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No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 20
Zephyra's POV I checked the time on my computer screen, then took a deep breath, picked up my phone, and connected to Lirael’s PA line. “Lirael Wright’s office,” Samson answered. “Hi. It’s Zephyra Zane from the architectural team. I was wondering if I could get a quick meeting with Mr. Wright sometime today?” “Hold on for a second.” The faint clicking of keys made its way across the line. “He had fifteen minutes available this afternoon at one o’clock. Did that work?” “Yes, that was fine. Thank you.” I lowered the receiver and clenched my fists. I did not want to do this. I really didn’t. But I would. That morning, I had done what I promised myself. I had walked into the office with my head high, even though my stomach was in knots. Jovan had been waiting by my desk, and the anger that surged through me at the sight of his face had taken my breath away. “Zephyra—” he had started, reaching for me. I had jerked back. “Don’t touch me.” His hand had dropped, but he had kept talk
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 21
Lirael's POV I backed her against the door, looming over her and bracing my hands on either side of her head. She tilted her face toward mine, eyes flashing. “What do you want, Lirael?” “You know what I want.” She exhaled shakily. “Why?” “Why what?” “Why do you want that from me? You have your choice of women. Why risk our professional relationship for this?” I lowered my head, my nose grazing against her cheek until I reached her ear. “Because I want another taste. I want to see if you’ll come as sweetly for me now as you did then.” Her breath hitched, and I turned so my lips brushed against the soft skin of her cheek. “Just think. By now, Jovan will be up here, right outside this door. He’ll be sitting out there waiting patiently for me while I’m making you come. If that isn’t revenge, I don’t know what is.” “I’m not having sex with you in your office.” There was far less conviction in that statement than she probably thought. My lips traveled down until they were hovering just o
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Lirael's POV She stared at me, but instead of arguing, she eased her skirt down her thighs, smoothing out the wrinkles. Then she fussed with her hair a little, avoiding my eyes. I wouldn’t let her get away with that, though. “We seem to be making a habit of revenge.” Her gaze met mine, and I wasn’t sure what I saw in it. It better not be fucking regret. “It won’t happen again,” she said. “I don’t want anything to do with Jovan anymore. Not outside of work, anyway.” I nodded, satisfied to hear Jovan was out of chances. Less satisfied that she was stating this would be the last time I got to touch her. Having had another taste, I wasn’t sure I’d be happy until I’d fucked her again. Completely gotten her out of my system. But we’d cross that bridge when we came to it. She finished straightening herself out, and rather than lingering and letting her know that I wasn’t quite on board with her declaration, I returned to my desk. She watched me with a frown. “Aren’t you going to . . .
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Zephyra's POVFor more than one reason, I couldn’t look at Jovan as I passed him. What I had just done played over and over in my mind. What I had let Lirael do to me. In his office. In the building I worked in. With Jovan sitting outside. What the hell had come over me? This was not me. I was the girl who put her head down and worked hard and achieved what she wanted to achieve. I wasn’t the girl who let her boss go down on her in his office. What was it about Lirael that made me act so out of character? On shaky legs, I made my way back to my desk. If I thought I couldn’t concentrate before, it was nothing compared to how scattered I was now. Every time someone passed, I jumped, imagining it was Jovan and he had somehow found out what I had done. Not that it was any of his business anymore. Because it was so unlike me, it felt as if any minute now, someone would point their finger at me and accuse me of reprehensible behavior. But Jovan didn’t come. And neither did Lirael. Although,
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Zephyra's POVThe next day at my desk, my pulse leaped at every email notification, every ring of my phone. I half-expected to be summoned to Lirael’s office, and I wasn’t sure if I was dreading it or anticipating it. I got a few emails from Jovan, including one letting me know the Wright Group had nominated our concepts for the H+ Architectural Design Awards, which, even with my current emotional turmoil, had me feeling a swift rush of pride. His correspondence had been completely impersonal and related to the project, so he must have finally accepted that I wasn’t interested in anything he had to say. When the end of the day arrived and I hadn’t heard or seen anything from Lirael, a chaotic mix of emotions swirled inside me. Apparently, Freya was wrong. I should have been happy about it, so why did disappointment sit like a lead weight in my chest?That evening, when Freya got back from teaching her classes, she asked me what happened at the office. When I told her nothing, her face
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Zephyra's POVI walked into the office on Monday, refreshed and ready to be productive. After drinking wine with Freya on Friday night, then going out for another night of dancing on Saturday, I was determined to put everything to do with Jovan and Lirael behind me. When my phone rang midmorning and I saw it was Lirael’s PA, my pulse leaped, even as my stomach twisted. “Hello,” I answered.“Good morning, Zephyra. Are you available for a meeting with Mr. Wright?”My mouth went dry, and I needed to clear my throat before I answered. “Yes, of course.”“Come on up, then.”I hung up, then stood, wiping my sweaty palms on my skirt. When the elevator deposited me on the top floor, I smiled at Samson, hoping my nerves weren’t showing on my face.“He’s expecting you. You can go right in.” He nodded toward the office. When I knocked and heard his deep voice telling me to come in, butterflies took flight in my stomach. I entered and closed the door behind me, then quickly stepped away from it.
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Zephyra's POV“I shouldn’t have said anything. It wouldn’t happen again.” I kept my gaze level and fixed on his, even though all I wanted to do was walk away and pretend none of this happened.“Don’t worry about it.” He watched me, his eyes dark. “Now that we’ve cleared that up, I expect you to be ready for an overnight trip to Chicago. The jet leaves at eight a.m. on Friday, and we’ll fly back on Saturday. I’ll pick you up.”He didn’t say anything more, just continued to look at me. I brushed my damp palms over my skirt. “I’ll be ready. Is that all?”“That’s all.”I made for the office door as quickly as I could while maintaining some kind of dignity, but he stopped me just as I was about to turn the handle. “Zephyra.”I looked at him over my shoulder.His jaw worked, and he looked uncomfortable for the first time since I’d known him. “I’m sorry that I made you feel alone.”My brows arched high. I doubted he was used to apologizing to his employees. I couldn’t help but give him a tin
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Lirael's POVJonathan pulled the car up outside Zephyra’s apartment building, where she was waiting. She barely had time to pick up the bag at her feet before he was out of the driver’s seat to take it off her and open the rear door for her. She smiled at him, then slid in to sit opposite me. I drank her in a little too avariciously. Her long dark hair was tied back in a ponytail. The green V-neck shirt she was wearing deepened the color of her eyes, and her jeans fit like a second skin. It was all very suitable for attending a future building site, and yet it was still as sexy as hell on her.Her gaze flitted over me, probably taking stock of my clothing as well since this was the first time she had seen me dressed casually. I hid my smile as she took in my fitted gray T-shirt and jeans, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. Realizing she had been staring a little too long, her eyes darted to mine, then out the window, a slight blush warming her cheeks.“Did you purchase a dress?”
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No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 79
Zephyra's POVLirael continues, unperturbed. "Your company has been facing difficulties for a while now—mismanagement, apparently. Your shares are at the lowest price they've been for a decade. I saw you come in, and I decided now was the right time to make the call. So no, you don't have some investments for me. You are an investment. And unfortunately for you, as of," Lirael checks his watch, "ten minutes ago, you're no longer CEO of Apex Industries. My brothers and I will appoint one of our own people to take over first thing tomorrow."My father stares at Lirael, shock and disbelief warring on his features. "Y-You can't be serious. That's... That's preposterous."Lirael turns his back on him, dismissing the conversation with a curt statement. "Are we all done, ladies?" Mom stands up gracefully, and I follow suit, mirroring her movement. "Yes, thank you, Lirael," she says with genuine appreciation. "The meal was absolutely delicious."Lirael responds with a smile that lights up hi
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Zephyra's POVMom reaches over the table and squeezes my hand, a gentle smile playing on her lips. I could get used to this, I think to myself, the warmth of her touch a comforting reassurance in the midst of the elegant ambiance surrounding us.I take a moment to look around the restaurant where we're dining tonight. It's opulent, even by Lirael's high standards. While he and I frequent such upscale establishments often, we've also developed a penchant for cooking together at home. Surprisingly, Lirael has proven to be quite the adept home chef. Our late-night grilled cheese sandwiches remain a favorite indulgence.Yet, tonight marks a special occasion—it's Mom's birthday. Lirael's thoughtful gesture of sending his private jet to whisk her away to New York for the weekend speaks volumes about his generosity. The fact that we're hosting her in one of Lirael's luxurious hotel suites, with all expenses covered, adds an extra layer of appreciation for the privacy and comfort we can offer
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Lirael's POVHer hand reaches out, coming to rest on my chest, right over my wildly beating heart. The warmth of her touch seeps through me, comforting and electrifying all at once. "And I really, really like what I see," she confesses, her eyes locking with mine in a moment of shared vulnerability.Relief floods through me, a weight lifting off my shoulders as her words sink in. Without hesitation, I take a step closer to her, my hand instinctively finding its way into her soft hair, fingers curling around the back of her neck as I pull her gently toward me. The closeness between us feels natural, inevitable, as if we've been dancing around this moment for far too long."I like what I see too," I murmur, my voice low and intimate, filled with unspoken promises and desires."Is that so?" Her voice is a breathless whisper, anticipation hanging in the air between us.I nod, a smile playing on my lips. "Yes, it is. In fact, I don't just like what I see," I confess, my gaze never leaving
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Lirael's POV "Of course," I reply without hesitation, a hint of hurt tugging at my words. Didn't she believe me when I assured her that I wasn't going anywhere? "And you're helping Mom plant beets?" Zephyra inquires, her gaze flickering to the spade in my hand. I glance down at my fingers wrapped around the tool. "It would seem so," I confirm with a faint smile. Zephyra descends the steps towards us, and the sight of her approaching leaves me momentarily breathless. The way she moves, the way the sunlight catches her hair, it's all so mesmerizing. "Zephyra, do you mind finishing this off while I get dinner started?" Beth interjects, her tone carrying a hint of mischief as she exchanges a knowing look with me. My lips quirk up in response to Beth's subtle gesture, understanding the unspoken message. Zephyra stands gracefully, brushing the dirt off her knees, and takes the trowel from Beth, settling down next to me.The air is filled with the sweet scent of sunshine and wildflowers
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Lirael's POVI pull up outside Zephyra's mom's house and shift the car into park. The decision to rent a vehicle instead of relying on a driver feels like a small step toward independence, a gesture of my commitment to staying here for the foreseeable future. The sunset paints the sky in hues of orange and pink, casting warm beams of light through the car window as I sit and contemplate my next moves.Recalibration is necessary. The impulse to buy things for Zephyra's mom, while well-intentioned, feels like a misstep now. She doesn't need my money; she needs genuine connection and support. It strikes me that perhaps my efforts to provide material comfort were more about easing my own guilt than truly helping. Zephyra, given time and opportunity, will undoubtedly be able to provide for her mom in ways I can't.Yet, despite this realization, I haven't formulated another plan. Every idea I entertain seems to circle back to money, a reminder of the limitations of my solutions. For now, al
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Zephyra's POVHis eyes darken slightly, a mix of frustration and longing evident in his gaze. "Because it's the only thing I can offer you—the only thing I can give you that you need," he admits, his voice tinged with desperation.I meet his gaze, feeling a wave of sadness wash over me as I shake my head slowly. "No, Lirael. It's not. I don't need your money or what it can buy me. A relationship isn't supposed to be transactional like that. It's about being with someone because you can't imagine not being with them. It's about sharing your heart and soul with someone, knowing they see you for who you really are, that they understand you in a way no one else can."His jaw tightens as he absorbs my words, a silent acknowledgment of the truth in them. "Okay," he finally responds, his tone subdued yet accepting.I'm taken aback by his unexpected acquiescence. "Okay?" I repeat, searching his eyes for any hint of defiance or argument.He nods, taking a step closer and gently brushing a stra
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Zephyra's POVThe next evening, I return home after my jog, my feet stuttering to a halt as I pull out my earphones, my mind racing with questions about the unfamiliar car in the driveway. What the hell? My first thought is that Lirael's back, having driven himself this time, but I know that's not it. The shiny red car is brand new, untouched by the usual signs of a journey. It's almost surreal, like a prop dropped into a scene.I walk up the path, each step heavy with curiosity and apprehension, and let myself into the house. There he is, sitting on the couch just as he was yesterday, his dark head a stark contrast to the muted colors of the living room. Mom sits opposite him, her demeanor calm as she sips her tea.Taking a moment to compose myself, I drop my keys on the sideboard with a clatter, drawing their attention. "Please tell me that's your car outside," I say, my voice a mix of surprise and disbelief, directed at Lirael.He stands immediately, his deep blue eyes raking over
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Zephyra's POVI parked Mom's battered old car in the driveway, the familiar creak of its doors bringing back childhood memories. Gathering the groceries from the back seat, I carried them up the path to the house. Before I can put the key in the lock, the door swings open, revealing Mom's warm smile."Hey, Mom," I greet her, my own smile fading as I notice the serious expression on her face. "I got all the ingredients you wanted, and I picked up some ice cream for dessert. Do you..." I trail off, sensing something amiss.She reaches to take the bags from my hands, her touch gentle yet firm. "Lirael's here," she says quietly.My heart almost stops at the mention of his name. "What?" I manage to utter, disbelief and a tinge of panic creeping into my voice."Yeah, he's here," Mom confirms. "But it's up to you if he stays."I throttle the feeling of betrayal that swells in my chest. Mom wouldn't have let him in if he hadn't given her a good enough reason. I just don't have a clue what tha
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Lirael's POV The driver pulls up, and I sit there for a moment, absorbing the nostalgic aura emanating from Zephyra's childhood home. Despite its modest size, the front yard boasts meticulous landscaping, with a delightful array of flowers and shrubs thoughtfully arranged in beds encircling the welcoming front porch. It's a curious feeling. While I struggle to visualize myself growing up in such surroundings, I can easily conjure images of a young Zephyra, carefree and radiant, darting through the sprinklers on sweltering summer afternoons. I can envision her kneeling alongside her mother, their hands digging into the soil as they lovingly planted flowers together, or lending a hand to carry groceries up the familiar porch steps. These seemingly mundane moments, ones that Zephyra may have taken for granted in her youth, are now treasures I yearn to have experienced firsthand. Perhaps then, understanding how to be present for her and fulfill her needs would come more naturally to me.
