"After the vote," he says finally. "We'll talk."
"Promise?"
“Yes. But sweetheart, it’s like what I told you before. Whatever you're carrying, you don't have to carry it alone. Don’t you know that by now?”
The words nearly break me.
I swallow, my throat tightening. “I’m learning.”
He leans down, his full lips brushing mine, the five o’clock shadow shadowing his prominent jaw scrapping deliciously against my skin.
He steps back shortly after, one side of his handsome face hooking upwards.
"Now. Let's find that earring so we can show the board exactly why they'd be the dumbest assholes on the planet to vote against me."
We find the earring wedged under the nightstand. Victor helps me put it in, his fingers gentle against my earlobe, and I try not to think about how those same fingers were inside me this morning.
Focus, Harper.
"Ready?" he asks when I'm finally assembled—hair fixed, makeup touched up, earrings secure.
"No. But let's go anyway."
He kisses my temple. “Attagirl.”
In the elevator down to the lobby, he keeps his hand on my lower back. The touch is possessive, comforting, grounding.
James is waiting with the town car, and we slide into the back seat. The leather is warm, the interior dimly lit, and for a moment we just sit there while sleet hammers against the windows.
"Victor?" I say quietly.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For believing in me.”
He blinks, gray eyes warming like a thundercloud that’s finally found the sun. “Belief implies hope, sweetheart. I don’t believe you are anything.” He reaches for my hand, grasping it. “I know you are everything.”
The words settle into my chest, heavy and warm.
I push the thoughts away and lace my fingers through his.
For tonight, I'll be the girlfriend he needs me to be.
Professional. Charming.
The perfect partner for a CEO under scrutiny.
And after the board vote, I'll tell him everything. bout Vanessa Chu. About how close I came to betraying him.
And hope that love is enough to survive the truth.
James pulls away from the curb, and through the rain-streaked windows, I watch Manhattan blur past.
Somewhere in this city is the St. Regis ballroom full of investors and board members waiting to judge whether I'm worthy of Victor Kade.
Somewhere in this city is my future—either as Victor's partner or as another cautionary tale about employees who got too close to their bosses.
And somewhere between now and Monday, I have to find the courage to stop hiding.
