He Wants An Open Marriage? Done!

Chapter 27: Did He Touch You?

Christian’s fake, sweet look vanished instantly, his features hardening into an ugly mask. "I am making sure that nobody stands in the way of my promotion," he said, his voice dripping with sudden bitterness.

Roxanne let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "So you actually think someone else is standing in your way?"

"Not just anyone!" Christian stepped forward, jabbing a sharp finger through the air right toward her face. "You!"

"Me?" The sheer absurdity made her temper flare. "How? I haven’t done a single thing except try to save your pathetic career!"

"Lies! Lies! Lies!" Christian snapped, his eyes wide and frantic. "My position as CEO was completely locked in before you went behind my back to meet with Mr. Vance. Now, suddenly, the board is questioning everything. What did you tell him, Roxanne?"

Roxanne opened her mouth to shoot back a defense, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, the memory of her private meeting with Richard slammed into her mind.

Christian noticed her hesitation. He closed the distance between them, his hand violently clamping down on her forearm. "And what exactly were you doing in his office today? What did you go there for?" he demanded through clenched teeth, his hot breath hitting her face.

"That is none of your business," Roxanne hissed, her voice laced with poison. She tried to pull back, but his grip tightened. "I am a grown woman. I am allowed to meet with whoever I—"

"No, you are not!" Christian barked. His fingers dug painfully into her flesh, bruising her skin.

"Yes, I am!" With a surge of raw adrenaline, Roxanne violently yanked her arm out of his grasp. She stepped back, her chest heaving. "Don’t you ever lay a finger on me again, Christian. Never!"

Christian blinked, momentarily stunned by the raw fire in her eyes, and took a cautious step back. His brow furrowed. "What the hell has gotten into you?"

Roxanne took a slow, agonizing breath, but her icy stare didn’t waver for a second. She pointed a trembling finger at his chest.

"Do you have any idea how many years I quietly endured your abuse? When you stole my dream job. When I sat at home and wrote every single winning proposal that dragged your mediocre ass to the top of this company. When you broke my heart with a string of cheap women, even bringing them into our own marriage bed. I gave you everything, Christian. If I wanted to destroy your life, I could do it with a single snap of my fingers."

Christian’s eyes narrowed into defensive slits. He let out a dismissive grunt. "So now you’re throwing everything I’ve let you do for me in my face? Really? That’s a low blow, Roxy. I know you’re just trying to deflect because you got caught, but I am not letting this go."

Roxanne exhaled a sharp, disgusted breath and turned toward the exit. "I am totally done with this nonsense."

"No, you are not!" Christian yelled after her, his voice echoing off the walls. "Why are you meeting with Richard Vance? What could you two possibly have in common?"

Roxanne paused at the doorway. She turned her head back slightly, a slow, dangerous smile curving her lips. "I see you desperately want an answer," she murmured, tilting her head. "Well, I guess you’ll just have to be patient. In a few days, you will find out exactly why."

Before Christian could find his voice to argue, she threw the heavy wooden door open and stormed out, slamming it shut behind her.

The moment she stepped into the quiet corridor, she leaned against the wall and let out a long breath to steady her racing heart. She forced her legs to move, heading toward the seventh-floor elevators.

Suddenly, the phone buzzed against her palm. She looked down at the glowing screen. It was a text message from Richard.

I heard you are behind closed doors with him. Did he touch you? Did he even try?

A genuine smile broke through Roxanne’s anger. A spark of pure excitement flared deep in her stomach at his possessive tone. Her fingers flew across the keyboard.

Only long enough for me to threaten him. See you at the lounge, Richard. She hit send, watching the message bubble pop up, her mood lifting instantly.

—

Hours later, the storm had settled, but her anticipation hadn’t.

Roxanne stepped into the dim, exclusive VIP lounge of the bar. Her breathing was steady, but her nerves were on fire. She approached the private room door and pushed it open.

Inside, the space was transformed. Soft candlelight flickered against polished crystal, and a romantic dinner for two was neatly set up. She stopped, her brows pulling together in surprise.

"Come in, Roxanne," Richard’s rich baritone smoothly carried across the quiet room. He stood by the table, extending a welcoming hand toward her.

Roxanne nodded, her heart hammering like a trapped bird inside her chest as she stepped forward. A quiet waiter in a crisp uniform slid a leather chair out for her, and she sat down, the soft fabric cool against her skin.

"Would you like some wine?" Richard asked. His long fingers gently touched the neck of a dark green bottle, his eyes locked onto hers.

Roxanne shook her head, wanting clarity more than alcohol. "Why don’t you just tell me why you wanted me to come here tonight?"

Richard looked down at her and let out a soft, low chuckle. "I see you want to go straight to business."

"Business?" Roxanne repeated softly. Did he really bring her to the most intimate, private room, the very place where he had first unraveled her sanity, just to discuss corporate logistics?

Richard didn’t answer right away. He reached across the small table and extended his large, warm hand. Roxanne hesitated for a heartbeat before placing her fingers in his palm. His grip was firm and reassuring. He leaned in, staring directly into her eyes.

"You wanted to know what my world looks like, and why you needed to experience it before making a final choice," he murmured, his voice thick with unvoiced emotion.

Roxanne nodded slowly, her heart beating so hard she was certain he could hear it.

"I am not just going to tell you about it, Roxanne. I am going to show you," Richard promised, his thumb tracing a slow, intoxicating circle over the back of her hand. "But first, I have one question for you." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Roxanne frowned slightly, her breath catching in her throat. "What question?"

Richard’s gaze darkened with a raw, intense possessiveness. "Will you be my woman?"