Chapter Four

Jenna

Steeling myself for a moment, I raise my hand to knock on Ryan's door. Maria said he was free right now, so hopefully it is the right time to return his computer. He left it in the conference room following a meeting earlier, giving me the perfect chance to install my personal bug on his hard drive to scan his files. This is a little sloppier than how I normally operate, but at this point, I need to do what I can before Henry starts jumping down my throat.

Hearing a grumbled "Come in," from the other side of the door, I enter the office and see Ryan clearly deep in some file on his desk. He takes a moment to look up, staring at me and leaving me unable to speak.

"I'm sorry for interrupting," I say finally, breaking the tense silence. I shuffle awkwardly on my feet, slightly raising the laptop in my hands. "You left the conference room in a hurry, so I came to return your computer."

Ryan nods, his expression inscrutable. "I see. Thank you," he mutters, staring down at an opened file in front of him.

I remain standing by the entrance, unsure what to do next. Then he looks up from his file and beckons to me. "Bring it over."

I nod and walk up to his desk. As I make to put the computer on his desk, he reaches out for it. Our fingers touch as he takes the laptop from me, and I feel a sudden jolt of electricity run through my body. I pull my hand back quickly, almost like I was burned by fire. Maybe I was, because a strange fire seemed to start in the pit of my stomach.

I raise my eyes to his. Big mistake. His eyes lock onto mine, holding me prisoner to those dreamy brown depths. There's something about the way he's looking at me now, a new intensity that sets me on edge, but in the strangest way. I should be terrified but I'm not. Instead, I feel drawn to him, like a moth to a flame. His eyes seem to be burning with an inner fire, and I can feel the heat radiating towards me. I should run but for some reason, I want to stay, I want to know what it'd feel like to be consumed in those flames. Why does Ryan looking at me like this make me feel… powerful? Wanted?

With a small shiver, I pull myself away. "Well, have a good night, sir."

Without waiting for a response, I turn around to leave but as I reach the door, I feel a firm hold on my wrist. I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest as Ryan's touch sends a shiver down my spine. His grip is gentle yet firm, anchoring me in place as I turn to face him, my breath catching in my throat.

"W-what are you doing sir?" I stutter, my voice barely above a breath.

He's so close. Too close…

"Maybe I don't owe you an explanation, but I owe you an apology," he says quietly, his eyes never leaving mine.

"What for?"

Have his lips always been so full? So inviting?

What would it feel like to press my cheeks against the dark stubble on his cheeks?

"For being rude and condescending towards you," he replies, his mouth curving in a slightly amused smile. "I was out of line and I'm sorry for making you feel disrespected."

I stare blankly at him, unable to believe my ears. Did Ryan Anders just apologize to me? Is this some kind of trap?

Again? Why's he standing so close? Why does he smell so good?

I swallow hard, trying to push away the dizzying thoughts swirling in my head. This is not happening. I can't let myself be swept away by his charm, by the intensity of his gaze.

"I-I appreciate your apology, sir," I manage to say, my voice trembling slightly. "But there's no need..."

But before I can finish my sentence, Ryan closes the distance between us, his hand cupping my cheek gently. The touch sends a jolt of electricity through me, my skin tingling at his proximity.

"Jenna..." he whispers, his voice husky with something that makes my blood stop cold and boil over. "I can't stop thinking about you."

My heart skips a beat, my mind reeling at his words. This is madness. I should run away and put an end to this before it goes any further. But instead, I find myself leaning into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed he slowly lowers his mouth to mine. His lips brush against mine in a tender, almost hesitant kiss.

At that moment, all thoughts of caution and restraint vanish, replaced by a fierce, almost overwhelming hunger, and as he deepens the kiss, I find myself melting into his embrace, my lips parting to allow him to claim me fully. Reality seems to fade away, leaving me in a charged bubble of thrilling sensation.

I can't believe this is my first kiss… and it's happening with the hottest man I've ever seen.

His tongue dances around mine, teasing, exploring… He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to his strong chest. His deep moan of satisfaction reverberates in my head, sending electrified shivers down my spine. I bury my fingers in his hair, pressing myself even closer to his body as he savagely explores every corner of my mouth. I'm consumed by the taste of him, the scent of his skin, the feel of his arms wrapping around me like a vice. It's nothing I've ever experienced before, and yet, I can't get enough.

I let out a needy moan as his hands slide down to my ass, the strange sound jerking me back to reality. I pull away, gasping for air, my heart racing like a jackhammer. Ryan's eyes are blazing with desire, his chest heaving with exertion. I'm shocked by the intensity of our kiss, and by my response.

As I'm taking another glance at his lips, Ryan pulls me back to him. The kiss is deeper this time, our tongues tangling as they explore the depths of each other's mouths. I already know this is ruining me for all other men, how can he be kissing me this way?

Just as his hands begin roaming under my blouse, we're interrupted by Maria calling in on the intercom, informing Ryan he has ten minutes until he has to leave for his dinner meeting.

Reluctantly, we break apart, both breathing heavily in the aftermath of what just happened. Quickly, Ryan plants another quick kiss on my lips, and turns back to his desk.

Unsure of what to do, I turn to leave, but his voice stops me.

"Jenna," he says, his voice gruff and breathless. I turn back to him.

"I'll find you later." His voice is filled with the promise of more. Without another word, I leave his office, not even questioning how he'll be able to find me out of the office.

***

Later that night, I stare blankly into the mirror, slowly trailing a finger over my lips. I close my eyes, immersing myself in the memories of his hands on my body, the heat of his mouth, the manly scent of his cologne, and the warmth of his tongue against mine… Even now I can feel the intoxicating allure of his kiss, sending little electrifying tingles all over my body.

I never imagined my first kiss would be so… explosive. It couldn't have been any more perfect. It was like a heady rush of dopamine, its euphoric effect leaving me starving for more. So much more…

My phone starts to ring, the shrill sound jerking me out of my reverie. I frown slightly, wondering who could be calling my personal line at such an odd hour. My frown deepens when I check my phone to see it's an unknown number, but curiosity has me swiping my thumb on the screen to answer.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Jenna?"

My breath hitches at the familiar deep voice. Ryan .

"It's Ryan," he says, confirming my suspicion but then his next words even shock me more. "I'm outside your house."

I jump out of my bed, running to my windows. I pull apart the curtain, gasping at the sight of his tall frame, leaning casually against his fancy Lexus in my parent's driveway.

"W-what? You're really here!?"

"Yes, now do you want to come on out or would you rather I come in?"

"No!" I say quickly, my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. "I'll be right there."

With shaky hands, I hastily throw on a sweater over my pajamas and slip on a pair of sneakers before rushing out of the house. As I step outside, the cool night air brushes against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

As I approach, his eyes lock onto mine with an intensity that sends a jolt of electricity through me. Without a word, he steps forward, closing the distance between us until we're standing mere inches apart. The air crackles with tension as he reaches out, his hand gently brushing against my cheek as he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"You have beautiful eyes, Jenna," he says, smiling. "It's the first time I've seen you without your glasses."

I can barely make sense of his words, my mind clouded with the heady sensation of his presence.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, barely able to recognize my own voice. It sounds breathy, far away. I don't even question how he found out where I live, I'm sure he has his ways.

"I wanted to talk about earlier," he replies, never taking his eyes off mine… staring at me like he wants to claim my soul.

"You don't need to apologize if that's why you're here," I cut in sharply. I can't bear the thought of my first kiss being a mistake, but more than that, I don't want to hear it from him.

"No, Jenna, I'm not here to apologize," he says and for a moment I thought I saw something flash in his eyes. Anxiety? Apprehension? But I might be mistaken. Surely, a man like Ryan doesn't feel such petty emotions.

"So, why are you here?" I ask, meeting his gaze, even though my heart is racing and my knees feel like Jello.

Ryan steps closer, lowering his head until his lips brush the tips of my right ear. "Because I couldn't stop thinking about you," he whispers, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine. "I felt like I'd go crazy if I didn't see you tonight. "I can't stop thinking about that kiss, and how much I want to do it again. And again. And again."

I sigh, melting into his embrace as his lips find mine. This kiss feels different. Somehow even hotter and harder than before. His lips devour mine, his tongue pushes aggressively into my mouth, branding me as his. I let out a soft moan, surrendering to the sensation of hand and mouth. He pulls me closer, his arms wrapping around me like a vice, and I feel the evidence of his desire, pressing deliciously against my hips. But it doesn't scare me, instead, I feel a thrill of excitement, an inexplicable sense of exhilaration.

And as Ryan pulls back, his eyes boring into mine with a consuming fire, it dawns on me that I'm in trouble. I'm falling for Ryan, hard and fast, and I'm not sure if I can stop.

"We'll be doing this again," Ryan says as he breaks our kiss. I instantly crave him again.

With that, he turns and leaves as quickly as he came, leaving me wondering just how I got myself into this mess… and how I'm ever going to get out of it with what Henry is making me do.

Chapter Five

Ryan

It's been days and I still can't stop thinking about what it was like kissing Jenna. Sure, my initial plan was to seduce her for information on what she and her brother were up to, but now I can't help but wonder what it would be like to go further in my seduction, to learn what Jenna tastes like, to sheath myself inside of her. But, all of this is made all the more complicated when I realized she was much cleverer than I thought. She bugged my computer before returning it the other day, and I don't know what to do next with my little fox.

I'm pulled from my lust-filled confusion as I see Aunt Hilda enter the bar. A catch-up with her is just what I need to get my head back on straight.

As always, she's dressed flamboyantly in a brightly colored, intricately patterned dashiki, her bold fashion sense a stark contrast to the drab, muted tones of the bar's decor. The dim lighting and smoky air seem to swallow her whole, but she moves with a confident stride, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for someone. Her gaze locks onto me, and a big smile spreads across her face as she sashays over to my table.

"Hey, my favorite nephew," she says, her eyes glinting with amusement as she slides into the seat across from me.

"Hi, Aunt Hilda," I say, keeping a straight face.

As expected, she wrinkles her nose in mock disgust. "Don't call me that; it makes me feel ancient."

I chuckle, rolling my eyes at her. "You look gorgeous by the way. Nice outfit."

"Why, thanks, honey," she says, her smile growing bigger. "You know how I love to keep things fabulous! Anyway, What's the occasion for this little get-together?"

I raise my glass in a silent toast, shrugging carelessly. "Nothing out of the ordinary," I reply, sliding an empty brandy glass over to her. "I just wanted to have a couple of drinks with my favorite aunt."

She raises an eyebrow, her expression skeptical as she pours herself a drink. "First, I'm your only aunt. Also, you don't call me to a bar at noon just for fun. Now, spill."

I let out a ragged sigh, leaning backward in my seat. "She bugged my computer," I say quietly, raising my brandy glass to my mouth. It tasted bland, like every other thing since I discovered the bug earlier in the afternoon during my weekly routine poke on my computer.

"Who?" Hilda asks, shaking her head with a confused frown.

"Jenna Henson." The name tastes bitter on my tongue.

Hilda sits forward in her chair, her bright red lips pursed in contemplation. "How can you be sure she did it? It could be anyone…"

"She's the only one that had access to my personal computer in the past week," I reply stiffly.

Hilda leans back in her seat and with a soft sigh. "What do you plan to do?"

I let myself consider her question for a moment. I don't expect to feel betrayed, but I do… Maybe I let myself get too immersed in my role, in the way she melts into my arms and responds eagerly to my kisses… I know too well not to believe any of it was real, but I guess a part of me wanted to believe that she wasn't scheming with Henry, that she genuinely wanted to work in the industry—work with me. Now, it's obvious she's part of his filthy games.

I gulp the remaining brandy in my glass, washing down the trickle of disgust that rose in my throat. "I'm going to destroy them both," I say in response to Hilda's question. "I'll reveal Jenna and Henry's true colors to the world and make sure the two of them are blacklisted in the business world."

"What about the bug?" Hilda asks, searching my face. "Are you going to shut it down?"

"No," I reply, scoffing under my breath. "Let her look. I've got nothing to hide anyway. One thing's for sure, though, she's not going to get away with doing something like this."

This means war, not just against Henry, but against Jenna too.

"You really like her, don't you?" Hilda says, the calmness in her tone contradicting the violent storm in my mind.

"What are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about," Hilda says, her eyes boring meaningfully into mine. "She bothers you, doesn't she?"

"What?" I scoff loudly. "No, she doesn't bother me, Hilda. She's just a pawn in Henry's game, and she's going to pay for her part in it."

I try to sound convincing, but Hilda's gaze sees right through me. She knows me too well. "Ryan, don't lie to yourself. You're not just angry, you're hurt. You thought you had a connection with her, and now you feel betrayed."

I shake my head, trying to deny it, but Hilda's words struck a chord. Maybe I did let myself feel something for Jenna, something I shouldn't have. But none of that matters now…

"I'm not hurt, Hilda. I'm just angry," I reply with a dismissive shrug. "And I'm going to make sure she regrets ever crossing me."

Hilda sighs, her expression concerned. "Why don't you talk to her about what's going on? Maybe there's a reason she did what she did. Maybe she's not as guilty as you think she is."

I laugh, the harsh, mocking sound sounding bitter even to my ears. "You think she's innocent? After what I found on my computer? No, Hilda, she's made her bed, and now she's going to have to lie in it."

"Ryan, you're not thinking clearly," Hilda says firmly, narrowing her eyes at me. "You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment. Talk to her, hear her out. You might be surprised at what you learn."

I let out a humorless snort. "I'm sure she consented to helping Henry the same way she consented to kissing me, so…" I immediately regret my words.

Hilda gasps loudly, her eyes growing wide with shock. "You kissed her?!"

"It's all a part of the plan," I say, keeping my tone casual.

"What plan?" Hilda asks, sounding even more concerned.

"You'll see," I answer, raising my glass to her in toast.

***

I decided to act on my plan sooner rather than later and texted Jenna to inform her we would be going to dinner tonight. No questions, just a light demand. She replied right away saying she would be ready at the agreed upon time. Now, all I need to do is stick to the plan and not let my need for her overwhelm my need to find out exactly what she's doing messing with my company.

That goes right out the window as soon as I see her appear in her parent's doorway.

I watch, mesmerized, as she walks down the porch steps, towards me. She looks like a dream in a red sleeveless silk dress with a slit that stops mid-thigh, showcasing her long, endless legs and a shimmering anklet on her left ankle.

I never knew anklets could be so sexy…

I let my eyes take her in… all of her. The dress hugs her curves in all the right places, accentuating her slender waist and full bust. She's done something different to her hair and the shiny, dark curls cascade down her back in thick waves. She's not wearing her glasses and I'm almost floored by those gorgeous eyes of hers, their bright green orbs sparkling like emeralds in the dark.

Her full lips curve into a gentle smile as she approaches me, and it suddenly feels like someone knocked the wind out of my lungs.

Snap out of it, Anders.

"You look stunning," I say as she stops in front of me, smiling directly into her eyes.

"Thank you," she mutters shyly, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink. "You look great too."

I'm wearing a black handmade shirt tucked into tailored dark gray pants, casual but stylish—exactly what I was going for.

"Thank you," I say, returning her smile. Then I pull open the passenger side door and step aside, gesturing for her to get in. "Shall we?"

She nods, muttering a soft thanks as she enters the car. I return to my side of the car and pull out of the driveway.

"Where are we going?" She asks quietly, looking at me with a soft smile.

What did she do to her lashes? Have they always been so seductively long? And that shimmering gloss on her lips…

"It's a surprise," I respond, clearing my throat lightly as I return my attention to the road.

We remain silent for the rest of the drive. She stares outside the window while I try hard not to be distracted by little, damming things like her scent, her smooth thighs pressing against the seat, or the way her fingers play absentmindedly with the hem of her dress. I need to keep my head in the game but it's getting increasingly difficult.

God, she is tempting.

"Where are we?" She asks, as we pull up in front of a familiar large iron gate, her brows furrowing in a confused frown as I continue down the long gravel driveway.

"My house," I reply, as I drive around the water fountain and pull up in front of the main building. I turn off the ignition and then look at her face. Her expression is a nervous apprehension.

"Relax, Jenna. I don't bite," I say, flashing her a reassuring smile. "I only eat green-eyed, raven-haired pretty ladies for breakfast but thankfully, it's dinner time."

She expels a soft sigh, her features relaxing into an amused smile. "Oh, thank goodness!" She says with sarcastic relief. "I was scared for a moment there."

She gazes out the window, taking in the grandeur of my home, her eyes widening in childlike awe. "Your house is beautiful, Ryan. It's like a castle!"

I smile, strangely pleased that she likes it. "I'm glad you approve."

I get out of the car and walk around to her side, opening the door for her. She steps out, her eyes scanning the surroundings, taking in the lush gardens and the sound of the water fountain in the background.

I lead her out through the back door to the terrace where I already had my housekeeper, Joanne, set a dinner table for two and I'm surprised to see that Joanne went all out. The table is adorned with candles, flowers, and fine China, creating a warm and intimate ambiance, the sound of the water fountain and the soft music playing in the background adding to the romantic atmosphere.

Jenna's eyes widen as she takes in the setting, and she turns to me with a surprised smile. "This is lovely, Ryan. You've gone to a lot of trouble."

I pull out her chair and help her sit down, ignoring the way my body reacts to her proximity. "It's no trouble at all, " I say, taking my own seat across from her.

As we begin to eat, the conversation flows easily, and I find myself enjoying her company. Somehow, I end up narrating hilarious stories about my escapades with Hilda as a teenager. She listened raptly and sometimes she laughed, the tinkling sound of her laughter piercing through the walls in my heart. After a while, I give up trying to ignore the effect she has on me. I realize that I like to watch her laugh, the way her eyes sparkle with unbridled joy. She seems so carefree… so innocent. But I know better.

As much as I'm enjoying her company, I have to remember that she's as cold and calculating as I am, maybe even more so. I can't let my attraction to her get in the way of my plans

Jenna leans back in her chair, clearly satisfied from the delicious steak dinner my housekeeper prepared.

Unable to resist the temptation to be close to her, I rise to my feet, holding out my right hand to her. "Stand up."

She frowns slightly at my outstretched hand, a curious smile playing on her lips. "What are you doing?"

"Dance with me, Little Fox."

The words fall off my lips even before I realize what I'm saying. Jenna's eyes widen in surprise, but then a slow smile spreads across her face. "I don't dance," she says, her voice husky.

"Ah, come on," I say, my hand still extended. "Just one dance. I promise I won't step on your toes."

She laughs, a throaty sound, and places her hand in mine. I pull her to her feet and tug her body against mine. I wrap my arms around her, feeling her body tense slightly as we begin to sway to the music.

"Why did you call me Little Fox?" She asks, sliding her arms around my neck.

I smile, feeling a strange warmth spread through my chest. "Because you're small, but fierce and clever, like a little fox… and because your eyes are cunning like a wild animal."

Jenna chuckles softly, pressing her body closer to mine. "I'm not sure if I should be offended or flattered," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Definitely flattered," I reply, my lips brushing against her ear. "I only use nicknames for people I like, Little Fox."

I look down at her face, the delicate yet sharp features, the mischievous glint in her shiny green eyes, and the soft, and those lips… "I want to kiss you so badly."

She meets my gaze, her full, sensual lips curving into a soft smile that sends blood rushing to my head. "I think I'd like that," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.