Chapter 158

Lauren's POV

I walked into the office building, heading straight toward Roman’s office just like he’d told me to. The sound of my heels echoed softly across the marble floor, a rhythmic tap that blended with the quiet hum of the air conditioner and the faint murmur of employees working nearby. My pulse quickened with every step not because I was nervous, or so I told myself, but because it felt strange how easily he could make me feel this way.

Yesterday, before he left, he’d told me to come directly to his office for a business discussion. Straightforward, professional. But now, as I approached his door, my heart thudded like I was walking into something entirely different.

I paused at the door, took a breath, and knocked. The soft rap of my knuckles was followed by a few seconds of silence. Then, the door opened.

And there he was.

Roman stood right in front of me, shirtless. Completely shirtless.

For a moment, I forgot how to br