Nobela ni Sarah.D

JASON'S POV“Keep talking.” I grumbled under my breath, flipping through the files on my desk. There were several other documents scattered, some even slipping to the floor and usually my OCD would have kicked in, pushing me to make sure everything was arranged. Now however, I could barely care less. It was past three already and I could barely remember the last time I sat down to relax all morning. Challan and Mayowa sat across from me, all three of us deep in discussion about a potential acquisition that had been giving us headaches for weeks."The problem is access," Mayowa said, adjusting his glasses as he scrolled through his tablet. "This company has been family owned for three generations. They're not interested in selling, no matter how good our offer is.""There has to be a way," I said, leaning back in my chair and rubbing my temples. "What else do we know about them?"Mayowa pulled up another file, briefing us on the company's financial situation, and their recent strugg

I was at work with Lisa, both of us settled into the comfortable chairs in my office. The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting warm light across the polished mahogany desk. We were supposed to be reviewing the Meridian partnership meeting in three days, but instead, we had fallen into talking about my night with Jason."So let me get this straight," Lisa said, leaning back in her chair with an exasperated expression. "You spent the night at his place, he cooked for you, you spilled wine on him and he took his shirt off, and then... nothing happened?""Nothing happened," I confirmed, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my neck as I remembered exactly how much I had wanted something to happen."I'm disappointed," Lisa declared, throwing her arms up in the air. "Genuinely disappointed."I laughed and shook my head. "That's funny, considering you were the one advocating for it being platonic just yesterday.""That was before I knew he could cook, and know

JAIME’S POVMy office was chaotic at best, with various personnel gathered around for the celebration ceremony marking our new partnership. I rubbed the heel of my palm underneath my eyes as I stifled an exhausted yawn. We had been here for the past one hour and I still had three meetings to attend. This was one of the reasons I missed having Alessandra around, she would have been in charge of all the preparations and I wouldn’t have to bother about anything."Mr. King, what do you think of this floral arrangement?" Someone shoved a tablet in my face displaying an elaborate setup of white roses and orchids."Fine," I said, barely glancing at it. "Change the white rose to red instead, it will fit the theme better.""And the lighting design for the stage?" She asked, swiping to the next image. I let my eyes access the collage. "The second option. The first one looks cheap."She nodded and walked to the others, watching them scramble to make notes, shuffling papers and tapping on ta

I woke up the next morning, but I wasn't excited about it.Jason had told me to stay in the guest room which should be thoughtful but I was somehow fuming mad about it. After the wine incident last night, he had simply suggested we play a board game, like we were twelve years old at a sleepover.I hadn't liked how easily he had transitioned back to casual friendship mode while I was still vibrating with need. So I stormed off to the guest room, feeling all kinds of emotions I didn't want to name. I barely slept, tossing and turning in the comfortable bed, replaying every moment of the evening.Now I was awake, lying motionless on the bed, staring at the ceiling. My entire body was buzzing with pent-up tension.I hadn't had sex in a long time, even during the final months of my marriage to Jaime, he had barely paid me any attention. Somehow, I had convinced myself I didn't miss it, that I didn't need physical intimacy.But now, after seeing Jason shirtless and feeling the heat in h

I stepped inside and was immediately hit with the warm aroma of mac and cheese.My stomach growled appreciatively despite just finishing dinner, and I turned to Jason with raised eyebrows."You cooked?" I asked, surprised.He grinned, closing the door behind me. "Don't sound so shocked. I'm a man of many talents.""I just didn't picture you as the domestic type," I admitted, following him further into his home.The living room was as pristine as always, and the sight of a tablecloth over the coffee table and rose petals were scattered all over. I threw Jason a warning look and he raised his hand in a gesture of surrender and I snorted in response. "Make yourself comfortable," he said, gesturing toward the living room. "I'll bring everything out in a minute."I settled onto his couch, trying not to think about how good he smelled when he had brushed past me or about the effort he had clearly put into this evening. This was supposed to be platonic, just two old friends hanging out.

When I went downstairs to join my family for dinner, my grandfather immediately complimented me. "Don't you look lovely this evening."My father looked up from his phone. "Why are you so dressed up?"Before I could answer, my mother interjected. "A lady is never too dressed up, dear. That says a lot about your own sense of fashion." She gestured pointedly at my father's slightly rumpled shirt.My father huffed and rolled his eyes, muttering about having peace in his own house. Dinner began, and I tried to think of the best way to bring up my plans for the evening. I was just opening my mouth to speak when Julien launched intercepted.“So, Mom.” He said slowly, dropping his napkin by the side of this plate. “Polly and I were thinking about flying in a musician for the wedding."Absolutely not," my mother said immediately. “Judging by both your tastes, it’ll probably be these loud and annoying rock artists.” My grandfather huffed, wiping his mouth with his own napkin. “And what’s wro