CHAPTER 3

2 years ago…

Kai swallowed hard, trying to calm herself as she stared at the man in front of her.

Jarrel Grayson.

Dressed in a crisp white long-sleeved polo, the fabric hugged his toned arms, making every muscle visible. The way his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows revealed the prominent veins on his forearms, running down to his large hands.

Everything about him was overwhelming.

But despite that, she was glad she could still handle his presence.

One glance at him, and anyone would immediately recognize that he was the CEO of this place—powerful, composed, and untouchable. Yet, there he was, sitting across from her, staring at her with amusement flickering in his eyes. His lips remained in a thin, unreadable line—not smiling, not frowning.

“I have something to confess, love…” she muttered, pouting slightly, her nervousness evident.

Jarrel gently took both of her hands in his and brought them to his lips, kissing them softly, over and over again.

“What is it?” he asked, his voice as tender as his gestures. Her heart melted.

Taking a deep breath, Kai forced herself to meet his gaze.

“We talked about you last night—during dinner with my parents and Brother Kent.”

“Hmm…” he hummed, still kissing the back of her hands.

“And… my parents told me that…” She bit her lower lip. She didn’t want to say it, but he needed to know. ”…that they don’t like you for me.”

For a few seconds, they just stared at each other.

The silence was heavy.

She felt her heart pounding.

“Do you think I give a damn?” Jarrel asked softly, his voice calm, indifferent.

She was momentarily stunned. He truly didn’t care.

“I only care about you. The only thing I want… is you.”

With that, he tightened his grip on her hands, holding them with such tenderness that it made her breath hitch.

“You’re the only one I’ll listen to, Kai. The only thing that matters to me is how you feel.”

Her heart raced wildly.

She could control her heartbeat—but not the smile spreading across her lips.

He was making her feel how much he loved her.

The way he held her hands, so careful, so gentle—it was as if he was afraid of breaking her.

“You won’t leave me?”

The words slipped out before she even realized it.

Maybe because it was the only thing on her mind.

Her only fear.

“Who told you that?”

“Because… what if you leave me because my parents don’t like you?”

“Silly, they will like me…”

It sounded childish, but she couldn’t stop herself.

She needed to hear him say it—that he wouldn’t leave her just because of her parents.

“And besides, do you think I’d give up that easily?” His tone dropped, the last word laced with a hint of irritation.

But despite that, his grip on her hands remained gentle.

“You won’t leave me?” she repeated, desperate for reassurance.

“I will never leave you, Kai. Never. Trust my words, baby. Hold on to them, because when I say it, I mean it.”

She finally let out a relieved breath.

That was all she needed to hear.

Jarrel wouldn’t leave her—not just because of her parents.

And deep down, she believed that, in time, her parents would change their minds.

She would prove to them that Jarrel was the only man for her.

The only man she would love.

“I won’t leave you either, Jarrel. I will fight for you, no matter what. You are a perfect guy, handsome, tall, rich, smart, strong—”

“Enough, my head is already a big baby,” he whispered.

She got up from her chair and wrapped her arms around him.

Jarrel let out a low chuckle.

She didn’t care if people were watching—whether it was the staff or the customers in the café.

She was hugging the CEO.

And she was proud to tell the world that Jarrel Grayson was hers.

“I love you so much, Jarrel…” she whispered.

Jarrel pressed a kiss against her arm and whispered back, “Prove it to me, baby…”

His voice—deep, teasing, and sensual—sent shivers down her spine.

She giggled softly.

She knew that tone all too well.

“My pleasure.”

She leaned in, lightly nibbling his earlobe—just enough to make him groan.

She moved even closer, letting her breasts press against his arm.

“I want to make love to you…” she whispered into his ear.

Jarrel let out an even deeper groan—his body tensed.

God, that sound. It turned her on.

Without warning, he grabbed her hand and stood up.

Leaning close, his hot breath fanned against her lips as he murmured,

“In my office, baby… I miss your moans. I fucking miss tasting your sweetness…”

Jarrel’s voice was low, rough, and dripping with hunger.

His grip on her tightened, his fingers threading through hers with an undeniable possessiveness.

“You have no idea how much I’ve been craving you, Kai.”

His breath fanned against her ear, sending shivers down her spine as he leaned closer.

“Every night, I imagine you beneath me…” His thumb slowly traced circles on her wrist, a subtle tease that made her core tighten.

“Your legs wrapped around me. Your body trembling. Your lips calling my name—”

She sucked in a sharp breath, her knees nearly buckling under the weight of his words.

Damn him.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

“I’ve been patient, baby,” he continued, his deep voice turning dangerously soft. “Too patient.”

His fingers slowly ran up her arm, leaving a trail of heat in their wake.

“Do you know how many nights I’ve laid awake… thinking about how tight and warm you feel around me?”

Her lips parted—breath hitching, pulse racing.

Every inch of her body responded to him.

“You’ve been teasing me all night, Kai…” His fingers brushed along her thigh, making her body jolt. “Now, it’s my turn.”

The intensity in his eyes made her throat go dry.

She was drowning in him—in his touch, his voice, the heat of his body pressing into hers.

God.

How did he always reduce her to this?

“Let’s go.”

His voice was thick with need.

Jarrel didn’t wait for a response. His patience was gone.

He grabbed her hand firmly, possessively—his strides long, determined, predatory as he led her toward the exit.

People were watching. She could feel their eyes.

The CEO of Grayson Resorts, known for his cold, ruthless demeanor, was now a man who couldn’t keep his hands off the woman he desired.

He didn’t care.

Because right now, he only wanted one thing.

Her.

Completely.