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My eyes narrowed as I looked at Kaiden's smiling face. “Why are you here?”He rolled his eyes. “How about you start with ‘Thank you, Kaiden’?”“Thank you, Kaiden,” I said dryly. “Now, answer, why are you here?”He sighed and theatrically placed his hand on his chest. “You wound me.” He sat on the chair beside my bed. “I've been around and heard that dickhead's voice in the corridor,” he explained.“What an amazing coincidence.” I gave him a thin-lipped smile. “Not only are you in LA but also in my hospital. You also accidentally walked by and suddenly recognized the voice of one of the hundreds of LAPD officers. If I'm that lucky, shouldn't I play the lottery?”Kaiden gave me a look. “You have the right to be suspicious, but frankly, yes, you are THAT lucky. While you were here for the Digital World Conference, I was sealing an important deal for the Blair Consortium. Feel free to check that out if you want to. I came to this hospital because one of our clients had a nasty car acciden
KILLIANI couldn't even describe the relief I felt when Detective Crane called me to tell me they were about to close Josie's case without pressing any charges against her. Later, Mr. Park confirmed that killing Riley Phillips had been officially called self-defense, and not even Maverick Phillips' violent and vulgar complaints could have changed that.Josie's stitches had been removed, and she was finally released from the hospital. I had never been more glad to leave Los Angeles. Now that we could return to New York, I would make sure Josie recovered from all that fuck-up nightmare.Her bruises turned into faint shades that marked the side of her jaw, her neck, and her shoulders. I knew she was still in pain and that her convalescence would last a while. I suggested she spend the entire flight in the jet's bedroom. She agreed, but only if I joined her in bed. Well, she didn't need to convince me.I made sure she was comfortable with my arms around her. I wished we could use that bed
JOSIEI wasn't sure what felt more depressing, spending my days in a hospital bed or being alone in an empty penthouse. Killian left as soon as I fell asleep, and waking up alone was certainly on the list of my least favorite things. I was supposed to stay here and “recover,” as if I could heal my broken bones and make the bruises disappear with my willpower alone. On the other hand, I wished I could just tell my body to return to its default settings since I was seriously tired of feeling pain with every step I took.Of course, I put a smile on my face and insisted I was fine whenever someone asked. I didn't want to make Killian, Ashley, Aaron, and my team more worried than they already were. I didn't want them to know that I felt as if I had been hit by a truck, and simple actions like walking, laughing, and breathing triggered a new wave of pain. Surely, it wasn't as bad as in the beginning, but since I needed to remove some of the painkillers from my diet, every ache became more v
KILLIANI had spent the whole night in my office, taking care of all the problems that had grown during my absence. I slept less than four hours, took a quick shower, and returned to my desk. I wished that Josie could be with me. I could almost imagine her sleeping on the sofa while I worked. That image felt soothing. Then again, seeing her in my office would have probably led to more indecent cravings…I cursed as the image of her splayed naked on my desk appeared in my mind. My cock strained in my pants, filling me with the need to taste her, touch her, be inside her...“Fuck,” I groaned, rising from my seat and heading under the shower. My unsatiated hunger for her had once again given me a painful erection, and there was only one way to deal with it. Otherwise, I would be forced to walk to my morning meetings with a hard-on.Well, at least solving that one problem wasn't entirely unpleasant. Unfortunately, I couldn't say the same about the hundred other urgent matters, mostly crea
JOSIEKillian returned to the bedroom oddly tensed. I knew he talked to Kaiden, and it worried me even more, but when I asked what Kaiden had told him, he just said it wasn't anything important. I knew he was lying. I was going to push him until he told the truth, but before I formed a reasonable argument, he gave me a quick kiss and walked to his study.Truthfully, that pissed me off. He was the one who wanted to make this relationship real, and if he wanted this to work, there couldn't be any lies or hiding problems between us. I gave myself a moment to calm down and finished the breakfast Killian had prepared for me. Then I got dressed and marched into his study.I found him sitting by his desk and staring at the laptop screen with a deep frown. He didn't even notice me as I entered the room. I inwardly sighed and closed the door behind me. Then I walked over to his desk and waited for him to acknowledge my presence.“I wasn't honest with you,” I started, sucking in a deep breath.
I spent the next few days trying to find the right approach for my lecture. I needed an inspiring speech and a captivating presentation. After three days, all I had was several dozens of crumpled papers lying on the floor and a presentation with one slide only—the title.I wished I could say my research for Killian got better results, but I doubted I had found anything useful for him. Nonetheless, I gathered everything I found and walked to his study. He locked himself inside it right after he'd returned from Blair Digital and taken a quick shower. He was working too much recently, and I knew I was partially responsible for that. I wanted to help him in any way I could. I regretted I couldn't do more…“I searched everywhere, but only found basic facts and a few rumors,” I said as I walked over to Killian's desk.He let out a long sigh. “I was afraid you'd say that. I've just ended my call with Tony. Like me, he has never heard of Diamond Dragon Entertainment.”I smiled wryly. “Well, a
Another wave of murmurs came. I heard some grumbling—the sound of someone's dissatisfaction. Just great. I had merely managed to introduce myself, and those in the audience had already lost their patience. Way to go, Josie!I fisted my hands and closed my eyes, trying to find the beginning of my speech in the depths of my panicked mind. I recalled the first sentences, but as my eyes opened, I decided I didn't want to tell those people about my college or the basement that I worked in. Killian had said I should give them a piece of my soul… Well, they were going to get exactly that.“I've been wondering for a while what would be the best way to present my creation, and I decided I should start by telling you a little bit about my life. I used to go to a private high school, one I normally could have never afforded. I was the smart kid who got a scholarship. I received a chance and considered myself lucky. But as soon as I started going to that school, I realized I wasn't the lucky one;
KILLIANI looked at the stage and saw a black-haired woman confidently walking to the center. My breath caught in my throat as her lips curled up in a mesmerizing smile. Her hazel eyes shone as brightly as I remembered. Of course, she was now more mature and sophisticated and had a different last name, but it was her.“Estelle,” I murmured, unable to drag my gaze away.Dumbfounded, I watched her slightest movement and gesture as she placed her notes on the small table on the side of her. She was dressed in a cream-colored skirt and jacket, perfectly embracing her body. She seemed less curvy now. Had she lost weight while being away? And what had happened to her during all those years?“That's her, isn't she?” I heard Josie's trembling whisper. “That's... Estelle Durand.”Drawing a deep breath, I dragged my gaze away from the stage. “That's her,” I confirmed. “But the change of her last name...” I trailed off as all the pieces clicked into place.Josie gasped as she most likely realize