Chapter 2
Joycelyn stared at her vibrating phone, her nerves jangling as Selene’s name flashed across the screen. She shot up, her usual composure shattering like glass.
“This is a disaster,” she thought. They must be suspicious. Her mind spun, caught in this unprecedented situation.
Ellison extended his hand for her phone.
“What are you doing?” Her face crumpled in alarm as she instinctively pulled back.
“Let me handle it,” he said, his deep voice leaving no room for argument.
Despite her resistance, his commanding presence loosened her grip.
“Just… don’t say anything weird,” she pleaded, watching with bated breath as he answered.
“This is Ellison Grant. I found this phone last night and will have my assistant return it shortly.” He glanced at her, noting her anxiety. “As for the owner…”
Joycelyn’s breath caught in her throat, terrified that one wrong word could ruin her career. His pause stretched on, a tense silence that had her muscles coiling with fear.
Her eyes silently begged for him to say the right thing.
Finally, with a slight, almost imperceptible smirk, he continued, “I’m unaware of her whereabouts.”
Relief flooded through her body as she exhaled the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She had narrowly escaped catastrophe.
“I’ll have the phone delivered to your colleague,” he added before hanging up and setting the phone beside his own.
“Okay, so when should I go downstairs?” She raised worried eyes to his. “Won’t people notice?”
Her cheeks burned with mortification. The thought of people finding out about her night with her boss made her want to crawl into a hole and disappear.
He studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “Everyone’s in the restaurant now. Wait here and leave later,” he said coolly.
“Okay.” She perched on the bed’s edge, fidgeting nervously with her hands.
Without hesitation, he began dressing in front of her. His model-worthy physique and chiseled features moved with practiced elegance.
Each glimpse of him sent her heart racing. Selene wasn’t wrong, she thought. These cool, composed types really are something else behind closed doors.
“I’ll take responsibility for this,” he stated while fastening his buttons.
Her head snapped up in surprise. “No, no, absolutely not! We’re both adults–this was mutual. You don’t need to take it to heart.”
She was just an ordinary office worker, fresh out of college, while he was a powerful, wealthy man—way out of her league. She shook her head vigorously, her expression pleading resistance.
His brow furrowed slightly, his gaze softening. “But I’m serious,” he said. “You’re not alone in this.”
Joycelyn stiffened, unsure of what to say next. Was he really trying to make this more than just a fleeting mistake?
“No need,” she insisted, shaking her head again. “Let’s just never mention this again. My only request is that no one else finds out.” Her voice was soft, her gaze falling to the floor as she wilted under his intense stare.
After a long, silent pause, he finally relented. “Fine. I’ll head down first.”
“Mm-hmm.” Her relief was palpable.
He cast her one last look before leaving, both phones in hand.
Alone at last, she flopped onto the bed with a groan, pummeling the comforter in frustration. “You’ve lost your mind, Joycelyn! Of all the men in the world, you had to sleep with Ellison?”
After wallowing for a few moments, she realized enough time had passed for her colleagues to be downstairs. She washed her face, donned her mask of composure, and carefully checked the hallway.
Finding it empty, she slipped out quietly, opting for the emergency stairs instead of the elevator.
As she descended several flights, she almost ran straight into Linda Lorne, who stood near the stairwell, frowning as she watched Joycelyn emerge from Ellison’s suite.
After reaching her room, Joycelyn quickly packed her things, loading her luggage onto the bus before heading to the dining hall.
The Grant Group was a Fortune 500 powerhouse, filled with talented individuals. Though there were many brilliant women in its ranks, Joycelyn stood out. She carried herself with an ethereal grace that made her appear both refreshing and enigmatic.
Selene’s sharp eyes spotted her immediately. “Joycelyn, over here!” she called, waving enthusiastically.
As Joycelyn waved back, she felt Ellison’s eyes on her. His sculpted profile and intense gaze—those same eyes that had devoured her the night before—sent a jolt of heat through her.
Why is he still at the entrance? she wondered, her stomach flipping. Wasn’t he supposed to be downstairs already?
Selene linked arms with her. “Sweetie, are you still drunk?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “You’re walking funny.”
“Oh, I twisted my ankle in these heels yesterday,” Joycelyn mumbled, her cheeks flaming. After the wild abandon of last night and the encore this morning, her legs felt like jelly.
“Hmmm,” Selene smirked knowingly. “One night away and you’re all shy like a blushing flower.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Don’t tell me you got tipsy and jumped our Mr. Grant? That walk screams ‘too many positions, too much fun.’”
Joycelyn nearly collapsed under the weight of Selene’s observation. “Keep your voice down!” she hissed, her face burning hotter. “People can hear you!”
Selene’s grin only widened at Joycelyn’s embarrassment. “Am I wrong? You got drunk, ran into our gorgeous boss, and thought ‘I’m 26 and still haven’t experienced a man.’ Next thing you know…”
She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. “That would explain why he answered your phone this morning!”
Joycelyn’s face deepened to an almost painful shade of crimson. Selene’s guesses were hitting too close to home. “That’s ridiculous,” she protested weakly. “What romance novel are you living in?”
But Selene’s knowing look said it all. She spotted Ellison approaching, flanked by executives.
“If you won’t tell me, I’ll just ask Mr. Grant himself,” Selene teased, raising her hand in greeting. “Hi, Mr. Grant!”
Joycelyn’s heart stopped as she stared at the approaching Adonis. Panic flooded her chest. If Selene brought up the phone call, it was only a matter of time before Ellison used the chance to expose their fling. Her stomach twisted.
The careful denial she’d been clinging to was about to come crashing down.
