Page 7 of The CEO's Obsession

"Then let me learn," he counters smoothly. "Dinner. Tonight. No strings attached.”

Suddenly, Mason reaches for his coffee cup. His hand brushes against mine, and it's like a jolt of electricity shoots up my arm. I freeze, my breath catching in my throat. The touch was brief, barely there, but it leaves me reeling.

Silence stretches between us, heavy and charged. My pulse pounds in my ears, and I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks. What was that? I pull my hand back, but the sensation lingers, leaving me off-balance.

I look up to find Mason watching me intently, his eyes dark and unreadable. The air feels thick, laden with unspoken tension. I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out.For the first time since meeting Mason Blackwood, I find myself completely at a loss.

Mason leans in, his voice low and intimate. "This isn't the best place to talk. Let's find somewhere quieter."

My instincts scream at me to say no, to make an excuse and leave. But instead, I find myself nodding. My curiosity—and something else I don't want to name—wins out. I follow Mason as he leads me toward the back of the café, my thoughts racing.

What am I doing?

We weave through the bustling coffee shop, the aroma of freshly ground beans and pastries fading as we move away from the main area. The familiar sounds of clinking cups and muted conversations grow distant. My heart pounds harder with each step.

Mason pushes open a door marked "Employees Only," ushering me inside. I hesitate for a moment before stepping through, hyper-aware of his presence behind me.

The storage room is small and dimly lit. Shelves line the walls, stacked with supplies and spare equipment. Shadows stretch and twist under the flickering overhead bulb, creating an unsettling dance across the cramped space. The air feels heavier here, thicker somehow, amplifying the tension between us.

I cross my arms, forcing my voice to sound steady. "Alright, Mason. What's your real angle?"

He takes a step closer, and suddenly the room feels even smaller. "I've told you my angle, Harper. I want to help you succeed."

I scoff, trying to mask my nervousness. "Right. Out of the goodness of your heart?"

"Is it so hard to believe I might genuinely want to support your talent?" Mason's eyes lock onto mine, intense and unwavering.

I swallow hard, fighting to maintain my composure. "In my experience, nothing comes without strings attached. Especially from billionaires who barely know me."

A faint smile plays at the corners of his mouth. "Then perhaps it's time we got to know each other better."

The air between us crackles with unspoken tension. I should leave. I should walk out that door and never look back. But something keeps me rooted to the spot, caught in Mason Blackwood's gravitational pull.

My heart thunders as Mason moves closer, his scent enveloping me—subtle and spicy, completely distracting. I try to stay grounded, to hold onto my skepticism, but the way he looks at me...it's like he's daring me to drop my guard.

"I—" My breath catches as he takes another step. We're so close now I can feel the heat radiating from his body. "This isn't?—"

"Isn't what, Harper?" His voice is low, almost a whisper. "Isn't what you expected? Isn't what you want?"

I should step back. I should leave. But my body betrays me, leaning in ever so slightly.

"I don't know what I want," I admit, the words barely audible.

Mason's hand comes up, fingers brushing my cheek. "I think you do."

When his lips meet mine, it's like the world tilts on its axis. Everything outside this moment fades away. His kiss is firm, unrelenting, utterlyconsuming. My hands move of their own accord, clutching at his shirt as heat floods through me.

Oh god, I'm kissing Mason Blackwood.

Every nerve in my body feels alive, sparking under his touch. I'm drowning in him, lost in the sensations he's evoking. My mind screams at me to stop, but my body has other ideas. I press closer, deepening the kiss, savoring the taste of him.

What amIdoing? What arewedoing?

The kiss deepens, and a battle erupts inside me. Desire burns through my body, hot and all-consuming, but underneath it is a gnawing fear. My mind screams for control, but my traitorous body leans into the thrill of Mason's touch.

I'm caught between two halves of myself—the part that wants Mason and the part that knows better. His hands slide down to my waist, pulling me closer, and I can't help the small gasp that escapes me.

"Harper," he murmurs against my lips, his voice rough with need.

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