Chapter 78

Annie's POV

I watched as Mr. Morgan appeared in Howard's office less than twenty minutes after Catherine hung up the phone. When he walked in and saw me sitting in the meeting area, wariness flashed in his eyes.

My heart was still soaring from the joy of having just made my relationship with Howard official. We were no longer "pretending" to be a couple! The thought made my heart flutter, making it almost impossible to focus on the upcoming meeting.

"You really want them to be part of this conversation?" Mr. Morgan asked Howard,his tone carrying obvious concern as he glanced toward Catherine and me.

Howard's face remained characteristically calm. "One is your daughter, the other is my girlfriend. They're both trustworthy."

My heart skipped a beat hearing those words. The way he said "my girlfriend" carried a gentle possessiveness I'd never heard before, making me want to reách for his hand-though I certainly restrained that impulse in such a formal setting.

The brief explanation seemed to satisfy Mr. Morgan. He nodded, while Catherine watched her father nervously, an emotion I'd never seen her display before.

Then, Mr.Morgan began explaining the North City project to Howard in detail.Though their conversation was filled with technical terms that made it difficult for me to fully understand, I could read Howard's reactions-his eyes focused and sharp, occasionally nodding or furrowing his brow, his fingers precisely pointing out key data in the documents.

I found myself unable to concentrate on the meeting content, my gaze involuntarily drawn to Howard.

Watching his long fingers handling the documents, I couldn't help but imagine them unbuttoning my blouse, sliding across my bare skin and the shivers they would senid through my body. My breathing became slightly rapid as my mind flashed back to our interrupted kiss. If no one had walked in, would he have pressed me against his desk? I secretly glanced at the strong outline visible beneath his suit pants, my cheeks burning hot,unconsciously pressing my thighs together.

I tried to focus, but failed miserably. Every time Howard leaned closer,his cologne wrapped around me like an intimate embrace. When his fingers briefly touched my hand on the table, electricity shot through me, making me bite my lip to stay composed.

Get it together, Annie. This is a business meeting, not a fantasy.

His brilliance captivated me as much as his body. The way he dissected complex business problems reminded me of a chess master-always three moves ahead. Mr. Morgan's expressions shifted from skepticism to admiration as Howard spoke, and I felt an unexpected flutter of pride.This man is mine now. The thought made me dizzy with a strange possessive pleasure I'd never experienced with Philip.

"Now I am Howard's girlfriend," I silently repeated this fact to myself,feeling as though I was living in a dream I hardly dared believe. This new identity brought a warm joy to my heart, and though I knew challenges might lie ahead, in this moment I just wanted to savor this hard-won happiness.

Finally, Mr. Morgan admitted, "I know what to do now."

Howard simply responded, "Good, contact me when the time is right."

Before leaving, Mr. Morgan looked at me, then said to Catherine, "Howard likes your friend, which means she must be quite extraordinary."

I could sense the meaning behind these words-he had hoped his daughter might catch Howard's attention, but now he realized that a man like Howard might be more than his daughter could handle.

Catherine proudlly lifted her chin. "Of course! Why do you think I became friends with her?"

Mr. Morgan shook his head with a smile. "This is the first time you've chosen the right friend,Catherine."

After Mr. Morgan left, Catherine briefly explained their plan-wait for the other party to withdraw funding, then Howard would step in. My understanding of business strategies was limited, but I could appreciate the brilliance of Howard's thinking.

"You're so clever," Catherine said to Howard. "I was just complaining about that jerk trying to force me into marriage, and you came up with the perfect solution."

Howard calmly responded, "In business, thinking several moves ahead is a basic skill."

After a brief conversation, Catherine decided she needed to take learning about her family business more seriously. "I guess I'll just have to work harder while I'm young," she finally said, leaving the office with disappointment.

After Catherine left, Howard immediately walked to the door,locked it,then turned to face me.

"Finally, just the two of us," he said, his voice low enough to make my heart race. "Today's discussion went on too long."

He walked toward me, his gaze carrying a burning focus that reminded me of a predator eyeing its prey. But the feeling wasn't frightening-instead,it made my skin tingle with anticipation.

"You were impressive," I said softly, looking up at hím. "Mr. Morgan's admiration for you was obvious."

Howard smiled noncommittally and pulled me into his arms. "I care more about what you think."

When his lips met mine, all thoughts of business negotiations vanished.His kiss started gently but quickly grew eager, his arms holding me tightly against him, allowing me to feel the heat and strength of every inch of his body. I instinctively leaned into him, my arms encircling his neck, feeling his heartbeat.

As the kiss deepened, I could feel Howard's body responding,his desire evident against my abdomen. I wondered what his skin would fee1 like without clothes as a barrier. How would those hands that normally signed contracts and handled documents move across my body? What would those eyes, usually calmly analyzing problems, look like when he lost control?

Howard's hand slid from my back to my waist, then moved lower to my hips,pulling me tighter against him. I could feel my breathing becoming rapid, a warm sensation spreading through me. His other hand gently caressed my cheek, his thumb tracing my lower lip before he kissed me deeply again.

I immersed myself in this moment of intimacy, feeling his breáth surrounding me, my heart filled with indescribable longing and anticipation. Just as we were both about to lose control, the office door was suddenly pushed open...