Chapter 9 - The Morning After
Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse bedroom, illuminating the tangled white silk sheets and Elena’s discarded emerald gown on the floor.
Elena woke up slowly, the weight of a heavy, muscular arm draped over her bare waist anchoring her to the warmth of the bed.
She turned her head on the feather pillow and found Julian watching her, his chin propped on his hand, looking younger and more peaceful than she had ever seen him.
“Good morning, Director Vance,” he said, his morning voice a deep, gravelly purr that sent shivers across her skin.
“Good morning,” she replied, a sudden wave of reality crashing over her as she remembered where she was and what they had done.
She sat up quickly, pulling the silk sheet around her chest as her pragmatic, protective instincts kicked back into overdrive.
“Julian... what happens tomorrow at the office?” she asked, her voice tight with the familiar dread of losing the security she had worked so hard to build.
Julian sat up beside her, his bare chest catching the morning sun as he reached out and gently pulled her back against his side.
“Tomorrow, we fire Marcus Vance, we hand the security logs to the federal investigators, and we run Sterling Enterprises together,” he said simply.
“It isn't that simple,” Elena said, pulling away slightly to look him in the eye. “The company will think I got my position because I slept with you.”
Julian’s jaw hardened, that familiar, ruthless boardroom CEO returning to his features in an instant.
“Anyone who questions your competence will be looking for a new job by noon,” he stated coldly. “You are the smartest strategist in New York, Elena. I won't let your pride ruin our partnership.”
“My pride is all I have, Julian!” she snapped back, standing up and wrapping his silk robe around herself.
“I support a brother in nursing school and a father with chronic paralysis on my salary! I can't afford a scandal!”
Julian went completely still on the edge of the bed, his expression softening as the pieces of her secretive life finally fell into place.
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“Why didn't you tell me about your family, Elena?” he asked softly, standing up to walk toward her.
“Because I am your employee, Julian,” she said, her eyes filling with unshed tears. “Not your charity project.”
