Contains the CEO seed

r resolve slipping, her mind constantly drifting back to him, to his words, his presence, his touch-though he hadn't laid a hand on her since that night a

Malik's presence, even when he wasn't there. She found herself caught in a twiste

ghts heavy. She had learned to avoid dwelling on the contract. It was a deal she had agreed to out of desperation, and th

ted this strange ma

ther and paper, a sanctuary of sorts. She had spent many quiet hours here, attempting to lose hersel

nside, her heart

s alread

e his features even more striking, casting deep shadows along his sharp jawline. He was dres

y for a

to see him here, hadn't been prepared for another encounter. Especia

here was a flicker of surprise in his expression, but it vanished as quickly as i

mooth, sending a shiver down her spin

d quietly, her fingers gripping the edge of

, just slightly. "It'

ll costs. But her feet betrayed her, and instead of walking away, she found

with an intensity she couldn't control. Malik stood still, watching her as if he knew ex

like an eternity

id, his tone neutral, but with a

g in her chest. "I-I haven't," she lied, though t

ing into a knowing smirk. "You forget,

heat rise to her cheeks, her mind racing to find an explanation, but n

is gaze never leaving hers.

re was more to it than that. Fear was only part of it, the part she could admit. The other part... the part th

ed, though her voice w

er pulse quickening with every inch he moved. He was too close now, close enough that she could feel the hea

mara," Malik murmured, his voice low and

h was so gentle, so unexpected, that it sent a jolt of electricity through her. She should have pulled

touch light but commanding. His gaze darkened, and for the first time, she s

si

se to hers. "You've been mine from the moment you sig

ster, harder, as his breath mingled with hers. She was caught in his orbit, trappe

was drowning in his presence, in the intensity of his gaze

nk, before she could stop hers

ed to her waist, pulling her closer, and for a brief, terrifying moment, Amara foun

and she pulled away, her chest heaving

whispered, her voice shak

d at her, his breathing heavy. For a long, tense moment, he s

nally, h

dly, his voice devoid of the heat that had just cons

act that bound them together. This wasn't love. This wasn't even lust

ppened. Without another word, Amara turned and fled the library, her heart pounding in her chest as

erself from him, one thought plagued her mind-a thou

was

t part of her heart, she fea