Bound By CEO's Desire

The connection between Richard Harvey and me was rather complicated. I served as the legal counsel for his company and had an intimate relationship with him.

It all began at a dinner gathering after I secured the contract with Zenith Group. To keep our ties strong, I treated him to a cup of coffee. The vibe was so electric that we ended up having sex after that coffee.

Then it happened again and again. We soon reached an unspoken understanding.

There were no hazy declarations of love or discussions about what lay ahead. When the mood struck, we'd message each other. If the timing worked, we'd meet up, enjoy our time together, and then go our separate ways. Neither of us owed the other.

Recently, Richard's father, Cory Harvey, the chairman of Zenith Group, had a severe accident at home, resulting in a coma. Rumors swirled among the company staff, and some shareholders even accused Richard of foul play, suggesting an acting chairman.

Richard remained silent on these accusations, spending time at the hospital, leaving today's negotiations to the vice president.

Lunchtime rolled around as we wrapped up the negotiation. Once I got what I was after, I let out a sigh of relief. On the sly, I signaled Zenith Group's vice president to make any additional requests to the other party.

The vice president caught on and promptly started discussing compensation details.

The moment I took my seat, my phone buzzed inside my handbag. I retrieved it and saw a message from Richard. It read, "Same spot."

I didn't anticipate his sudden invitation. An idea struck me, and my fingers swiftly moved beneath the table. "Sure thing."

Following the reconciliation meeting, I dismissed the legal assistant who had accompanied me, using the excuse of misplacing my pen. Quietly, I strolled down the corridor and slipped into the small room adjacent to the president's office.

This was Richard's exclusive reception room. Access was granted only with his consent, primarily reserved for him to engage in some "other activities."

I closed the door, about to lock it, when I felt arms wrap around me from behind.

The three-layered curtains were all drawn shut, enveloping the room in darkness. As my sight was obscured, my other senses sharpened. Richard's quick breath brushed against my ear like a summer thunderclap, making my heart beat faster.

I couldn't quite fathom why my heart suddenly grew tender. I was letting go of the sharpness I had displayed while negotiating with others earlier.

With no reservations, I rested against Richard's chest, my search for his lips underway. In a low voice tinged with concern, I inquired, "Weren't you taking care of your father at the hospital? Why did you come back to the company suddenly?"

In the shadows, Richard remained silent. When I was about to press for answers, I was suddenly lifted and harshly thrown aside.

Caught off guard, I tumbled backward, crashing into the sofa. The impact sent a sharp pain through my body.

Suddenly, the room brightened. Richard lit a cigarette and placed it between his lips, looking down at me with disgust and disdain. "Are you that desperate to have sex with a man?"

Under the light, his deep-set eyes and pronounced cheekbones, framed by sharp eyebrows, gave him a cold, striking appearance.

Despite the recent ordeal, his attire remained impeccable, not a wrinkle in sight, not even on his tie.

The glaring humiliation snapped me back to reality.

I raised my hand to fix my hair and responded, "Mr. Harvey, you must be joking. There are men everywhere. I'm not that desperate."

"Elin Lloyd!" My mockery made Richard's eyes grow even colder. He clenched his teeth and made a valiant effort to restrain his anger. "Get out of here. Never show up in my presence again."

With that, he spun around and stormed out, slamming the door behind him. I was left alone in the room. Surrounded by the familiar furnishings, I felt a sense of disorientation.

The steady and untroubled relationship stayed under the radar for over a year, unnoticed by anyone.

I never anticipated it would conclude like this. The ending came abruptly and strangely, catching me off guard. I might have become accustomed to his company. The idea of not having a partner like that in the future left me feeling a tad down.

It took me some time to gather myself.

Right after I left Zenith Group, my director called me. "Elin, pass on Zenith Group's materials to Caroline Stevens later."

I had just secured a win for Zenith Group. Why was my boss suddenly replacing me? A sense of foreboding washed over me. "Why? I've been overseeing Zenith Group's cases from the beginning. Why would you replace me with Caroline?"

"Well... I just got a message from Richard Harvey. It's his wish, and we must follow his instructions."

It was Richard's doing.

Though there was no love between Richard and me, I thought we had a tacit understanding. I didn't expect him to turn on me so harshly. My heart ached at the thought.

After ending the call, I held onto my phone for a while. Eventually, I couldn't resist calling Richard's number.

There had to be a reason for his actions. Even though he had cast me aside, I needed to know why.

"Hello." Richard's icy voice came, shattering my feigned composure.

I straightened up, clinging to my last shred of pride. "Richard, we're adults. We can have a civil relationship and part ways amicably. I earned the position of legal consultant on my merit. Is it not a bit excessive to replace me just like that?"

Richard's response was a derisive chuckle. "You're aware of how you landed that position."

"Why wouldn't it be my effort?" To secure a partnership with Zenith Group, I invested three months in preparation, engaged in numerous discussions, and outshone over a dozen local law firms. Richard's insinuation dismissed all my hard work.

I couldn't resist arguing with him, but all I got in response was a busy tone. The call had been disconnected.

His decisiveness left no room for discussion, and I felt a surge of irritation.

The legal counsel commission from Zenith Group was consistently hefty throughout the year. Some cases even brought in additional commissions. If I lose it, my income would decrease by at least half.

Today had been a double blow: losing both a sex partner and a substantial income.

The music blared in the bar. Seated at the counter, Bella Dixon clutched a dark beer and hollered in my ear, "You still haven't learned after all these years? This world is unjust to women. Don't bother trying to level the playing field with men! Getting into bed is no issue. You need to extract all the advantages you desire from him. Don't put on airs. Otherwise, you'll just let a scoundrel take advantage of you!"

Bella was my best friend. She had fun with numerous guys but never fell for any of them. Knowing I was feeling down, she whisked me to the bar and tried to make me happy.

My tolerance for alcohol was low. After Bella coaxed me into a few drinks, my head started spinning. I yelled at her, "It's me taking advantage of him! He's like a gigolo to me!"

But just as I finished, the DJ cut the music, creating a brief silence. My words echoed like thunder across the hall, drawing stares from many people.

"I need to leave," I said, feeling embarrassed and guilt under so many gazes. I couldn't stay put any longer. With my head down, I pulled Bella away from the commotion. But as we took a few steps, I collided with a sturdy chest.

Even during the bar's chaos, I could spot Richard almost instantly. That habit was a nuisance. It dredged up memories I'd rather forget.

Determined not to show any vulnerability, I stepped back, my expression chilly. "Pleasure to see you, Mr. Harvey."

Richard's gaze was dark and intense. Meanwhile, the young woman beside him greeted me. "Hey, Elin. What a surprise bumping into you here."

Then I recognized the speaker as Caroline, who had taken my business.

Her relationship with Richard was different from mine. She stood beside him, calm and close, like a genuine girlfriend.

It suddenly struck me why Richard wanted to end things with me. He was pouring his heart into his new woman. I was foolish to dial his number. Perhaps the two of them would share a laugh at my expense after I hung up.

Caroline continued to gaze at me, her countenance radiating innocence and kindness.

I forced a smile and retorted, "Quite the coincidence. You snagged the job I had no interest in and the man I never wanted. If it weren't for the sheer coincidence, I'd say you were born to collect trash."

Caroline didn't anticipate my direct response, leaving her momentarily speechless. She looked around, then back at me with a guise of innocence. "Elin, I didn't realize you and Mr. Harvey had a..."

"I have nothing to do with her." Richard cut in abruptly. He didn't meet my gaze. Instead, he comforted Caroline. "You head in first. I'll follow shortly."

That sight cut deep.

What was the use of winning the verbal battle?

Our encounters were kept private. I knew his every breath, the contours of his body, and his concealed truths. However, I had never witnessed such a patient expression on his face before.

Through his actions, he conveyed I was an easy woman willing to share a bed with him, while a virtuous lady like Caroline deserved his patience.

And the worst part? I couldn't deny it. It was infuriating!

Bella, sensing my distress, quickly stepped in front of me. "Elin, let's head to the car."

But Richard acted swiftly, seizing me before I could utter a word. He possessed such strength that my best efforts couldn't free me from his grip. I had no choice but to be pulled away by him.

I cursed, "Richard, you bastard!"

Bella quickly followed, shouting, "Richard, let her go!"

Richard seemed to ignore her, dragging me through the crowded bar.

The place was bustling, with even a couple intimately engaged on a couch in the corner. Richard finally pulled me into the bathroom.

We walked into the men's room, and as I stepped in, all the drunk people turned their attention my way. Seeking payback, I whistled and looked skeptically at Richard's lower part. "They're larger than yours."

Richard's expression turned sour. The frustration I had been feeling began to fade. He saw me as nothing more than a prostitute, and I saw him as no better.

"Leave now!" Richard roared. The other men quickly left, not wanting any part of our dispute. Soon, it was just Richard and me in the large bathroom.

"Richard, what in the world are you aiming to do?" In the presence of the muscular guy, I appeared less sturdy. I grew slightly cautious and discreetly snatched a white porcelain vase, concealing it behind my back.

Richard's forehead veins pulsed, and his words emerged through clenched teeth. "Did you regard me as a gigolo?"

"Of course." The vase I held boosted my confidence. I stared at him icily and remarked, "Your services don't come cheap. I've already paid a year's worth of commissions."

"You're aware of how you landed that legal advisor role!" Richard said through clenched teeth. "I did it for the company's benefit!"

"Sure thing, I'm aware. I earned it with my skills!" Unintentionally, my words carried a hint of bitterness. "No need to mention it. You only needed me to clear the path for your new woman. I've vanished without a word. What else do you want?"

"Elin Lloyd!" Richard reached his hand out, ready to choke me. I hastily seized the vase, ready to give him a good knock on the head. But his hand slipped down from my neck and rested on my shoulder. "I truly..."

He lowered his voice and muttered something unclear.

"What did you say?" I tried to clarify, but he caught me off guard with a kiss.

His lips felt velvety, yet scorching, sending a tingling sensation through my entire body. I tried to turn away from him, but he held me firmly. With his hand at the back of my head, he compelled me into a kiss.

I resisted, keeping my lips sealed. He bit my lip hard, and I tasted blood as it trickled from my lip.

I mumbled in frustration, "Richard, you're acting like a dog!"

But he didn't stop. His tongue lingered on my lip, a mix of numbing and stinging sensations where I was hurt.

I was powerless to stop him, so I remained motionless, allowing him to do as he pleased.

Observing my resistance fade, Richard subtly shifted his stance and extended his arms, enveloping me in an embrace. Then, he tenderly brushed the tip of his tongue against my lip to alleviate my discomfort.

He kissed me very seriously. We were so close to each other. His eyelashes looked like two small black wings, trembling slightly.

My energy dwindled steadily, and I found myself resting against his chest.

His affectionate kiss was so intense that I almost forgot we were in the bathroom and the events of that afternoon. My legs went feeble and I nearly blurted out, "I love you."

Luckily, Caroline and Bella caught up with us just in time and knocked on the door. "Mr. Harvey? Elin?"

I finally snapped back to reality. Richard was a wealthy and good-looking guy, and I was a woman he could ask for with the snap of his fingers. His love was exclusive to himself, with no room for anyone else.

Indeed, his seriousness stemmed from my rejection, which had reignited his desire to win me over again.

It was indeed foolish of me to harbor emotions for him.

I shut my eyes and brought down the white porcelain vase on his head with a forceful strike.

The vase shattered into fragments, and Richard finally released his grip on me.

When I blinked my eyes open, he was staring with intensity. The spot on his head where the vase struck was bleeding, and the blood trickled down his ear, seeping into his hair and staining his shirt crimson in a swift rush.

My heart continued to throb with pain, even though I was reluctant to acknowledge it. I didn't want him to see through me, so I averted my gaze and remarked, "I'm heading home. Have a good time."

I spun around, ready to depart, but in the next instant, Richard pinned me down even more forcefully.

He glared at me with a fierce expression, his lips tracing a path from my mouth to the artery behind my ear. Simultaneously, his hand slipped under my skirt.