Chapter 223.
"Elaine."
His voice cuts through the room, I glance over my shoulder to see He’s watching me now, his laptop still open, expression unreadable.
"Yes?"
"What," he asks slowly, "are you doing?"
I blink innocently.
"Looking.
"At?"
I gesture vaguely.
"Stuff."
His jaw flexes slightly.
I almost smile, then I continue walking because obviously, I’m not done.
I trail my fingers lightly across the edge of a shelf, moving toward his private bar area next.
"Do you actually drink all this?" I ask, glancing at the expensive bottles.
"Sometimes."
"Hmm."
I crouch slightly to inspect another section, then move again and then again. At this point, I’m not even pretending I have a goal.
I’m just existing loudly in his space.
I hear another sigh, this one heavier and longer.
"You really won’t let me work, will you?"
I turn slowly to see He’s leaning back in his chair now, looking at me with that familiar mixture of irritation and reluctant amusement.
I smile sweetly.
"Probably not."
He stares at me for a second yhen...To my absolute delight.....He shuts the laptop, actually shuts it.
I blink.
"Oh?"
The soft click echoing louder than it should.
He folds his hands briefly, then leans back fully in his chair.
"Congratulations," he says dryly. "You’ve officially become more disruptive than my board meetings."
I place a hand dramatically over my chest.
"I’m honored."
"You shouldn’t be."
But there’s no real heat behind it.
I grin anyway.
"Were you doing anything important?"
"Yes."
"More important than me?"
His stare turns flat.
"Dangerous question."
I laugh softly. Then, because I apparently enjoy testing my limits, I slowly walk toward his desk.
"Well," I say casually, "you’re free now."
"That depends."
"On?"
"How much trouble you’re planning to cause."
I stop in front of his desk and tilt my head slightly.
"Who says I’m causing trouble?"
His eyes drag over me once slowly and suddenly..... the air shifts a little.
"You," he says, voice lower now, "are almost always causing trouble."
I swallow, not because I’m nervous..Just...very aware.
"Oh," I say softly.
He studies me for a moment longer before shaking his head once like he’s trying to reset himself.
"Sit down."
I blink.
"Excuse me?"
"Sit," he repeats.
I glance around dramatically.
"Where?"
His gaze sharpens slightly.
"Don’t test me."
And wow.....that tone. I bite back a smile, then deliberately choose the chair directly across from him and sit, crrossing one leg over the other.
He watches the whole thing suspiciously, like he knows I’m up to something.
Which.....Fair.
"Better?" I ask.
"For now."
I smile.
He exhales again, though this one sounds more resigned than annoyed.
Then, just as he reaches for his laptop again....Another knock sounds.
"Come in."
The chef returns with our food....perfect timing. I sit up straighter immediately as the dishes are placed down. The smell alone is enough to completely redirect my focus.
"Oh, thank God."
Zane pinches the bridge of his nose briefly and I swear...For just a second...He almost looks like he’s questioning every life decision that brought him here tonight. Which, naturally, only makes me more pleased with myself.
The food is incredible. Honestly.....Far better than I expected. I don’t even know why I’m surprised at this point. Of course Zane’s private club chef would somehow make one of the best meals I’ve had in weeks. Everything is perfectly done and after everything I’ve been through lately, actually sitting down and eating something good feels strangely grounding.
For a while, I focus entirely on my plate. Which is saying something, im halfway through when I glance up....And there he is, still working, still buried in his laptop like he didn’t just order food too. I pause mid-bite. My brows slowly pull together. Seriously?
I watch him for another moment, maybe he’s finishing something, Maybe he’ll stop in a second.
He doesn’t. He barely glances at the plate sitting there.
I sigh softly. This man.
I set my fork down, wipe my mouth carefully Then stand.
He notices immediately, though he doesn’t stop typing.
"What now?"l
I walk around the desk without answering.
"Elaine."
Still, I say nothing as I reach down and close his laptop. The sharp click finally forces his full attention onto me as he leans back slowly, staring at me... looking deeply tired. Like I’m a problem he can’t decide whether he enjoys or not.
"Really?" he asks.
I fold my arms.
"Yes, really."
He raises one brow.
"I was working."
"And now," I say firmly, "you’re eating."
He stares at me for another second then....that familiar sigh. im beginning to think I personally shave years off this man’s life.
"You are exhausting," he mutters.
I smile sweetly.
"And yet."
He shakes his head slowly, pushing his chair back before finally standing. Still unfairly attractive even while mildly annoyed.
"Come on," I say, nodding toward the table. "Sit."
He gives me a look but this time....He listens.
He moves to the table and takes the seat across from me.
For a moment, I feel absurdly satisfied, lik I’ve accomplished something major.
I settle back into my own chair and pick up my fork again.
"Se?" I say. "That wasn’t so hard."
"You’re very controlling tonight."
I nearly choke.
"Me?"
"Yes."
He picks up his utensils with maddening calm.
"You’ve interrupted my work, invaded my office, ordered my food, and now forced me to eat."
I blink. Then grin.
"When you say it like that, I sound impressive."
That actually earns the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth.
For a while, we eat in relative peace.
It’s...Nice. Unexpectedly so.
The tension isn’t gone but it’s softer. And maybe it’s the food, maybe it’s the distraction or maybe it’s just that for once, neither of us is actively fighting the moment.
I glance up at him occasionally. Because when he isn’t guarded, when he’s just sitting here eating across from me....He feels...Different.
Still Zane but also...more human and reachable. Which somehow feels more dangerous than all his sharp edges.
"You’ve been quiet," he says suddenly.
I blink, realizing I’ve been staring.