Bowen reset Randall’s dislocated joint, then, a bit embarrassed, apologized. “My apologies,” he said.


    Aubree couldn’t decide whether to facepalm orugh. “This is the game developer my team rmended. We were just discussing a contract.”


    “Yeah, yeah, that’s right.” Randall nodded frantically, rubbing his wrist. Inwardly, he thought, ‘Just my rotten luck.


    The thing was, he really didn’t dare lose his temper with the man before him. He recognized him-Bowen, CEO of Turner Group, the very investor he’d once hoped to court.


    Kelvin’s eyes darted around, not daring to meet Bowen’s gaze. ‘Damn it,’ he thought, ‘there goes my bonus for this month- no, scratch that, for the whole year.


    Ethan and Samson ducked their heads, wishing they could disappear. It was so awkward.


    Sensing the awkward tension in the air, Randall wasted no time in making a hasty exit. “Miss Miller,” he said quickly, “since we’ve finished our discussion and you seem a bit upied, I’ll take my leave now.”


    The moment he left, Aubree’s full attentionnded on Bowen. She knew she needed why Bowen was here.


    A strange flicker passed through Bowen’s eyes for a moment before he visibly rxed. He made himself at home in the chair opposite Aubree and said nonchntly, “That’s right. I followed you.”


    To be honest, he breathed a sigh of relief when he realized there was nothing romantic going on between them.


    Bowen couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but this feeling-somehow even more exhrating than when he’d first joined Turner Group andnded that major deal that shut up all those old-timers who’d dared to underestimate him.


    Bree gaped at him, stunned by his brazen confession.


    Aubree was genuinely stunned. “He’s not even pretending anymore? Seriously, is this normal?”


    “Why are you following me?” Aubree demanded. If only he’d said he was just passing by or here to pick up Alvin, she might have convinced herself to believe it.


    Bowen didn’t answer. Instead, he studied her face intently. Her eyes were wide with surprise, and he couldn’t help but notice how her cheeks had grown noticeably fuller and softer since they first met.


    Bowen noticed that hershes fluttered like butterfly wings, belying theposure she was forcing herself to maintain.


    In that instant, Bowen felt something erupt from his chest-his heart softened considerably, apanied by a peculiar, fluttery tingling.


    His gaze grew increasingly bold and possessive as he looked at her.


    Bowen’s thin lips curled into a subtle, possessive smile, a calcting gleam shing in his eyes. ‘Since I can’t trust anyone else with her, why not just keep her by my side, watching over her all the time?’ he wondered.


    Self-preservation kicked in-Aubree’s instincts screamed danger from all sides. In a sh, she sprang to her feet, ready to


    bolt.


    “It’ste. I’m going home,” she said.


    Kelvin, Ethan, and Samson had long since retreated outside the restaurant.


    1:34pm


    Bowen reached out and caught her wrist, a yful smile tugging at his lips as he effortlessly slipped back into his easygoing


    manner.


    “Running away?” he teased. “Weren’t you just dying to know why I was following you?”


    Her gut screamed that she shouldn’t hear his answer, so Aubree firmly refused. “It doesn’t matter. I should just go home. Everything that happened today was just idents.”


    “It wasn’t an ident,” Bowen said. He held Aubree with just enough strength that she couldn’t break free, but not enough to


    hurt her.


    Bowen looked at her and said softly, “I came here just to see you.” He left it at that.


    Aubree couldn’t shake the feeling that something between them had changed, but she was too afraid to let herself think about what it might be.


    “Aren’t you going home? I’ll give you a ride,” Bowen said, his handsome features softening into a warm smile-a sight sure to delight anyone with an eye for good looks.


    Aubree would have liked to refuse, but Bowen left her no chance.


    He seemed easygoing and gentle on the surface, sometimes even giving off a carefree, unpredictable vibe.


    But in the subtle details, you could sense that deep down, he was unyielding, dominant, and brooked no defiance.


    Aubree struggled for a moment, but realizing it was pointless, she finally gave in and let Bowen lead her away.


    “If Bowen would just keep his distance like we agreedst time, that’d be fine. But if he refuses, honestly, with my current abilities, there’s really nothing I can do to stop him,’ Aubree thought helplessly.


    ‘If I couldn’t stand up to him, then at least I could try to stay out of his way, right?’ she wondered.