Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 200 Nathaniel Carter's office was exactly what I'd expect from the COO of a company like Kensington. It was elegant, imposing, and deliberately designed to intimidate. The walls were lined with dark mahogany shelves, a massive desk dominated the center of the room, and floor-to-ceiling windows offered a stunning view of Hyde Park. It was the kind of space that reminded you exactly who held the power. He was standing behind his desk, flipping through a stack of documents, but looked up the moment I stepped inside. For a few seconds, neither of us said a word.

His green eyes swept over me quickly but there was something in the way he looked at me that brought back everything from that airplane bathroom. "Annabelle," he said at last, his tone perfectly controlled. "Please, have a seat. Coffee? Water?" "No, thank you," I replied, walking toward the chair in front of his desk. My voice sounded steadier than I felt; my heart was pounding like I'd just run a marathon. "Are you sure?" One brow lifted, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It's important to stay hydrated during... turbulent discussions." The way he said 'turbulent' made my throat go dry.

"I'm fine, thank you," I said again, sitting down and crossing my legs, determined to stay composed. Nathaniel nodded and sat as well, resting his elbows on the desk, studying me with that unnerving intensity I already remembered too well. "So," he began, opening a folder, "Gwen's been giving me excellent reports about your work. She says you've been very responsive to the team's demands." Responsive. The way he emphasized the word made my stomach tighten. "I've been trying to do my best," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "And you've succeeded." He flipped through a few pages.

"Your reports show you have a real talent for meeting expectations. Quite impressive, considering you're working with completely new material." Meeting expectations. Seriously? Did every sentence have to sound like an innuendo? "I appreciate the positive feedback," I managed to say. "I always aim to deliver quality results." "Excellent." Nathaniel closed the folder and leaned back in his chair. "I'll admit, I've been pleasantly surprised by your performance so far.

something captures your interest." Oh, he was definitely doing this on purpose. "I believe passion is essential in any kind of work," I said, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. "I couldn't agree more." His

to stay open to new learning experiences," I said, wondering if he could tell just how much his words were getting to me. "1 "Perfect." Nathaniel stood, walking to a nearby bookshelf and pulling down a volume on market strategy. Because I have a few projects in mind that might require some very... intensive work sessions. We may have to stay 1/3 25 Bonus late some nights." Intensive sessions.

conversation and not his tone. "Oh, I definitely do." He closed the book and moved closer, stopping beside the chair next to mine, his hand resting casually on its back. "In fact, I have a very vivid memory

shiver down my spine. "Your authenticity. The way you throw yourself into challenges without holding anything back." Without holding anything back. Just like that night thirty-seven thousand feet above the ground. My heart was racing. Nathaniel had moved a little closer-not

fixed on me. "In fact, I've been thinking about a few projects that might fit your profile perfectly." "What kind of projects?" I asked, genuinely curious-but also painfully aware of the tension tightening around us. "Projects that need someone who isn't afraid to explore every possibility." His gaze didn't waver. "You strike me as the kind of person who embraces a new experience completely." Embraces completely. Explores every

smiled-a mix of businesslike and something far more dangerous. "And I have no doubt that working together will be very... rewarding." The air between us thickened, humming with something unspoken. He hadn't crossed any professional lines, not technically-but every look, every pause, every word was charged, as if there was

be working together." He was closer now, close enough that I caught the faint scent of his cologne, something warm and clean that hit harder than I wanted to admit. His eyes shifted color slightly in the light-gray one second, vivid green