wanted by the CEO

Chapter 11- Confession and consequences

Naomi couldn’t stop thinking about the private moment with Adrian. Every glance, every brush of his hand lingered in her mind, igniting a heat that made her pulse race even during the quiet moments of her day. She tried to focus on her work, on the gallery, on anything else—but every time her thoughts wandered, she found herself replaying the feel of his lips on hers, the warmth of his body so close, the intensity of his golden eyes searching hers.

That evening, Adrian appeared at her apartment again. She hadn’t expected him, and the sudden sight of him leaning casually against her doorway made her chest tighten. His presence was commanding, intoxicating, impossible to ignore.

“You’re avoiding me,” he said softly, stepping inside before she could protest. “I can feel it.”

Naomi swallowed, trying to steady her voice. “I’m not… avoiding you. I’m just… thinking.”

“About what?” His voice was husky, low, and the way he tilted his head, watching her, made her pulse spike. “Tell me, Naomi. I need to know.”

She bit her lip, knowing that speaking the truth could unravel everything they had built, yet not speaking it felt heavier, suffocating. “I’m thinking about… us,” she admitted finally, voice barely above a whisper.

He stepped closer, the heat radiating from him almost unbearable. “Us?” he repeated, voice husky. “You mean… this pretending?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “Not pretending. I mean… you. I can’t stop thinking about you.” Her chest heaved as the confession left her lips. “And I don’t know how to handle it. I want this… I want you… but I’m scared.”

Adrian’s gaze softened, his hand brushing lightly against hers, thumb stroking her knuckles. “Naomi…” he murmured, voice low and filled with unspoken desire. “I’ve been feeling the same way. Every moment we’re apart, I’m thinking about you. Every look, every touch… I can’t ignore it either.”

Her breath hitched, her heart hammering. “Then… what do we do?” she whispered, desperate yet uncertain.

He leaned closer, their foreheads nearly touching, and the tension between them was electric. “We can’t stop this,” he said softly, almost a growl in his tone. “Pretending or not… I want you, Naomi. And I don’t want to wait anymore.”

Her chest tightened, every nerve on fire. She wanted to resist, wanted to remind herself of the one-month agreement, but the pull of him, the fire ignited by their kisses, was impossible to deny.

Adrian’s lips brushed her temple, his breath warm against her ear. “Do you trust me?” he murmured. “Because I want all of you, Naomi. Heart, mind… everything.”

Her fingers twitched, reaching for him despite herself. “I… I trust you,” she admitted, the words trembling but true. “But I’m scared. I don’t want to lose myself in this.”

He captured her hand, pressing it to his chest, letting her feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat. “You won’t lose yourself. I promise. But we’ll explore this… together. No pretending anymore.”

Naomi’s chest rose and fell rapidly, caught between fear and desire. Her lips parted, the heat in her body making her shiver. “Together…” she whispered, almost a plea.

Adrian’s golden eyes darkened, smoldering with want and something deeper—possessiveness, tenderness, and a fierce need. He leaned in slowly, giving her every chance to pull away—but she didn’t. She let herself lean closer, their lips meeting again, this time slower, deeper, more consuming. The kiss carried months of tension, longing, and unspoken confessions, leaving them both breathless and dizzy with desire.

When they finally parted, their foreheads resting together, Naomi realized the truth: pretending had ended. Boundaries had blurred, rules had shattered, and the consequences were deliciously intoxicating.

“Adrian…” she whispered, voice trembling, “what happens now?”

He smiled, brushing his thumb across her cheek. “Now,” he said, voice husky, “we stop pretending. We face this… together.”

And in that moment, Naomi understood: the risk, the fear, the desire—it was all worth it. Because the fire between them was unstoppable, and neither of them would ever go back.