Chapter 49
Chapter 49
VENUS
When Aaron sat back beside me, presence steady as steel, I felt his gaze drift to me.
Low enough that no one else would hear, he leaned in, voice a dark murmur meant just for me.
“Good job. You handled yourself well p>
A faint smile tugged at my lips. I nodded-small, controlled-careful not to betray how fast my pulse was racing. The lion had approved. And that meant more than I’d ever admit.
The meeting dragged on-less discussion, more a thinly veiled pissing contest disguised as corporate diplomacy.
And just when I thought the final gavel would fall, when the word adjourned was practically forming on someone’s lips- Richard Sinclair opened his damn mouth.
“Rosemary Carter has been notably absent from our shareholders’ meetings p>
Beside me, Aaron stiffened like iron snapping taut.
Jesus Christ.
Couldn’t Richard choke on his own smugness for once? No. He had to poke the bear.
And this particular bear was already pacing its cage.
I glanced at Caroline, even she looked momentarily horrified, shooting her husband a sharp, reproachful glare, like he’d just pissed in public.
Aaron, composed as ever, didn’t blink.
When he spoke, his voice was razor-calm-and that made it all the more chilling.
“She has entrusted Mr. Hawthorne to represent her. If you wish to communicate with her, Mr. Hawthorne is here p>
A ripple of surprise skated through the room.
She’s on the board?
He never told me that.
Last time he’d mentioned her-on our first “date”-he said she was “touring” Uzbekistan.
“Typical,” Caroline’s voice lanced the air, brittle and mean. The venom dripped from every word.
Instinctively, I placed a hand on Aaron’s arm. Subtle. Grounding.
“Now, now, Mother,” Dorian spoke with a mock-scolding lilt, faint amusement curling through his words. “You shouldn’t speak that way about sick people p>
Aaron’s jaw flexed. Tension rippling beneath my fingers.
Sick.
The word hung there, bitter and unsaid.
He’d never mentioned her being sick.
John-an older man who had defended Aaron earlier-finally ended it.
“This meeting is adjourned p>
A collective breath released. Chairs scraped, papers rustled, shoes clicked.
The room emptied in waves of eager escape.
Everyone except Dorian.
Of course.
812
No part of me wanted to get caught in the crossfire between those two.
Dorian made my skin crawl, not in fear, but in that subtle, insidious way a snake watches a bird, waiting for its chance.
I turned to Aaron.
“I’m going to speak with Connor about somethi
Successfully unlocked!
Translation: I’m giving you space. And myself an outpeter.kee
Aaron nodded once, controlled.
1/3
Chapter 49
I didn’t need to be told twice.
I slipped out. Connor stood by Jane’s desk casually and charming, as always.
I was about to veer off in search of a much-needed smoothie when he caught sight of me.
“She’s not as fun as you, I swear p>
Took me a beat to catch the thread.
Jane. Of course.
I smirked.
“So you charm every PA under Aaron’s wing? And here I thought I was special p>
Feigning offense, I pressed a hand to my chest.
Connor laughed-boyish, unapologetic.
“You are special. Jane’s a raging bitch. I like getting on her nerves p>
“You’re Connor Hawthorne. Shouldn’t she be… I don’t know… kissing your ass p>
He scoffed.
“The only ass she kisses is Aaron’s p>
One brow arched.
“Is that why he keeps her around p>
Connor chuckled darkly.
“She’s ruthless. Ruthlessness has its place in this world p>
“Right.” I filed that away. No one here was without a purpose or a mask.
He glanced at me, tone
shifting, more serious.
“You were amazing in there, Venus p>
I gave a half-smile.
“Yeah, right p>
My heart had nearly exploded, but I wasn’t about to admit it.
Connor stepped closer, voice firm now.
“You were. Don’t let Richard, Caroline, or any of those assholes get to you. You’ve done something they’ll never understand, you’re fighting for something real. You should be proud p>
And for a flicker of a moment, something warm coiled inside my chest.
“Thank you.” A genuine smile. He patted my back before moving on.
I exhaled, grateful for the brief reprieve.
Now-smoothie time.
There was a shop close by. I grabbed two cups of strawberry smoothie and headed back.
I reached the elevator. The doors opened.
And there he was.
Dorian.
Alone.
Perfect.
I hesitated, too proud to show it. I stepped inside.
No one followed. The doors slid shut.
Trapped.
I felt his eyes on me instantly. Sharp. Calculating. Too aware of every inch between us.
Then came the smile-wolfish. Predatory.
“I believe we haven’t properly met p>
Smooth as silk. Poison silk.
2/3
Chapter 49
I folded my arms.
“On the contrary…” No point playing dumb.
He chuckled, low and amused.
He wore more expressions than Aaron ever would in public-grins, laughs, smirks-but don’t be fooled. His eyes told the real story.
Those eyes were a glacier blue, cold, merciless.
Blond hair, lean build. He and Aaron were night and day.
And yet both exuded danger.
“You’re not fooling anyone with this little married couple act, sweetheart p>
“What makes you think it’s an act p>
I tilted my chin, refusing to give an inch.
“Oh sweetheart, you wound my intelligence p>
“I have a name. It’s Venus.” My voice sharpened.
“Feisty. I like that p>
I rolled my eyes, shifting my weight away from him.
Every part of me
screamed distance. But I wouldn’t let him see that.
His gaze tracked every movement.
The elevator slowed, my floor approaching.
Then, just before the doors opened he leaned in.
Too close. Invading my space like he owned it.
“Goodbye. Until we meet again p>
I snorted.
“Dream on p>
I started to step past him.
That’s when it happened.
Fast-almost a blur-he caught my arm and yanked me flush against him.
My breath caught.
“And I assure you, sweetheart,” he murmured against my ear, “we’ll be seeing each other often p>
Then he bit my ear. Deliberately.
I froze-fury tangled with revulsion.
The doors slid open.
I forced myself upright-ready to storm out.
And looked up.
Aaron.
Standing there. Watching.
And the look on his face?
Ice and fire.
Possessive. Lethal.
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.