Chapter 23

‎It caught Ryan off guard completely. For a heartbeat, he sat frozen beneath her, stunned by her boldness. Then, as the shock faded, his hands instinctively found her waist, pulling her closer. He responded to the kiss with equal fervor, his lips moving against hers as if they’d been waiting for this moment all along.

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‎When she finally broke the kiss, her lips parted and eyes still heavy-lidded, she smiled softly. Relief washed over her like a wave. “It’s okay,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, but laced with sincerity. “I didn’t mind at all.”

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‎Ryan swallowed hard, eyes darkening slightly as he looked up at her, still cradling her waist in both hands. “Does that mean… you want me too?” he asked, voice husky, his gaze trailing from her eyes to her mouth and back again.

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‎She chuckled lightly, brushing a few strands of hair from his face as her fingers gently cupped his cheek. “Of course I do,” she said with a warm smile. “But I’m curious, since when did you start liking me?”

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‎Ryan blinked, caught between surprise and admiration as her confidence unfolded before him. She was no longer the quiet, hesitant version of herself he was used to, this Cleo was bold, radiant, and unafraid to meet him head-on.

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‎“Wow,” he whispered, a slow grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Seems like the you I knew before was just a facade. This… this is the real you.”

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‎“Well… this is the real me,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes lingered on his face, searching, hoping to catch every flicker of emotion, every subtle shift in his expression. “You haven't answered my earlier question, When did you start liking me?” she asked again, this time with a quiet intensity, her heart thudding as she waited for his answer.

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‎He held her gaze for a long moment, then smiled slowly, warmly, the kind of smile that made her knees feel a little less stable.

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‎“I liked you the first time I met you,” he said finally, his voice low, sincere. “That’s why… the moment you left the interview room, I told the guy who was handling it to send you a message. I didn’t care about protocol, I just knew I wanted you around. I told him to tell you that you were qualified for the CEO assistant job.”

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‎Her eyes widened slightly, and he could see her trying to process his words. A blush touched her cheeks, and it made her smile even brighter. Just watching her react made something stir inside him, a pleasant heat rising in his chest, spreading to his face.

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‎He continued, a smile playing on his lips now, “You walked in that day with this quiet confidence, and this spark in your eyes... I couldn’t look away. I knew right then, I didn’t want you to be just another assistant.”

‎Cleo’s fingers traced the sharp line of his jaw, her touch featherlight but deliberate. Ryan's breath hitched as her nails skimmed his skin, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. Her boldness stirred something deep in him, something primal, and it was becoming harder to restrain.

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‎"You're full of surprises tonight," he murmured, his voice thick with heat.

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‎"Maybe I've just been holding back too long," she replied, her lips brushing the corner of his mouth, teasing, testing. "And maybe you make it hard to hold back."

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‎Her hips shifted on his lap, unintentionally, or maybe intentionally, pressing down just enough to draw a low groan from deep in his throat. His hands, still at her waist, tightened their grip, thumbs brushing just under the edge of her shirt, feeling the bare skin there, warm and inviting.

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‎"You’re playing with fire," he warned softly, eyes burning into hers.

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‎"Then burn with me," she whispered, her breath ghosting against his lips.

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‎That was all the permission he needed.

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‎In a sudden, fluid motion, Ryan surged upward, capturing her mouth in a kiss that was no longer hesitant, no longer exploratory. It was hungry, devouring. His hands roamed her back, her sides, learning the shape of her with desperate reverence. She responded in kind, her fingers slipping into his hair, tugging, guiding, urging him closer even though there was barely space left between them.

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‎Their kisses deepened, lips parting, tongues dancing slowly at first, then faster, more urgently. Each taste, each gasp, drew them deeper into each other. Her body melted against his, pliant and eager, her warmth fusing with his in a rhythm that was quickly spiraling out of control.

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‎Cleo pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen from kissing, but her gaze was steady, fierce, and full of want. She slid her hands into his back , fingertips grazing his skin, feeling the heat radiating from his body.

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‎"You have a good body shape." she said, licking her lips.

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‎Her eyes lingered on him, appreciating the lean strength of his torso, the way his chest rose and fell with each heavy breath. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the hollow of his throat, then another lower, letting her lips map a trail down to his collarbone.

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‎Ryan let out a shaky exhale, his fingers trailing up her thighs beneath her skirt, tracing the smooth skin there, pushing boundaries with every inch. “You don’t know what you do to me,” he murmured against her shoulder, lips brushing her skin.

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‎What's that?" Cleo said under her breath.

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‎"It's my demon," he said, smiling, looking at her.

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‎"Oh, that must be huge," she said, a sly smile on her lips, her hand busy playing with his hair."show me,” she replied, her voice husky and full of challenge.

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‎"Why not check it yourself?" he said, smirking, carrying her down from his lap. He took off her gown and unclasped her blue brat, throwing it aside.

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‎"Wow, what a beautiful view," he said, looking at her flawless, glowing skin, which made his member harder.

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‎"Let's see what you've got," she said, her voice sounding seductive. She traced her hands slowly from his chest muscles, earning a sigh from him. When she reached his six-pack, she stopped.

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‎"Are you scared?" Ryan asked, seeing through her facade,. He could tell from her roaming hand that she had never done this before, which excited him more. "Let me take the lead," he said, wanting to spring into action.

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‎Yes, I am a bit scared, because this is my first time doing this, but I will try," she said, regaining her confidence, and she continued to use her hands to trace his six-pack slowly until she reached his V-line. She could hear him breathing heavily.

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‎"You're doing great, continue," he said hoarsely, enjoying how her small hands traced his V-line. "Yes," he groaned, feeling her hands on his member, making his chest beat faster. "You're so huge," she said, rubbing her palm on his member through the fabric. She was surprised at how huge his member was.

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