DATING THE CEO

Chapter 15

Desiree watched as Lance made himself comfortable in the corner of the kitchen, slouching onto one of the chairs, his eyes dark with a mixture of exhaustion and undeniable tension. His earlier words still rang in her ears, his admission of wanting her—a slow, agonizing love that left her torn between her desires and her fears.

She couldn’t help but steal glances at him as she moved around the kitchen, trying to ignore the rush of emotions that stirred within her. Her heart pounded, and her thoughts raced in a confusing dance. There was the man who intrigued her, who made her laugh and feel things she hadn’t in a long time, and then there was the fear—the fear of how far she could let this go without losing herself.

Lance’s gaze never left her, and it made her feel both exposed and desired at the same time. The warmth of his attention made her nervous but strangely comforting, like she could stay in that moment forever and still be lost in his presence.

“Do you always cook like this?” Lance asked, breaking the silence. He gestured toward the almost burnt fish on the stove, the once vibrant tulingan now drying up as it continued to sizzle away in the pot. His tone was light, teasing, but his eyes were sharp, watching her every move.

Desiree froze for a moment, staring at the nearly ruined dish. She had been so caught up in her emotions, in the constant ebb and flow of her attraction and fear, that she hadn’t noticed how far gone the food was. “I... I usually make better meals,” she replied, her voice a little strained. “But this is what happens when you’re distracted.”

Lance smirked, but there was no malice in it. He was more amused by her reaction than anything else. “Distracted by what?” he asked, leaning forward slightly, his eyes never leaving hers.

“By you,” she admitted, her voice quieter now, a vulnerability creeping into her tone. She turned away, her face flushing with embarrassment at her own honesty.

Lance’s smirk softened into something more like admiration. He stood up and walked over to her, his steps quiet, deliberate. When he was close enough, he gently reached for her chin, turning her face toward him. The heat of his hand on her skin made her heart race even faster. “I make you nervous,” he murmured, his voice a velvet promise.

Desiree didn’t know how to respond to that, so she stayed silent, the fluttering in her chest betraying her every thought.

He didn’t wait for her answer. Instead, he leaned in, his lips brushing against her forehead, a tender kiss that lingered for a moment longer than expected. His touch, his kiss, it made her feel things that both terrified and excited her. It was as though with each passing moment, he was peeling back her defenses, and she didn’t know how much longer she could keep them intact.

She closed her eyes briefly, trying to steady herself, but when she opened them again, Lance was staring at her intently, his lips curling into a teasing grin. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

“What question?” she asked, still dazed from the kiss.

“Do you want me to make love to you?” His voice was low, seductive, almost as if he were daring her to admit it.

Desiree’s heart skipped a beat at the directness of his words. She opened her mouth to respond but couldn’t find the right words. She had been caught off guard by his straightforwardness, but more than that, she felt her body responding to his proximity, to the undeniable pull between them.

“I...” Her voice faltered, the words stuck in her throat. “I don’t know, Lance.”

Lance’s eyes darkened, the intensity in them growing. He took a step closer, his body heat radiating toward her, making her skin tingle. “You’re afraid,” he observed quietly, his gaze never leaving hers.

She couldn’t deny it. Her fear was so real, so palpable, it was suffocating. “I’m not afraid of you,” she whispered, even though she wasn’t sure if that was the truth. It was him, his intensity, the way he made her feel so exposed, so vulnerable.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Desiree,” Lance said softly, his voice unexpectedly gentle. “I just want to understand you. I want you to be honest with me.”

Desiree closed her eyes, trying to collect her thoughts. She had been running from the truth for so long, afraid to face what she really felt, and now here was Lance, demanding answers she didn’t know how to give.

She had been so used to being in control, to keeping her emotions at arm’s length, but Lance made her feel as though her control was slipping through her fingers, and it terrified her. But there was something in his eyes—something that told her he wouldn’t hurt her, even if it felt like he could break down every wall she had built.

“I don’t know if I’m ready,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Lance. I... I want to be with you, but I don’t know if I can handle it.”

Lance studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he reached out and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest. She stiffened at first, but then relaxed into his embrace, her head resting against his shoulder.

“I’m not going anywhere, Desiree,” he murmured into her hair. “We don’t have to rush. I’m willing to wait for you.”

Her breath hitched at his words, the sincerity in his voice washing over her like a wave. She didn’t know what the future held, or what would happen between them, but in that moment, she felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time: hope.

Desiree slowly pulled away from his embrace, looking up at him. His gaze was soft now, understanding.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you for being patient with me.”

Lance smiled, a genuine, warm smile that made her heart skip. “I’ll always wait for you, Desiree. Always.”

For the first time in a long while, Desiree felt like she wasn’t alone. She had someone who saw her for who she really was, who accepted her fears, her hesitations, and even her flaws. She had Lance. And for now, that was enough.

“Now, let’s eat,” Lance said, breaking the tension with a lighthearted tone, though there was still a glimmer of desire in his eyes.

Desiree laughed softly, feeling a weight lift from her chest. As they sat down at the table together, she realized that no matter how uncertain she was about the future, she was ready to take it one step at a time with Lance by her side.