All Chapters of Wicked Swipe: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Isla's POV“We could’ve shared a room, you know. Save some money.” I leaned back against the elevator wall as we ascended to the floor where our hotel rooms were. Julian still looked at his phone.Let me guess, an email from the team. Or maybe something so not necessary it should’ve gone straight to spam.This Shanghai trip was supposed to be strictly professional. But there’s nothing strictly professional about being trapped for three days straight with the man who makes me want to commit at least three HR violations behind closed doors.The last few days had been a blur of finalizing presentations for the grand opening of the flagship store. Deadlines, revisions, and insomnia are worthy of their own Olympic category. All for the chance to prove I belonged in a room full of senior execs.And for a hot second, I forgot one tiny, lethal detail. This business trip was with Julian freaking Wolfe.Panic hit me the moment we met at the airport this morning. My heart knew this wasn’t just a

Isla's POV“I changed my mind. I want ice cream. You want one too?” I announced, already walking toward the street stand like I hadn’t just survived a steamboat dinner date that made my ovaries scream.The smell of waffle cones and caramel syrup hit me like a truck full of regret.Julian’s arm stayed wrapped around my waist like we were stuck in the world's longest slow-burn scene—one that refused to move past the damn hugging stage.His tall, solid frame hovered behind me like some expensive, intimidating bodyguard, forcing me to do a weird shoulder wiggle just to fish my wallet out of my crossbody.“Vanilla,” he said flatly.I snorted. “Of course you’d pick the most basic flavor known to man.”Without waiting for his rebuttal, I ordered one matcha for myself and one scoop of existential crisis, aka plain vanilla, for Mr. Predictable over here.The ice cream guy smiled, but his eyes were bugging out, probably wondering if we were a couple, or if this was some kind of very aggressive

Isla’s POVFor the entire event, Julian never really let me go. He kept this perfect half-step ahead of me, close enough that his arm brushed mine every time we stopped. It wasn’t escorting so much as making sure I stayed perfectly positioned in the shot, like I was just another piece in tonight’s curated exhibit.Walking beside him, I couldn’t help thinking of my mum and my sisters-in-law, always the picture of elegance at public events. The difference is, I wasn’t Julian’s wife. Hell, I wasn’t even officially anything.“This is Isla, our visual merchandiser from the London office,” he said smoothly to a circle of Eleanor Rowe executives from New York and Milan.He didn’t have to do that. This was a party where no one cared who you were unless your name was worth Googling or your dress cost more than their monthly mortgage. But every time Julian said my name, it was like he’d pulled out a chair for me at the big kids’ table.“Oh?” A silver-haired woman from Milan arched a perfectly

Isla’s POVJulian shoved me down onto the bed like I weighed nothing. My body jolted against the mattress, and I tried to push myself up, only to freeze the second he slid off his tuxedo, loosened his tie, and let it hang from his neck like some sinfully tempting promise.Such a temptation.So sexy.I propped myself up on my elbows, watching him with the most reckless smile tugging at my lips. “Yes, Daddy.”Yeah…. Yeah… I knew I should’ve never poked the sleeping tiger. But provoking him was addictive, and sooner or later, I was going to pay for it. Maybe tonight was the last time I’d ever dare to tease Julian like this.He climbed onto the bed, bracing his knees on either side of my body. His gaze burned into me, sharp and furious, his broad frame turning me into something small, fragile prey. My name rumbled out of his chest in a growl, right before his mouth crushed down on mine.Oh my God. Julian was kissing me.The kiss I’d been waiting for since the moment we crossed paths agai

Isla’s POVSummer sun in Shanghai was no joke. The hat on my head was useless. My tank top and cut-off shorts only made my skin feel stickier with every step.I walked quickly toward a shaded bench, crossing my legs like I was posing for some glossy summer magazine spread.“I am eager to know more about you.” I twisted the cold water bottle in my hands, eyes locked on Julian, who looked far too composed for someone melting under this Shanghai sun.He flicked me a glance, expression neutral, but I could feel him waiting for me to keep going.“You’re my boyfriend. It’s normal for me to want details.”“Since when am I your boyfriend?” His eyes glinted with something mischievous that made me want to both kick him and kiss him senseless.“It started off fake,” I shrugged, casual as hell. “But I don’t mind if it turns real.”The corner of his mouth twitched into the faintest smirk. “Nice try, Isla.”I slapped a hand over my mouth, choking back the laugh that nearly exploded out of me. When