Chapter 10

Maddiei stayed silent the whole drive, avoiding eye contact with him at all costs. The car felt smaller with his imposing frame beside me. I suddenly felt hot when my eyes landed on his hand, resting casually on his thigh. My throat went dry as memories of those hands touching every part of my body echoed in my mind, making it hard to focus.

I shifted in my seat, trying to push the thoughts away, but the tension in the car was palpable. The faint scent of his perfume filled the air. His presence alone makes my body hot and bothered. The silence between us grew thicker with each passing moment.

As we drove, I couldn't help but steal a few glances at him. His profile was sharp and intense, and his eyes were focused on the road. There was something about his presence that always managed to unsettle me, stirring a whirlwind of emotions that I struggled to control.

The memories of that night were still vivid—how his touch had ignited a fire within me, leaving me breathless and wanting more. I clenched my fists, reminding myself of the reason I was here. This wasn't the time to get lost in the past.

Finally, the car came to a stop. I took a deep breath, and I was finally relieved that I'd be able to breathe freely again.

As soon as I stepped out of the car, I immediately recognized the lobby of the hotel we had stopped at. It was the famous five-star hotel in the city, renowned for its luxury and exclusivity.

My mind couldn't help but wander to one of the rooms in the hotel. I pictured myself lying on top of a plush bed with this gorgeous man above me. The thought sent a flush of heat through my body.

Stop it, Maddie! What the hell are you thinking right now?

I gently shook my head, trying to dispel the dirty thoughts lingering inside my head.

"What are we doing here?" I asked, frowning as I tried to conceal my discomfort.

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on me as if he were trying to read my mind. An evil smirk slowly crept onto his lips. "Because I own the place," he said. My eyes widened as he leaned closer, stopping just inches away from my face. "But don't worry, I won't do anything against your will," he added, his voice a low and tantalizing whisper.

I felt a shiver run down my spine at how close he was. His presence was overwhelming, and I struggled to maintain my composure.

"Let's go," he said, stepping back and gesturing for me to follow him.

I hesitated for a moment, glancing around the opulent lobby. The crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow, and the marble floors gleamed under the soft lighting.

Reluctantly, I followed him to the elevator. As the doors closed, I felt the tension between us. It doesn't help that we were the only ones inside the elevator. The other people waiting outside weren't brave enough to share the elevator with him. Despite them being there first, they deliberately took a step aside to give way.

The elevator ride was silent, and the tension between us was palpable. I could feel his eyes on me, and it took all my willpower to keep my gaze fixed on the numbers ascending on the display. My mind raced with thoughts of what awaited us once we were all alone in private. Despite his reassurance, I couldn't shake the unease that had settled in my stomach.

When the elevator finally stopped, I noticed the only room door on the floor. He opened the door and gestured for me to enter. I stepped inside, my heart pounding as I took in the lavish surroundings. The suite was exquisite, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

He closed the door behind us, and I turned to face him, my nerves frayed. "So, what now?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Now, we talk," he said, his tone serious. "But first, make yourself comfortable. I have some important things to attend to. This might take a while." I watched him take off his jacket. I gulped when I saw how his biceps flexed while he was loosening his tie.

He probably felt the pair of eyes watching him, so he turned in my direction. I quickly averted my eyes so I wouldn't get caught staring at him. He then entered an adjacent room.

I took a seat on the plush sofa, trying to get comfortable while waiting for him to finish whatever he was doing. However, he took longer than I expected. The minutes stretched on, and boredom began to set in. To pass the time, I decided to familiarize myself with the room.

The suite was luxurious, with every detail meticulously crafted to exude elegance and comfort. The walls were adorned with tasteful artwork, and the furnishings were modern yet inviting. A large flat-screen TV was mounted on the wall opposite the sofa, and a sleek coffee table held an arrangement of fresh flowers and glossy magazines. The room's scent was a subtle blend of vanilla and lavender, calming yet sophisticated.

As I continued to look around, I noticed a few personal items scattered about—a leather jacket draped over a chair, a laptop bag on the desk, and a pair of polished shoes neatly placed by the door. These things made it clear that he had been staying here for a while.

I wandered over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, mesmerized by the panoramic view of the city skyline. The twinkling lights of the buildings below created a mesmerizing backdrop against the blue sky.

My attention shifted back to the room. A door slightly ajar revealed a glimpse of a spacious bedroom with a king-sized bed covered in crisp white linens.

Just as I was about to inspect the books on the shelf, he finally emerged from the adjacent room. He looked more relaxed, having shed his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. His presence filled the space, and just in his presence, the room suddenly felt small.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he said, his voice breaking the silence. "I had a few things to take care of."

"It's fine," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "Nice place you have here."

He smirked and said, "Wait 'til you see the room."

I squinted my eyes as I eyed him suspiciously. "Why would I want to see your room?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

He then shrugged his shoulders. "Just in case you might be interested."

I rolled my eyes as I returned to the sofa and sat down. "So, what do you want to talk about?" I asked, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

He took a seat across from me, his gaze unwavering. "I want to discuss the situation with your father," he said, his tone serious. "And see if we can come to an agreement that benefits both of us."

I raised an eyebrow, skepticism creeping into my mind. "What kind of agreement?" I asked cautiously.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Marry me," he said, unhinged.

I almost choked with my own saliva upon hearing his proposition. "What did you just say?" I uttered it in disbelief.

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