Chapter 12

Chloe Madden

Carter watched me with an intensity that made my pulse quicken, his eyes dark and unreadable. His command hung in the air, and for a moment, I hesitated. This was a dangerous game, one where the stakes were high, and yet I couldn’t afford to walk away now.

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his gaze on me as I slowly removed my coat, letting it slip from my shoulders and drop to the floor. His eyes never left mine, and I could see the satisfaction in his smirk as I walked back toward him.

Carter's hands rested on my waist, guiding me onto his lap. As I settled onto him, the heat of his body against mine was both unnerving and thrilling. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer until our faces were just inches apart. I could feel his breath on my skin, and my heart raced as I struggled to maintain my composure.

"Now," he said, his voice a low whisper, "let's talk about what you need from me."

I took a deep breath, trying to focus on the mission. "We need yo