All Chapters of His to Consume : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Grant's Pov "You knew she'd be here," he said slowly, piecing it together. "That's why you accepted this invite, isn't it? You've turned down this seminar for five years running, and now, all of a sudden, you can't get enough of it. Because of her." I remained silent, swirling the liquid in my glass as I stared out the window. "Well played, sir," Matt said with a smirk, crossing his arms. "But what's the endgame? Trying to win her back or just torturing yourself?" I exhaled, my palm running through my hair as I set the glass down. "What about Cassidy?" Matt asked after a moment, his tone quieter now. "Are you in love with her?" The question hit me like a slap and turned me back to him with a tight jaw. "No," I said sharply, the single word heavy with meaning. Matt studied me for a moment before he nodded. "Then you'd better begin to figure out what you want and quickly. Because this?" He gestured toward me, "This moping, going back and forth-that's not going to win her ov

Lena's POV "You could say that," I replied with a fake smile. "I'm Sarah," she said, extending her hand. "Consultant from New York. And you?" "Lena Reynolds," I said, shaking her hand. "CEO of Reynolds Palace.”"Nice to meet you, Lena," Sarah said warmly. "This is your first time at such a seminar?""No," I admitted, "but it's been some time since I last attended one."After some minutes of chatting, I found myself relaxing a little. Sarah was bright and witty, and her reflections on this morning's session helped redirect my thoughts from Grant. By the time the break was coming to a close, I had regained my footing a little.Back at my seat, I tuned out all distractions and focused on the next presentation: very diligent note-taking and highlighting key points of evidence. The speaker talked about innovative approaches-to-leadership, and I nodded along with how much I felt nodded.But then came the Q&A, and I heard it.A voice, from the back of the room.Deep, resonant, unmistakabl

It was the quiet, suffocating hum of the air-conditioning. Softly settled in the armchair, my knees curled to my chest with my arms around them, I stared at Grant sleeping on the bed. The room was dim with soft evening light, casting shadows over his features. His face, sharp and confident normally, relaxed and even boyish in sleep. For a moment, he resembled the person I remembered… the one who made me laugh and the one who made me feel safe. No longer was the good person that I'd known; the man who had once been something for me, but things now were different - a man who had come back into my life in a way I couldn't fully comprehend. Grant, drunk and vulnerable, sprawled across my bed. Almost surreal. I pushed my fingers through my hair trying to untangle my thoughts and emotions. How had we gotten here? How, in fact, had this whole scenario turned so bizarrely? The questions raced through my mind but wouldn't allow me to answer a single one. The kiss we'd shared just a little

The reminder all these words gave was that for the window frames I would have to move my distance. I couldn’t afford to let myself unravel again. Not now. Quickly scurrying out of the shower, I started rifling through my suitcase. Because the seminar was high profile and either made or broke reputations, I strapped up my luck and took out a fitted emerald green dress; nothing but room for complete contouring. It had a conservative neckline and long sleeves; the perfect middle ground between professional and polished. Black-heeled shoes and simple gold jewelry would make it up nicely, and that would be the required look-to project confidence. Let some soft waves linger around my face and hope they impart to me an air of some control. By this time, I should be a tad more like myself by finishing getting dressed. More composed, yet more confident and prepared to face the day ahead. But my polished outside can't shake the gnawing feeling deep inside the pit of my stomach. While zipp

The crowd buzzed with interest, enthusiastic murmurs sifting through the hall. People shuffled in their chairs, looking sideways at each other, excitement in that kind of glow sparked by the suggestion of something huge and social taking place."Formal attire is encouraged," added the host with a wink as his smile turned infectious, "and don't forget to bring a guest." Let's make it a night to remember! A curious dread stirred deep within me. I had not expected there to be a party, much less conceptualized spending an evening at such a high-profile venue with very random strangers. A gala was not exactly my idea of how to have fun. Mingling with people, almost all of them dressed to the nines, and chatting about the most superficial things was really just leaving me out of place. I hastily gathered my things: phone, notebook, everything that I could stuff inside my bag, ready to sneak away quickly before the big event was forced upon me. In other words, I had no intention of attendi