Seducing the Ice-Cold CEO

Chapter 10

Leah

The silence on the line after my little grandmotherly lie told me everything I needed to know. Dante didn’t believe a word of it. Still, after a beat, he exhaled barely and said, “Fine. You can come check.”

I sat straighter, already biting back my victorious smile. “Great. I can swing by your office later today—”

“I’m not in the office.”

“Oh.” I blinked. “Then where should I—?”

“My home.”

Just two words, but my brain nearly short-circuited trying to process them. His home. That meant somewhere personal, maybe even somewhere secluded. And if I was lucky, maybe somewhere I could move on with my plan.

“I don’t mind,” I replied casually, even though I was holding my breath. “That works for me.”

“I’ll have Hensley send the address.” He hung up without a goodbye.

I stared at my phone in stunned silence. And then, very slowly, I grinned. I wanted to jump up and scream. Instead, I balled my fist and punched the air under my desk, a tiny, triumphant gesture.

Esther glanced up from her monitor with a furrowed brow. “Are you okay?”

I gave her the most unbothered smile I could muster. “Never been better.”

Her eyes narrowed, suspicious, but she said nothing. I looked down at myself, dressed in a white blouse, navy pencil skirt and black pumps. It was a solid work outfit, polished and professional. But it wasn’t… captivating. Not for someone like Dante, who could probably spot an ounce of desperation from a mile away. No, I needed to walk a finer line today. I needed to look good, but not ‘trying too hard’ good.

I had to stop by the apartment; the blouse would be the first thing to go. It was far too stiff and businesslike. I slung my bag over my shoulder and began mentally composing the message I’d send to my boss explaining I was leaving early. I’d smooth that over later. Right now, I had priorities. Mainly: changing into something that made me look like a woman Dante would think twice about dismissing.

The moment I got home, I tore through my wardrobe like a hurricane. I finally settled on a soft rust-colored top that clung just enough, tucked into high-waisted black trousers that made my legs look miles long. Not too obvious. Just… smartly irresistible. I left my hair down and gave it a quick run through with a curling wand for some effortless waves. A spritz of perfume and a swipe of tinted gloss, and I was out the door.

Just as I stepped onto the sidewalk, my phone buzzed.

Hensley: Mr. Kerlsen asked me to forward this to you. Kindly be on time.

Attached was a pin to a location. I tapped it and watched the information load on my screen. Of course it was a mansion. The cab ride over felt longer than it was, my nerves at war with my anticipation as I arrived. The property was sprawling, surrounded by a high wall and a massive steel gate. A camera angled down at me as I stepped out of the car.

“Leah Sparrow,” I said as I pressed the intercom. The gate opened without a word.

I walked through with my heart pounding, discreetly taking in my surroundings as I walked up to the house. I smoothed my hair back with one hand and pressed the doorbell, pasting a pleasant smile onto my face. I kept telling myself it wasn’t a date, that I was simply here to retrieve my earring, but the pounding in my chest said otherwise.

I expected the door to open and Dante to be standing there but the moment I heard the soft click and felt the whoosh of air from the hinges, I realized the door was an automatic one and had opened on its own. My smile dropped. Right. Of course the richest man in the city had an automatic door. I stepped inside slowly, my eyes sweeping across the living room. It was designed in those deep neutrals that spoke of quiet wealth. I’d planned to be a little nosy, maybe just a harmless glance around but my gaze snagged on something that pulled me like gravity.

Dante was standing at the far end of the room and he turned as he heard the door open. He wasn’t doing anything, and yet, he looked like a painting, the kind that made people stop and stare.

Something electric flashed through me as we locked eyes. I couldn’t name it, but it made my chest feel tight and my feet feel heavy all at once. I swallowed and took a hesitant step forward.

“I’m… I’m here for the earring,” I blurted out. Brilliant, Leah.

Without speaking, he gestured toward the glass table beside him, and there it was, the missing half of my ‘grandmother’s pair’. I stared at it in disbelief for a second. Honestly, I hadn’t expected he’d actually find it, but now I felt both surprised and… weirdly touched. I walked over and picked it up, slipping it into the small pocket of my bag. As I did, something on the cabinet just behind the table caught my eye. I recognized its familiar silver edge. No way. It was Alina’s latest album.

I took a half-step closer to make sure I wasn’t imagining it. No, it was definitely hers. I’d planned to attend her concert with Ethan once, before everything between us fell apart.She was one of my favorite artists, if not my favorite. I never imagined Dante would be the type to listen to her.

“I didn’t take you for an Alina fan,” I said, turning back toward him.

He was still watching me. “I’m not exactly one, more of a casual listener.”

The air between us felt… loaded, like the space between a spark and a flame.

“Have you been to any of her concerts?” I asked, hoping for something, anything to keep him talking. I moved toward him slowly, but before he could respond, a loud thud echoed from down the hall, followed by a muffled curse. It was a woman’s voice, clearly frustrated and not trying to be quiet.

I froze and something sharp pricked in my chest. Was he… seeing someone? She sounded young. As he looked towards the direction the sound had come from, I saw him shake his head, something fond in his expression.

“Anyway,” I said quickly, my voice too high. “Thanks for finding it. I really appreciate it.” I was already halfway to the door, my earring safely stashed away, my stomach twisted into something unpleasant. I could still feel his gaze on my back. If Dante really had a girlfriend, then all the time and effort I had invested would be wasted. I should leave, but I found myself pausing and turning back to him.

“You, uh…” I gestured vaguely toward the cabinet. “Would your girlfriend mind if I borrow the album? I’ve been meaning to get my hands on it.”

Something flared in his eyes as he said, “She’s not my girlfriend.”

My fingers curled around the strap of my bag. “Oh.” Relief hit me so fast I almost laughed. Instead, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “That’s good,” I said.

He took a step closer. “What’s good about it?”

My heart stuttered. I looked up at him. “Just… less likely to be misunderstandings that way.”

His eyes didn’t leave mine. “What kind of misunderstandings?”

I felt the heat creep up my neck as he stopped in front of me. Too close. I cleared my throat and forced a laugh. “I just meant, if she saw me and thought I was here for—never mind.” The intoxicating cologne he wore lingered in the air between us. I hated how much I liked it, how it made me forget what excuse I was supposed to say.

“You think my niece would misunderstand you being here,” he said slowly, reaching out to tilt my chin upwards. “Why? What exactly are you here for, Leah?”

That first sentence made my stomach drop. His niece…which meant…Ashley.

A cold chill skated down my spine. I forced myself not to react, but inside, my brain was screeching. Ashley’s here? Now? My eyes darted toward the hallway, half-expecting her to come strolling out like she owned the world. If Ashley saw me here alone with Dante in his home, she would know for sure. She’d know exactly why I was here, and she’d ruin it.

I pasted on a smile, light and airy. “Ah. Right. Of course.” I pulled my phone from my bag, pretending to check a notification I hadn’t received. “You know, I just remembered I actually have somewhere I need to be. It totally slipped my mind.”

Dante looked at me, that unreadable expression back on his face. Without waiting for him to respond, I turned on my heel and made my way to the door.

“Ms. Sparrow,” he said behind me, voice low. I stopped. “Next time,” he added, “you might want to come up with a better lie.”

I turned just enough to flash him a grin. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Fine, I told myself as I walked down the driveway. Retreat today. Regroup tomorrow.

I wasn’t done with Dante yet.