Page 112 of Taming the CEO

I shifted my weight from one leg to the other. "I’m thinking about starting a business and renting a space from him. We went to see it, and then he said we could discuss details over dinner."

I turned around slowly. Maddox's eyes were fixed on my face. "It was not a date. I'm not even sure why he said that. Probably to one-up you or something."

"You didn't go out with him," he stated.

"No. Why is that so hard to believe?"

The next thing I knew, Maddox crashed his mouth over mine in a deep and desperate kiss. Seconds later, I felt a concrete wall behind my back. He deepened the kiss, keeping both hands on my waist. I put mine on his shoulders, pulling him even closer to me.

Maddox groaned, and the reverberations traveled through my body, tugging between my thighs. I pressed them together. When he pulled back, gasping for breath, I inhaled deeply.

"Mine," he growled. "Only mine."

"What do you mean?"

"You," he said slowly, "are only mine."

For a few seconds, I didn't understand, but then his words made sense and my face exploded in a huge smile. "Wait, did you just stake your claim on me?"

"That's exactly what I'm doing. Like a damn Neanderthal. I just... I need it. I need you." He came close again, cupping my face with both hands. "I need to know there’s no one else."

"There’s no one else," I insisted.

"Good. All right." He took a step back. "We should probably get out of here.”

"I agree. Let's go to my place."

He nodded.

"Can I ride with you?" I asked. "I walked."

"Of course," he said. His voice still sounded strange.

He was silent during the drive. If I was honest, I was on pins and needles, too, processing what had just happened. I hadn't expected him to react like that.

Once we stepped inside my house, I turned on all the lights and even lit two candles.

Still completely silent, he took off my coat and then whirled me around, cupping my face and pressing his thumb to the corner of my mouth.

"Are we okay?" he asked.

"Well, I'm still not sure where that Neanderthal reaction came from, or why you even thought I deserved a scene."

He closed his eyes. "You absolutely fucking didn't. I just... The guy said..." He shook his head. "It's all on me. I remember his comment from last time and... Never mind.” Taking in a deep breath, he added, “Tell me about the business.” He dropped his hands and took a step back.

I pressed my palms together as excitement built inside me. "So, I was waiting for tonight to actually tell you this. I have decided to stay in Essex and use the money from the sale to open a new business."

His expression changed instantly, a smile taking up his whole face. "Are you serious?"

"Hell yes." In a few words, I told him what I had in mind while I powered up my laptop so we could read the contract.

"You've got a great mind for business," he said. "And it's smart that you’re staying in the entertainment sector."

"Thank you. And Bill had a great space for what I’m planning, but honestly, I'm truly rethinking if I should rent from him."

"The guy's an asshole."

"Yep, you can say that twice. I always knew he was a bit pushy, but tonight was something different."

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