Chapter 82

Anna's POV

"What the hell was that?" I whispered, freezing as footsteps echoed outside Adrian's office door. He tensed beside me, our bodies tangled in the sheets.

The sound grew closer—deliberate, slow—then stopped. Silence stretched, broken only by our shallow breaths. Then the footsteps resumed, fading down the hallway.

"Security," Adrian murmured against my hair. "Night patrol."

My heart hammered as the danger passed, but the moment had shifted. Reality crashed in—my blouse abandoned on the rooftop, our clothes scattered across the office, the IPO just days away. What was I doing?

I pulled away, clutching the sheet. "I should go."

His fingers caught mine. "Stay." Simple, yet heavy. His eyes held a flicker of vulnerability I hadn't expected.

Sleep took us on his office couch, his heartbeat steady under my cheek, his arm a solid weight around me.

Morning came with my buzzing phone. The charity gala—tonight—Next Robotics' big event before the IPO.

"I need to go," I said, untangling myself.

His hand caught mine. "Be my date tonight."

I froze. "Your assistant, you mean."

"No." His gaze was certain. "My date, Anna."

Hours later, I stood before the mirror, barely recognizing myself. The emerald silk gown Faith picked hugged my curves, deepening my eyes—dark, mysterious. Polished, elegant, still me.

When the doorbell rang, my heart skipped. Adrian stood there in his tuxedo, his gaze intense as it roamed over me.

"You're breathtaking," he said, voice low, undoing me.

The Fairmont's Grand Ballroom glittered with Silicon Valley elites—tech moguls, venture capitalists, press. Eyes tracked us as we entered—the elusive CEO with his assistant on his arm.

"People are staring," I murmured, feeling his hand at my back.

"Let them," he replied, the possessive edge in his voice sending heat through me.

We'd barely grabbed champagne when Sophie appeared, her white gown showcasing her "recovery" from that convenient overdose. She assessed me, then locked on Adrian.

"There you are, darling," she cooed, kissing his cheek, hand lingering. "Richardson Tech's dying to talk synergies post-IPO."

Adrian stepped back. "Sophie. Good to see you recovered so quickly."

Her laugh chimed. "Doctors work wonders." She glanced at me. "Anna, right? Brave choice, wearing emerald. Most assistants prefer to fade into the background."

"I prefer genuine compliments to veiled digs," I said, smiling. "To each their own."

Sophie's eyes narrowed as chatter hushed. "Such spirit. Adrian loves taming feisty projects. Almost charitable."

Before I could respond, Adrian's voice cut in—low, but carrying clearly. "Sophie, enough. Anna isn't a project—she's my partner, in more ways than I deserve."

Silence rippled. Sophie's smile froze, cracking at the edges.

"Partner?" she echoed, recovering fast. "Progressive. The board might question that pre-IPO." She tilted her head. "Enjoy your moment—it's fleeting."

"The board trusts me," Adrian said coolly. "So should anyone who values Next Robotics."

Sophie paled under her makeup. "Of course," she murmured, slipping away. "I'll find Henry."

Adrian's fingers laced with mine. "Sorry about that."

"You didn't have to," I said, stunned.

"Yes, I did," he replied, thumb brushing my palm. "Long overdue."

The night rolled on—champagne, speeches, pledges. Adrian kept me close, introducing me as "Anna Rose," his tone making titles redundant.

Just as the auction concluded, a commotion swept through the ballroom. The perfect Bay Area evening had vanished, replaced by a sudden, violent storm. Rain lashed against the grand windows as lightning split the sky, thunder following with a crack that made the crystal chandeliers tremble.

"We need to evacuate," announced the event coordinator, voice tight with forced calm. "Power lines down on Nob Hill. Please proceed to the shuttles."

The elegant crowd dissolved into barely controlled chaos. I felt Adrian's hand firm on my waist, guiding me through the crush toward the exit.

"My car's closer," he said in my ear. "This way."

We darted out a side door into the deluge. Rain hit like ice, soaking my gown to a second skin. Adrian shed his jacket, holding it over me as we ran to the parking structure.

Camera flashes cut through—paparazzi shouting, their words lost in the storm.

Adrian pulled me closer, sheltering me with his body as much as his jacket. We were soaked through by the time we reached his Tesla, laughing despite ourselves as we tumbled in.

"Your jacket's ruined," I said, breathless.

"Worth it," he replied, brushing wet hair from my face.

His fingers lingered, and a wall inside me crumbled. This wasn't just Adrian Salvatore, tech titan. He was the man who knew my coffee, filled my mom's restaurant quietly, held his jacket over me in the rain.

"I meant what I said," he said, voice low, lightning carving his face. "You're my partner—in everything that matters."

My hands slid up his chest, fingers curling into his soaked shirt, pulling him in. He kissed me—gentle, then deep. His hand tangled in my hair, tasting me with reverence that ached in my chest. I kissed back, matching him, pulse racing.

"I don't want to walk it back," he said, forehead against mine, breaths mingling. "I want to walk forward—with you."

It hit me—maybe this could be real, lasting.

My phone buzzed. Faith's text glowed: "OMG ANNA CHECK TWITTER #CEORomance TRENDING!!!"

Photos were viral—Adrian shielding me, gazing like I was everything. His wet shirt clung to his chest, but his raw expression struck me most.

"Social media verdict?" he asked, amused.

"Trending," I said, showing him. "#CEORomance."

He laughed, warming me. "Could be worse."

"Adrian," I started, hesitation rising, "this goes public, no turning back. Your reputation, the IPO—"

He kissed me again, softer, lips coaxing. I melted, resistance gone.

Adrian's phone buzzed, shattering the moment. His expression shifted as he checked the screen, a shadow passing over his features.

"What is it?" I asked, suddenly cold despite the car's warmth.

"Sophie's collapsed again," he said, voice tight. "Hospital."

Lightning flashed, etching his profile in stark lines. Rain pounded the roof. His fingers gripped the steering wheel as another message pinged.

I watched him stare through the windshield, city lights blurring in the downpour. The Tesla hummed, but he didn't move.

Silence hung between us, thick with unspoken words. The wipers swept, revealing the dark road ahead.