Sasha beamed. "Are you kidding? It's my favorite."

While Sasha unpacked the takeout containers, I went to the kitchen to grab a bottle of red wine, plates, and silverware. Sasha had already opened the containers of food and laid out the salad, bruschetta, fried calamari, and eggplant parmesan.

We ate family style, helping ourselves to each dish. Sasha took a big bite of the eggplant parmesan and made a low moan of delight. She closed her eyes and sank back against her chair as she chewed. "This is so good, Denver. You made the perfect choice."

A warmth spread through my chest at her praise. "I figured you would want something hearty after today."

Sasha plucked a calamari ring and popped it into her mouth. "You guessed right. Gosh, those fancy schmancy foods they served at the auction might as well have been made for ants. I needed a magnifying glass to see what was on my plate."

I picked up a piece of bruschetta and bit into it while I watched her eat with gusto. "Sometimes simple and authentic is best over complicated artifice."

She took a sip of wine and tipped her glass at me. "I couldn't agree with you more."

We chatted like we had been friends for ages as we ate. When every last crumb had been devoured, Sasha rose and took our dishes to the sink, while I cleaned up the empty containers. After I threw away the trash, I leaned against the counter and watched her as she did the dishes. To my surprise, she chose to wash them by hand instead of using the dishwasher. As she worked, she hummed the song that played on the stereo on our drive home. Her hips shimmied as she swayed to the music.

A giant knot formed in my stomach, and it wasn't from the heavy meal we just had. I wanted her and I was going to have her.

As soon as she placed the last dish on the drying rack, I crossed the kitchen and came up behind her. She gave a surprised yelp when I yanked her away from the sink and twisted her around. Her wet hands flew up to my chest in surprise, staining the expensive silk with water. Not that I cared.

"Denver," she breathed out.

I pulled her to me until we were pressed together from chest to thigh. "I'm going to kiss you now."

Her breath hitched. "But the plan," she whispered as her tongue darted out to wet her lips.

"Fuck the plan. Things between us have changed. I want you, and I know you want me. This isn't just pretend and I can't deny that I feel something for you. Tell me that I'm wrong."

She gulped and clenched my shirt in her fists. "No, it's real. We've made an awful mess of things, Denver."

"No, it's just the right amount of mess."

I leaned in, my lips brushing against hers in a soft, tentative kiss. The moment our lips touched, it was like a spark ignited between us, lighting us on fire. I deepened the kiss, holding her in place with a hand on the back of her neck as I claimed her mouth. Backing us until she was pinned against the counter, I thrust my hips against hers, letting her feel the hard evidence of my desire for her. She ground against my bulge and let out a soft moan as she returned my kiss, devouring my mouth with equal fervor. The sweet musky aroma of her arousal overwhelmed my senses. I wanted to be covered in her scent.

When we finally pulled apart, we were both breathless.

Sasha looked up at me, her pupils dark with desire. "Denver, are you sure? We still have to deal with the board and the stalker. I can't go back and play fake girlfriend if you're just going to fuck me and cast me aside."

"I would never do that to you," I said, my voice softening. "My intentions toward you are genuine. If we keep going, then I will never leave. I've never met another woman like you, Sasha."

She didn't respond, but the way she looked at me, the way her breath hitched when I spoke, told me everything I needed to know. She felt it too. But she was scared. And I couldn't blame her. This wasn't part of the plan. This wasn't supposed to happen.

"We don't have to figure this out right now," I said, my voice gentle. My hand came up to brush a strand of hair out of her face. "But I need you to know that you are it for me." Letting her go, I helped her stand steady on her feet. It was unclear whether she was unstable due to my revelations or the wine she had with dinner.

"Take all the time you need, Sasha. I'm not going anywhere. I'll wait for you." I left her in the kitchen and went to my room. Though I pretended to be calm in front of her, once I closed the door, I went to the minibar. Taking a large swig from a bottle of vodka, I collapsed on my bed. My mind raced as I realized what I had just done. Never before had I poured my heart out like that to a woman. This was supposed to be a simple business arrangement, not a life-changing event. But now, nothing was certain, except that Sasha was for sure my fated mate. If only I knew where she stood.

Chapter 6

SASHA

I woke up the next morning with a heavy feeling in my chest, my mind still swirling from the events of the night before. Denver's words, his kiss, they had shaken me to my core. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to make sense of the chaos in my head.

I cared about Denver. More than I wanted to admit. But the reality of our situation was a tangled mess. Not only was he my boss, but he was the CEO. And our relationship, if I could even call it that, started as a lie. How could we possibly navigate this without destroying both of our careers? And what if it wasn't real for him? What if this was just another game, another conquest and notch on his bedpost?

I groaned and buried my face in my pillow, willing the thoughts to go away. But they clung to me, stubborn and relentless. I couldn't ignore the way my heart raced when I thought about him, the way my body came alive in response to his touch. It wasn't just physical attraction, though that was undeniable, it was something deeper. Something I wasn't ready to face.

Reluctantly, I got out of bed and got dressed, my mind still racing. When I stepped out into the living room, Denver was already there, sipping coffee and scrolling through his phone. He looked up when he saw me, and for a moment, we just stared at each other.

"Morning," he said.