جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 70

Aaron’s POVThe meeting was scheduled for ten.I walked in at 9:58.Darren was already seated on the right side of the table, tablet open. He gave a brief nod as I took my seat.“Start,” I said.The Brand Manager stood and activated the screen at the far end of the room.“Autumn Reserve is set to launch in one month,” he said. “Limited batch. Deeper profile. Oak-forward. Not aimed at first-time drinkers.”I nodded. That had always been the plan.“We believe the release needs a campaign face,” he continued. “Not a mass push. A visual campaign only, print, buyer catalogs, lifestyle media.”PR followed up. “It’s about positioning. Giving Autumn Reserve its own identity.”I leaned back in my chair. “Who.”The Brand Manager picked up several folders and slid them toward me.“These are early shortlists.&rdqu

Aaron's POV For the third time tonight, her breathing slipped out of control under my touch. The shower kept running, water crashing down nonstop, drowning out everything except the sound of her gasps. I pressed her back against the wall, pinning both her hands above her head, her wrists locked in my grip. I lowered my head and caught her lips. I pushed my tongue in, forcing her mouth open. She answered without hesitation. I reached back and shut off the shower. The sound of water died instantly, leaving nothing but our breaths colliding in the tight space. My kisses moved from her jaw to her neck. Her breath broke again, a soft sound spilling from her lips. One hand claimed her chest, my fingers pressing and kneading without restraint. My mouth followed, closing over the other side, sucking hard enough to make her body react. Her constant moans fed my desire. My fingers slid down her thigh. Her eyes were c

Aaron’s POVWhen I pulled into the driveway after work, the usual spot where her old car sat was empty.My grip tightened on the steering wheel.She was still using it.Even after I’d made it clear through Darren that she wasn’t supposed to anymore.So she chose to ignore it.I went inside and ate dinner without rushing. The clock ticked steadily. Ten passed, and she still wasn’t home.A faint irritation began to creep in.Bennett.The name surfaced on its own. The thought of Angela possibly being with Bennett right now made my jaw tighten.I picked up my phone and dialed her number.It rang too long before someone finally answered. But it wasn’t Angela’s voice.“Who is this?” I asked.“Yeah,” a woman’s voice replied, slightly thick. “Are you a friend of Angela’s?”I didn’t explain. “Yes.&rdquo

Angela's POVI stared at my phone. The message I’d sent him a few minutes ago still hadn’t been answered.I bit my lip, hesitating for a moment before deciding to call him.The line rang a few times before it connected.“Yeah,” his voice was low, controlled. “I got your message,” I said.“Hm.”I held back a sigh. “You said we need to talk. About what?"“You’ll find out,” he said.“Can’t you tell me now? I just want to know what we’re talking about.”“No.”“Be ready at eight,” he said. “I don’t like waiting.”The call ended before I could say anything else.I exhaled slowly, sinking back into the sofa. My head still throbbed from the alcohol last night.Night came.I picked a simple white dress. Clean cut, nothing flashy. I let my hair fal

Angela's POV“No,” I answered quickly.I shrugged, trying to sound casual. “Why would it bother me? We’re not…” I cut myself off. “It’s none of my business.”“I hope so,” he said. “Don’t forget why you’re here.”I gave him a faint smile. “Trust me. I never forget.”“Good. Make sure it stays that way.”He was like a concrete wall, cold, immovable. Every movement calculated. Every word a warning. And, of course, infuriating.“Bastard,” I muttered under my breath.“I heard that,” he said flatly without looking at me. “If you’re going to curse me, make sure you’re ready to deal with the consequences.”I swallowed.Damn it.The rest of the drive passed in silence until the car rolled into his garage. The engine was still running when he spoke again.