reason I’m here and ask Ellis for details of EcoTech’s financial projections for the next five years.
Once we’ve finished our wine and dessert, Ellis and I politely tussle over who’s going to pay the bill. I win, of course. And after the waiter brings back my card, we push back our chairs and leave the table.
I resist the now almost instinctive urge to put my hand on Chloe’s lower back as we escort Ellis and Jasmine to the foyer.
Ellis shakes my hand, his voice low, and leans in close. “Thank you for the dinner… and for the enlightening conversation. I’d like to meet up in a more formal capacity the next time I’m in New York.”
Triumph courses through my veins. “I’d like that too. Reach out when your travel plans are confirmed, and we’ll set up a meeting.”
With a nod, he turns to Chloe. “It was lovely to meet you. I hope to see you again soon.”
She gives him a warm smile. “I hope so too.”
Once Ellis and Jasmine have stepped through the glass door of the hotel and made their way to the car waiting for them, Chloe turns to me. “I overheard what he said. He seems very receptive.”
“He was. I think we can lock him down during our next meeting in New York.”
“That’s wonderful.” Her expression turns a little mischievous then. “I guess sometimes dinner meetings aren’t all bad.”
“Some are more tolerable than others.” Particularly when she’s sitting next to me.
In response, Chloe stifles a yawn.
I chuckle. “Tired?”
She lets out a little laugh. “I am, even after my nap this afternoon. I honestly don’t know how you’re still on your feet.”
“I don’t sleep much on any given day. It means I get more work done, anyway.”
She studies me, a little crease forming between her eyebrows. “Has anyone told you that you work too hard?” Grimacing, she shakes her head. “Sorry, that must be the wine talking.”
I finally cave to the urge and put my hand on her back, guiding her toward the elevators. “Don’t blame the wine. You’ve said worse before.” I smile down at her. “And yes, one or two people may have mentioned it.”
The doors to the elevator open as we approach, and a couple holding hands steps out. There’s no one else waiting, so we’re alone as the doors close and we ascend.
Her sweet scent teases me, and I flash back to the thought I had while she was eating dessert. I zero in on her lips, and my dick throbs at the thought of how pretty they’d look wrapped around it.
The mental image of her in my office, watching me, surges back to the forefront of my mind, sparking a fierce tension deep inside me.
If she weren’t my employee, I wouldn’t be dropping her off at the door of her suite. I’d take her to mine. I’d taste that lush mouth. I’d taste every part of her. I’d watch her ocean eyes change color and relish the way her body shuddered against mine. And I’d make sure she was screaming my name when she came.
Fuck .
These thoughts have to stop. I need to wrestle back the control I once imagined I had. After tonight, I’m one step closer to my goal, and I can’t let this drumbeat of desire in my chest derail that.
As another yawn overtakes her, she covers her mouth. Then she gives me a sleepy smile. The look turns my lust-filled thoughts softer.
“Sorry,” she says. “That was a lovely dinner, though. Now I can say I’ve eaten in a real French restaurant.”
A damn rock lands in my gut. Here I am imagining all the dirty things I want to do to her, and she’s thinking about the once-in-a-lifetime experience she just had. As she should be.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. If things were different, there’s so much more I could show you.”
Her eyes widen as my words hang in the air between us, the ambiguousness of their meaning obvious.
“If we had more time here, I mean.”
She nods just as the ding of the elevator signals that we’ve reached our floor.
We walk quietly next to each other, stopping at the door of her suite. She fishes around in her purse for her key card, and once she has it, she looks up at me, her eyes flashing with an unnamed emotion. Mouth parted, she searches my face, and for a moment, I wonder if she’s going to invite me in.
Instead, she lets out a breath, then smiles. “Thank you. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow morning?”
“There’s a full breakfast buffet downstairs, or you can order room service. I’ll meet you in the foyer at eight a.m.” The words are rushed. I need to get away before I do something stupid, like push her against the door and kiss her. Slide those narrow straps that have been taunting me all night off her shoulders so I can palm her breasts, suck her tight nipples into my mouth.
Swallowing thickly, I curl my hands into fists to stop myself from doing any of that.
She stares at me, her plump lower lip pulled between her teeth, then smiles softly. “Good night, Roman.”
“Good night, Chloe.” Voice low, rough, I step back, barely holding on to my fraying restraint.
The lock beeps as she swipes her card and then she’s gone, the door clicking shut behind her. I stand there for a second longer, my hands still clenched, before I make for my room and close my own door a little too hard behind me.
I need a fucking shower.
As I stand under the water, head lowered, I grip my dick hard. The vow I made a few weeks ago to not allow myself to jerk off at the thought of Chloe is now a laughable memory. At this stage, it’s a daily event. It’s far too easy to picture her in the room next door, maybe in the shower as well. Her skin warm and wet, her nipples hard little pebbles as she thinks about me. Would she slip her fingers between her thighs? Would she circle her swollen clit? Would she moan my name as her legs trembled with the force of her orgasm?
The thought is enough to send me over the edge.
Later, as I’m lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling and wondering how I’m going to get over my obsession, I replay my words from earlier.
If we had more time here .
Maybe I can’t take what I want from her, but perhaps I can give her something instead.
I reach for my phone.