Here is a revised version of the chapter that keeps the tone more subtle and focuses on the emotional aspect of the interaction between Joycelyn and Ellison:
Chapter 26
Joycelyn was completely exhausted.
“Call me ‘honey,’” Ellison said, his voice firm but gentle.
Joycelyn hesitated for a moment, her lips pressing together as she tried to hide the blush creeping up her neck. She let out a soft, almost inaudible sound, her gaze flickering away.
Ellison leaned in, his voice low, almost coaxing. “Good girl. It’s alright. Just say it, if it feels right.”
Joycelyn turned her head slightly, avoiding the reflection in the mirror. The sight of them together, so intimate, made her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She gritted her teeth. “Ellison… Grant,” she said, her voice thick with resistance.
Ellison watched her intently in the mirror, his eyes darkening as he smirked at her resistance. “Calling me by my full name now?” he murmured, his breath warm against her neck.
Joycelyn couldn’t bear the sight of herself anymore, her face flushed and her body still overwhelmed by the moment. “I… I didn’t mean it,” she whispered, feeling an overwhelming urge to pull away.
Ellison’s hand gently cupped her chin, turning her face towards him. His touch was tender, but his voice remained insistent. “I want to hear it, Joycelyn. Say it for me.”
She closed her eyes for a moment, her heart pounding. She couldn’t resist the pull any longer. “Honey,” she breathed out, her voice quiet but sincere.
Ellison’s smile softened as he lowered his lips to her temple, a feeling of warmth and affection spreading through him. “Good,” he whispered.
Later, when they moved to the bed, Ellison handed her a glass of water. His gaze softened when he saw how exhausted she was.
“Don’t push yourself too hard today,” Ellison said, his voice gentle. “You’ve had a long night.”
Joycelyn gave him a small, tired smile. “I don’t think I can handle another round of this, Ellison. I think I’ll need a break.”
He chuckled softly, though there was a hint of concern in his eyes. “Next time, I’ll make sure things go differently,” he promised, his tone more considerate now.
The following morning, Joycelyn groggily sat up, her body still sore. “I’m never drinking again. I swear it,” she muttered to herself, her eyes barely open as she lifted her hand, trying to give a playful oath.
Ellison came out of the closet, dressed and holding the clothes she was supposed to wear. “Next time you drink, it won’t be like last night,” he said, his voice calm but carrying an edge of authority.
Joycelyn groaned, the memories of the previous night still fresh in her mind. “If your department wasn’t so demanding, I wouldn’t have to rush everything,” she grumbled, pulling the blanket tighter around herself.
Ellison glanced over at her, his expression hardening slightly. “Who set you up?” he asked, his voice cool but curious.
Joycelyn thought for a moment, then sighed. “After Aurelia left, Linda told me to go serve coffee.”
Ellison’s eyes darkened with a fleeting shadow of anger. “I’ll have William look into it,” he said quietly, already pulling out his phone.
Joycelyn raised an eyebrow. “You’re really going to investigate this?”
“I don’t like it when people take advantage of you,” Ellison said, his gaze locking with hers. “We’ll get to the bottom of it.”
She watched him for a moment before sighing and sitting up. “I can’t take too many days off, or they’ll start talking behind my back,” she murmured.
Ellison’s voice softened as he reached out and gently took her hand. “I’ll take care of it. Just rest.”
Joycelyn shook her head. “I don’t want to rest. I don’t want anyone to think I can’t handle my job.”
Ellison smiled faintly. “It’s okay to take a step back when you need to. We’ll figure it out together.”
After a moment of silence, Ellison stood up and offered his hand to her. “Come on. Let’s get you out of bed, alright?”
Joycelyn hesitated before taking his hand, her legs still weak. As soon as her feet hit the floor, she wobbled, but Ellison caught her with ease.
“Maybe you should rest today,” he suggested, his voice full of concern as he held her close.
“I can’t. I’ll be fine,” she replied, trying to stand on her own again.
Ellison didn’t argue, but his expression softened. “Alright. But promise me you’ll take it easy.”
“I promise,” she whispered.
Once they were both dressed, they returned to their usual, composed selves. It was easy to forget how vulnerable they had been just a few hours ago.
Joycelyn turned to him as she prepared for the day. “I’ll be quick. You can leave me to it.”
Ellison nodded, already absorbed in his work. “I’ll check on the project proposals in the meantime.”
Joycelyn stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. As she looked at her phone, she noticed the dozens of messages in the group chat, one of which had pictures of Linda at the hospital.
Linda had tagged Ellison in a message, making a joke about how she had worked so hard to secure the joint venture agreements, all for Ellison’s sake. She could almost hear the smugness in Linda’s words.
Ellison had responded minutes ago, telling Linda to rest for the next few days while the team picked up the slack.
Joycelyn sighed, knowing Ellison would take care of things, but still feeling the weight of the situation. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
