Bonus Chapter: CEOs (III)

Ava

~~~

The rest of the meeting goes smoothly, and other than Oliver suggesting we use Axion Tech money to build a water park, nothing else crazy happens.

“A waterpark is not a necessary business venture, Oliver.” Evie mutters to him, dragging him out of the hall at the end of the meeting.

They’re too far ahead for me to hear his response, and even if I could, i’m too happy about today to care.

That meeting was good. Great, actually. I can actually lead a company.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Leonel wraps an arm around my waist from behind, leaning close to my ear. The throbbing between my legs returns like it never left. I think it should be illegal for a man to turn me on this quickly.

I lean into his hard chest, sighing as employees who pass by try hard not to look at us.

“You are too rich to be offering me just pennies,” I feel him grin. “plus, I think some of your employees may think the way you’re holding me is unprofessional.”

“Our employees.” He reminds me, before flipping me around and hugging me close to him, “And if they hate this, they will hate knowing Oliver and Evelyn had sex in that office once.”

I gasp, “No fucking way.”

“I wish I was joking. Oliver is this close to getting fired.”

“Oh please, you’re never getting rid of him.”

Leonel blinds me with another dazzling smile, dimples popping in his cheeks, “Never say never.”

I like smiley Leonel, almost as much as I like sexy Leonel. Or, maybe i love them the same, I don’t know. All I’m sure of is that I love any version of him that is in love with me.

“You’re staring.” He mutters, and his hands tighten around my waist.

My desire heightens, and I manage to push myself closer to him. His eyes darken, and I draw my fingers through his hair. He hums his approval, and the sound caresses my core.

Okay, I take it back, sexy Leonel wins any day.

“You know, now that all these meetings are over, we have enough time to relax.” His voice is low and suggestive.

“Really.” I say, “and where do you have in mind for this relaxing? Spa? Beach?”

“Paris.”

I jerk away from him, shocked, “Paris!?”

He grins again, but he’s still looking at me like he’d fuck me there and then.

“Do you have a fear of French people?” He asks, quirking his brow, and when I swat his bulging forearm, he laughs.

“Of course I don’t, I’ve just… I’ve never traveled.” The furthest I’ve even gone was from Pennsylvania to New York when I ran away from Jaxon, and that was a lifetime ago. To leave America? I never thought I’d have that kind of money.

Leonel’s eyes soften the way they always do when he realizes I haven’t had many experiences.

“Don’t pity me.” I huff, “I have more than enough money to travel to Paris now.”

“So come with me.” He says gently.

Paris. City of love. Now that all the business stuff are over Leonel and I will have so much time… alone.

Sex happens when people are alone.

An unexplainable look flickers across his face, “Oliver and Evelyn are coming if that helps things. Oliver wants to do his better proposal there.”

The thought of Oliver finally proposing to Evie properly leave me giddy, but something doesn’t feel right, “Why would that help things?”

“Incase you don’t want to be alone with me for two week in Paris.” He shrugs and my confusion only grows.

“Of course I want to be alone with you in a foreign country” I insist , “Have I don’t anything that suggests I don’t?”

He looks at me a moment, his grey eyes silver in the office lights, and after a moment, he blows out a breath, “It’s just… sex.”

Oh. Of Course.

My heart starts thumping, and my mind is yelling that I look for the nearest exit to avoid this conversation all together.

I push those thoughts back, squaring my shoulders and staring into his unsure eyes.

I don’t want to run and hide anymore in our relationship. It has ruined so much, and these are our happy years.

Happiness takes work and courage I guess.

“I would never force you to do anything you don’t want to,” he’s starts, “I just… I know you’ve been avoiding it. You tensed up right before we entered the hall when it was mentioned today, and every-time we’re alone and it seems like it’s going to happen you sort of freeze.”

“So you’re disappointed in me?” I mumble.

His eyes widen, “No! No, of course not.”

“Tired of waiting for me?”

“Never, Ava.” He snaps. It’s like he’s angry i would even consider that, “I just… I want to make sure I’m not doing anything to push you away.”

I shut my eyes and breathe out. I should just say what needs to be said. I’m an adult. Yet, the words are so difficult to put together.

“It’s not you.” I manage, “it’s - it’s me. I’m scared.”

“That I’ll hurt you?” His voice is soft again, and I shake my head. I feel him come closer.

“The last time I tried to have sex… before you, I mean. It was the same day Jaxon tried to sell me off. I think I’m comfortable with other sexual things, but the second I feel like we’re getting to the main event… I panic. I’m not scared of losing my virginity, I’m just being irrational.”

He cups my cheek, and I’m surprised when his thumb wipes away a tear I didn’t feel fall.

God, how embarrassing can I get? I look around to make sure there’s no one left in the office to see their new CEO crying about sex. Luckily, it’s just me and Leonel.

“Mi Valineta,” He says gently, raising my face to meet his. Some of my worry melts away at the kind look in his eyes, “you’re not being irrational. You’ve been through hell, it’s important you process it.”

I sniffle, “But… but what if I’m never able to have sex with you?”

He shrugs, “We’ll figure it out eventually, but it doesn’t have to be today or tomorrow or in Paris. It should be whenever you decide. Whenever that is, I’ll be here.”

A massive weight lifts off my shoulders, and this time, I don’t resist my urge to kiss him.

I tiptoe, pressing my lips to his, and sigh from how familiar but how exciting kissing him still is.

He catches my face, pulling me closer and moving his mouth against mine. He tastes like the Scotch he drank in the office, and I want to get drunk of him. But he pulls away first, and I whimper.

“We should probably stop,” He grunts, his fingers caressing my cheeks, “If Bella catches us on the camera we’ll never hear the end of it.”

Shock drowns my desire, “Thats who watches the cameras?!”

He grimaces, “Unfortunately when she’s free she does. And she was free today.”

I’m sure I’m beet red as I pray for the ground to swallow me whole. I whip my head to the nearest camera and stare at the red, blinking light.

“Sorry Bella!” I yell, and somehow Leonel manages to let out a small laugh.

I turn to him, ready to lecture him, but he looks so breathtakingly happy that I can’t. Is he really so happy just to be with me?

His dimples make me want to eat him, but before I can have any more cannibalistic thoughts towards him, he stretches his hand out of me.

“Come to Paris with me, Ava.” He says, “Just say yes.”

I no longer have to think of my answer, the same way I now know for a fact that I’m going to sleep with Leonel on this trip. He makes me feel safe, and no matter my past I’ll take this risk with him.

I take his hand, and I love how perfectly we fit together

“Yes.” I finally say.