Ryan’s POV
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and we stepped into the hallway leading to the suite. Aurora walked beside me, her steps light and her presence radiant. She looked so small, so fragile. Yet somehow, she carried a quiet strength that both drew me in and tore me apart.
When we reached the door, I slid the key card through the lock and pushed the door open, gesturing for her to enter first. “After you,” I said softly.
She gave me a polite smile. “Thank you,” she murmured before stepping inside.
I followed, closing the door behind us, and turned to watch her. Her eyes widened as she took in the room, a spacious suite with a luxurious bed, plush furniture, and a view that overlooked the glittering city below.
For a moment, she seemed to forget everything else. But then, like a switch had flipped, I saw her body stiffen. Her shoulders tensed, and she clasped her hands in front of her nervously.
“Are you okay?” I asked, taking a step closer to her.
She nodded quickly, though her face betrayed her unease. “Yes, I’m fine,” she said, her voice soft.
I didn’t believe her, but I decided not to push. “You should feel comfortable here,” I said instead.
Aurora gave me another slight nod, her gaze darting to the floor.
I sighed quietly and said, “Why don’t you go freshen up? I’ll wait out here.”
Her head lifted slightly, and she nodded again. “Okay, thank you.”
I frowned. “Why do you keep thanking me?”
She blinked up at me, her wide eyes glimmering with something I couldn’t quite place. “No reason,” she whispered before quickly disappearing into the bathroom.
I shook my head, chuckling to myself. She was a mystery, one I wasn’t sure I could solve.
Needing to distract myself, I pulled out my laptop and sat on the couch. Emails flooded the screen, unread messages from board members and clients demanding my attention. But no matter how hard I tried to focus, my thoughts kept drifting back to her.
Then Draven decided to make his presence known.
She’s in there, bathing. You could go in and see the masterpiece being crafted just for you.
“Shut up,” I muttered under my breath. “I’m not doing this with you right now.”
You’re weak, he taunted. Look at you-pretending to work when all you want is to claim her.
“I swear, Draven, I’ll put you to sleep,” I growled.
Fine, fine. You win this time. He retreated with a huff, leaving me in silence.
But even with him quiet, my mind refused to let me rest. I could hear the water running through the walls, the soft hum of the shower. My chest tightened, and my body betrayed me.
“Fuck,” I hissed under my breath, running a hand through my hair.
I stood abruptly, pacing the room like a caged animal. The thought of her in there, water sliding over her soft skin, was driving me insane. My fists clenched at my sides, and I fought the urge to storm in and….
No.
I had to get out of here. I needed air, space, anything to keep me from doing something I’d regret.
I grabbed my jacket and left the suite, the door clicking softly behind me. As I walked down the hall, I let out a shaky breath, trying to calm the storm raging inside me.
“What are you doing to me, Aurora?” I muttered.
She wasn’t just in my thoughts; she was under my skin, in my veins. The need to protect her, to have her, was overwhelming. Every part of me ached for her touch, for her warmth. She was mine.
But I couldn’t have her. Not yet.
Not until she knew the truth.
*****
It had been exactly twenty minutes since I stepped out, enough time to calm the storm raging inside me. Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door to the suite, ready to face her again.
As soon as I entered, Aurora looked up, startled, and practically bopped into me. “Oh! I’m so sorry!” she stammered, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I didn’t hear you come in. Where did you go?”
Her wide, curious eyes nearly made me forget my words. I couldn’t resist teasing her a little. “Why? Did you miss me?”
Her face turned a deeper shade of red, and she fumbled for an answer. “W-What? No! I was just wondering….”
I smirked. She was adorable when she was flustered.
She quickly changed the subject, asking, “Is this how you are with all your personal assistants?”
I raised a brow, stepping closer to her. “Jealous already?”
Her mouth opened and closed like she was trying to form words but couldn’t. Finally, she blurted, “No, no! I’m just asking because… because I wanted to know!”
I leaned down slightly, my voice dropping to a low murmur. “No, Aurora. I’m only like this with you.” I let the words linger for a moment before adding, “Happy now?”
She didn’t say a word. She just stared at me, her lips parted slightly, her cheeks still glowing. I fought the urge to reach out and brush my fingers along her jawline, to feel the warmth of her skin under my touch.
Breaking the tension, I straightened up and said, “I’m going to take a shower. Feel free to walk around. I don’t really need much privacy.”
Her lips twitched into a small smile, and she shook her head. “Stop it, boss,” she said, her tone playful.
I chuckled softly, then made my way to the bathroom. Inside, I let the cool water run over me, trying to reset my thoughts and keep my self-control intact. Four days. I needed to hold it together for the next four days.
When I stepped out, a towel tied around my waist and water droplets still clinging to my skin, I saw her by the corner of the suite. She looked up at me, and her eyes widened slightly. She blinked once, twice, and then quickly looked down, her cheeks flaming.
I smirked, pretending not to notice her reaction as I moved to get dressed. But my eyes kept drifting back to her. She kept her gaze firmly on the floor, but the red creeping up her neck betrayed her.
After slipping on my shirt and pants, I turned to approach her, ready to tease her again, but my phone buzzed loudly, breaking the moment.
It was on the table beside Aurora, and without thinking, I asked, “Who is it?”
She glanced at the screen and hesitated before replying, “Karen.”
KAREN.