wanted by the CEO

Chapter 9- Truth or Dare

Adrian watched Naomi from across the room, her fingers brushing lightly over the champagne flute as she laughed at something a guest said. He could have sworn he’d seen every side of her, yet tonight, in the soft glow of the gallery’s chandeliers, she looked untouchable, radiant, and… entirely his.

The kiss from the art show still burned on his lips, a memory he couldn’t shake. The way her hand had pressed against his chest, the soft gasp when their lips met, the way her body had leaned in as if she wanted more but was holding herself back—it haunted him. Adrian had known desire before, but this—this was different. Naomi wasn’t just tempting. She was a challenge, a wildfire he didn’t want to control.

He smirked to himself, shifting in the tailored suit that felt suddenly too tight in the chest. One month, he reminded himself. Just one month. No crossing boundaries. No distractions. Pretend engagement. Keep appearances.

Yet every glance she threw him made that promise harder to keep. The subtle curve of her lips when she caught him staring, the way her eyes flicked toward his during conversations—small, almost imperceptible signals that stirred something primal in him. Adrian had tried to remain composed, professional, restrained. But restraint was failing.

The host called for a “truth or dare” segment, meant as a playful interview for the evening. Adrian knew exactly what this would do: put them in the spotlight, close together, forcing reactions, forcing tension, forcing the game into dangerous territory.

When the host motioned for them, Adrian stepped forward, brushing a hand lightly along Naomi’s back as if to guide her—but the heat of his touch lingered far longer than necessary. Naomi’s pulse must have felt the same as his; he could sense the subtle quickening of her movements, the almost imperceptible shift closer.

“First question,” the host began, eyes twinkling. “Who’s more likely to… give in first?”

The audience chuckled. Naomi’s eyes widened, and Adrian felt a rush of protective, possessive desire. He leaned slightly toward her, voice low, meant only for her ears: “Depends… on what you mean by giving in.”

Her breath hitched. She smirked, trying to recover composure, but Adrian caught the subtle blush that warmed her cheeks. Damn her, he thought. She’s perfect at teasing me even when she’s trying not to.

The questions kept coming, playful, flirtatious, each designed to test their chemistry. Every laugh, every glance, every accidental brush of hands sent a shiver through him. Adrian’s mind was half-concentrating on the interview and half-absorbing every detail of Naomi: the curve of her neck, the way her eyes sparkled when she smiled, the slight bite of her lip when she was thinking.

Finally, during a break in the questioning, Adrian caught her alone by the balcony. The night air was cool, and the city lights painted the skyline in gold and silver. He closed the distance between them, the warmth of his body brushing against hers, heart hammering.

“You’re dangerous,” he murmured, voice low, brushing a thumb over her hand that still held the empty champagne flute. “Every look, every word—you make this impossible.”

Naomi met his gaze, eyes fiery, lips parted slightly. “One month, Adrian. Don’t forget.”

He smiled, almost smug, though his pulse was betraying him. “I’m not going to forget,” he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Not after the way you kissed me. Not after the way you…” He paused, lowering his voice to a husky whisper. “…made me feel.”

Her pulse quickened. Adrian could feel it through her hand. He could feel her fighting the magnetic pull between them. Good, he thought. I don’t want her to surrender too easily.

But as he leaned slightly closer, he caught the scent of her perfume, the warmth of her body, the almost imperceptible shiver when his fingers brushed hers, and he realized: the line between pretend and real was gone.

One month. Pretend engagement. Rules. Boundaries. All of it felt fragile now, threatened by the heat simmering between them. And Adrian didn’t want to resist.

He wanted her.