A Deal With The CEO Between Duty And Desire

A high-end car stops in front of the entrance of a gleaming skyscraper. Roma is wearing an impeccably cut pant suit in neutral tones. She steps out with innate elegance. Her hair is gathered in a low bun, revealing delicate but defined features. Although her clothing is discreet, her slender figure and distinguished bearing do not go unnoticed by those present. Even though the uncertainty of what might happen consumes her, she shows a serenity that actually makes her look more attractive.

The doorman opens the restaurant door for her with a respectful bow.

Seeing her, the manager immediately approaches with great respect and a polite voice. "Welcome, Miss Parker. Your date is waiting for you."

"It's not a date, it's a meeting," she clarifies, and the manager regrets what he said.

"Forgive my boldness. Please, follow me."

She nods with a tilt of her head-no smile, but an expression of seriousness that the manager interprets as approval. She follows him through a discreetly lit hallway, past a private elevator. The elevator ride felt eternal to her, as what she wanted most was to get out of this matter as soon as possible.

The elevator doors open directly into a spacious and bright lounge.

"Go right in, I'll take my leave," the manager said, and Parker prepared to step out of the elevator. She swallowed hard upon seeing that man-the indomable, arrogant, drop-dead gorgeous man carved by the gods: Esteban Hamilton.

He was already waiting. Impeccably dressed in a dark suit, his figure was slender and powerful. He was standing tall, his back to her, facing the large windows. The light highlighted the contour of his silhouette, giving him an imposing presence.

Roma's footsteps echoed clearly in the silence of the room as she headed toward the table. He heard her, but he didn't turn around to look at her immediately, making the air in the VIP room-where they would dine in private-heavy with palpable expectation.

She stopped a few steps from the table, waiting. Finally, he turned around with calculated slowness. His gaze was intense, evaluating, without a hint of warmth. His dark eyes scanned her figure from head to toe before settling on her face, causing her discomfort-not from annoyance, but from the sensation of that hungry look he threw her. "Remember he's a womanizer," she told herself mentally, so she arched an eyebrow.

"Thank you for accepting this meeting, Mr. Hamilton. I've come to talk about a collaboration that I consider mutually beneficial. Shall we begin?" Her question, delivered in a serious voice, made him frown slightly, as it confirmed what they said about the girl: she was intelligent and sharp in business.

Esteban took his seat first with a barely perceptible smile forming at the corner of his lips. His tone was deep, almost defiant, as he told her: "My time is very valuable, Miss Parker. I've been here six minutes, and that's thousands of dollars lost, so get to the point." He looked her directly in the eyes and could perceive the anger of the woman in front of him, who didn't hesitate for a second and prepared to sit down with elegance. "While you are losing thousands of dollars, I am losing time that is truly a treasure, Mr. Hamilton, but I haven't come to argue." She smiled; her perfect teeth and those full lips were provocative.

"You are a shrewd businessman. And a shrewd businessman is always willing to listen to any proposal that could bring benefits. It is a minimal investment of time for a potentially significant return."

"You are colder and more direct than I imagined."

She brushed off his comment, accustomed to dealing with strong personalities. She went straight to the point, her voice formal and controlled.

"Your corporation is sinking my family, and that is something I cannot allow, Mr. Hamilton. You cannot lead to ruin what has taken my father years to build. I have been at the forefront of everything, and everything was going excellently until you Hamiltons took it upon yourselves to start bothering us."

He interrupted her intentionally, raising a hand. He shifted the conversation toward the personal, with a seductive and provocative attitude.

"Before you list all the wonderful advantages of this strategic union you have in mind-because I know perfectly well why you asked to see me-tell me one thing: what do you think of me as a husband?"

The question took her by surprise. Her eyes widened slightly, but she forced herself to maintain her composure. Her mind worked at full speed, searching for the right answer that wouldn't show weakness.

Without hesitating, even though inside her heart had skipped a beat, she answered him.

"You are a powerful ally." She swallowed and wanted to hold that deep gaze, but she didn't think she could stand it for long; he didn't even blink, and his strong temperament made her nervous.

Esteban Hamilton smiled, a predatory smile that showed a perfect row of teeth. He moved closer, reducing the distance between them. The tension in the room became almost tangible. His body loomed over her, exerting pressure step by step, like a hunter cornering his prey. Roma swallowed hard; no man had ever gotten so close to her, but with him, she was practically frozen.

"You speak very well of this marriage, of this 'alliance.' But you aren't negotiating with me, Miss Parker... you're begging." He looked into her eyes, and he could hear her labored breathing from his cruel proximity.

Blood rushed to her cheeks. She feigned being calm, but her lips were tight-a fine line on her face. Her heart beat forcefully, a violent drumming against her ribs. She felt the heat of the pressure, the shame of being exposed in that way. She knew he had seen through her facade, that he had discovered the desperation underlying her cold logic.

He stopped in front of her, staring fixedly into her eyes. There was a glimmer of triumph in his gaze. Upon confirming that she had no escape, that he had cornered her completely, his expression softened just a fraction-a sign of his acceptance.

She remained motionless, as if she had been nailed to the floor, the echo of his gaze burning her skin.