His One Night Obsession
Chapter 8
Amber’s POV
By Saturday night, I was at my wit’s end.
Handling the sheer volume of administrative tasks for the Artisan project was one thing, but Mr. Toretto’s relentless persistence was another beast entirely. Now, I sat in a corner booth at a downtown bistro, forced to recount the week’s ordeal to my three best friends. They were leaned in so close our foreheads nearly touched.
"Okay, pause! Let’s get the facts straight.” Ginny raised her hand. “You hooked up with a man who turned out to be the CEO of a luxury brand and your company’s latest client?"
"And he’s been sending you designer gifts every single day?" Jane added, popping a French fry into her mouth.
“Yes,” I nodded, and they exchanged wide-eyed glances.
“I fail to see the issue here, Amby… a kind gesture can’t hurt,” Lilah shrugged, her eyes twinkling with mischief I knew too well.
I ran a hand through my hair, exasperated.
“You know it’s not just a ‘kind gesture,’” I said, making aggressive air quotes. “Besides, do you know how awkward it is to receive a delivery every day in front of the entire office? The gossip is off the charts.”
They burst into laughter at my intense grimace. Lilah’s eyes twinkled. “I don't know, those heels you showed us were gorgeous. Plus honestly? They’re a huge upgrade from your old ones!”
“That’s not the point,” I countered, thanking the waiter as he finally served our food. “I’m tired of his pestering. I have made it clear to him that I want a professional relationship, but the gifts arrive regardless.”
The scent of melted cheese and garlic wafted up, momentarily soothing my frayed nerves. I picked up my fork, taking a mouthful of pasta as if I could drown my anxiety in carbs.
“Maybe he’s just… intense. Some men are like that, and seeing how well you two clicked at first it makes sense” Jane emphasized, a dreamy sparkle in her eyes. “I’m telling you, he’s your soul mate.”
I gripped my wine glass, taking a slow sip. “There’s no such thing. What I’m considering right now is a trip. I want my thirtieth birthday to be free of men, gifts, and bosses. Just me, you guys and the sea."
I reached into my purse and pulled out the brochure for St. Jude’s Cay. It was a tiny island reachable only by private charter. It was quiet, disconnected, and most importantly, away from Dominic Toretto.
“What do you think?” I asked.
Lilah took the brochure, her eyes widening as she scanned the prices for the private charter and the villa. "Amby... this is a lot, the price is astronomical."
"She’s right," Jane added, leaning in, her voice hushed. "We want to celebrate with you, but we can take a more affordable trip."
I took a slow, deliberate sip of my wine, looking them each in the eye. "It’s okay, I'm paying for the villa using the wedding savings."
The table went dead silent, and they shared uneasy glances.
“Are you sure about this?” Ginny questioned, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.
"I’m sure," I replied, my voice firm. "That money is a result of my hard work, and what I’d been planning for four years turned out to be a lie. I withdrew half from the joint account yesterday. Liam already took his half for whatever he’s doing so I’m spending my half on this."
A slow, supportive smile spread across Jane’s face. "The 'F-you' fund. I love it."
Seeing their warm expressions, I continued. “I’ve put in for a short leave. If it’s approved, we leave Thursday morning.”
“Your birthday isn’t until Saturday, though,” Ginny pointed out.
“The earlier, the better,” I replied firmly. “I need to wash the 'office' off me before the actual day.”
"Do you think they’ll approve it?" Lilah asked softly. "With the project just starting?"
"I already cleared the dates with Mr. Gems," I said, a small sense of victory rising in my chest. "By the time I get back, maybe his obsession will have moved on to something or someone else. He's a billionaire; surely he has a short attention span."
"Then we’re in," Lilah declared, raising her glass. "To the best thirtieth birthday ever. No men, no gifts, and no ghosts of the past!"
After clinking glasses, we spent the rest of the night planning the itinerary, laughing as we reviewed outfit ideas.
The bistro suddenly felt quieter and I felt my hairs stand as the air shifted in the room and I felt a faint itch built at the back of my nose
I sneezed once, sharp and sudden, startling even me.
“Bless you,” Lilah said immediately.
“It’s just allergies,” I muttered, rubbing my nose as I forced a laugh.
But the feeling didn’t leave with the sneeze.
If anything, it settled deeper like something had already decided not to let me go.
I glanced around the room but saw nothing out of ordinary and with a sigh I reached for my bag. “I should head out. I need sleep before I start overthinking nonsense.”
Still, as I stepped into my apartment, I couldn’t stop myself from glancing over my shoulder once.
******
Dominic’s POV
She was there, I could see it too clearly.
Tilting her head back and letting out a deep laughter just like that night at the bar.
Her expression filled with ease like she had no care in the world, that is, until she looked at me
And then she frowned and my before I could process... the mirage was gone.
The gala was a hive of useless chatter. Waiters moved through the crowd like ghosts while government officials tried to buy my favor with empty smiles. I stood on the mezzanine, watching the scene with a glass of neat bourbon, listening to a minister drone on about a new development deal.
Rafe appeared in my peripheral vision, waiting. I gave the official a curt nod. “We’ll talk in detail at my office. Excuse me.”
As the man scurried away, Rafe moved closer. "The Romano shipment was intercepted, Boss. We burned the warehouse and seized their men."
"Good," I replied blankly. “Extract the information, then handle the rest. I want no loose ends.”
Before I could continue, a soft rustle of silk sounded behind me. A pair of dainty arms wrapped around my waist.It was a model I’d seen on a billboard earlier that week; she had a dainty, practiced smile as she peeked around my shoulder.
“Good evening, Mr. Toretto,” she purred, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. “You looked so stressed. I thought you might need some company.”
She slipped her hand into mine, leaning her weight against my bicep. The scent of heavy, synthetic vanilla invaded my nostrils. I looked across the room and caught the government official’s glinting eyes. This was his "incentive"; a gift to make me consider his proposal.
Normally, I would have accepted the distraction for an hour or two but tonight, the feeling of her skin against mine made my body tighten with visceral repulsion. Her curves felt wrong, her scent gave me a headache… it wasn't her.
I grabbed the woman's wrist in a grip that made her gasp, her eyes widening in terror.
"Leave," I ordered, my voice a lethal rasp.
Her features contorted into confusion. "B-but I thought you…"
"Get out before I have you tossed from this balcony."
She didn't wait. She scrambled away, her heels clicking frantically against the marble.
I turned back to Rafe. “Inform the official that I will not be doing business with him. Ever.”
I downed the bourbon, the burn doing nothing to soothe the itch under my skin. As my driver pulled the car onto the expressway later that night, I pulled out my phone. I watched the GPS ping over a small bistro. I stared at the dot, my chest tightening with a possessiveness that was becoming a physical ache.
She was still there, laughing with her friends, trying to erase
“Whether she likes it or not,” I murmured, “I’m done seeking 'options.' I want her.”
“According to our intel, Miss Ross is planning a trip for her birthday, Boss,” Rafe added, handing me a tablet. “St. Jude’s Cay. They depart Thursday morning.”
I scrolled through the images of the brochure she had been holding.
“Thursday?” I mused. “Her birthday isn't until Saturday morning.”
"She wants to leave early to avoid any... distractions," Rafe said hesitantly.
An amused smile tugged at my lips. I didn't need him to say it, my little Ember was trying to run. She thought a few miles of ocean would be enough to put out the fire she started.
"Book the neighboring estate for Saturday," I commanded. "And have the yacht prepped and moved to the harbor. If she wants to play in the sand, it’s only fair that I’m there to catch her when she falls."
"The Romano situation is still volatile, sir," Rafe cautioned. "Leaving now could..."
"Did I ask for your opinion?" I snapped, my gaze turning ice-cold.
Rafe bowed his head immediately. "No, Boss. I’ll handle the arrangements."
I reached into my pocket, my fingers brushing the scrap of black lace.
“You’re not running away, Amber,” I thought, watching the GPS dot stop at “… you’re just getting closer to where I need you.”
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