Rejected by my ex, Claimed by the CEO

Chapter thirteen

The weight of his words hung heavily between us, a reassuring balm to the sting of Trudie’s outburst. I let out a shaky breath, trying to process both the chaos of the moment and Gino’s presence as my anchor.

“Thank you for handling that,” I said, my voice steadier now. “I didn’t expect someone from your past to show up like that, let alone to accuse me of… replacing her.” I stepped back, creating a little distance; I still wasn’t sure how to navigate this new territory.

Gino moved as if to close the gap again, but something in my demeanour made him pause. “You didn’t replace anyone, Harriet” His sincerity shone through his bright, unyielding eyes.

“I just… I never thought I’d be stepping into someone else’s shoes, even if it’s unintentional,” I confessed, feeling a warmth creeping into my cheeks. “It’s hard not to feel like you’re just going to slip back into that old life with her.”

“There’s no going back for me, not now. You make me want to be better. You’ve already changed my life, and we have an agreement,” he replied. The intensity of his gaze sent a rush of emotion through me.

“Great, just what I needed. More emotional baggage,” I muttered to lighten the mood, but my heart pounded, and I couldn’t quite keep the humour from sounding hollow.

Gino chuckled lightly, but then his expression turned serious. “I’ll always be honest with you, Harriet. If I were to fall for someone else, I’d ensure you knew. I don’t want to keep secrets. That’s not how this works.”

I nodded slowly, absorbing his words, the shadows of my past still looming in the corners of my mind. But the thought of him falling for someone else made me feel uneasy. “I appreciate that. It’s just hard to stop comparing myself to other people—people like Trudie. She’s stunning, and that history…”

“Don’t,” he said, raising his hand to stop me. “You are stunning in your own right and beautiful inside. And there’s no history between us like what you might think there is. Just look at how she behaved—she's grasping at straws. You shouldn’t measure yourself against someone like that. She's unprofessional and would ruin any future deal for my company.”

“What… if you wake up one day and realise this was all a mistake?”

He took a step even closer, closing the distance completely this time. “I won’t. Trust me when I say I don’t want to lose you because of someone no longer in the picture.”

“Okay,” I murmured, taking a deep breath as I locked my eyes with his.

“Good,” he said, a small smile gracing his lips, chasing away the remnants of tension. Would you like to go on a business trip with me? I have to fly out to Paris today.”

I blinked, processing his words as excitement and apprehension swirled inside me. “Fly out to Paris? Today?” My heart raced with the spontaneity of his invitation; it felt surreal. Paris!

“Yes, today,” Gino confirmed, his smile widening as he watched my reaction. “It’s a quick trip, and I think it’ll be a great experience for you. Plus, we’ve got something significant to discuss there.”

“Significant?” I echoed, my mind racing with possibilities. “Like what?”

He hesitated momentarily, the light in his eyes flickering with something more profound. “Let’s just say it involves us and the future,” he replied, a severe tone creeping into his voice.

My heart skipped a beat. I had only started to process everything between us, and now we were suddenly discussing the future. “But my job—”

“Don’t worry about your job,” he interrupted gently. “I’ll handle it. I am your boss, after all.”

“Okay, but…” I hesitated, uncertainty creeping back in. What would everyone think? What if they thought I had abandoned my responsibilities?”

Gino placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.“Harriet, this chance to experience Paris with me? It’s rare. You won’t regret it.”

The boldness of his proposition stirred a sense of adventure within me. “You think so?”

“I know so,” he said confidently, the corners of his mouth twitching into a gentle smile. “So, what do you say? Are you ready for an adventure?”

The excitement bubbled within me, fighting against my reservations. “If we’re going to Paris together,” I said, my voice steady, “then let’s make the most of it.”

“Perfect,” he exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. “Now, we need to pack quickly. We have a flight to catch!”

He grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the bedroom. “We should be in and out of your closet in no time,” he added, his enthusiasm contagious.

I laughed, the earlier nerves melting away. “Okay, just give me a moment!”

He suddenly pinned me against the wall and looked deep into my eyes. “Harriet, I will protect you always. We may have a contract, but I want you to know that you never have to be afraid of me by your side. Remember that.” I felt excitement run down my spine as he traced a finger down my cheek. He didn't take his eyes off me.

“I know,” I whispered, closing my eyes as he brushed his lips against mine. I couldn't help but wish he would throw me on the bed and kiss me all over.

“Let's get packed and ready.” He pulled away from me with a grin on his face. I stood there, trying to get my breath back while Gino went to sort his stuff out. How could this man have such an effect on me? The mere touch of his skin on mine made me feel good in ways I had never felt before.