All Chapters of Guilty Pleasure #2: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

The sky had barely begun to blush with the first rays of morning light when the black car rolled to a slow stop just outside the Carter estate. The gates were already open from the early-hour deliveries. Elena sat beside Ryan, her legs curled under her and his jacket draped over her shoulders.“You sure you don’t want me to walk you in?” he asked, eyes pinned on her like he wasn’t ready to let her go yet.She smiled sleepily, lips still swollen from the goodbye kiss they’d shared minutes ago. “I’m sure. If anyone sees you, I’m dead.”Ryan leaned closer, his fingers brushing down her jaw. “You’re never allowed to die. I’ll bring you back just to kill you again for scaring me.”Elena laughed, soft and breathy. “Possessive much?”His smirk deepened. “Always. Especially when it comes to you.”Their lips met again, this one slower, lingering. When she finally opened the car door, the crisp morning air kissed her flushed skin, and she adjusted the hem of her dress, cheeks burning as she slip

Elena smoothed her skirt, nerves tingling as she stood outside Ryan’s cabin. She hadn’t expected to find someone else there, but when she opened the door, her eyes landed on a tall, well-built man lounging comfortably on Ryan’s desk, sleeves rolled up, a half-empty coffee cup dangling from his fingers, his sharp eyes flicking up as she entered.“Miss Carter,” Jade greeted smoothly, flashing her a charming grin.Elena blinked. “I… uh… didn’t know you’d be here. Actually Ryan is…”“Coming,” Jade finished for her, hopping off the desk with casual elegance. “But I figured I’d warm the chair till he does.”There was something calm yet commanding about Jade. His jaw was sharp, dusted with light stubble, and his piercing blue eyes held a quiet curiosity. Elena had seen him at the charity gala and once or twice around the office, but never this close. And never alone.Elena studied him. There was an ease between Jade and Ryan, a bond that went beyond loyalty. It intrigued her.She leaned sligh

The engine hummed beneath Elena’s feet as the university bus rolled along winding roads, cutting through tall pine forests and jagged cliffs that gave way to breathtaking views of mist-covered peaks. The windows were fogged from the cold, but the energy inside the bus was anything but quiet. Elena sat sandwiched between Sofia and Avonlea."Okay, if I hear 'Waka Waka' one more time, I swear I’m jumping out of the window!" David groaned, dramatically plugging his ears with his earbuds.“Oh relax, drama queen,” Sofia laughed, tossing a pack of mints at him. “You danced to it last night at rehearsal, don’t even try.”Elena leaned her head against the window, smiling at the chaos. The bus was packed with students, duffel bags, snacks, neck pillows, and an ungodly amount of caffeine. Her group — Sofia, Avonlea, David, James, Killian — sat across the aisle, already playing Uno and making bets on who would lose first.“I give James ten minutes before he throws a tantrum,” Killian whispered lou

Elena’s suitcase lay open on her bed, half-filled with neatly folded blouses and a tangle of charger cords. She tossed a pair of heels into her suitcase with a little too much force."Easy there, soldier,” Avonlea said from the bed, smirking as she slowly sipped from a can of soda. “Those stilettos didn’t book you on a birthday business trip.”She held up a sleek black dress, debating whether it was too much for a business trip.“Oh, look at you,” Avonlea drawled. “Your mystery man who may or may not be a secret billionaire is shipping you off to Singapore on your birthday.” She poked Elena’s side. “That’s like something out of a bad rom-com.”Elena shot her a glare. “He’s not shipping me off. It’s work.”“Work he approved. On your birthday,” Avonlea sing-songed, plucking a silk camisole from the pile and holding it up with exaggerated interest. “How very thoughtful of him.”Elena snatched it back, her fingers tightening around the delicate fabric. “I don’t want to talk about it. He di

The wheels of the jet touched down with a gentle thud on the runway at Changi Airport, jolting Elena from her thoughts. Outside the window, the Singapore skyline glittered under the afternoon sun, towering glass spires piercing cotton ball clouds, lush greenery weaving between modernity.Ryan barely glanced up from his phone, his fingers flying across the screen as he fired off emails. The soft glow of the device highlighted the sharp angles of his face, his brows drawn together in concentration.Elena sat in her seat, arms crossed, her mood far more turbulent than the landing. She pressed her forehead against the cool glass, her breath fogging it slightly. She should have been excited. This was her first time in Asia, her first major international business trip. Her fingers tapped restlessly against the armrest, her mind still echoing with Ryan’s dismissive tone from earlier on the flight.No plans, nothing for her birthday.It stung more than she wanted to admit. Her birthday, one da