Page 81 of The CEO Enemy

“And by that, you mean, get naked.”

“Precisely.”

Chuckling, I slide off his lap and take the time to polish off my soda as I get to my feet. Sean gets up, places a kiss on my temple, and gives my ass a quick pinch.

“Be right back,” he says and winks at me.

I smile as I watch him go, acutely aware that the heat in my chest has everything to do with the feelings I have for this man.

Humming to myself, I clean up our dinner and head into the bedroom. While we talked about me getting naked, he doesn’t know that I recently bought some sexy lingerie as a surprise. I go through my drawers, picking out a silk negligee. It hugs my body and highlights my hips while showing off my thighs, all of which I know Sean really appreciates, judging by the amount of attention he gives them.

Tomorrow when we go into work, I’ll tell him that I’m ready to sell, and we don’t need to wait for the full week until the contract officially ends. But tonight is all about distractions, and I’m more than ready to lose myself in his arms for the next few hours.

After about five minutes, I start to wonder what he’s getting. It doesn’t take that long to go to his kitchen and come back. At the ten-minute mark, I’m mildly confused. Where is he? He definitely should be back by now. Once it reaches fifteen minutes, I’m concerned.

Slipping on my white robe, I step into my slippers and go to find out where Sean is.

A quick peek in the hallway confirms no one is around so I make my way to his door. It’s opened a crack, but before I can let myself in, I hear voices coming from inside.

“We’re not talking about this right now,” Sean is saying, his voice filled with an anger I haven’t heard from him before. “I’m handling it.” He’s behind his fridge door, shuffling through the contents.

The voice I hear is coming through the speaker on his phone lying next to the fridge, and is clearly work related, so I make a move to step away so I don’t interrupt.

“You’ve done a good job so far,” an old male voice says. “But now is the time to finish her.”

“I told you, let me handle Jess.”

I freeze.

Hearing my name is like I’ve been doused with cold water. It’s like I lose the ability to walk or do anything. My hearing suddenly becomes bionic. Every word comes out sharp and clear, almost as if the man on the other line wants me to hear.

“I have been listening to you,” the old man’s voice says, “and the only handling you’re doing isn’t in the office. You’ve had your fun, son, but your time is running out. It’s time to get serious. It’s never a good idea to mix business with pleasure.”

“It’s been working pretty well so far.” Sean huffs. “You’ll get what you’re after, relax.”

“I require action, not promises. Seal the deal now. You have until midnight.”

Somehow, I finally gain control of my legs and hurry back to my apartment. My heart is racing but for an entirely different reason. A sinking feeling settles in my stomach as I wrap my arms around myself. Has this all been just a trick? Some kind of sick ploy?

I can’t believe I made the same mistake again.

I can’t believe I put my trust in another man.

Norman was right. He warned me, but did I listen? He told me to be careful, that men like Sean Blackwood didn’t make emotional decisions. He cautioned me not to let my heart sway my judgment when dealing with him. God, and I told him I knew better, that I could handle it.

Now look where it’s led me.

Once my mind takes hold of that thought, it’s like I can’t stop the avalanche of emotions that follows. I find myself questioning every touch, every kiss, every sweet, tender moment we shared.

Were they even real? Does he feel anything for me at all?

I feel like an idiot. I should have listened to my initial instincts. I should never have broken my rule. There’s a reason why I adopted it to begin with. And here I was, thinking this could be more, that there was something else between us. That he loved me.

Looks like it was just wishful thinking.

Ugh.

Dammit.

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