CHAPTER NINE (ELARA'S POV)

“Why?” Killian asked. “Do you not trust me?”

“No, I do not.” Elara answered without hesitation. “I have worked so hard to get to where I am and I will not trust a stagger blinding thereby putting everything I have worked hard for, to risk.”

“Fair.” Killian said with a shrug.

“I'll head home now.” She said adjusting her blouse today had been a rollercoaster of emotions that she needed to recover from. “I will be here first thing in the morning with my lawyer.”

With that she turned and walked to the door. Her hand reached for the handle before she paused.

Throwing a glance over her shoulder, she looked at Killian who was watching her. “Prepare yourself.”

With that, she pushed the door open and walked out.

****

The next day….

Elara sat in the conference room at Haye's enterprise. His assistant ushered her in there as soon as she arrived. It was a private conference room on his floor so she had no worries of someone listening in on the discussion that was about to happen.

She dressed with confidence today, she was here for business. Her wavy brown hair was let down, she wore a black tailored suit which showed a bit of her cleavage, not too much to be considered immodest.

A pair of blood red heels, matching lipstick and natural makeup that just highlighted her natural features. She was gorgeous and she knew it.

She tapped her finger on the dark oak table as she stared out the floor to ceiling windows, looking at the city's skyline as she waited for Killian to arrive.

 

The door opened and shut with a soft click, she watched as Killian strode in confidently, his usual air of dominance was around him. He was dressed in a tailored navy blue suit that fitted him perfectly, it showed his lean muscles that she wanted to run her hands over.

He hadn't looked in her direction yet as he walked to the head of the table and pulled out the seat. Finally, he lifted his head and his eyes locked with hers.

He paused.

She watched as his eyes racked her body, something burning in his eyes— desire? The thought lit up a hunger she hadn't felt in years, the yearning for the touch of a man.

But she wasn't going to let it show as she maintained composure.

He slowly drew his eyes from her body to her face. It looked like he wasn't even breathing.

Good. She smirked internally.

“Close your mouth. You don't want to catch a fly.” she said cockily and that snapped him out of his trance.

His mask slipped back on as he took his seat, cleared his throat and adjusted the lapels of his suit.

“Hello, Elara.” He said smoothly, his deep voice soothing to her ears.

“Shall we begin?” She asked, turning serious and going straight to the point.

A slow predatory smile grew on his face. “You seem calm and prepared today.”

“I am.” She said coldly. “I have called my lawyer. He's on his way and will be here shortly. I'll advise you to call yours as well.”

He raised a brow at her command but said nothing as he nodded. “Fine.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and made the call.

They remained silent, staring down each other as they waited for their lawyers l.

A few minutes later, the two lawyers walked in. One day down next to Elara and the other next to Killian.

“Elara,” Killian called out. “I'd like to introduce you to my lawyer, Mr Richard Gates.”

Elara sent a small smile in the direction of the man who was staring at her keenly— studying her. “This is Mrs. Lilian Park.” She said, equally introducing her lawyer.

“Nice to meet you all.” Lilian said.

“Alright, let's get down to business.” Elara said with a clap of her hands.

Lilian pulled a brown file out of her bag and brought a paper out of it. The contract.

She cleared her throat then began. “My client, Miss Beckett, has briefed me of the situation. The first rule of the contact is that there will be no romantic interaction in private. Both parties will only act romantically in public for the sake of the media but behind closed doors they will live their separate lives.”

“Alright.” Killian said. “But what happens if we're caught in a place we consider ‘private’? You know paparazzi are everywhere.”

“Then we'll act as we should to avoid suspicion.” Elara answered. “But there will be no intimacy beyond that.”

Killian leaned forward, a panty dropping smirk lighting up his face. “Are you afraid of getting too… close, Elara?”

Her heart fluttered.

She shot him a glare then turned to her lawyer. “Tick the rule.”

This is going to be a long ride.