Page 6 of The Truth of Us

He stared at me, silent and unreadable.

Offering a professional smile, I turned toward the doorway. “I’ll send you and your team an update on our timeline once I’ve thoroughly reviewed your files.”

As I walked out into the hallway, I could have sworn I heard him mutter under his breath, “She’s been here the whole time.”

I did not know what that was supposed to mean, but I needed to keep this line firmly in the sand.

While I waited for the private elevator, quick footsteps echoed behind me. Elliot caught up, pausing a few feet away.

“Can I have my driver take you home?” he offered.

The elevator doors chimed open. I stepped inside and turned to face him.

“I drove myself. Thank you, Mr. Vale. We will be in touch.”

As the doors slid shut, separating us, another low groan echoed through the closing gap.

Was he as shaken by our night together as I was?

No. Absolutely not.

I leaned my head back against the cool wall of the elevator as it descended, letting out a long breath. This isn't one of your romance novels, Harper. You know exactly what kind of man he is, and you know the life you want. You will not become another name on his roster.

Closing my eyes, I tried to convince myself that I could handle this, and that everything would turn out just fine.

4

ELLIOT

Istay at work long after I typically do, because tonight I don’t want to go home. I sit in my office as the quiet becomes somehow more inviting here than at my place, staring out while the Chicago skyline lights up.

I need to figure out a way to deal with my issues, and going off of how Harper handled our first encounter since that night, I don't think I can approach her with a proposal to fuck each other out of our systems. Not while we're working on building my image as a man people can trust, instead of the guy who is likely to sleep with your wife or daughter.

Maybe just being around her will cure me of this. There was a mystery and an allure to her that night. Maybe spending time with her will allow me to pick out annoying habits, or figure out that she’s a gold digger who collects sugar daddies. How else does she afford the clothes she wears and the car she left in? Her last name is unfamiliar to me, and while she presents as old money, one can purchase that style. But the way she carries herself...

Maybe I can get Rowan to share her background check, which he would have inevitably run before she set foot in our building. He wouldn’t have handed over our files to her or her team if they had flagged anything. So who is she? I feel like I would know her if we ran in the same circles. She isn’t someone who blends into crowds or fades from memory.

I saw Rowan leave Julian’s office a while ago, but when I swivel my chair around, a warm glow still spills through his glass walls. The time catches my attention, and I realize I’ve been sitting here for far too long. Maybe I can convince Julian to grab a drink.

With everything wrapped up from my day, I turn off my lights and walk directly into Julian’s office. He is writing with a fierce focus on a stack of legal pads, and I move right up to his desk, curious about what has his attention this late.

What I see definitely catches my focus. Is he drafting... terms of a relationship?

Huh.

“Well, this is new,” I say, breaking the silence.

Julian sighs, replying, “Is it?”

I move closer to read what he’s working on, ignoring the scowl on his face. “Depends.” I give him a wink that I know will irritate him. “Are you drafting a merger, or are you considering a marriage of convenience?”

Julian finally meets my eyes. “Yes,” he says, completely straight-faced.

Well, fuck me. I did not expect that.

“Oh,” is all I get out, my eyes scanning the pages scattered across his usually meticulous desk. “You’re serious.”

Julian doesn't respond. His cool, calculating eyes remain locked on me, reading my reaction.