Chapter 119

Annie's POV

Howard's hand fell naturally to my waist as we left the restaurant, his touch both gentle and assertive.

"Let's take a walk," he suggested, his deep voice carrying a slight rasp that never failed to captivate me. "Our afternoon schedule is still flexible. We've been so busy lately, there's rarely a chance to just walk together like this."

I nodded, feeling my heartbeat quicken at the simple intimacy of his touch."That sounds perfect."

We stepped out of the restaurant into the sunlight. The city hummed around us, but Howard guided us toward a quieter side street lined with carefully pruned trees. Their branches cast dappled shadows across the sidewalk, creating pools of light and shade that.shifted with the gentle breeze.

Howard reached for my hand, lacing his fingers through mine. His thumb traced absent circles on my skin as we walked in comfortable silence.I stole a glance at his profile-the sunlight softened his usually sharp features, gilding his jawline and catching in his dark hair. The effect was mesmerizing, and I found myself studying the planes of his face longer than I'd intended.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked, catching me staring.

"Nothing important," I replied, feeling heat rise to my cheeks."Just enjoying the moment."

He smiled, the rare expression transforming his face completely. "Have you

ever thought about retirement?" he asked suddenly.

The question caught me off guard. "Retirement? Not really," I admitted. "I just know that as long as my hands work. I'll keep drawing. For me, art isn't just a job-it's essential to who I am."

Howard's fingers tightened slightly around mine, his eyes reflecting admiration. "Your passion for creation always amazes me."

"What about you?" I asked, genuinely curious. "Have you thought about what you ll do when you're not running a company anymore?"

Howard stopped walking and turned to face me fully. His gaze was intense,almost burning with an emotion I couldn't quite name.

"I want to build a small vegetable garden next to our house in Long Island," he said, his voice low and intimate. "I'd grow vegetables,maybe keep some fish..."

My heart skipped a beat at the words "our house." The casual way he included me in his future plans sent a warm flutter through my chest.

"Each morning," he continued, stepping closer, "you could draw inside while I work in the garden. We'd have lunch together,sharing the fresh harvest." His eyes locked with mine. "What do you think of a life like that?

I could smell his cologne-subtle notes of sandalwood mixed with something uniquely him. The scent was intoxicating, especially as the distance between us diminished.

"It sounds wonderful," I replied honestly, my voice softer than I'd intended. The mental image he'd painted was serene and perfect.

Howard's armslid naturally around my shoulders as we resumed walking,our bodies now close enough that I could feel the solid warmth of him against my side.

"By the time we retire," he said thoughtfully, "Lucy will be nearly thirty."

"That's true," I replied, calculating the years.in my head. "Hard to imagine her as an adult."

Howard's expression grew serious, his brow furrowing slightly,which I found strangely appealing.

"I worry about her future relationships," he confessed. "With her background and the Thompson name, she'll attract people interested only in her wealth and status." His jaw tightened. "I wantto protect her from that kind of pain."

I studied his profile, touched by his concern. This powerful CEO, feared in boardrooms across New York, was worried about his niece's future heartbreaks. The contrast was endearing.

"What do you think?" he asked, turning to me. His fingertips brushed my cheek lightly, and I found myself leaning into his touch.

"I think..." I paused, organizing my thoughts. "I believe in guiding children while respecting their choices. I've been through a bad marriage and the wrong partner-I know the damage that causes." I met his eyes directly, finding understanding there. "But those experiences shaped who I am now."

Howard's thumb gently caressed the corner of my mouth,the intimate gesture momentarily derailing my train of thought.

"I think the best approach is to ensure Lucy's safety while allowing her

freedom to make her own decisions," I continued, finding my voice again. "Life is too short to live according to someone else's expectations."

"You don't regret your past choices?" His voice dropped lower, almost a whisper. I could feel his breath brush my ear.

"No. I don't regret them," I replied with quiet certainty. "They taught me how to live for myself."

Something shifted in Howard's gaze, his eyes becoming deeper,more intense. He stopped walking again and turned to face me, his hand cupping my cheek with surprising tenderness.

"Annie," he said, his voice carrying an unusual note of vulnerability,"would you walk toward the future with me?"

I didn't need to think about my answer.

"Of course," I replied without hesitation. "Why wouldn't I? Behind your cool exterior, you have such a gentle heart. You pretend not to care about Catherine, but you've helped her father multiple times. And with Lucy-she's your niece, not your daughter, yet you gave up your carefree life to shoulder a responsibility that wasn't even yours. When Sue was in trouble.you stepped up like a real gentleman..."

I suddenly realized I was rambling, listing his virtues while he watched me with growing amusement and pleasure in his eyes. Heat bloomed in my cheeks.

"I... I just mean..." I faltered.

"I knew you were paying attention," Howard murmured, his lips curving into a satisfied smile.

His arm slipped around my waist, drawing me against him until there was no space left between us. I tilted my head back to look up at him, and he leaned down to capture my lips with his. This kiss was dlifferent from his usual careful approach-it was demanding, passionate, brooking no resistance.

His hand pressed firmly against my back, holding me cose.I could feel his heartbeat accelerating to match my own. My arms wound around his neck naturally, my fingers threading through the short hair at the nape of his neck.

Howard made a low sound of approval as his lips moved from my mouth to my neck, sending a cascade of sensations through my body. I shivered despite the warmth of the afternoon.

"If we weren't on the street..." he whispered against my ear, his voice rough with desire.

My breathing quickened, and I flattened my palm against his chest, feeling the solid muscle there and the rapid beating of his heart.

Just as the moment between us grew increasingly heated,Howard's phone rang sharply. He pulled back with obvious frustration, his brow creased with annoyance. Still, he checked the screen and his expression immediately shifted to one of serious concentration.

"I need to take this," he said, his voice regaining its professional edge.

I nodded, trying to steady my breathing."Iunderstand. I'll head back to the office first."

He nodded, but as I turned to leave,his hand caught my wrist. He leaned close, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered, "We'll continue this

tonight."

His promise sent another wave of heat through me. I walked quickly back toward the building, acutely aware of his gaze following me until I turned the corner.

My mind was already racing ahead to the evening, wondering what awaited me.

I touched my lips lightly, still feeling the pressure of his kiss. Our conversation about the future-his vision that so naturally included me-filled me with a warm certainty. And I found myself looking forward to what lay ahead without reservation or fear like a teenage girl.