CHAPTER 3

RONNELL POV

The sweet smell of Blair's Fragrance stays on my skin, a haunting remembrance of the intimacy we had shared. I closed my eyes to inhale deeply and moved back to the feel of her soft body huddled against mine but she was gone.

She had slipped out of the hotel suite earlier that morning, gathered her things, leaving a sweet and tempting kiss on my lips that only tended to tease me every now and then. The memory elicited an unfamiliar ache in my chest.

Fuck_ I just can't afford to feel this way about her or any woman.

With a frustrated sigh escaping my lips, I slipped out of bed and dragged myself into the bathroom. The cold floor offers a sharp contrast to the warmth I felt on the bed, a welcome distraction as I turned on the shower and stepped under the spray.

The water washes away the evidence of our night together, but it also does nothing to ease the deep turmoil in my mind. I shouldn't have given in to the attraction between us. I should have known better but when she looked up at me with those bright brown eyes and round pouty lips, her curves were practically tempting every part of me, I have never felt so attracted to any woman as I was to her yesterday.

All rational thought left. I was powerless and just couldn't resist the pull.

Now, I knew that I had to face the consequences. I knew I would see her again because Ella already made it known to me through a text message, and there was no avoiding the tension that would surely be hanging thick in the air because of what transpired between Blair and me.

I knew that we only just wanted to enjoy the moment but I just couldn't forget her soft moans and the feel of her nails digging into my back while she begged for me to F__k her even more. It would surely be hard to treat her as a business associate. How did I even let this happen? I had sworn not to get myself entangled with any woman, my heart had already been ripped off enough.

The dark side that lives inside me is too dangerous to expose to anybody but one unforgettable night with Blair and all those shields came crumbling down, leaving me totally vulnerable.

The hot water from the shower began to run cold, dragging me from my own thoughts. I turned it off and stepped out while grabbing a towel to dry off my wet body. There was no going back right now, I would just have to find a way to bury my feelings when we were together and avoid on acting on the slight attraction that meant nothing.

It's the only way to keep her safe, even if it means denying myself. Even though the one thing I crave the most right now was. Her.

•

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As I walked into my company building. I walked into the gym area to change into my outfit, few of my employees were in the gym already. They were practicing keenly and their grunts filled the entire air. This was my world as the CEO of Ronnel Roman Security Ltd.

I had kept focus on expanding my business and adding additional employers to my company. I just need some few help with closing the deals that will launch my business to the next level, straight out to the top global spotlight.

“Ronnell!” Ella's voice breaks through the noise in the gym, and I turn to see her waving at me with Blair by her side.

Blair looks like a breath of fresh air, stopping my heart momentarily, her choice of outfitting cascading over her alluring body. Her long hair was tied back with loose trends teasing her shoulders. Flashes of our incredible night together pass through my mind, creating a renewed desire to have her beneath me again. But I quickly veer my feelings towards the professional realm, suppressing any fanciful excitement.

“Hey, Emmanuella?” I greet, trying to keep my gaze steady and my voice as casual as possible. Although Blair had an effect on me. “Good to see you again, Blair.” I glimpsed in her direction.

“I figured that I was too busy yesterday that I hadn't properly introduced you both to each other!” Ella says with a grin while nudging Blair for a remark, clueless about how much we got to know each other last night. “You know what__ I was so glad that you two got to meet at the engagement party.”

Blair shoots Ella a playful glare before turning to me with a charming smile that got my heart racing. “Nice to see you again, Ronnell,” she says with a slight smirk.

“Ronnell,” Ella interjected, pulling my attention back to her. “I wanted you guys to really have the chance to talk about business. I have known Blair for a long time now and she is the perfect match to help you with your expansion. She is an amazing person that I trust to bring in a top mastery for your business.”

“Oh__really?” I asked folding my hands while I tried to hide the uncertainty in my voice. I knew that I couldn't deny my attraction to Blair, but I couldn't imagine this delicate, sensual woman going around working in my security firm with hardened men.

“C'mon Ronnell, you have got to trust.” Ella insists. “Blair here is more than capable to run this business. Why don't you give her a chance, and if she ain't what you want, then you can let her go.”

“Ella is right, why don't you give me a shot and if you think am not still good enough for you__ I would gladly leave.” Blair chimes in, her eyes meeting mine with so much confidence that surprises and intrigues me at the same time. “I'm good at what I do, and I take my work seriously___i think I could help you out with what you want.” Her eyes narrow slightly, perhaps noticing my space.

As much as I wanted to believe her, I just couldn't shake off the feeling of mixing business with pleasure because it might end badly for both of us. I looked around trying to stop myself from accepting this offer because my PTSD is easily triggered these days, and I need to be careful about who I let into my life.

“Please, Ronnell,” Ella begs further. “You have to please accept her, allow someone to help you this once. You can't always do it alone, and I promise you that you won't regret your choice.” she stares at me, knowing how stubborn I can be, and keenly aware of my cold heart due to the trauma I had faced.

But she's right. If I wanted my company to get to the global spotlight like I wanted, I needed an expert that I could perhaps trust. I had always trusted Ella to give me good decisions and recommending someone to me would only save me from the stress of interviewing anybody. “Why don't we discuss more details!” I finally agree, still resistant but willing to at least give Blair a chance. “To see if you're indeed good and fit for this business.”

“Sure__anything you want.” Blair nods, her eyes grow as she feels my cold gaze on her. Beneath her agreement to further our discussions, I could see that she was hurt by my distrust and space. Despite the intimacy we shared, I knew that I had to box all that away. It was just a one-night stand that should mean nothing, and I was determined to keep things professional between us at this point. And if that means treating her skeptically and blandly. Then that's how it going to be.

Ella grabs hold of Blair's arm and does a small dance. Their close, and playful relationship was evident, and I can't help but feel a twinge of envy. “This is just perfect and we should celebrate this!” She gushes happily.

“Come on, Blair,” she encourages her, giving her hands a squeeze. “Why don't you tell Ronnell that time you negotiated that massive deal for Hikvisiion and Dahua security?”

My eyes widen. “You mean…?” I stare at Ella, understanding now why she thought the collaboration would be good for my own company.

“She is exactly what you need, Ronnell.” She continues. “And, Blair, you could use this as a cool-off from Smith bullshit.”

“Ella!” Blair barks, embarrassment written all over her face.

“Sorry,” Ella murmured sheepishly, finally releasing Blair from the embrace. “I know that I might be crossing the limit but it's the truth. You deserve better___you need to move on, and this job is just the perfect one.”

I throw my hands. “Okay. I think we are done here.” I turn my attention to the group of employees. The smell of their sweat aggressively filled the entire area. “We have a meeting, soon. Freshen up, everyone!” I announced.

I glanced back at Blair, she may be beautiful and passionate but I need someone who can deliver good results for my company. And I have to keep reminding myself—-business first.