Ryan’s pov
I saw when Aurora stepped out of her office, heading toward Sophie and Adam to hand over some documents. My eyes followed her every movement, admiring her without shame. But I didn’t miss the way Adam looked at her.
He liked her.
My jaw tightened as I focused my sharp hearing on their conversation. Adam gestured for her to follow him to his desk, and though I could no longer see them, I could hear every word.
He was inviting her to a party.
And then he asked her to go with him.
The nerve.
I stood up before I could stop myself. I shouldn’t have. I knew I should let her handle things on her own. But I couldn’t. Why would I, when another man was trying to take what was mine?
I didn’t care what Aurora thought. She needed to understand that no one could come close to her. No one could have her but me.
Without a second thought, I walked straight to them. Adam was still waiting for her answer, but I gave it for her.
“She won’t say yes.”
Both of them turned to look at me. Aurora’s eyes widened in shock. Adam’s face was frozen in confusion.
Before anyone could say another word, I did what felt right. I wrapped my arm around her waist and kissed her. Right there. In front of everyone.
Her body tensed in my arms. She hadn’t expected it, but she didn’t pull away. And that only made me want to deepen it. I kissed her with possession, with certainty, making it clear to every damn person in the room who she belonged to.
When I finally pulled away, Adam looked like he’d seen a ghost.
I smirked, satisfied.
“Meet me in my office when you’re done,” I told Aurora, my voice low and firm before walking away.
I could feel the eyes on me as I left. Whispers, stares, shock. Let them talk. It didn’t matter. All that mattered was that they knew.
She was mine.
Back in my office, I sat at my desk, trying to focus. But my mind was on her. On the way she felt against me, the way her lips trembled under mine. My body ached for her, but I forced myself to be patient.
Then, a knock.
Aurora walked in, shutting the door behind her before quickly taking a seat.
“Why did you do that?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “In front of everyone?”
I leaned back in my chair, staring at her. “Because someone was trying to take my girl out, and I couldn’t let that happen. You can’t blame me, Aurora.”
Her lips parted slightly, her breath uneven. “But what will people say?”
“They’ll say nothing,” I said as I stood up, closing the distance between us. “They’ll just know that you’re mine. And that you’re off limits.”
She stared at me, her hands gripping the armrest of her chair. I could tell she was struggling to find words, but I didn’t give her the chance.
I walked to my desk, pulling out the remote for my office door. The glass that was once transparent turned opaque with the press of a button.
Aurora’s eyes widened as a deep blush crept up her cheeks.
“What are you doing?” she asked softly.
I smirked.
“I want some alone time with you.”
The hunger inside me burned, growing stronger by the second. I watched her squirm in her seat, her breathing quickening as realization dawned on her.
She knew what was coming.
I feel her hesitation as I guide you to the edge of my desk, her eyes darting nervously between mine and the hardness straining against my slacks.
With a mischievous grin, I cup her chin and tilt it upwards, forcing her to look at me instead of my obvious arousal.
The way she looked at it looked like she has never seen anything like it before.
Aurora blushes, looking away from the evidence of my arousal and biting her lower lip uncertainly. That was fucking sexy.
I trace her jawline gently with my thumb, tilting her face back up towards mine. “Hey,” I whisper softly.
Her breath hitches as my fingers trace the exposed skin at the base of her neckline, barely contained beneath the silky material of her dress. She shivers under my touch, a soft gasp escaping her lips.
I lift her onto the cool wooden surface, her breath hitching as I press myself between her thighs. My fingers skim her inner leg, gently teasing their way up to her dress.
I was just teasing her, I wouldn’t do anything without her consent.
She gasps softly at the sight, her cheeks flushing pink.
“You’re so fucking adorable right now,” I told her.
All wide-eyed innocence, yet I can see the desire flickering in those beautiful eyes.
Just as our lips were about to meet, a sharp knock on the door made me curse under my breath.
Damn it! I cursed inwardly.
Aurora gasped and quickly scrambled off my desk, straightening her clothes. Her face was flushed, her eyes wide as she smoothed down her hair. She was so damn adorable, trying to act like nothing had just happened. I clenched my jaw, frustration bubbling inside me.
Pressing the remote, I made the office door transparent again.
“Come in,” I said, my voice a little harsher than intended.
Sophie stepped in, her eyes flickering between Aurora and me. She knew. Of course, she knew. But to her credit, she didn’t dare ask.
“You have an unexpected visitor, sir,” she said, keeping her tone professional.
“Who is it?” I asked, irritation still lacing my voice. Who the hell dared to interrupt my alone time with Aurora?
Aurora took that as her cue to escape. “I’ll be in my office,” she mumbled before slipping out of the room, not meeting my eyes.
Damn it. I wanted to pull her back in.
“It’s Mr. Jonathan Knight. He said he needs to show you a new site.”
I exhaled through my nose. Jonathan Knight, a businessman who only cared about making money.
“Alright, I’ll be right with him,” I said, already thinking of how much time this would take away from what I actually wanted to be doing.
After finishing a few things in the office, I made my way to Aurora’s office before leaving. She was typing away, but when she saw me, her fingers stilled.
“I’m heading out with Jonathan. We have to inspect the new site,” I told her.
“Oh,” she said, blinking up at me.
I smirked and leaned down, placing my hands on her desk, caging her in. “Don’t miss me too much, little one.”
She rolled her eyes, but the pink on her cheeks gave her away. “Who says I will?”
“You will,” I said confidently before tilting her chin up and pressing a soft peck on her lips. “Jaime will take you home when you’re done with work. Don’t give him a hard time.”
“I never do,” she huffed.
I arched a brow. “Liar.”
She stuck her tongue out at me, making me chuckle. Damn, she was something else.
With one last glance at her, I turned and left, heading toward the parking lot where Jonathan was waiting.
****
Hours passed as we discussed plans for the new project. It was a lucrative deal, one that could expand my company’s influence, but my mind kept drifting back to Aurora.
When I finally checked my watch, I realized it was already time for her to go home. Pulling out my phone, I sent Jaime a quick text.
*Keep her safe, Jaime.*
Satisfied, I put my phone away and continued my discussion with Jonathan.
But then my phone rang after a few minutes of dropping it.
Jaime.
I frowned and picked up immediately. “What is it?”
Heavy breathing filled the line. Then Jaime’s panicked voice came through.
“Help us, Alpha. Help us.”
And then the call was cut off.
My blood ran cold.
Aurora.