All Chapters of THE CEO’S DIRTY SECRET: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

STELLAThere was a grin on his lips as he circled me, biting his lips in a seductive way. I just froze in place. Didn’t he hear me say to sit in one place and not touch anything? That included not invading my privacy.“Are you trying to seduce me?” he asked, amusement undeniable in his voice.I quickly got myself together. “You wish,” I said, eyes locked on his, trying to stand my ground but it wasn't working, not with the way he stared at me like I was a snack.“Can you stop looking at me like that?” I said, picking up the lingerie and quickly tossing it back onto the wardrobe, continuing to pack my things.Was I actually moving in with my boss? Lord, give me strength not to do something stupid, because the way he was looking at me was seriously turning me on.I turned away from him, doing my best to focus on folding my clothes, but my fingers fumbled over the fabric like they had lost all coordination. I could feel his eyes on my back, burning holes through the thin material of my b

STELLAI tiptoed out of bed and walked out of my room. I couldn’t sleep. The text on my phone had disturbed me, and what his mother had said earlier wasn’t making any sense.God, I needed a drink… I navigated my way to the kitchen to get a glass of water maybe clear my head.I reached for the shelf and was trying to pick up a glass when I heard my name from behind me.“Stella.”I was so startled I almost dropped the glass. I turned to face him, and he just stood there staring at me like he’d just seen a ghost.“What…” I said, my pitch a bit higher than I intended.“Why are you not sleeping?” His voice was calm, and a hint of concern was evident.“Needed a glass of water. Couldn’t sleep.”I studied his position he looked somehow defensive.“Is… everything alright? Why the hell are you not sleeping, Mr. James?”The defense dropped immediately, replaced with a cocky grin. “Feeling lonely.”That signature smirk tugged at his lips.I rolled my eyes, clutching the glass a little tighter. “Of

STELLAI passed my office. I was so worried while trying to convince myself that I didn't care where he was or whatever crap he was doing with his life, but I was just deceiving myself, and I knew that.Why the hell did I care? I was his fake girlfriend, not his wife. But subconsciously, my hands were still calling his number.I never knew pretending to be my boss's fake girlfriend was this stressful. He wasn't paying for caring, and I wouldn't care about an ass like him. But right now, I really needed him to be alive and pay me. Then he could probably die or do whatever he wanted with his life. But deep down, I knew I was genuinely worried about him."Mr. James, please pick your fucking call," I muttered. But before I could try his number again, I saw him walking into his office."What the hell is wrong with you?" I yelled almost immediately as he stood in front of his door. He looked a mess, but that wasn’t my major concern."You left me in your penthouse by 2 a.m. You just vanished

STELLAI contemplated going back to talk to him, but it would make me look like I gave a damn about him but I didn’t.But I couldn't stop thinking about it, and it hurt more than I wanted it to.Yes, he slept with Freya, who almost ruined him the first time, and she was doing it again but why do I care? I was only just his pretend girlfriend, after all, and even if I got paid, I wouldn't care about him.I bit one of my lips down. Stella, keep saying that till you believe it oh, who was I kidding?He doesn't belong to me in any way, so why did it bother me so much?I chewed down on my pen and got up. I walked to the door, contemplating on going to his office or not — but if I did, what the hell was I going to say?Without thinking, I just pushed the door to my office open, the smell of smoke hitting me. What the hell? I walked farther what was burning?I walked down the hallway. That was when I saw a trash can that smoke was coming out from.What the...I rushed forward and kicked the t

STELLAI stood in front of the mirror, staring at myself—already dressed for work, but too ashamed to face him. I was stupid enough to have kissed him back, and he walked away without a word… like I disgusted him.I was supposed to ride with him to work, but I'd rather work for hours than get into a car with him.But I had no right to be mad at him this was all me. I broke my own rule. I let myself get caught in the moment, and that was a mistake I would never allow to happen again.I grabbed my bag and slipped quickly out of the room, creeping through the hallway, hoping I didn’t bump into him.I moved as quietly as possible, like my life depended on it. God knows I wouldn’t be able to bear any conversation with him right now.The housekeeper gave me a small nod as I passed.“Good morning, Miss Stella.”“Morning, Ruth,” I said with a tight smile, barely slowing down.As soon as I was outside, it felt like I could breathe again. The morning air was cold, but I felt heat under my skin.