All Chapters of Under His Billionaire Roof: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Leighton spent the next morning hiding in her room like a coward.She updated her resume. Applied to twelve jobs. Scrolled through apartment listings she couldn't afford. Anything to avoid going downstairs and risking another encounter with Noah.Her phone rang just after noon. Chloe."Hey, want to grab lunch? I'm off early today.""Sure. Where should I meet you?""I'm literally downstairs. Come down."Right. Because Chloe lived here too. Leighton had almost forgotten in her panic to avoid Noah.She changed out of her pajamas into jeans and a sweater, then made her way downstairs. This time in daylight, the house was even more impressive. And intimidating. Huge windows let in natural light that made everything gleam. The art on the walls probably cost more than she'd make in a year.She found Chloe in the kitchen, rifling through the fridge."Finally! I'm starving. Want to go to that Thai place you love?""I can't really afford to eat out right now.""My treat. Don't argue." Chloe gra

Leighton's alarm went off at seven. She'd slept maybe three hours, total.Her phone interview was at nine. She needed coffee. Needed to pull herself together and sound competent and employable instead of like someone who'd spent half the night obsessing over her best friend's brother.She showered and changed into actual clothes. A blouse and jeans, since they couldn't see her bottom half on the video call anyway. Light makeup to hide the dark circles under her eyes. Her hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail.Professional. Put together. Definitely not thinking about Noah's eyes or his voice or the way he'd said *grew up*.She grabbed her laptop and crept downstairs. According to Chloe, Noah worked out every morning at six, then locked himself in his office until noon. Which meant the coast should be clear.The kitchen was empty. She made coffee, her hands still shaky from lack of sleep. The spot where the glass had shattered was spotless. Like it had never happened.She took her cof

Leighton woke up to her phone buzzing. A text from Chloe.*Emergency at work. Can't do dinner tonight. Rain check? I'm so sorry!*Disappointment settled in her chest, followed quickly by relief she didn't want to examine too closely.*No worries. We'll do it another time.*She set her phone down and stared at the ceiling. Another day in this house. Another day of avoiding Noah while simultaneously wanting to find him. This was getting ridiculous.She needed to do laundry. She'd been rewearing the same few outfits all week, and everything was starting to smell like desperation and bad decisions.The laundry room took twenty minutes to find. Of course it did. This house was designed to make her look stupid.She threw everything in. All her clothes, her sheets, towels. Might as well do it all at once. She added detergent and started the machine, then headed back upstairs in the tank top and shorts she'd slept in.An hour later, she went back down to move things to the dryer.The machine

Leighton woke up to an email notification at eight in the morning. She grabbed her phone, squinting at the screen. Her heart jumped when she saw the sender: Knight Security Solutions. Noah's company. Her stomach dropped.She opened it.Dear Ms. Hayes,We're currently seeking a Senior Brand Designer for our marketing department. Your portfolio was recommended to us, and we'd like to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience. The position offers a competitive salary, full benefits, and opportunities for creative leadership.Best regards,Jennifer MartinezDirector of Human ResourcesLeighton read it three times. Then she threw off her covers and marched downstairs.She found Noah in his office, door open, on a phone call. He glanced up when she appeared in the doorway, his expression neutral.She held up her phone. Waited.He finished his call and pulled off the headset. "Morning.""Don't.""Don't what?""Don't play dumb. You know exactly what I'm talking about." She

The interview went well.Better than well, actually. Jennifer Martinez was sharp and direct, asking questions that made Leighton think. The creative team had loved her portfolio. They'd even asked her to do a mock project on the spot, redesigning their website header.She'd nailed it.Jennifer had smiled and said they'd be in touch soon. Very soon.Leighton floated through the rest of the day on a high she hadn't felt in weeks.By evening, dark clouds rolled in. The weather forecast had called for storms, but she hadn't paid attention. Now thunder rumbled in the distance, getting closer.She was in the kitchen making dinner when the first crack of lightning split the sky. The lights flickered.Then everything went dark."Perfect," she muttered.She pulled out her phone and turned on the flashlight. The glow barely cut through the darkness. She made her way toward the living room, using the phone light to avoid running into furniture."Leighton?"Noah's voice came from somewhere to her