Ife Anyi
Ife Anyi's Book(1)
I Cannot Quit on the CEO
Romance His voice dropped a tempo as he spoke again. It was deep and almost seductive.
“I don’t think I’ve properly apologized for this mess I’ve put you in. But I’ve given it much thought, and I've concluded it’s not working out. For me, it’s not. So, I want to say that I’m sorry for everything. You did not deserve it. I shouldn’t have given you any ideas if I didn’t maintain my stand. We...”
“It’s fine. Apology accepted. I’m not mad. You told me before that you didn’t date, right? You have casual flings like Julia and Janice. I get it...you don’t have to apologize,” Elsie said in a small voice, cutting Luca off.
“And if you’re apologizing because you want us to be cordial and friendly with each other, then I can try,” she added, uncertainty tinged in her tone.
Luca swallowed hard. He did not want anything cordial or friendly with Elsie. He wanted to consume her, ruin her, and show her what it felt like to be with someone like him. None of that was cordial or friendly.
“Can’t do that, Elsie,” he said in a husky voice.
“Uh, okay. That settles it, then. I’m just your employee, and you’re my boss.”
“Fuck that,” Luca growled before crashing his lips to hers and swallowing the remaining words he didn’t want to hear.
Elsie couldn’t think, but her body could act. Luca struggled to get her to kiss him back. Her hand lifted on its own and landed on his cheek. Then she seized the opportunity to push him away as shock took control of his features.
Hurriedly, she wiped her wet lips with the same hand that had begun to sting and hurt. Tears welled in her eyes as she stared directly into Luca’s confused eyes.
“Why are you doing this to me?” Her voice cracked.
“Why won’t you let me be? Why can’t I just work for you? What did I ever do to you, Mr. Vanthross?” Elsie asked as hot liquid streamed down her cheeks.
Hearing her call him Mr. Vanthross sparked something in him. Luca’s expression turned cool and indignant. He scrubbed his face with his hand, sighing exasperatedly.
“Mr. Vanthross?” He scoffed.
“Can you stop calling me that?” He asked with a hint of threat.
“What?” Elsie was stunned. Wondering where the conversation was going. He’d kissed her forcefully. Now, he’s acting offended because she’d called him by his name.
“It’s been weeks, Elsie. Months since you called me Luca!” Luca suddenly exclaimed.
“God. It’s maddening,” he said, taking a step towards her. Then, tentatively, his hand reached out for her. When Elsie didn’t move, as she was still stunned and trying to understand the turn of events, Luca’s hand caressed her cheek.
“This lack of emotion. The way you spit out 'Vanthross' like it's poison. These past few weeks have been hell for me. I can’t deny it anymore that what I feel for you is stronger than I’m used to. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way about a woman before,” he continued, talking in a rush before Elsie shut him out again.
This was the only opportunity he could use to explain how he felt.
“I don’t know how to prove it to you, but I’m not with Janice. I can’t explain how complicated our situation is right now but know that I am not with her. There’s nothing going on between me and her. Or even Julia. I haven’t even spoken to Julia since the last time she was here when I told her it was over between us. I want to...”
“Enough.” Elsie cut him off. She didn’t want to believe his words, even though they made her heart flutter with hope and something dangerously close to affection for Luca.
“Whether you’re with her or Julia is none of my business. I think it’s best we maintain the current status of our relationship. Nothing good has ever come from an employer-employee relationship anyway. I appreciate your thoughts and feelings for me, but it’s long overdue for us to...explore it,” she finished. All of what she said was a lie, but Luca didn’t have to know that.
There was nothing more she wanted than to explore whatever feelings they shared together. But she was scared. Her mother’s story was always at the back of her mind. She was terrified that she’d end up longing after a man that her heart would never forget for years to come.
