CHARLOTTE’S POV
I went to the cabinet where I kept the bottles I had been working on and took one down.
“Here, this will help calm you down.”
He uncapped the small bottle and downed the contents in one go.
My eyes moved over his body. Some of the old cuts had closed up, the marks were slowly fading like they had never been there.
“How do you feel?” I asked with concern.
I reached for my stethoscope, slipping the earpieces into my ears and pressing the cold chest piece against his chest, listening carefully to his breathing and heartbeat.
My hand grazed his chest as I listened to his heartbeat. When my fingers brushed his skin, a sharp spark ran through me.
His breath changed, and became heavier. When I looked up, his eyes were already on me, dark and intense, like he was feeling the same thing.
“I know you don’t want to hear this,” he said quietly, “but I’m not intimate with my Luna.”
I frowned. “Why are you telling me this?” I asked, pulling my hand away. “I meant it when I said it’s none of my business what you do with your wife.”
Before my hand could drop by my side, he caught my wrist. He guided my hand back to his body, spreading my palm on his wide chest, smearing it with his blood. His heartbeat grew louder and became faster at the contact and so did mine.
He didn’t seem to care anymore. His jaw was clenching his jaw, his eyes locked on mine, like the pain in his body was nothing compared to whatever was happening between us.
“I don’t want you to misunderstand my situation,” he said. “My marriage to my Luna is only for the sake of it. The elders were on my neck years ago. They needed someone to fill the Luna’s seat, and she was the best choice.”
“Look, I bet it…”
“No, you don’t.” He pulled me closer to himself, and my body followed without resistance. That alone scared me.
“I’m not intimate with her,” he continued. “I haven’t been with her in that way for years.”
He lifted my other hand, pressing both of them to his face. His skin was warm and rough. Then he kissed my palm. One hand after the other.
Heat rushed through my body at that simple act. I sucked in a breath.
What is he doing to me?
I pulled my hands back. “Just… go home, Ace. Leave me alone,” I stuttered.
“I can’t do that. I care about you, Charlotte. I care about you and Liam. I don’t want you thinking that I’m playing with you.” His eyes were steady, filled with sincerity.
And then I remembered the way my business partnerships had been falling apart, one by one and he was the cause of it all.
1/3
135 pro
Dapher 20
They all didn’t want to do business with me because they didn’t want problems that only he could bring
“I made this clear before,” I said. “I told you I don’t like you and I don’t want to get involved with you Please leave me and my son alone”
“That’s going to be hard to do” His tone was serious, not teasing.
I yanked my hand from his, running a frustrated hand through my hair. “You are very frustrating, you know that? Everything about you is annoying, and I want to stay very far away from you.”
He didn’t look away. His gaze stayed on me. “Do you dislike me that much?”
“Yes, I do.”
He let out a deep chuckle. “I find that very hard to believe.”
He stood up, shirtless and unapologetically sexy. My eyes betrayed me immediately, sliding to his bare chest, then lower. I have never seen anyone built like this, his abs were well defined. Like he was carved, not born. He looked like a Greek god standing there and he’s got that killer look. He knew it too.
I looked away too late. My gaze dropped to his lips instead. Those same lips that had been on mine less than ten minutes
ago.
“The way your body reacted to me says otherwise,” he murmured. “Or do you want me to remind you?” His voice became husky and low.
He stepped closer.
I lifted my hand, stopping him before he could reach me. His mouth curved into that infuriating smirk. That damn smirk.
“I’ll say this one last time,” I snapped. “I don’t like you. I don’t want you anywhere near me or my son. And for the love of mankind, stop jeopardizing my business.”
“You are not going to sign a partnership with
anyone
else except
me.”
“I don’t want to do business with you anymore,” I snapped, my voice rising despite myself. “You can’t force me to work with your company.”
He didn’t even look at me.
He walked to my desk like he owned the space, his eyes scanning until they landed on the manila envelope.
“No,” I said, stepping forward. “Don’t you dare…”
He pulled out the papers calmly, flipped to the last page, and signed. Just like that.
My eyes widened as he dropped the pen.
“Didn’t you hear the part where I said I don’t want this anymore?” I demanded, staring at the contract like it had just betrayed me.
“The benefits you’ll get from doing business with Virel Holdings aren’t something you’ll find anywhere else. Ask your why he chose me in the first place.”
He’s so arrogant.
dad
2/3
35 pm
Topter 20
I know Lam,” he replied with a low chuckle.
I frowned. “Did I say that out loud?”
“You did.”
“Also,” he added, already turning away like the matter was settled, “you’ll be coming to the company tomorrow to finish the process. We’ll start work immediately.”
“My job ended the moment you signed that contract,” I shot back. “I don’t have to work with you anymore. My father’s associates will continue with you.”
“I’m sorry, pumpkin, but that’s not how it works. That’ll be a breach of contract. I work directly with you, no one else,” he stated, like it was already decided.
I snatched the contract from the table. “I can tear this into pieces and this deal never happened.”
He tilted his head, thinking. “That’s true. But if you do that, you’ll never get another automobile company to partner with you, pumpkin. I’ll make sure of it.”
My grip tightened on the papers. “You’re so impossible. And stop calling me pumpkin.”
Just then, a knock came on my door before it opened. Leslie popped her head in. “Come on, Char, I thought you were ready to go home. You kept me wai…”
Her words died on her lips when her eyes landed on Ace, standing too close beside me.
“I’m sorry,” she said slowly. “Am I interrupting something? You two look… busy.” That knowing smile spread on her face as she bowed slightly to the Alpha.
“You can’t be serious,” I cut in quickly. “We were just talking about business.”
“About business… the man is naked.” That’s when I finally noticed what our situation looked like to her or anyone else, Ace was half naked, sweaty with blood all over him. Anyone would think that I scratched him like a cat while doing things.
I threw him a sharp look. “Would you please put your shirt back on? You look ridiculous.”
His lips curved into that infuriating smile that makes you want to wipe it off his face.
“The shirt is soaked. I’ll have to wait until Roman brings me a new one.”
“You’ll wait outside, not in my office.”
“I’d gladly do that. I’m not worried about me. I’m more concerned about what people would think seeing me half naked coming out of your office.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
