Chapter 17

Annie's POV

Philip's retreating figure had barely disappeared when Howard's phone rang. I was still tingling from his touch, the warmth of his fingers intertwined with mine sending electricity through my entire body. The way he'd claimed me as his girlfriend made my heart race - not just his words, but the possessive edge in his voice that hinted at desires barely contained beneath his controlled exterior.

His expression shifted as he answered the call, but his eyes remained on me, dark with an intensity that made my breath catch. "Yes... I understand... I'll be there immediately." He ended the call, stepping closer."The merger..."

"Go," I said quickly, though every nerve in my body screamed to stay near him."I'll catch a cab home."

"Wait." He caught my hand, his thumb tracing slow circles on my palm that made my skin burn. The simple touch somehow felt more intimate than our passionate encounter days ago. "The company library has an excellent collection, and there's a professional art studio. Would you like to spend the day there?Drawing,reading?" I looked up at him, catching the flicker of desire in his eyes before his careful mask slipped back into place. My pulse quickened at the memory of how that mask had shattered when he'd kissed me in the kitchen,how his controlled demeanor had crumbled under the force of our mutual need. "Won't I disturb your work?" My voice came out breathier than intended. His lips curved in that smile that made heat pool in my belly. "Not at all."

He leaned closer, his cologne - that intoxicating blend of tobacco and something darker - wrapping around me like a caress. "And we can pick up Lucy together after work."

How could I resist when he looked at me like that, his controlled voice carrying undertones that made me shiver? I nodded, already anticipating hours of sweet torture, knowing he was just rooms away.

Howard Technologies headquarters rose like a monument to power and success,but all I could focus on was Howard's hand at the small of my back as he guided me through the lobby. Each touch, though perfectly professional, carried echoes of that night -his fingers tangled in my hair,his mouth hot against my neck...

The curious glances and whispered conversations that followed our progress barely registered through the haze of awareness that surrounded us. This was his domain, where he was king, and watching him command this space with such effortless authority only heightened my attraction to him.

"This will be your space," he said, opening the door to a bright corner room. The windows offered a stunning view, but not as stunning as the way the morning light played across his features, highlighting the strong line of his jaw, the subtle gold in his carefully trimmed beard. An easel had been set up near the natural light, but my fingers itched to trace his profile instead. The women exchanged knowing looks. "Just a caretaker?" Amanda's perfectly sculpted eyebrow arched, "Mr. Thompson has never brought a woman to the office before. And that private art studio..." "He must really trust you with Lucy," another chimed in. Her name badge read 'Jennifer - HR'. "Though with his position and looks,he has plenty of "The library's through that door, and my office is just down the hall." His voice remained steady,but his eyes burned with barely concealed heat as they met mine. The air between us crackled with tension, heavy with everything we couldn't say or do in this professional setting. "I have meetings all morning, but my secretary can helpif you need anything." He stepped closer, fingers brushing my cheek in a touch that seemed to sear my skin. The careful restraint in his movements only emphasized the passion simmering beneath the surface. "I'Il try to join you for lunch."

After he left, I explored the room, trying to calm my racing heart.Everything was perfect, professional-grade -just like Howard himself,with his impeccable exterior hiding such delicious depths of passion. The memory of how that passion had finally broken free made me press my thighs together, fighting a wave of desire.

But lunch brought me crashing back to reality.

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The company cafeteria was sleek and modern, like everything else in the building. I'd barely settled at a corner table when three women approached,their designer outfits and perfect makeup making me acutely aware of my own appearance.

"You must be the lady Mr. Thompson brought in this morning," the tallest one said, sliding into the seat across from me. "I'm Amanda from Marketing."

"Annie," I replied, forcing a smile. "I'm Lucy's caretaker." options. Half the women here would kill for a chance with him."

"Well,well," the third added with a knowing smirk. "Mr. Thompson has...particular tastes in companionship. Not that anyone's had much luck."

The women exchanged meaningful glances that made my cheeks burn.

"Though his mother keeps trying to arrange proper matches," Amanda sighed. "As if someone like Mr. Thompson would be interested in settling down."

My appetite vanished as their insinuations hung in the air. The way they spoke of Howard painted a picture of a man far removed from the gentle soul who cared so deeply for Lucy. For me, our night together had meant everything. But for someone like him... perhaps it was just another fleeting moment.

They were right-what was I doing here? The passionate moments we'd shared suddenly felt like a dream.Howard could have anyone. Someone who understood his world, who could navigate board meetings and charity galas. Not a divorced mother who'd never even owned designer shoes.

The drive to pick up Lucy was heavy with unspoken words. Howard sat close enough that his warmth tantalized me, his cologne making my head spin with memories of passion. But the doubts had taken root too deeply to be erased even by the magnetic pull between us. "How did you find the company?" His voice carried that controlled warmth that both thrilled and terrified me now. "The studio was lovely," I managed, fighting the urge to reach for him."The library too." "Would you like to come back tomorrow?"

I made a noncommittal sound, staring out the window. How could I explain that every minute in his world only emphasized how much I didn't belong there, no matter how right we felt together?

Lucy was waiting at the school gates, but something was wrong. Her usual bright smile was missing, and she climbed into the car without her customary "Mom!" greeting. My heart sank further- had she somehow sensed the change between Howard and me? Was she upset about it?

"Lucy, sweetheart?" I tried, but she just stared out the window, silent as she'd been before I entered their lives.

All I could feel was darkness closing in. What was I doing? Playing at being a girlfriend to a CEO? Pretending I could be a mother to his niece?Sarah and Philip were right-I was out of my depth.

Howard's earlier words - "She's my girlfriend" - had seemed so certain this morning. Now they felt like a dream, something too beautiful to survive in the harsh light of reality. I was just Annie Baker, a divorced mother who'd somehow stumbled into a world she didn't understand.

As we pulled up to the mansion, Lucy rushed inside without a backward glance. Howard reached for me, his touch sending sparks of electricity through my body even now. But I pulled away, ignoring the flash of hurt in his eyes. "Annie..," The way he said my name still made my heart race, but I couldn't let myself be swept away again. "I should check on Lucy," I said quickly, fleeing before he could see the tears threatening to fall, before the magnetic pull between us could override my common sense again.

What had I been thinking? Some fairy tales weren't meant to come true.no matter how passionate the chemistry between its characters.