Chapter 7 18+ Finger

Kane's POV

The quarterly report was halfway through when the next speaker, Carter-the VP of Marketing-stood up to present. I gave him a brief nod to begin.

That was when Baron barged in. No knock. Just pushed the door wide open.

My jaw tightened instantly.

Executive meetings like this were sacred-private, precise, and absolutely not to be interrupted. A competent assistant should've known that.

The room fell silent. Heads turned. Eyebrows raised. Every eye in the room landed on him.

Baron offered a curt nod. His voice low, almost apologetic.

"Pardon me, gentlemen."

He strode toward me without explanation. Just a pointed look-urgent, insistent-but not something he could say out loud.

I wasn't in the mood for games. I slammed the folder shut and tapped my knuckles three times on the polished wood table.

The sound echoed. Sharp. Controlled.

"Speak. What could possibly justify interrupting this meeting?"

He hesitated-barely a second-but I noticed. Then, quietly, he said,

"Sir... Reception just called. A Miss Vale is downstairs asking to see you."

Vale?

The name sounded vaguely familiar. My hand paused on the document. I looked up with a frown.

"Who?"

Baron glanced at the other executives, then leaned in close, dropping his voice even lower.

"She said... she was someone you've, uh-slept with. Her words."

There was a collective inhale around the table. Sharp and deliberate, even if they tried to stifle it. I heard every breath. I could feel the tension rippling beneath the surface.

And then it clicked.

Aria Vale.

It was that little kitten who got drunk at the hotel, barged into my room, messed up my sheets, and then refused me when I went to find her.

Of course it was her.

I froze for a beat, then let out a low, amused chuckle. Bold. So very her.

Baron cleared his throat. "Shall I send her to the lounge?"

"No."

I snapped the folder shut and rose to my feet. The room was still caught somewhere between stunned and awkward.

"Meeting adjourned."

I didn't wait for their reaction. Just turned on my heel and said to Baron,

"Take her to my office."

Baron blinked but didn't question me. "Yes, sir."

***

I stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the traffic below-bright taillights streaming like rivers-but my mind was back in that hotel room. Back to her.

Women wanting me? That wasn't new. But her? She'd left me. And now she was here. Just like I knew she would be.

I expected her to cave days ago. Yet somehow, she held out. Still, she came.

Brash. Defiant. Unashamed.

I adjusted my cufflinks, an odd flutter of anticipation rising in my chest. This is the first time I've ever interrupted an executive meeting, and it was for a woman-oh, no, I should say, for a kitten.

I never realized there was anything more interesting in the world than work.

Then-bang-the door burst open.

She stormed in like a hurricane in heels, eyes red-rimmed and blazing. Her fury crackled in the air.

She marched up and grabbed my tie, yanking me down to her level. Her voice trembled, but her grip didn't.

"FUCK YOU," she hissed.

God, she was beautiful when she was mad.

The angrier she got, the more amused I felt. Watching her unravel-because of me-was its own twisted satisfaction.

"Aria," I said evenly, "If I'm not mistaken... you're here to ask for something. Maybe start with a little respect. And you already know that I'm always open to you FUCKING me."

I didn't stop her. Hell, I leaned into it. Let her pull me closer. Her eyes were a mess of rage, shame, and-underneath it all-pain.

But she didn't beg. Not yet.

She flung my tie away, stood straight, fists clenched, trying to contain herself.

She inhaled sharply. Then through gritted teeth:

"What will it take for you to leave me alone?"

I didn't answer. Just stepped forward, slow and deliberate.

With each inch I closed between us, her shoulders tensed a little more.

"I told you already."

"You-" she started, but I silenced her with a finger pressed to her lips.

Leaning down, I murmured against her ear,

"But the game's changed. Now... BE MY GIRL."

"NO WAY." Her voice cracked, but her fire stayed. That only made her sexier.

I didn't flinch. Just let my thumb trace her lips. When she tried to pull away, I cupped her chin-gently, but firmly.

"If you say yes, I'll let OAK off the hook. I'll even get you into ATTA with full benefits. Name your salary."

Her face drained of color. She bit her lip, visibly shaking, but still too proud to show fear.

"You could have any woman. Why me?"

I leaned down again. My breath just barely brushed her skin.

"Because you owe me."

She didn't know the half of it. Didn't know how her scent still haunted me, how my body reacted to hers like an addiction.

"I... I'll apologize," she whispered, her voice hoarse.

"Apologize?" I laughed under my breath. "Kitty, kitty, I only accept apologies in bed."

She flinched like I'd slapped her. Her lashes quivered. Her whole body stilled, the fight momentarily knocked out of her.

"I don't believe you'd really-"

I was so close I could barely hear her. All I could see was her lips moving, as if inviting me to suck her tongue. So I cut her off with a smirk.

"Kitty, you don't seem to realize that you just walked into the tiger's den all by yourself."

I lifted her chin again, like I had that night. And kissed her.

She still tasted like temptation. Gone was the alcohol, replaced by something raw and her. I picked her up effortlessly and placed her on my desk, leaning over her, pushing for more.

She resisted. She twisted. She fought back. But that only drove me harder.

My knee slid between hers, guiding her body toward mine. One hand rested beside her thigh, while the other almost instinctively reached downward, knowing it would find moisture. The corners of my lips curled upward, and I knew her body was yearning for me.

As I parted the lace and prepared to go deeper, a faint metallic taste filled my mouth. I withdrew my slightly wrinkled fingers, and faint traces of red were visible-not obvious, but enough to catch the eye.

It was blood.

I'm not an underage teenager, and she's on her period. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do for her today. Lucky for her.

I pulled back, forehead pressed to hers, and couldn't help but laugh.

She followed my gaze. Her face crumpled. She jumped down, legs clumsy, rushing to the door-only to find it locked.

Of course it was.

She turned back, breathing hard, cheeks flushed, lips still swollen from my kiss. Still defiant.

God, she's something else.

I didn't mind letting her go. Not yet.

With deliberate calm, I pressed the unlock button. "Thank you for the kiss. It was sweet."

She scrambled out, nearly tripping in her haste. The door slammed behind her.

I leaned against my desk, and watched the empty doorway.

She didn't bite me this time. That's progress.

I'll let her run-for now.

But next time?

She won't get away so easily.