GETTING THE HEART OF THE CEO

Lindsey marched into her office unexpectedly, circling her desk. As she sat down, she caught a glimpse, out of the corner of her eye, of Kyle drawing a satisfied smile on his lips. She scowled at him. Without averting his gaze from his prey, Kyle sat down in front of her and, with a cold but animated voice, commented, "Congratulations! I see you were able to recover your mother's company." "Thanks!" With raised eyebrows and self-assured, she inquired, "Would you like to sell me the 45% of the shares you hold?"

"These shares are not for sale. I'm interested in doing business with this company."

"You have your advertising and fashion companies. This company means nothing to you; it's bankrupt, and I don't see the interest," she tried to persuade him.

"With my help, we can form a team, and you'll see that in no time, your company will be a major player in the market. Besides, I'll be the main buyer of raw materials."

"Mr. Pratt, I don't want to have any dealings with you, and I don't want you in my life. I don't need you for this company to thrive. With my skills, it will soon be one of the most important in the country."

Kyle was dumbfounded by the firmness of her voice. He saw her more womanly, but with the same aura of sweetness and intelligence that he had always remembered. During the meeting, he found out that she was still single. From that moment on, he resolved to win back his wife at all costs.

"I know you're capable of achieving that and much more, but our deal is commercial."

"As I perceive that you won't agree to sell the shares, I will appreciate it if you try to keep minimal contact with me. My assistant will be at your disposal to provide you with the strategic plan that is being evaluated for implementation. Since we have nothing else to discuss, please leave my office."

Kyle got up from the chair, adjusting his suit and giving her a once-over. He couldn't stand having her so close and not being able to taste those full lips that called to him. He watched her grab some documents and apply the cold shoulder. Without thinking, he agilely took a few steps and circled the desk.

Suddenly, Lindsey felt a hand lifting her and pulling her against the wall. Due to the impact, she didn't have time to react; she could only perceive that familiar scent of citrus she inhaled with delight. She lifted her head and only saw intense sapphires that wanted to pierce her. There, she could detail his features. She had to admit that the years had treated him very well. She swallowed, seeing how sexy he looked. Unconsciously, she bit her lower lip. Realizing it, she mentally reprimanded herself, trying to free herself while shouting.

"Let me go, idiot! Don't touch yourself! I just told you that I don't want any contact with you, and it's the first thing you do." She wriggled trying to free herself, but the more she did, the more entangled she became in his arms. "Lin! You look so beautiful," he whispered gently as he looked at her with tenderness. Many times, he missed having her in his arms. She was the only woman who had pierced his heart and mind. He even believed he was obsessed and crazy to think about her for 5 years.

"Let me go! Or I'll scream. My bodyguards will beat you up, and I don't care that you're my partner," she shouted angrily.

"Scream if you want, little doll." He brought his nose to her hair to inhale her scent. "I missed your fragrance so much. Your bodyguards can beat me, you can despise me, but I won't let you go. You don't know how much I dreamed of being like this with you. Since I saw you, you awakened in me the desire to love the same woman again. Now that I've found you, I won't let you go. Tell me, little doll, haven't you missed me?"

Lindsey's skin tingled as she heard him speak. Suddenly, she felt him kiss her softly, sucking on her lower lip. She tried to push him away, but he pressed even harder. She tightly closed her mouth, denying access to his tongue that sought entry. Unable to resist any longer, she let desperation invade her mouth.

Kyle was thrilled as he felt her relax. He could tell that she wasn't indifferent and was enjoying it. He pulled away from her due to a lack of air.

She had closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she was met with bright sapphires and a playful smile. She squirmed to free herself and, glaring at him, shouted, "What's so funny? Let me go! Are you laughing at me? You'll see when I break free from your grip."

"I'm not laughing at you but at how good it feels to taste your lips again. You needed it, little doll. Your kisses are still as delicious and desired as before." He let her go.

Lindsey, feeling liberated, delivered a strong slap, making Kyle bring his right hand to his cheek to soothe it.

"I'm not your toy for you to kiss whenever you feel like it." She felt powerless, not wanting to hear him. She approached her desk, grabbed her purse, and quickened her pace to leave her office. She walked almost trembling down the hallway until she reached the conference room where her friends were.

"Lin! Are you okay?" Isa asked, noticing her restlessness.

"Everything's fine! Let's go eat." She tried to stay calm, not wanting to give explanations.

The four of them left the building, laughing, heading towards the parking lot. Dexter went to his car, just like Janna. A bodyguard opened the back door of the car for Isa and Lin. As Isa was getting in, several shots were fired in Lin's direction. Oscar, as best as he could, covered her with his body while the other bodyguard began shooting in the direction of the gunfire.

Kyle was already in his car when he heard the shots. He got scared when he saw who they were aimed at. He quickly got out of his car, told his people to provide support, and walked firmly towards Lin's car, embracing her tightly. When he managed to pull away from her, he began checking her.

"Are you okay?" The gunfire had stopped, and he was exasperated.

She, trembling, heard the sound of tires screeching and a car engine decreasing as it drove away.

"Talk to me, my love. Are you hurt?"

"I'm not your love! And you didn't check me; you could have verified that I'm fine. Was it necessary to grope me?" She shouted, raising an eyebrow.

Kyle became furious, not understanding why she spoke to him like that in the middle of such a situation. In a deep voice, he responded, "I made sure you weren't hurt."