Chapter 257: Suddenly In The Middle

Holly’s POV

As soon as the elevator doors slid shut, leaving me alone, I pressed the button for the ground floor and collapsed back against the cool metal wall. My hands flew straight to my chest, pressing hard over my racing heart like I could physically calm it down. What the actual hell had just happened today?

First, I got that bastard ex of Amber’s locked away for good…charges stuck, bail denied. Amber’s finally, truly free.

Then Justin and I cleared the air, no more weird tension. And then…holy crap…one of the wildest, most insane sex of my life in David’s office. Two times. On the couch and against the desk. My legs were still shaky from the immense pleasure.

“My life is going just great!” I blurted out loud, the words bouncing off the elevator walls. A huge, goofy grin spread across my face before I could stop it.

But the second I thought deeply about David, my stomach did that flip it always did now. He already had me wrapped around his dick…sorry…fingers completely, stupidly hooked…and there was no way I was letting him know that. Not yet.

I remembered the way he’d said it in his office…calm, certain, like my will was already his. That I’d come running whenever he called. God, it was hot. But I refused to mistake desire for submission. I might crave the fire, but I wouldn’t kneel in it.

Absolutely not.

I’d keep the upper hand, make him chase, make him sweat. That was the plan.

Still, the excitement hit me like a sugar rush. I’ve been low-key obsessed with David since the day he saved me…those sharp eyes, that voice, the way he bursted in like a superhero without a cape.

And now he finally saw me. Not Ava’s little sister, not the new girl in the office that is bent on pissing him off…me, Holly. The one who could make him lose every ounce of that famous control.

I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I did a ridiculous little happy dance right there in the elevator…shoulders shimmying, a quick spin, arms out like I’d just scored the winning goal. I even whispered a triumphant “Yes!” to myself and patted my shoulder.

Then the memory slammed into me…that very first day I arrived in the city. Walking into his bedroom unannounced and finding him mid-thrust with some random woman on his bed, then him turning around, cool as ice, and pretending he didn’t even know who I was. Like I was invisible.

The sting of that moment fueled me all over again. Oh, I was definitely going to teach him a lesson now. Make it harder for him. Drag this out until he was the one begging. The thought made me grin wider…I pumped my fist once, whispering, “Your move, David.”

But then I stopped spinning. My smile faded fast.

Because the truth hit me square in the chest just then…he doesn’t love me. Not even close. I know exactly what a man in love looks like…Orion’s face every single time Ava walks into a room or he even says her name. That soft, helpless glint in his eyes, like the whole world narrows down to her. David doesn’t have that. Not yet. Maybe not ever. Right now this was just sex for him…mind-blowing, addictive sex…but still just sex.

My heart squeezed hard, a quick, sharp ache that made me suck in a breath. I shook my head fast, like I could physically toss the feeling out. One step at a time, Holly. You’re doing great already. Very soon he won’t be able to stop thinking about you. He’ll be so crazy in love with you he won’t know what hit him. I told myself that firmly, nodding at my own reflection in the shiny elevator wall.

I exhaled long and slow just as the doors dinged open on the ground floor. I straightened up, smoothed David’s oversized coat I was still wearing over my ruined shirt, and stepped out into the lobby with my head high, heels clicking like I owned the place.

The evening air hit me as I pushed through the revolving doors…cool, crisp, perfect. Freedom after the wildest day ever.

“Holly! Hey, Holly!”

I froze mid-stride on the sidewalk, turning towards the voice.

There he was, leaning casually against his parked car right in front of the building, one hand in his pocket, the other waving at me with that easy, lopsided smile.

Tyler.

But it wasn’t seeing Tyler that made my stomach drop and my feet stop moving.

It was the look in his eyes.

The way his whole face lit up…bright, warm, unguarded…like simply seeing me had just made his night.

Exactly the same way Orion looks at Ava every single time.

Oh crap. This was not part of the plan. He shouldn’t…I’ll only hurt him.

I forced a smile and walked over, trying to play it cool even as my mind raced. "Tyler? What are you doing here? I received your message about the meeting. Was it canceled?”

He pushed off the car, stepping closer with that boyish charm that always made things feel light and fun. "Yeah, we finished quite early. So I figured I'd swing by and pick you up. Save you the cab ride home. Plus, I missed you today…work's been nuts, right?" His eyes sparkled as he said it, and he reached out to tuck a stray hair behind my ear, his touch gentle, nothing like David's demanding grip.

His eyes flicked to me, then immediately to the jacket wrapped around my shoulders. The smile on his face faltered…barely…but he recovered fast, brightening it like nothing had happened.

“What happened?” he asked, gesturing at the jacket.

“It’s been a bizarre day,” I said. “My shirt got ruined during a small incident, so David gave me his jacket to cover up. I was actually heading to a shop to get something to change into, before going to the venue. We have a company dinner tonight.”

I let out a long breath, suddenly aware of how ridiculous I sounded…like I was explaining myself to an overprotective husband.

Why did that feel so natural?

“That’s…a lot,” he said slowly. “Can I tag along at least? We could go home together after.”

My heart did a weird flip…part guilt, part confusion. Tyler was sweet, reliable, the kind of guy who actually showed up without games. But after what just went down with David...this suddenly felt complicated.

"That's...that's really nice of you. Thanks." I climbed into the passenger seat as he held the door open, like a total gentleman.

As we pulled out into traffic, Tyler chatted away about his day…some funny client mishap that had him cracking up, mimicking the guy's voice until I was laughing too. It was easy, hilarious even, the way he turned a boring meeting into a comedy sketch. "And then the dude says, 'But I thought the merger was with Burger King!' I swear, Holly, I almost lost it right there in the office."

I snorted, covering my mouth. "No way! What did you even say back?"

"Told him we could throw in some fries if it sealed the deal." He winked, and we both burst out laughing, the car filling with that light, fun energy.

But underneath it, my brain wouldn't shut up.

David had basically ordered me to cut things off with Tyler, like I was his property. And here I was, heading to the company dinner with him instead.

Part of me felt thrilled at the rebellion…it'd drive David nuts when he saw us walk in together. Make him jealous, push him closer to that edge where he might actually fall for me.

But another part? It squeezed again, thinking about Tyler's lit-up face. He deserved better than being a pawn in this mess.

What should I do?