"They're not your cookies," I quickly replied, trying to hold his gaze. The right side of his lips twitched, as if Alpha Kane was trying to hold back a chuckle and saw right through my lie.
There was a feeling in his eyes that I didn't understand.
Alpha Kane took two bold steps toward me, but I didn't back down, stubbornly staying where I was.
His chin was raised, his lips pressed together.
Alpha Kane's head was slightly lowered.
So close, Alpha Kane was so close that I could see the red streaks in the whites of his eyes. Blackness swirled in them, trying to suck out all the happiness that others had.
Alpha Kane reached out and picked up a tiny crumb, the size of an ant that had fallen on my collar.
His action took my breath away, but I didn't move.
Without taking his gaze off me, Alpha Kane raised his head, opened his mouth, and placed a tiny piece in there. He chewed diligently and... Slowly.
I swallowed, watching his actions, and heat rushed to my face and neck, warming them.
"I didn't think you were a liar, my fake girlfriend..." Alpha Kane replied sarcastically, curling his lips into a heart shape.
They say curiosity killed the cat, and here it killed the wolf warrior.
I should have backed off, but I didn't want to give him that satisfaction.
I was saved from further humiliation when the door to the conference room opened and the rest of the staff began to arrive.
My heart sank, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Alpha Kane took a step back, but I noticed his lips crept up. The brooding man returned to his work with unnecessary arrogance.
"Good afternoon, sir!" They all exclaimed in unison, pouring in and standing in their places, waiting for Alpha Kane to sit down first.
Alpha Kane sat down in his chair, tilting it and gesturing for everyone to sit down. I stood next to him, straightening my pesky folders and holding my iPad tightly in my hands to take notes.
The meeting was about the monthly performance review, where all the managers presented their departments' results for the month.
Miranda was helping set up the projector while everyone presented their reports. Alpha Kane sat perfectly still, his hands clasped under his chin, listening intently.
Charlie smiled at me, and I could feel the mischief bubbling under his crooked smile.
I pursed my lips and nodded at him, but the smile soon disappeared and he lowered his head. When I ducked my head, I saw Alpha Kane give him a death glare.
"That jerk neither laughs himself nor lets others laugh," Nova complained.
"Why are sales down one percent?" Alpha Kane rasped at Charlie. The poor guy was going to pay for his smile.
"Our sales are always at their lowest in October. It's because of the transition from summer to winter. They're up 5 percent from last year, so we're on track," Charlie added with an encouraging smile.
"I want sales to be up 10 percent by the end of November. Don't get too comfortable and waste your time flirting," Alpha Kane almost scolded the poor guy, and his face fell. The air grew cold and there was an awkward silence.
"Alpha Kane shouldn't have embarrassed him like that," Nova sympathized.
"Personal attacks were unnecessary. I wrote it down; one conversation with him later will do him good. "I knew he wouldn't like my interference, but I was going to do it anyway," I told Nova.
"Later, Zara," Nova stopped me.
Everyone was silent, looking down or staring at the documents they had brought, except Ronald. He chose to laugh, slamming his hand down on the onyx table.
I frowned at Ronald's actions, and Charlie blushed in embarrassment.
Luckily, the rest of the meeting went smoothly, without further incident.
I learned how the Sterling Empire operated. Alpha Kane's word was law, and few could argue with him or change his mind.
When the meeting was over, the executives began helping themselves to snacks and pouring coffee from the coffee machine Miranda and I had installed.
I brought Alpha Kane's coffee along with these bland cookies. I had just set the plates down while he was looking over the reports the marketing department had given him.
"Zara, would you please bring me some... coffee?" Ronald asked in his super sweet voice, causing me to snap my head in his direction.
A smirk played across Ronald's lips as he leaned back casually in his chair. There was a teasing glint in his eyes, but it was focused on Alpha Kane.
Before I could speak, the asshole CEO cut me off, slamming the folder shut.
"Listen. I have an important announcement," Alpha Kane's voice came through, clear and demanding. Everyone froze in their seats, heads turned in his direction, coffee and snacks in hand.
Ronald relaxed even more smugly.
Without warning, Alpha Kane stood up and wrapped his muscular arm around my shoulder, pulling me into a warm embrace. I flinched and glanced at him sideways as Alpha spoke without wincing.
"Zara is not only my secretary, she's my girlfriend. Therefore, she has no right to carry out orders from anyone but me." Alpha Kane's honeyed eyes flashed dangerously, sliding over the shocked faces in the room, and finally settled on Ronald.
"Get your damn coffee."
"Did he just drop the bomb that suddenly?" Nova was surprised and couldn't help herself.
"Couldn't this asshole have warned me that he was going to announce the entire team?" I complained to Nova.
My face turned red, and heat rose in my body. Every eye in the office was focused on me, some in confusion, and others in awe.
Some were surprised, blinking at me and then back at their CEO.
Alpha Kane's hand squeezed my shoulder, his hard fingers digging into my skin, not to hurt, but to shake me out of my stupor.
The asshole muttered under his breath.
"Smile!"
I smiled, forcibly, but I had signed a contract and had to play my part.