Mr. CEO Wants Me Back

Lily's POV.

I woke up to the sound of steady breathing beside me. The first thing I felt was warmth…his warmth. My heart pounded as my eyes fluttered open, and there he was.

Ashton Carter. My boss. The ruthless CEO everyone feared. The man I had worked for, admired, and secretly loved for two years. And last night… last night, he was mine.

I could hardly believe it.

The memories hit me in waves…working late after the office emptied out, the unexpected invitation for drinks, the way my heart raced when he leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in the back seat of his car. His driver was right there in the front, but I barely had time to think before everything spiraled.

And now, here we were.

I turned my head slowly, careful not to wake him. He looked different in sleep…less cold, less terrifying. His dark lashes rested against his sharp cheekbones, his lips slightly parted. It felt surreal, like a dream I’d wake up from any moment.

I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to giggle.

How had this even happened? How had I, clumsy Lily Evans, managed to pull a man like him into my bed?

He was the kind of man people whispered about in awe and fear. Strict, ruthless, impossible to please. Every other assistant before me had been fired within a week. I had lasted two years, enduring his impossible standards, his clipped commands, his complete indifference toward me.

Until last night.

I bit my lower lip, warmth creeping up my face. Women would kill to be in my position. I had spent years watching him from afar, longing for even the slightest bit of attention. And then, out of nowhere, he gave me everything.

As if sensing my gaze, he stirred.

I froze, my breath catching in my throat.

Ashton’s eyes opened slowly, locking onto mine. His face was unreadable, not cold but not warm either. Just neutral. As if last night hadn’t happened. As if we weren’t tangled in the same bed just hours ago.

I swallowed, my heart picking up speed. “Good morning, Mr. Carter.”

The name slipped out before I could stop it. A habit. For two years, that was how I had addressed him, and even now, after everything, I couldn’t bring myself to call him anything else.

He didn’t reply. He just watched me for a second longer, then sat up. The sheets slid off his body, revealing the same sculpted form I had traced with my hands last night. Heat crept up my face as flashes of what we did filled my mind. The way he touched me. The way he whispered my name.

I bit my lip, expecting him to say something. Anything.

But he didn’t.

He got up, walked over to where his clothes were, and started getting dressed.

I watched him in silence, my fingers gripping the sheets. The room felt different now, like something had shifted, but I told myself not to overthink it. Maybe he just wasn’t a morning person. Maybe he was the kind of man who needed time before talking.

It was fine. It had to be.

As he buttoned his shirt, I wanted to reach for him, to say something that would bring back the man from last night. But I didn’t know how.

So I just sat there, waiting, hoping.

And then, without a single word, Ashton walked out of my bedroom.

The moment the door shut behind Ashton, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. My heart was still racing, but I told myself it was fine. He was probably just in a rush. A man like him had a million things to do before the day even started. He would talk to me later.

I smiled to myself as I threw the sheets off and stretched. My body ached in places I had never felt before, a reminder of last night. The best night of my life.

Humming, I headed for the bathroom, feeling lighter than ever. As the warm water cascaded over me, I sighed, closing my eyes. I washed my hair, massaging the shampoo in as I sang softly under my breath, my voice carrying through the tiled walls.

Today was important.

Ashton would want to talk. There was no way he’d just walk away without saying anything. Maybe he didn’t know how to bring it up. Maybe he needed time to process. But I knew him…I had worked beside him for two years. He wasn’t a man who ignored things. He would find a way to bring it up, and when he did, I needed to be ready.

I dried off, taking my time to style my hair differently today. Something softer, more elegant. Then, for the first time in months, I sat in front of my small vanity and applied makeup. Just a little. Enough to make me look fresh and radiant.

Pulling out my best work outfit, I smoothed the fabric down, making sure it was perfect. Professional yet flattering. A small part of me wondered what Ashton would think when he saw me. Would he notice the change?

I bit my lip, suppressing the giddy excitement bubbling in my chest. Today felt like the start of something new. Something good.

And I was ready for it.

…

The office felt different today. Or maybe it was just me.

I couldn’t stop smiling as I walked in, my heart light, my steps confident. I felt good…no, I felt amazing.

“Lily, wow,” one of the receptionists said as I passed by. “You’re glowing today.”

“Right?” another chimed in. “What’s the secret?”

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. “No secret. Just… a good morning.”

A really good morning.

I reached my desk and set my bag down, smoothing my skirt as I sat. My fingers barely touched the keyboard when the office landline rang.

I glanced at it, my heart skipping a beat.

I picked up the receiver. “Lily Evans speaking.”

“Ashton Kingston’s office. Now.”

The line went dead.

I sat frozen for a moment, gripping the phone a little tighter before placing it back.

My breath came slower as I stood up. My hands smoothed over my outfit as I walked toward his office, my heart pounding just a little faster.

When I reached the door, I knocked lightly.

“Come in.”

I stepped inside, and there he was. Ashton stood by the window, his back to me, hands in his pockets.

For a second, I just looked at him, my chest warm with something close to hope.

“Good morning, sir,” I said, keeping my voice soft.

He didn’t turn around. “Pick up the envelope on my desk and open it.”

The warmth in my chest faded a little, but I didn’t think much of it. I walked forward, my fingers grazing the thick envelope resting on the desk.

I opened it.

My eyes scanned the first few words, and the breath in my lungs froze.

Termination of Employment.

The blood drained from my face. My fingers trembled as I flipped through the pages, my heart pounding louder with every second.

This wasn’t real. This couldn’t be real.

My throat tightened, but I forced myself to read the last line.

“This termination is effective immediately.”

The words shook as they left my lips.