Chapter 3

Valerie leaned forward. The woman's slender fingers slipped into Noah's thick hair, gripped it, then forced him to look up into her eyes.

"Remember your position here," Valerie hissed sharply. "Out there, you might be able to make those cheap women drool looking at your neck. But inside this room, you are only mine. You are my pet dog. Understand?"

Noah's breath brushed against Valerie's knees. Instead of being intimidated, the corners of Noah's lips actually lifted to form a dangerous thin smile. His large hand moved up, landing casually on the woman's outer thigh.

"I understand perfectly, Miss," Noah answered in a deep voice. He looked straight into Valerie's eyes, stripping away the CEO's defenses until he could see a slight tremble in the woman's eyes. "Then, what do you want your pet to do now?"

Noah's fingers slipped behind the slit of Valerie's skirt, immediately touching the smooth skin of her thigh. The warm sensation of the woman's skin provoked Noah's dominant instincts. Before Valerie could process the surprising touch, in one swift motion, Noah stood up.

Valerie's grip on his hair automatically released. Without giving an opening to protest, Noah gripped Valerie's waist, lifted the woman's body easily, and forcefully sat her down on the mahogany desk. Several important documents were shoved aside in a mess.

"You don't have much time before the board of directors meeting," Noah said flatly. He stepped forward, standing close right between Valerie's thighs, which were parted due to her seating position. His black suit brushed against his master's white suit. "But if you want your pet to serve you now... I am ready."

Valerie's ego flared. She refused to look shaken. Her hand reached out, grabbed Noah's black tie, and pulled it roughly. "Prove it. Shut me up, or you leave this building without a single penny."

Noah did not answer with words. He immediately captured the woman's lips.

His kiss was deep, demanding, and mercilessly destroyed the remnants of the CEO's arrogance. Noah forced his tongue in, exploring Valerie's mouth and taking over the rhythm completely. He loosened his own tie with one hand, while his left hand squeezed the back of Valerie's thigh, lifting one of the woman's legs and wrapping it around his waist.

An intimate friction was created between them. Noah could feel Valerie's body melting under his control. The CEO's red nails dug fiercely into the shoulders of his suit, and a muffled moan laden with passion escaped from Valerie's throat.

Just as Noah's hand was preparing to feel for the button of the woman's skirt, the sound of loud knocks was heard from behind the locked door.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Miss Valerie? The documents are ready. The board of directors meeting starts in five minutes." Her secretary's voice was heard from outside.

Their kiss stopped abruptly.

Valerie's breath raced wildly. Her lips were wet and swollen, and her eyes were clouded by unfulfilled passion. Noah stared at that messy face for a moment, then released his grip slowly. His own breathing was fully controlled. He stepped back, tidying his slightly messy shirt collar as if nothing had happened.

"Five minutes left, Miss," Noah said steadily. "You had better fix your lipstick."

Ten minutes later, the board of directors meeting room felt very cold.

From the corner of the room, Noah stood tall holding a tablet. His eyes were like an eagle's, watching the CEO sitting in the main chair. Valerie had already pulled the collar of her white blazer twice, looking completely unfocused on the finance manager's presentation.

"Miss Valerie, what do you think?"

Bastian, one of the directors on the board of commissioners, smiled slyly from the right seat. From his standing position, Noah's sharp eyes caught the movement of the old geezer's hand under the table. Bastian deliberately advanced his hand, intending to touch Valerie's thigh.

Noah's blood instantly ran cold. Before that dirty hand reached its target, Noah stepped quickly.

Clatter!

The porcelain coffee cup was set down with a soft but threatening slam, right in front of Bastian. The hot water nearly hit the director's sleeve.

"Black coffee without sugar. As per your previous order, Mr. Bastian," Noah said, breaking the tension.

His voice was flat, but Noah looked straight into the director's eyes with a sharp gaze.. He deliberately positioned his large and tall posture to block access to anyone trying to approach Valerie. Bastian swallowed hard, reflexively pulling his hand back nervously and looking away.

Noah then leaned down slightly toward Valerie, pretending to tidy up the documents. He deliberately brushed his fingertips against the back of the CEO's hand. The stroke was possessive, as if erasing Bastian's trace while simultaneously asserting his territory.

"Focus on your meeting, Miss," Noah whispered very low. "Many dirty hands are trying to find an opening in this room."

The meeting ended forty minutes later. As soon as the last director stepped out and the door was shut tightly, the room was left with only the two of them.

Valerie immediately got up. The woman walked quickly toward Noah, grabbed his shirt collar, and pushed the man's back hard until he slammed into the glass wall of the meeting room.

"What did you do just now?" Valerie hissed sharply. "Are you trying to meddle in my business? Have you forgotten who pays you here?"

Noah did not resist at all. He let himself be pushed. But slowly, his large hand moved up, covering the back of Valerie's hand. Instead of swatting it away, Noah actually pressed the woman's hand tighter against his chest.

"I was only doing my job, Miss," Noah answered calmly. His gaze dropped to Valerie's lips. "I was making sure that the valuable asset I am guarding is not touched by just anyone."

"I am not your asset!" Valerie retorted fiercely.

"Of course not," Noah whispered casually. His thumb caressed the back of Valerie's hand in a circular motion. "You are the one who owns me. But I need to remind you, a rented item like me doesn't like to share."

Noah advanced his face slightly, imprisoning Valerie in his intimidation.

"If you ask me to satisfy you every night, then I also demand an exclusive commitment from you. Do not let other men touch you, Miss Valerie."

However, before his master could return that dominance, the sound of a knock on the meeting room door broke their tension.

"Miss Valerie?"