Their lips collided again, fierce and hungry — a kiss that had waited far too long. Anita melted into Leo, her hands roaming over the hard muscles of his chest as she tugged his shirt upward, her breath coming in soft, ragged gasps.
Leo broke the kiss for a moment, resting his forehead against hers. "Are you sure about this?" he whispered, his voice husky, deep, vibrating against her lips.
Anita's answer was immediate. "Yes, Leo. I want you."
His eyes searched hers for hesitation. There was none. Only fire. Only longing.
With trembling hands, he slid her blouse off her shoulders, kissing the soft curve where her neck met her collarbone. She sighed his name, arching toward him. "Leo…"
He pressed her back gently against the bed, then lifted his own shirt over his head and tossed it aside. Their skin touched — warmth against warmth — and the contact was electric. Her fingers traced the lines of his chest, marveling at how real he felt beneath her.
He leaned down and kissed her again, slow this time, tender, reverent.
As he undressed her piece by piece, he whispered praises against her skin. "You're so beautiful, Anita. Every inch of you. Every breath." His lips grazed the underside of her breast, eliciting a moan from her lips. "I never stopped wanting you."
Her nails dug lightly into his back, guiding him closer. "Then show me."
Clothes fell away. Skin met skin. Bodies entwined.
They moved together like a perfect melody—rhythmic, fluid, desperate. Moans escaped their lips between kisses, breathless declarations, and soft gasps of each other's names. She whispered "Leo" like a prayer, and he answered with her name like a vow.
His hand cradled her face as he made love to her, watching every reaction — the way her eyes fluttered shut, the way her back arched, the way she gripped him tighter, holding him like she'd never let go again.
"I've wanted this for so long," he murmured against her ear. "Every night I thought of you… every time I closed my eyes."
"Leo," she panted, her head falling back against the pillows as waves of pleasure surged through her. "I'm yours… I've always been yours."
They moved faster now, the room filled with the sounds of passion — the creak of the bed, their breathless gasps, the rhythm of skin on skin. Her fingers tangled in his hair as her body trembled beneath his.
"Don't stop," she whispered.
"Never," he growled, kissing her again as they cried out each other's names and finally surrendered to the heat, to the love, to the years of waiting that had led to this one perfect moment.
Afterward, they lay tangled together in the soft afterglow, their bodies still pressed close, slick with sweat and warmth. Leo tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled lazily.
"Okay… I may need a stretcher," he said with a crooked grin.
Anita laughed, resting her chin on his chest. "Oh please. You're the one who was panting like an overheated dog."
"Panting? That was strategy. Controlled breathing. I had to survive."
She giggled, tracing her finger over the scar on his shoulder. "You're ridiculous."
He caught her hand and kissed her knuckles. "I'm ridiculous and hopelessly in love with you."
The laughter faded into silence, and her eyes softened. "You mean it?"
Leo nodded slowly, solemn now. "I've always loved you, Anita. Even when I thought I shouldn't. Even when I tried to stop."
She blinked, her smile tender. "Why didn't you tell me?"
He sighed, brushing her cheek. "That… is a story for another time."
She laughed, swatting his chest. "Typical."
They both chuckled, their bodies still warm, the air filled with unspoken promises. As they drifted into quiet comfort, Leo pressed a final kiss to her forehead, his arms wrapping protectively around her.
———
The marble floors of Nair Holdings echoed with quiet authority as Nathan Voss was led through a corridor lined with oil paintings and awards. The assistant opened the tall double doors to a private office with an air of calculated intimidation. Malik Nair sat behind a desk that looked more like a throne than furniture—its deep wood gleamed under the sunlight flooding in through the arched windows behind him.
"Mr. Voss," Malik said without standing, offering only a flick of his fingers in greeting. "You're five minutes early. Eagerness can be charming—or desperate. Let's find out which you are today."
Nathan didn't blink. "Punctuality shows respect for your time, sir."
Mr. Nair smirked and gestured toward the seat across from him. "Respect is nice. Results are better."
Nathan sat, adjusting his jacket, calm but fully aware he'd just entered a lion's den.
"I'll assume you're here about the APAC biotech expansion," Malik began, steepling his fingers. "You're the fourth man this quarter to pitch me on that cursed opportunity. The others had charm, data, big names, even bolder promises—and all were promptly declined. What makes you different?"
"I'm not here to charm you, Mr. Nair," Nathan said coolly. "I'm here because Vosstech has the backbone, reach, and long-term vision to pull it off. We're not just interested in expanding. We want to revolutionize the sector."
Malik gave a short laugh. "A revolution?" He leaned forward. "Do you know how many men have stood where you are, saying the exact same thing? How many of them wore better suits than yours and promised me a throne in biotech heaven?" He paused, eyes narrowing. "They failed. Or worse, backed out when the numbers scared them. You don't strike me as a man with fear—but I do wonder if you have any damn clue what you're getting into."
"I've done the projections. I've vetted the risks. I've seen the gaps where others faltered and where Vosstech will stand firm. What others failed to realize is—this isn't a quick-profit venture. It's legacy work. Strategic. Purpose-driven."
Malik tilted his head, amused. "Legacy? Is that the card you're playing now? Your father's name?" He waved his hand dismissively. "Don't bore me with sentiment, Voss. I don't invest in dead men."
Nathan's jaw tensed, but he kept his voice steady. "I'm not asking you to. I'm asking you to invest in what his legacy built—a company that, under my leadership,will evolve, adapt, and survive vultures circling its bones."
Malik raised an eyebrow. "You mean your uncle? Victor came to see me, you know. Said you were reckless. Unstable. That I'd be a fool to let you anywhere near this project."
Nathan inhaled slowly. So Victor had moved faster than he thought. "Victor Voss is many things," he said, measured. "But his vision begins and ends with profit margins and greed. Vosstech was never his to love. He wanted the company, not the burden that came with it. I inherited both."
"You're passionate, I'll give you that," Malik said, folding his arms. "But passion doesn't always equal competence. And frankly, I don't enjoy backing people who still have to prove themselves. You're young. You've made noise, sure—but this? This is a billion-dollar, reputation-ruining kind of risk."
Nathan leaned forward. "And that's exactly why you should back me."
Malik blinked, intrigued despite himself.
"I have everything to lose," Nathan continued, voice steel under silk. "Vosstech is my Father's life's work. If I fail this project, I lose the company, the legacy, my name—everything. But I won't fail. Because I know what's at stake, and I don't have the luxury of walking away like the others did. This isn't about glory for me—it's survival."
Malik sat back in his chair, expression unreadable. The silence stretched.
Nathan continued, now softer but still resolute. "You want to protect your name, your money, your reputation? Then partner with someone who's willing to bleed for it. Back someone who has already lost too much to ever consider losing again. Others pitched you ideas. I'm offering you a war plan—and I'm the man who won't stop fighting."
Malik tapped his ringed fingers against the armrest, clearly enjoying the taste of power. "You're persuasive, I'll give you that. You've got fire… but I like men who know how to play the game, not just swing swords. You need me, Nathan. My influence. My network. And that means stroking my ego a little more than you have."
Nathan allowed the corner of his lips to twitch into the faintest smile. "You're right. I do need you. Because only a man with your insight could see where others were blind. And only someone with your leverage could make this expansion what it's meant to be. I came here because I knew I needed the best. That's you."
Malik chuckled. "Careful, flattery from men like you could make an old tiger like me start trusting again."
"Then let's build something worth trusting," Nathan said smoothly.
A beat passed.
Malik finally nodded, his smirk softened. "Fine. I'll talk to my partners. If I'm going to gamble on a legacy, I want the stakes to be thrilling." He pointed a finger. "But this stays between us for now. If word gets out before we're ready, I'll deny you ever stepped into this room."
"I wouldn't expect anything less," Nathan replied. "Let's reconvene Monday. Discreetly."
"Done." Malik stood. "Don't make me regret this, Voss."
Nathan shook his hand firmly. "I won't. And when this project succeeds, you'll be the first man I thank."
Malik's eyes glinted. "Good. I like being first."