Cold As Ice CEO

CHAPTER 5

Lottie blinked awake, sunlight streaming through the sheer curtains, illuminating the room with a warm glow. The soft sheets cocooned her, but the remnants of last night’s passion felt like fire against her skin. The memory of Nate’s fiery gaze and their electric connection consumed her thoughts.

Turning, she found Nate standing at the window, his silhouette tense. “Morning,” she said, attempting to bridge the chasm forming between them.

He turned, his expression cool. “We need to talk.”

A chill swept through her. “About what?”

“Last night.” His voice held an edge that sent her heart racing.

“What about it?” she asked, her stomach knotting.

“It should not ever have happened,” he stated, his tone clipped.

His words struck her like a slap. She hugged the sheets closer, feeling vulnerable and exposed. “But you wanted me.”

“Well—That was before,” he snapped, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

She opened her mouth to argue, to remind him of the passion they’d shared, but the ice in his gaze silenced her. “Just forget it, Lottie.”

But she couldn’t just forget.

Her eyes fell on the sheets, and her breath caught. The small stain was a stark reminder of her lost virginity, a mark of their intimacy — her pride maybe?. Humiliation washed over her, and she turned to him. “Nate…”

“I can’t do this,” he said, his back to her again. “Not when you’re thinking about what this means.”

“And what does it mean to you?” she shot back, her voice rising. “Am I just a distraction? A mistake?”

He hesitated, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features. “You don’t understand.”

“Then explain it to me!”

“I don’t do relationships,” he confessed, his voice low. “This was just—”

“Just what?” she pressed, her heart pounding. “A way to relieve tension? A quick fling? A use and dumb situation? A whorish experience? Just say it —”

“You make it sound cheap,” he replied, his eyes sparking with anger.

“Because that’s how you are treating it! I feel used, I feel taken for granted” she spat back, her frustration boiling over.

Silence fell, thick with unspoken emotions. Finally, he stepped closer, his voice softer. “You are special to me, but I can’t let you in.”

Lottie swallowed hard, the warmth of their night clashing with the chill of his words. “Then what do you want?”

“I want you, but I can’t have you. Not like this.”

***

Later, at the conference table, tension hung thick in the air. Lottie tried to focus on the meeting, but her mind raced. She had seen a glimpse of the real Nate, but today, he was back to being the ruthless businessman.

Across from them, Victor Langston smirked, his gaze flicking to her. “The deal looks good, Sterling,” he said, smooth as silk. “But I think we can sweeten it a little.”

Nate leaned back, arms crossed, a hard look in his eyes. “What do you want, Victor?”

Victor’s gaze slid over to Lottie, and unease prickled her skin. “I want dinner with your secretary,” he said casually, as if he were discussing the weather.

Lottie’s heart raced. “What?”

Nate’s expression shifted in an instant, fury igniting in his eyes. “Try that again, and I’ll destroy you.”

Victor chuckled, unfazed. “Relax. It’s just a harmless dinner. Think of it as a networking opportunity.”

“She’s not a pawn in your game,” Nate growled, his voice low and threatening.

“Oh, I beg to differ,” Victor shot back, leaning back in his chair, reveling in the tension. “You see, I know how you operate, Sterling. You think you can control everything. But you can never control her.”

“And what do you even mean by that?” Lottie asked, her voice steady despite her unease.

Victor smiled, a predatory gleam in his eye. “Let’s just say I am willing to offer a generous deal, but I just need to test the waters. Dinner would be the perfect opportunity, or don't you think so?.”

Nate’s jaw clenched, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the table. “If you so much as touch her—you will regret it ”

“What? You’ll destroy me?” Victor interrupted, his tone mocking. “Please, Nathaniel. You can’t bully your way through every deal—the world does not revolve around you, you know!.”

“I am not afraid to try,” Nate shot back, his voice icy.

Lottie felt her frustration boiling over. If Nate wouldn’t acknowledge what they shared, why should she care about his anger?

Later that night, standing alone on the balcony, Lottie gazed at the twinkling Paris lights, feeling lost. She had been so damn foolish, caught up in a fantasy —so she thought.

But Nate didn’t want her. Not really.

“Lottie?” Nate’s voice broke through her thoughts, low and rough, sending a shiver down her spine.

She turned to face him, heart pounding. “What do you want again, Nate?”

“I want to talk about Victor,” he said, stepping closer. “He’s not someone you should be near.”

“Why do you care so much about that?” she shot back, frustration bubbling. “You’re the one pushing me away.”

His eyes darkened, the tension palpable. “Because I don’t ever share.”

Her breath hitched at the challenge sparking between them. “Is that really what you think?”

“I know what I think.” His voice was gravelly, the weight of his words heavy.

Before she could stop herself, she reached for him, pulling him closer. “Then show me.”

His mouth crashed against hers, fueled by desperation. This kiss was different, igniting a fire within her.

She melted against him, ready to give herself fully. But in that moment, a flash caught her eye.

Unbeknownst to them, someone had been watching—capturing their intimacy without them knowing. A sharp click echoed in the night.

As Nate pulled away, breathless, his expression turned fierce. “We need to get inside.”

Panic flooded Lottie’s chest. “Why? What’s wrong?”

He didn’t answer, but she saw it in his eyes—the realization that their private moment had been invaded.

“Someone’s watching us,” he said, voice taut.

Fear gripped her. “What do we do?”

“Trust me,” he commanded, his gaze scanning the darkness. “We need to get back inside, right now.”

Just as they turned, Lottie felt a hand grip her wrist, pulling her away from Nate. “Where do you think you are going?” Victor sneered, emerging from the shadows.

“Let her go!” Nate shouted, fury erupting as he lunged forward.

“Calm down, Sterling,” Victor taunted, his grip tightening. “Just thought I’d take a closer look at what’s yours.”

Lottie’s heart raced, fear and anger mixing as she struggled against Victor’s hold. “Ahhh! Get off me right now!”

Victor smirked, leaning closer. “Don’t worry, Lottie. I’ll take very good care of you. After all, you’re just a secretary, right?”

Nate moved, fury radiating from him. “Touch her, and I swear—”

“Enough!” Victor interrupted swiftly, his voice cutting through the night. “I’ll show you how this game is played.”

As Lottie fought against Victor, Nate’s eyes locked onto hers, a silent promise passing between them.

The scandal was unfolding with every moment that passed, and they were caught in the crossfire.

With a sudden surge of strength, she broke free from Victor’s grip, stumbling back against Nate. “What do we do now?” she gasped, breathless and terrified.

Nate’s jaw clenched, fury coursing through him. “We fight. Together.”

And in that moment, Lottie realized the stakes had been raised. She was no longer just a pawn in a game; she was a player, ready to risk everything for the man that she so desired.

“You know what, let's just end this,” she said, determination igniting strongly within her.

But as they faced Victor, the real battle was just beginning.