Page 9 of Blackmailing the Mogul

I feel a welcome surge of excitement and anticipation. Pursuing Jenna Henson is going to be a game, an intriguing challenge. I haven't felt so excited in a long time. With a newfound sense of purpose, I stand up and walk over to the window, looking out at the city skyline, an unconscious smile tugging at my lips; the amazing scene beyond my window has suddenly regained its allure.

Chapter Four

Jenna

Steeling myself for a moment, I raise my hand to knock on Ryan’s door. Maria said he was free right now, so hopefully it is the right time to return his computer. He left it in the conference room following a meeting earlier, giving me the perfect chance to install my personal bug on his hard drive to scan his files. This is a little sloppier than how I normally operate, but at this point, I need to do what I can before Henry starts jumping down my throat.

Hearing a grumbled “Come in,” from the other side of the door, I enter the office and see Ryan clearly deep in some file on his desk. He takes a moment to look up, staring at me and leaving me unable to speak.

“I'm sorry for interrupting,” I say finally, breaking the tense silence. I shuffle awkwardly on my feet, slightly raising the laptop in my hands. “You left the conference room in a hurry, so I came to return your computer.”

Ryan nods, his expression inscrutable. "I see. Thank you," he mutters, staring down at an opened file in front of him.

I remain standing by the entrance, unsure what to do next. Then he looks up from his file and beckons to me. “Bring it over.”

I nod and walk up to his desk. As I make to put the computer on his desk, he reaches out for it. Our fingers touch as he takes the laptop from me, and I feel a sudden jolt of electricity run through my body. I pull my hand back quickly, almost like I was burned by fire. Maybe I was, because a strange fire seemed to start in the pit of my stomach.

I raise my eyes to his. Big mistake. His eyes lock onto mine, holding me prisoner to those dreamy brown depths. There's something about the way he's looking at me now, a new intensity that sets me on edge, but in the strangest way. I should be terrified but I'm not. Instead, I feel drawn to him, like a moth to a flame. His eyes seem to be burning with an inner fire, and I can feel the heat radiating towards me. I should run but for some reason, I want to stay, I want to know what it'd feel like to be consumed in those flames. Why does Ryan looking at me like this make me feel… powerful? Wanted?

With a small shiver, I pull myself away. “Well, have a good night, sir.”

Without waiting for a response, I turn around to leave but as I reach the door, I feel a firm hold on my wrist. I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest as Ryan's touch sends a shiver down my spine. His grip is gentle yet firm, anchoring me in place as I turn to face him, my breath catching in my throat.

“W-what are you doing sir?” I stutter, my voice barely above a breath.

He's so close. Too close…

“Maybe I don't owe you an explanation, but I owe you an apology,” he says quietly, his eyes never leaving mine.

“What for?”

Have his lips always been so full? So inviting?

What would it feel like to press my cheeks against the dark stubble on his cheeks?

“For being rude and condescending towards you,” he replies, his mouth curving in a slightly amused smile. “I was out of line and I'm sorry for making you feel disrespected.”

I stare blankly at him, unable to believe my ears. Did Ryan Anders just apologize to me? Is this some kind of trap?

Again? Why's he standing so close? Why does he smell so good?

I swallow hard, trying to push away the dizzying thoughts swirling in my head. This is not happening. I can't let myself be swept away by his charm, by the intensity of his gaze.

"I-I appreciate your apology, sir," I manage to say, my voice trembling slightly. "But there's no need..."

But before I can finish my sentence, Ryan closes the distance between us, his hand cupping my cheek gently. The touch sends a jolt of electricity through me, my skin tingling at his proximity.

"Jenna..." he whispers, his voice husky with something that makes my blood stop cold and boil over. "I can't stop thinking about you."

My heart skips a beat, my mind reeling at his words. This is madness. I should run away and put an end to this before it goes any further. But instead, I find myself leaning into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed he slowly lowers his mouth to mine. His lips brush against mine in a tender, almost hesitant kiss.

At that moment, all thoughts of caution and restraint vanish, replaced by a fierce, almost overwhelming hunger, and as he deepens the kiss, I find myself melting into his embrace, my lips parting to allow him to claim me fully. Reality seems to fade away, leaving me in a charged bubble of thrilling sensation.

I can’t believe this is my first kiss… and it’s happening with the hottest man I’ve ever seen.

His tongue dances around mine, teasing, exploring… He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to his strong chest. His deep moan of satisfaction reverberates in my head, sending electrified shivers down my spine. I bury my fingers in his hair, pressing myself even closer to his body as he savagely explores every corner of my mouth. I'm consumed by the taste of him, the scent of his skin, the feel of his arms wrapping around me like a vice. It's nothing I've ever experienced before, and yet, I can't get enough.

I let out a needy moan as his hands slide down to my ass, the strange sound jerking me back to reality. I pull away, gasping for air, my heart racing like a jackhammer. Ryan's eyes are blazing with desire, his chest heaving with exertion. I'm shocked by the intensity of our kiss, and by my response.

---