A Different Stranger

I woke up in a stranger’s bed. Well, technically not a stranger. But it wasn’t mine. And Julian was gone.

A note lay on the pillow: “Had to run. Don’t worry, you’ll be thinking about me all day. Come back if you need more.”

I blinked at it, groaned, and rolled over. My thighs ached. My brain? Still fogged from what he did to me. Two bosses in forty-eight hours. What the hell was I doing?

I rushed home, dressed and headed for work with a plan to stay as invisible as possible. At work, I made no eye contact with Julian. Neither were there any lingering glances from Damien. Just coffee. Tasks. Arranging papers. Safe. Like absolutely nothing had happened these past two days.

Until 6:05 p.m.

“Emily?”

I looked up from my desk. It was him. The one I hadn’t even spoken to.

Rhys Sterling. Chief Financial Officer. He was silent and distant. I’d only seen him twice, more like a shadow of him. And I'd never heard his voice.

Until now.

“Yes?” I stood too fast. “Do you– do you need something, sir?”