Novels by bixiaojiestella

　　“I saw them today and thought of you,”she said.“They just dropped this morning. Limited edition.”　　Adrian pulled one out, inspecting it.“You really have a thing for giving me these.”　　She shrugged, lips tugging into a soft smile.“You look good in them.”　　He set the box down and pulled her closer by the waist.“Then I guess you’re officially responsible for putting them on me from now on.”　　Her smile widened.　　“Deal.”　　Emily laughed softly.“Then let me practice. I’ve never actually put cufflinks on anyone before.”　　Adrian arched a brow, amused.“What an honor,”he murmured, and casually popped open the ones he was wearing.“Go on. Use these.”　　She took the new set from the box, fingers careful as she slid them through the cuffs. Her brows furrowed slightly in concentration—Adrian didn’t take his eyes off her.　　Then his phone buzzed.　　he answered with one hand.　　“Hey,”he said, voice warm but casual.　　The voice on the other end was easy, familiar—his longtime friend, Nate.　　“M

　　Emily let out a soft hum, eyes still closed.“I should be asking you that. Your office might need hazard pay.”　　Adrian chuckled quietly, the sound low and warm in his chest.“I’ll take the damage. Worth it.”　　They stayed like that for another long minute.　　No rush. No obligations. Just a quiet moment suspended in their own world.　　Then finally, Emily shifted slightly, resting her chin on his shoulder and glancing down at the floor where a few papers had fallen.　　“You think your team heard anything?”　　Adrian smirked.“Not unless they’ve got microphones in the carpet.”　　She rolled her eyes, swatting his chest lightly before going still again.　　Her phone buzzed.　　She glanced at the screen—Lila(Video Call)—then looked at Adrian.　　He gave a slight nod, lips curving.　　She answered.　　“Lila!”Emily smiled, tilting the camera so her friend could see her clearly.　　“I’m back!”she beamed.“Finally. My professor dragged me across five countries, three labs, and one very haunted guest hou

　　She shifted slightly, her knees pressing into the cushions on either side of his hips, dress hiked just high enough for her to feel the warmth of him beneath the fabric.　　Every brush of her thighs, every subtle movement of his hands on her back, created a rhythm that felt deeper than anything physical.　　Her breath stuttered as her hips moved—tentative at first, testing the pressure, the closeness, the friction that bloomed between them even through layers of clothes.　　Emily sinking her teeth into his lower lip, just shy of pain, and felt the shudder that rolled through him. His hands abandoned their teasing path to grip her waist instead, hauling her flush against him until the hard line of his arousal pressed unmistakably between her thighs.　　The noise she made was swallowed by his kiss, deeper now, hungrier. His tongue swept against hers in a rhythm that had her arching into him, her fingers fumbling with the buttons of his shirt. She needed him bare—needed to feel his skin un

　　Emily blinked again.　　It wasn’t until she stepped into the elevator that Emily realized just how far ahead Adrian had thought.　　As the doors began to close, she glanced back toward the design department’s lounge. On the long communal table, rows of pastries and coffee cups were laid out neatly—perfectly arranged, clearly just delivered. The packaging was from one of the trendiest bakeries in the city, the kind with lines out the door and a waitlist for catering.　　By the time she reached the 16th floor, Emily had already tucked away a dozen thanks she wanted to give him.　　She knocked once at his office door.　　“Come in,”came Adrian’s voice—cool, clipped, and all business.　　It threw her off for a second. It wasn’t the tone he usually used with her.　　She pushed the door open.　　He was at his desk, a tablet in hand, sleeves rolled up just enough to show his watch. The skyline glowed faintly behind him. But t

　　Mike’s head turned just slightly, like the question had cracked something open.　　Vivian smiled faintly to herself.　　Let him unravel.　　Because if Emily was truly gone—if she had thrown Mike away for good—then eventually, he would need someone to lean on. Someone who didn’t leave. And her family’s company? It could be exactly what Mike’s needed next. Strategic. Beneficial. Mutual.　　She folded her hands sweetly in her lap, playing the part of the patient one. The loyal one.　　Mike sat in stunned silence, the buzz of alcohol starting to fade as Vivian’s words blurred into background noise. Then, without looking at her, he said quietly—firmly—　　“Vivian. Let’s not see each other anymore.”　　She blinked.“What…what do you mean?”　　“I’m going to explain everything to her. She’ll forgive me.”　　Vivian froze, her voice sharp.“Explain what?”　　Mike’s eyes stayed on the table.“If I keep seeing you, E

　　Mike sat on the cold bench in the police station, jaw tight, wrists red from the cuffs they’d only just removed.　　He hadn’t spoken since they brought him in.　　Mike could hardly breathe.　　He used to be the one she waited for.　　Used to be the one she laughed with, called late at night, told everything to.　　And now…　　Now she looked at another man like that.　　His chest burned. His throat felt tight.　　But even then—he told himself, if she came back…　　If she just showed up and said she made a mistake…　　He’d take her back.　　He’d forgive all of it.　　Adrian. The wedding ring. The silence. The lies.　　He’d erase everything just to have her again.　　The heavy door creaked open behind him.　　Lucas stepped inside, his usual confidence nowhere to be found. He held a file in one hand, keys in the other, his expression caught between frustration and pi