CHAPTER 5

BLAIR POV

The moment I finished making the call, I walked back to Ronnell's office to notice that he had finished his conversation with Ella. I composed myself while he reviewed my work. Well, mostly.

My cheeks still burn at the thought of our first night together, his fingers running through every angle of my body, and the sight of him sitting in front of me right now, looking very gorgeous, made my body quiver.

I just couldn't deny the chemistry I felt between us, as much as I might want to. It was foolish of me to think one incredible night with him wouldn't impact things or make our working relationship awkward. Ronnell wheels something deep inside me, a craving I have never known. And it was one that threatens to consume me whole if I'm not careful.

“Blair, are you here with us?” Ronnell's voice brought me back from my thoughts.

I can't even remember what we had been discussing, and it all thanks to him, he was just too close to me and staring at me with those seductive eyes of his___.

Breathe.

I draw in a deep breath. “I'm sorry, can you repeat that?”

“I was just asking if you could tell us about the contract of Mr. Mathews, how is it going?” Ronnell says, cocking his head like he was wondering if I was okay.

“Yeah___he says that his company had been through theft recently, he wants us to help investigate the issue because the cops aren't being fair to him,” I say, pasting my most professional smile.

“Alright, I will talk to my team. We should probably finish up if we want to review the latest offers before the next meeting.”

“Right!” I responded by staring at the opened file on the table, and back to Ronnell who looks almost nervous, though I'm sure that's impossible. As we worked, I could feel the weight of his gaze on me. It takes every ounce of willpower not to turn and meet those deep green eyes, to get lost once more in their depth.

This partnership was going to be the death of me, I just know it.

•

•

It had been almost a month, and I had survived working for Ronnell, it was 6.50 a.m. when I walked into his office. “You're early?” his deep voice echoed in the office.

“I couldn't sleep.” I shrug, trying to avoid his gaze.

“Same here.” He said pulling the laptop in front of his desk open, his eyes darkening. “The last contract was shit,” he growls out of nowhere. “Who on earth approved that garbage?”

I fold my hands and keep my face stern. “You did. Two weeks ago, remember?”

He scowls, running a hand through his hair. “Well__ I changed my mind.”

“You can't just change your mind, sir. This client is a big shot for the company, and we would be losing a lot of money if we drop this job.”

He stood up from his chair and paced the area like a caged beast. “I don't think that's your area of expertise, right? Why don't you stick to your work and don't get involved in this,”

I scoff at him so hard my face starts to hurt. Anger flares in my chest at his unreasonable behavior. “You hired me to give you my own opinion, remember? I'm just trying to be reasonable right now so you don't end up making a stupid decision you would regret later.”

“I didn't hire a watchdog, Blair,” he snaps back. “I have been running this business for years without your help___ you can't dictate my choices for me.”

I sucked in a sharp breath at his words, his eyes widened as if realizing his mistake, but the ravage had been done. Without a single word, I turned on my heels, prepared to storm out of his office, ignoring his call for me to come back.

Despite our clashes with business that had led to multiple arguments, I had never heard him snap at me like he just did, and he had never insinuated that I wasn't needed. I thought we were past this point.

Ever since Ella came to visit last time. I have been working fifteen hours a day and he still marks the hell out of every line and copy I submit to him.

Some of the things he marks are ridiculous, too.

Honest to God, he complained about my margins last time. The worst part is that some of his suggestions were good. The bosshole attitude he had been giving me drove me crazy, but I never complained.

“Blair, stop,” he demands. But I ignored him and grabbed the door knob. His hands grip my shoulder. “Stop, please.” His voice came more of a whisper. “I know that I might have said things out of line but can we please start again?”

I slow my pace and turn to look at him, ready to tell him to fuck off. But he looked tired, the lines around his eyes more pronounced. He seemed to be going through more than I realized.

“Can we please talk?” He asks.

I gave a slight nod. “You want to talk more about the client deal?”

“It has nothing to do with the client or the deal they offered.” He says running a hand through his hair in frustration, he stares at me and sighs again. “I owe you an apology. I acted like a jackass, and I'm sorry about that.”

Surprise flickered through me at his apology. “Oh,”

“I shouldn't have said any of the things I said about your opinion not needed here. That was very stupid and unfair of me.” His gaze lifted to mine, green eyes piercing. “The truth is that I need your help and I want you to stay.”

I knew that I should just leave and not look back but he was unpredictable and erratic. And at the same time, he was just too charming and likable. It was a terrible combination but I see the look in his eyes, the need for loyalty and assistance.

“Fine,” I say, turning back.

His shoulder lowered from their tense position. Pressing his lips together, he finally spoke again.

“Are you worried about my negotiations?”

The quick switchback gives me a second thought. “Not worried, I'm trying to stay focused and do my job right.”

“Great,” he says then glances at my outfit. As if assessing something. “Perhaps we could use some distraction elsewhere.”

My brows knit together in confusion, sensing his returned arrogance oozing off of him.

“Follow me!” He said as we walked out of the office towards the gym room. I watched as Ronnell walked towards the middle mat, demonstrating a choke hold on an invisible partner. His muscular arm flexes as he secures the fake hold, and a wave of heat dries over me. I clench my jaw, pushing the unwanted attraction aside. We have a lot of work to cover up and this wasn't the right time for this.

He signals for me to join him on the mat but I shake my head, pushing away the invitation. “I don't think I have a lot of time to finish this!” I tip my folder at him. “We have a lot to finish up or we won't meet up with the meeting,” I said with a slight grin, hoping he didn't notice the nerve twisting in my stomach.

“I was hoping to start with that but I don't think we can when you look tensed, you need quick work out, it's perhaps time you learned some skill if you want to keep working in my security company.” His lips quirks up on one side. “Unless you are afraid that you can't keep up with any of this.”

I scoff at his challenging tone. “In your fu___king dreams. Just because you're some big top-shot security guy doesn't mean I can't wipe the mat off you.”

He gave a slight chuckle that could swallow me right up before speaking. “Why don't you prove it?” He holds up his hands. “Why don't you try coming at me with everything you've got.”

I gently pulled off my shoes while I could feel my heart thumping very hard beneath my chest. I stepped onto the mat, mirroring his stance.

Here we go again, allowing our competitive spirit to get the better of us. But I just couldn't back down from a challenge, and neither can he. This is the exact push and pull that frustrates and thrills me. I just hope I don't do something that I might end up regretting.

Like kissing that smug grin right off his face. I stared at him, trying to think of a weak point to get at him. I aimed to kick at his ribs but he was quick to deflect. He retaliates with a series of quick jabs and I dodge with a hairbreadth, my heart pounding as I duck and weave around him.

“Already feeling defeated?” He says with a mocking smirk, and it's the only motivation I need to attack again. Our bodies clash and I grapple very hard, each of us fighting for the upper hand, and I'm acutely aware of every point of contact between us.

The vigor in his hands as he grabs my wrists, and the solid warmth of his chest against my back when he pulls me against him made my legs a little shaky.

His minty breath was hot on my neck___ I wrenched away from him with a soft growl, chest heaving as I put some space between us. The sexual tension was getting unbearable, setting my whole nerves on fire, and I could see the same heat-reflecting in his own eyes. I know he feels the pull as strongly as I do, no matter how much he tries to deny it.

“Well,” he raises an eyebrow, smugness radiating off him in waves. “Don't tell me I have worn you out already,”

“You wish,” I spit again, louder this time to cover the breathlessness in my voice. I launch myself at him once more and we wrestle across the mat, each fighting for domination we refuse to give over.

Until he pins me beneath him, my wrist captured above my head, while I straddled my hips. Victory gleams in his eyes and I buck against him, straining to break his hold, but it's of no use. I'm caught fast in a grip, our bodies pressed together in a way that steals the breath from my lungs.

“Do you now accept defeat?” his voice is a low rumble against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I swallow hard, acutely aware of the position we are in, and the only thing I could accept was the desire burning through my veins at our close proximity.

“I'm not one to accept defeat easily.” I grit out, just as the bell in the room chimes. In one swift move, Ronnell is off me, reaching his hand to help me up, as a loud crashing startles us and pulls our attention across the gym.

My jaw dropped as I stared at Smith, standing with a heavy Gym punching bag lying at his feet and a furious scowl twisting his features. His gaze zeroes on Ronnell, and then on me, and when he speaks, his voice is laced with venom.