“Everyone is waiting for me. I don’t have time for this.” I didn’t want to accept any of his conditions. I knew it would be something wicked, just like his intentions.

“That’s why I’m suggesting you to accept my condition and I’ll let you go.”

He wouldn’t budge, would he? Pressing my lips tight, I glared at him. “Fine. What is it?”

A triumphant look took over his irises, though he didn’t let it show on his face. “You’ll come with me, in my car, to the meeting.”

“What? No, I won’t go with you!” No way I was staying alone with him in his car. The embarrassment I felt in his room was more than enough to give me sleepless nights. I didn’t want more.

“Then you aren’t leaving,” his tone held finality.

I gaped. “But… you can’t do that. If you don’t open this door, you can’t leave either. You know that, right?”

His mouth twitched. “Nice try, Rosebud. But trust me, I don’t have any problem spending some more time with you here, alone.” He stepped closer.

I raised my hands before me, stopping him. “All right, I—I’ll go with you. Just open this damn door.” It was better to be in a car with him than stay locked in this penthouse.

God, I hated him!

But when a breathtaking smile appeared on his lips, brightening everything around me, I doubted myself. It felt like I was seeing the same old Ace again. Soft and carefree. Not rough and cold.

I went speechless when he closed the gap, pressed a kiss on my forehead and whispered a ‘let’s go’ in my ear. He opened the door for us by tapping on something on his phone. I didn’t know how to react as he held my hand and led me out of the penthouse. And I let him until we stepped out of the elevator and met my other colleagues down in the lobby.

The car ride was quiet all the way to the meeting. I barely looked at him as I stared at the road most of the time, ignoring the brooding man. Though his overwhelming presence wasn’t easy to ignore.

The whole time he was tense, his knuckles were tight on the steering, glancing at me from time to time. As if he wanted to say something to me but held himself back.

The only thing he asked was if I wanted to listen to some music. But I said no. I wanted to ask him how he got my fingerprint for the scanner, but I chose to stay silent. I didn’t trust myself. Once I started asking, I feared I’d ask something I shouldn’t.