Chapter 14: Maybe Mine ?

Selene

I try to focus on the endless stream of emails flooding my inbox, the numbers blurring into a meaningless sea of digits and corporate jargon. But my mind is somewhere else. Or rather—on someone else-Adrian.

Is he awake? Has he already left? Will I even see him again before he heads back to California? And when is he heading back? I hate how I’m playing this guessing game. I’m not the type to wait around for a man, especially not one who’s probably used to having endless flings. But this weekend was something else. Something I haven’t let myself feel in a long time.

The way he looked at me. Touched me. Talked to me like I was more than just a good time. We didn’t even talk about what this “thing” was between us. Honestly, I don’t think I want to know. Because if he says it was just fun—just casual—I’m not sure I’d be able to pretend that’s all I wanted.

And that terrifies me.

I sigh and glance down at my phone, half-hoping for a message from him, half-dreading one. I chew my lip and shake my head. Get a grip, Selene. You’re stronger than this. You don’t fall for unavailable men with smoldering eyes and sinfully good abs and huge cocks. You sleep with them. You move on.

And yet…

A knock on my office door breaks the trance I’m in, snapping me back to the present. I glance up, expecting my assistant or maybe Jonathan.

But no. It’s him.

Adrian steps in like he owns the place, dressed in a sharp charcoal suit that hugs his broad shoulders like it was custom made—and knowing him, it probably was. His hair is a little tousled, his jaw dusted with that sexy overnight shadow . He looks like trouble. Expensive, delicious trouble.

“Hey,” he says, and just the sound of his voice makes heat pool low in my belly.

“One venti hazelnut oat milk espresso for the Mistress,”

“For the mistress huh ,” I manage to laugh, blinking like a fool. He walks over and holds a Starbucks cup in front of me. My exact order. The man remembers my coffee. I don’t know whether to swoon or panic.

I try to hide the way my heart flips, gripping the cup just to give my hands something to do. “Thanks. You didn’t have to—”

“I wanted to.” His voice drops slightly, more intimate. “I might be heading back to Cali this evening . Work stuff. But I’ll be back by the weekend.”

“Oh,” I say, trying not to let the disappointment show. “Okay.”

His gaze lingers on me as tells me he will be back by the weekend.

He turns and walks out, leaving me staring at the door like a love-struck idiot. I press the coffee to my lips, letting the cold liquid drown away the swirl of feelings rising in my chest.

Did I imagine all of that? Am I reading too much into things? Maybe it was just sex for him. Intense, mind-blowing sex, sure—but still, just sex. And I could live with that, right? I could enjoy it for what it is and not get too attached.

Liar.

I’m already attached. The problem is—I don’t think I can do casual anymore. Not with him at least . And if he doesn’t feel the same… well, I’m setting myself up for heartbreak. I know it.

Before I can spiral any further, my assistant buzzes through. “Selene, Jonathan asked me to remind you that your meeting with the investor is starting in ten. He said you’re doing the intro presentation.”

Crap.

“On my way,” I reply, quickly grabbing the folder off my desk and smoothing my skirt. Time to switch gears. Be the professional. Not the woman who just had a weekend-long fling and caught feelings.

I straighten my spine and make my way toward the boardroom.

Adrian

I step into the boardroom and hand Jonathan his coffee. He’s hunched over some documents but looks up when I set the cup down.

“Thanks,” he says, then smirks. “So, little brother… how was your weekend? You look like you haven’t slept much. Partying with Selene or…?”

I glare at him. “Can we not?”

He raises a brow. “Touchy. What?, someone piss in your cereal this morning?”

I roll my eyes. “Jon, seriously, drop it.”

But then I think twice. Might as well ask the one person who actually knows Selene better than I do.

“Actually, it was a good weekend. Great, even. With Selene.” I pause. “She’s… amazing. I really like her.”

Jonathan lets out a knowing laugh. “Aha! I knew it. You got lucky, didn’t you?”

I just nod, because denying it would be pointless.

“So then why the sour face?” he asks.

I rub the back of my neck. “I don’t know if she wants more than… what we had. I’m flying back to Cali today. Got a situation at the office. But I’m thinking of asking her to come with me. Just for a few days. Then we’d fly back on the weekend.”

Jonathan whistles. “Damn, you’re smitten.”

I shoot him a look. “Would you be okay with that? Her going with me? I know she’s your right hand here.”

“She can work remotely if she wants to. But you better not screw things up. She’s one of the smartest women I’ve ever worked with—and don’t forget, she knows where we hide the good scotch.”

I chuckle, but tension twists in my chest.

The door opens, and the secretary walks in. “Gentlemen, Mr. John Wickem is here.”

Jonathan straightens, and I do the same as a tall, silver-haired man walks in. Sharp suit, colder eyes. Billionaire mogul. I’ve read all about him. Ruthless in business. Charming when it suits him and always a different woman on his arm.

“Jonathan, Adrian,” he says, shaking our hands. “Pleasure.”

And then—she walks in, sashaying into the room and I can't help but gawk at her.

She’s radiant. Confident. Dressed in a sleek, dark suit, the skirt that clings to her curves like it was made to tempt every male around her . My mouth goes dry instantly . I'm instantly imagining her against the desk again that skirt hitched up around her hips while I feast on her pussy .

But I’m not the only one who notices her .

John Wickem visibly does a double take, then recovers with a predatory smile. “And who is this lovely lady?”

Jonathan grins, oblivious. “This is Selene, my right hand and our lead business developer. I wanted her to sit in—she’ll be working closely with you if the deal moves forward.”

John strides toward her, takes her hand—and kisses it.

My fists clench at my sides.

“Selene,” he says smoothly, “a pleasure.”as he ogles my woman?.

She smiles politely, and I swear I see her eyes flicker toward me. I try to school my expression, but I can feel it already—jealousy burning in my chest.

She’s not mine.

But I want her to be.

Wait. My woman?

What the hell is happening to me?

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