Chapter 9 Nine

JAMES

"Move in with me to my penthouse," I said softly and she looked at me with a skeptical expression on her face as if she was trying to decipher if I was telling the truth or trying to tease her again.

"Where is this suddenly coming from? Did I tell you I wasn't comfortable in my own house?" She asked in amusement and I let out a sigh at her nonchalant words.

"If we're gonna make our relationship real enough, don't you think you should live with me? This way I'll be able to protect you from the reporters and anyone that will try to hurt you. Use your head, secretary Stella." I said mockingly, and she huffed in annoyance as she moved to sit behind her desk.

"How would I know this is what you meant? Try to be more explanatory, Mr James." She retorted in annoyance and I chuckled in amusement as I moved to lock the door before turning to look at her.

"I'm trying to look out for you here. With Ford out on the loose, you're prone to getting attacked and I need to keep you within sight. Also, it'll boost our relationship status if the reporters see us living together." I explained and she nodded in response before tugging on her bottom lip with her teeth, causing me to suck in a sharp breath.

Living together could cause a lot of things to happen. And maybe I can finally get her in my bed.

"Fine. But you're not allowed to touch me inappropriately or without my permission. You're not allowed to come any closer than five centimeters to me. I'll live in a separate room and on no account will you come in without my permission." She stated with a stoic expression and the smug expression on my face fell in an instant.

Okay, maybe it'll be hard to get her in my bed. But she wouldn't be able to resist my charms for so long. I was a billion percent sure of that. Goodness, just thinking of her finally giving in to me made my head spin with lust and desire.

I have wanted her for so long and I will finally have her where I wanted.

"Deal. I will respect your boundaries just as you have said." I replied with a soft smile, even though I knew deep within me that I was lying to her. I would invade her privacy until she had no choice but to give in to me.

And the moment she does, man, I would fuck her into submission. I couldn't help but imagine how sultry her moans would sound or how much she would beg for me.

She was driving me crazy without even doing anything. This was the effect Stella had on me.

"Then, after work? I still have a lot of work to do right now and it'll take me a while to finish them all." She said softly and I nodded as I moved to her side to see the pile of documents sitting on her desk.

"Would you like me to help? I don't have anything to do right now anyway and I don't want to sit idly or else..."

Or else I might end up jerking off to the thought of her again like I always did.

"Sure, who am I to say no to the CEO's help?" She replied with a chuckle as she pushed the files to me and I grinned.

We both worked on the files and for a while, I caught myself staring at her more than I was supposed to, catching every little movement she made.

When she was focused, she tugged on her bottom lip with her teeth with her brows furrowed. After a while, she'd run her tongue over her plump lips before moving the strands of hair that fell to her face.

Every single move she made sent blood traveling southward in my body. Why does she have to be so hot even without doing anything to show off?

I managed to shake the lewd thoughts off my head as I focused on completing the task in front of me and after hours of working, we finally finished up the documents.

When I glanced outside, it was already so dark and I noticed that Stella was looking very tired. I was surprised to see that we worked so much without noticing how much time went by.

"Come on, let's go now. You need sleep." I said as I stood up, expecting her to argue with me but to my surprise, she stood up and took my hand, causing me to smile in satisfaction.

The company was nearly empty, save for the security who guarded the gate. I was hoping for someone to see us holding hands or even take a picture, but the whole place was empty, and I was disappointed.

We walked out hand-in-hand as I helped her carry her bag and then helped her into the car. I drove to her apartment first because we had to get her things before taking her to mine.

When the car came to a stop, I turned to see that she was already fast asleep with her head tilted to the side. I gently turned her head to face me so that she wouldn't feel pain when she woke up but my breath stopped as I took in her appearance.

She looked so peaceful as she slept and the street lights cast a glow on her face, making her look even more ethereal than before. Even in her sleep, she ran her tongue over her lips like she was trying to seduce me effortlessly, and I would be insane if I was seduced.

I didn't know what came over me and I didn't bother to think twice about my decisions either. But I suddenly leaned closer and placed my lips on hers, wanting to reminisce how it felt like to kiss her again.