Page 24

Lux

S he didn’t ask again in the morning.

But to be honest, that wasn't even what I was most upset about. Even though we both knew it was a one-night thing and that her contract started the next day, my chest still felt emptier than usual when I woke up and she wasn’t next to me.

I lay there for longer than I'd like to admit, just remembering the night before, my hand caressing the spot where she was lying when I dozed off. I smelled the sheets, trying to soak up her scent for as long as I could.

It’s fine, I told myself. I repeated it a few times as I got up, got dressed, and then met both her and Bella at the table.

It was better this way, of course.

But that didn’t change how I felt.

Unfortunately, the one night had solidified everything I felt. And I’d come to one resounding conclusion that I had no idea how to deal with.

I’m in love with Juliette.

It wasn't just some crush. I couldn’t just fuck her out of my system.

I wanted her. Needed her. I couldn't even fathom having anyone else in my bed or in my life besides her.

I just didn’t know what my next steps would be.

* * *

The few days after our sex-filled night were… easy. The tension was gone, like we’d quenched our thirst, but I knew it was only a matter of time before it became unbearable again.

Hell, I started craving her the morning after, but I had to keep myself together. As much as I wanted her, I needed to make sure I did this right.

I needed to show her that she wasn't just a fuck to me. That I took her seriously. That I took this thing between us seriously, as serious as the relationship developing between her, Bella, and myself.

It was so much more complicated than just asking her to be my girlfriend.

Asking her to be my girlfriend… Who am I?

In love, that’s what I am. And fucked.

I couldn’t forget the ethical side. I was her boss, and I didn't want her to feel like she had to be with me to keep her job.

I would never take advantage of her like that.

So I’d have to wait for her to make the first move.

Relinquishing control, not being able to do anything about what I felt for her, made me antsy. Even as I sat through meetings, at my desk, at lunch. All I could think about was how I wanted to do it.

I thought about extravagant bouquets of flowers in her room. Roses, of course.

I thought of taking her out to an expensive dinner. Maybe something overlooking downtown.

I thought about taking her back to the club.

I had more than enough ideas, but none of them seemed right. She deserved all of it, if not more. And I couldn't wait until I could finally shed this professional cover and take her into my arms.

And then there was Bella.

I wasn’t totally sure what she would think when she found out about Juliette and me.

Would she be happy? Would she be jealous? Would she be angry?

And what if we didn’t work? What if she had to watch Juliette walk out of her life? She needed stability.

I won’t let that happen.

I knew I could make Juliette happy if only I had the chance.

I was starting to feel like I knew her. Her likes and dislikes.

She loved to do things with her hands but didn't love getting dirty. I noticed that when she was playing with Bella, she’d immediately go wash her hands if they got dirty.

I knew what she wore when she was happy versus stressed—it was all in the shoes, really. Flats versus sneakers.

I watched as she picked at the food she didn’t like but still ate some of it to be polite. She hated stem vegetables. She would eat the leafy ones, but any of the harder vegetables she avoided like the plague. She also wasn't a coffee person. I had not seen her drink any since she moved in.

Lastly, and most importantly, I knew how much she loved Bella.

Her heart was a beautiful thing. Her life might have been hard, but she didn’t let that twist the beauty of it.

A ping from my laptop pulled my attention to it. There was a small notification from my secretary.

You have a lunch delivery.

A lunch delivery? I didn’t order anything.

I’ll send them in.

My fingers were on the keyboard, ready to tell her to turn them away, but then my door opened. Fuming, I stood, ready to rip into whoever decided they were important enough to walk into the CEO’s office without prior notice.

But all of it died on my tongue when Bella’s sweet face peeked around the door. Her hair was pulled back into two braids at her crown that held it back while the bottom part was curled. I could just make out the twin bows sitting at the back, matching her white-and-black plaid dress.

“Surprise!” she squeaked and pushed open the door to show me Juliette wearing a very similar outfit.

My cold-hearted mask was usually on, but it melted when I saw the two of them together. Especially when they decided to match. Bella craved the connection that I couldn't give her, and I was grateful for what Juliette was doing.

“You left so early this morning you didn’t even have breakfast,” Juliette said and shut the door behind her. “We thought you’d appreciate at least one home-cooked meal today.” She blushed before adding, “It was Bella’s idea.”

My office was my space to think. To make money. To make big decisions that could potentially cost us millions—or billions—of dollars.

It was sacred.

I never wanted anyone in my office, especially uninvited.

But that didn’t apply to this moment. Especially as I watched an eager Bella holding up a lunch box, one of hers, and placing it right on my desk.

I loved everything about the situation.

That they surprised me.

How happy Bella was.

How thoughtful it was.

The matching outfits.

All of it was more than I’d ever imagined I could have.

And it was Bella’s idea. She was thinking about me.

“Thank you, Bella,” I said around the knot in my throat. “Where’s your lunch?”

“We’re going to the diner after this to get pie!” Bella said. “I wanted to take you too, but Juliette said you were probably busy.”

“Unfortunately, I am today. The end of the month comes with a lot of meetings and reports that are due.”

Bella nodded, a frown on her face as she backed away to stand at Juliette’s side.

“That’s okay, we were just popping by. We will leave you to it?—”

“But since you’re here,” I said and stood, fixing my suit coat as I stood. “Do you want a tour?”

Juliette was going to turn me down; I saw it in the way she forced a smile to her face, but Bella was faster.

“Yeah! Let’s go!”

With a laugh, I rounded my desk. “You got it, little lady. But stay close, okay?”

She nodded and did one thing I’d never expected.

She grabbed my hand, letting me pull her out of my office. My heart clenched in my chest, and my gaze cut to Juliette, who was watching us with the sweetest smile I’d ever seen.

I took my time on the tour.

Work could wait.