All Chapters of She Writes Her Own Heartbeat : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Samantha's POVThe penthouse office felt unnaturally quiet after the storm of the threatening call and the… other storm. The one involving Benjamin’s mouth and my complete inability to remember why this was a catastrophically bad idea. Cassandra’s ‘urgent business update’ had sucked Benjamin into his study for over an hour. I’d retreated to the fishbowl pod, pretending to organize his schedule while replaying that kiss on a loop. My lips still felt swollen, sensitive. Every time I shifted, the memory of his hands in my hair, the hard press of his body against mine, sent a fresh wave of heat through me.Get a grip, Myers. He’s a billionaire CEO with enemies on his tail and an ice-queen ex-fiancée. You’re the fake girlfriend he’s using as a human shield. With occasional… benefits. This isn’t a love story. It’s a disaster movie with really good kissing.My intercom buzzed, making me jump. "Samantha. Tea." Benjamin’s voice, curt, businesslike. No trace of the man who’d kissed me breathles

Samantha's POVThe stylists came at dawn. Or maybe it was just 8 AM – in the penthouse’s perpetual twilight, who could tell? Anya, Ingrid, and Beatrice swept back into my suite like a trio of Valkyries armed with steaming irons and enough hairspray to choke a small plane."Le noir absolu," Beatrice declared, holding up a dress that looked like it had been spun from midnight and silk. It was deceptively simple: sleeveless, but with a razor-sharp neckline that plunged just this side of scandalous, and a skirt that fell in liquid folds to the floor. The fabric shimmered faintly, in the faint lighting. "For the predator on your arm," she added with a knowing smirk that made my cheeks heat. Predator. Yeah, that tracked.Anya attacked my hair, twisting the dark mass into an intricate knot that left tendrils loose to frame my face, somehow making me look both severe and beautifully messy. While Ingrid worked her magic with the makeup.They strapped me into heels that were architectural marve

Samantha's POVI could taste the whiskey from his lips and tongue. His warmth and scent was like a drug that kept me from realising that anyone could walk up to us at any time. We were in a public space.He finally broke the kiss, breathing ragged, his forehead pressed hard against mine. His eyes, dark and wild in the terrace shadows, searched mine.A low groan rumbled in his chest, part triumph, part desperation. His hand slid from my hair to cradle the back of my neck, his other arm still locked like steel around my waist. He didn't kiss me again. He just held me there, pressed against him, his breath hot on my temple, our hearts hammering a frantic, synchronized rhythm against each other through the thin barriers of silk and tuxedo wool. The cool night air did nothing to cool the heat radiating between us.The discreet clearing of a throat shattered the moment. Vance stood framed in the light spilling from the French doors, his expression impassive. "Mr. Hayes. Mr. Sebastian Hayes

POV Samantha *** The luncheon was held in a private dining room at the top of a rival skyscraper, all glass and dizzying views. The attendees were sleek, sharp-eyed, a mix of tech giants and venture capitalists. Names I’d only seen in business sections. Cassandra’s briefing notes swam in my head. Smile. Nod. Sustainable tech. Community outreach. Don't mention the brakes. Benjamin introduced me simply as "Samantha," his hand resting possessively on the small of my back. The weight of it was a constant anchor. He navigated the conversations with effortless charm, subtly steering discussions towards Hayes Enterprises’ initiatives. I followed Cassandra’s script, offering bland, pleasant comments when prompted, smiling until my cheeks ached. It felt like walking a tightrope in my blistered heels. During a lull, as Benjamin was drawn into a deep discussion about blockchain with a silver-haired mogul, I found myself momentarily alone near the buffet table, contemplating a piece of sushi

POV Samantha ****My legs felt wobbly as I left Benjamin’s office. The conversation had been a rollercoaster from sheer panic to a bewildering, almost dangerous calm. Benjamin's power wasn't just in his title or his wealth; it was in his absolute certainty. He hadn't just defused the situation; he'd twisted it to his advantage, making me feel like an accomplice in his grand, public scheme.As I stepped out of the elevator into the lobby, two hulking figures in dark suits moved to intercept me. I recognized them as part of Benjamin's security detail. The taller one, with a face like granite, nodded curtly."Ma'am. Mr. Hayes has arranged for us to escort you home. For your... protection."The word hung in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the chaos the gossip article had unleashed. It wasn't a request; it was a directive. I didn’t argue. The thought of getting on a crowded bus or calling a ride-share felt impossible now, like putting a target on my back.The ride was quiet at first,