Chapter 4: The Reveal

I slipped out of his hold, careful not to make a sound. My dress hung on the back of the chair, rumpled and impossibly wrinkled. I winced as I slid it back over my bare skin, the fabric brushing against all the places he’d kissed, touched, claimed.

The library was quiet now, sunlight cutting through the high windows in thin beams. I glanced back at him, sprawled on the leather couch, still asleep. His shirt was discarded on the floor, and the blanket I’d haphazardly thrown over him barely covered the his chest.

God, what had I done?

My stomach twisted with shame. Did I just sleep with a stranger? I should regret last night. I should feel guilty.

But the truth? I didn’t.

I slipped my shoes on and crept toward the door, biting back the ridiculous urge to wake him, to say something, anything, before I left. But I didn’t. This wasn’t supposed to be anything but a mistake.

A mistake I’d make again in a heartbeat.

I shook the thought away, pushing it deep down where it couldn’t haunt me, and slipped out of the library.

The text came through as I was stepping off the bus, my legs still sore.

Mum: Come to the office. I need to discuss something important.

I sighed, shoving my phone back into my bag. Important with her usually meant some new project.

Three hour later, I pushed open the door to her tiny office.

“Hi, Mum,” I said, forcing a smile.

She looked up from her desk, her face lighting up. “Elle! Perfect timing.”

I sat across from her. The small office barely fit the two of us, the desk taking up most of the space She was practically glowing, which only made me more anxious.

“I didn’t want to say anything until it was finalized, but we’ve secured the funding for the research project,” she said, barely able to contain her excitement. “Adrian Blackwell himself is backing it. Do you know what that means?”

“No,” I said slowly.

“It means,” she continued, her voice almost breathless, “we can finally pay off the rest of the medical debt.”

The cancer I’d fought as a teenager had left scars, not just on me but on my family’s finances. Mom had taken out loans to save me, and I’d been helping chip away at them ever since. Community college. Double shifts waitressing. No degree. No time. But now?

Mom’s smile widened. “And, Elle, you’ll be able to go back to school. You can finally get your degree. Can you believe it?”

I didn’t know what to say. Relief warred with disbelief, my heart pounding in my chest.

“It’s… incredible,” I managed, my throat dry.

The door opened suddenly

“Mrs Lynn Carter?”

I froze.

That voice.

Mom’s face lit up. “Mr Blackwell! You’re early.” She stood, gesturing for him to come in

Adrian stepped inside, calm and composed, dressed in a tailored gray suit that fit him like it was made for him. Which, knowing him, it probably was. His eyes swept the room, cool and professional, until they landed on me.

For a split second, surprise and recognition flickered in his expression but it was gone before Mom could notice

“Adrian Blackwell,” Mom said proudly, motioning between us. “This is my daughter, Elle. She’s helping me with the project.”

Elle. My name rolled off her tongue, landing between us like a live wire. Adrian’s polite smile didn’t falter, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of something else—something darker.

My throat closed up. Memories of that night slammed into me like a freight train. His hands on me. The way I’d fallen apart under him.

I swallowed hard, gripping the edge of my chair to keep from bolting.

“It’s nice to meet you, Elle,” Adrian said smoothly, extending a hand.

I shook it, as if we hadn’t been tangled together hours ago. A jolt shot through me, but I kept my face neutral

“You too, Mr. Blackwell.” My voice was steady, but inside I was screaming

He was perfectly composed, perfectly professional, and it only made me more flustered.

Mum beamed, oblivious. “I’ll leave you two to get acquainted. I need to grab some notes from another office. Back in a minute!”

The door closed behind her, leaving us alone.

I stood abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. “I didn’t expect this,” I said, forcing the words out.

“Neither did I.”

“You’re funding the project?”

“It’s a good cause,” he said, his voice measured. “I try to put my money where it matters.” Then, after a beat, his lips curved into a sly grin. “I had no idea we’d be working so closely together.”

My cheeks burned, but I kept my face blank. “It’s a small world.”

“Apparently.” His gaze lingered on me, sharp and assessing, like he was trying to figure out how I’d react.

“Well,” I said, crossing my arms, “thank you for helping my mom. This project means a lot to her.”

“And to you?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

“Does it mean a lot to you?” His voice was low, steady.

I looked away, my pulse hammering in my ears. “Of course.

“So Elle,” His voice quieter now. “You disappeared this morning.”

I crossed my arms, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my neck. “I had somewhere to be.”

His lips twitched. “No note? Not even a goodbye?”

I glared at him. “What would I have said?”

“Whatever you wanted.” He stepped closer, his eyes locked on mine. “Something tells me you don’t regret it.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but nothing came out. The way he looked at me, his gaze dipping to my lips before snapping back up, sent a shiver down my spine.

“This is… inappropriate,” I said weakly, stepping back until I bumped into the desk.

“Very,” he agreed, his voice low, his steps deliberate as he closed the distance.

I pressed my hands against his chest, intending to push him back, but the hard muscle beneath my palms made my breath hitch. “We shouldn’t—”

He silenced me with a kiss.

It was softer than last night, but no less consuming. His hands slid around my waist, pulling me closer as his mouth moved against mine. I melted into him, my resolve slipping with every second.

“We shouldn’t,” I whispered against his lips, but my hands betrayed me, sliding up to his neck, threading through his hair.

“Tell me to stop,” he murmured, his voice rough as his hands slid under my shirt, his thumbs brushing against my ribs.

I couldn’t.

His fingers found the edge of my bra, until he cupped my breast fully, his touch igniting sparks across my skin. I gasped into his mouth, and he swallowed the sound, his body pressing me harder against the desk.

The door burst open.

“What the fuck is going on here?”

Adrian froze, his hands still on me. My heart stopped as I turned, seeing who had spoken.

Damian.

His face twisted into a mix of shock and fury as his gaze darted between us.

“Dad?”