Chapter 39 The Art of Deception
Elena stood in front of the full-length mirror, her hands shaking as she smoothed down the edges of the red lingerie.
It was short, barely covering anything, and made of a sheer material that left very little to the imagination.
She had pinned her hair up, letting a few loose strands frame her face, and applied a shade of red lipstick so deep it looked like wine.
"I have to do this," she whispered to her reflection. Her voice sounded weak, even to her own ears.
She felt like a complete hypocrite. Just twenty-four hours ago, she had told Julian to stay away from her, to keep their marriage strictly on paper.
But now, with Eva’s threat hanging over her head , she was back in a corner. She couldn't afford a divorce right now.
She couldn't deal with her family's collapse and the scandal of a sex tape at the same time. If giving Eva a night with Julian was the price to keep the world from burning down, she had to at least try to negotiate it.
But how? How do you ask your husband to go on a date with your sister without sounding like a psychopath?
"Think, Elena. Think," she muttered. She remembered Mandy once telling her that the first step to any successful deal was looking pretty.
At the time, she had rolled her eyes. Now, she was banking on it. She ignored the memory of the last time she’d dressed up for Francis, only for him to accuse her of trying to manipulate him.
Julian was different. She hoped.
The sound of the front gate sliding open pulled her out of her thoughts.
She heard the crunch of tires on the gravel driveway and her heart did a painful somersault. He was home.
She grabbed a bottle of expensive perfume, spraying it twice on her neck and once on her wrists. She took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and walked out of her room to the top of the grand staircase.
Downstairs, the butler immediately took Julian’s briefcase and greeted him. Julian looked tired, his tie loosened, but he still looked drop dead handsome.
"Elena," Julian said softly. "Clinton mentioned he didn't have to drive you anywhere today. You didn't go out?"
Elena took a step down the stairs, making sure the light caught the sheer fabric of her outfit. "I was a bit under the weather," she replied, her voice soft and seductive. "I had to sleep in."
Julian started to say something to the butler, but then he looked up.
He stopped mid-sentence. His eyes dilated, and for a second, he seemed to forget how to breathe.
Elena saw the unmistakable desire flash in his eyes, a raw hunger that he couldn't hide.
The butler asked if he wanted dinner served, but Julian didn't even look at him. "Forget about dinner," he said shortly.
He marched up the staircase, his eyes locked on hers. When he reached her, he grabbed her hand. “I have something to tell you, Elena."
"Don't you think we should eat first?" Elena asked, her pulse racing.
"I think we need to talk," he replied.
He didn't lead her to the dining room or even her bedroom.
He pulled her toward his own room. Elena felt a mix of triumph and terror. Her plan was working, he was thankfully distracted, or at least looked the part.
As long as he was caught off guard, maybe she could slip the request in. But she also knew she didn't want him to actually touch her.
Not with all the secrets, the hidden bunker, and the mystery of Cassandra between them.
They stepped into his bedroom, and he shut the door with a firm click. He turned to face her, but instead of reaching for her, he leaned against his mahogany desk.
"Your father will be required to come sign a few documents for the total debt settlement tomorrow," Julian said. "I was hoping you could represent him."
Elena blinked, feeling a bit of the tension drain out. "No. My father handles the business of the family company himself. He won't want me interfering in the paperwork."
"I insisted," Julian said, crossing his arms. "You’re the one who got married to me to save that company, Elena. I want to carry out the final transaction with you present. It's non-negotiable."
Elena swallowed nervously. "Yes. Okay. That won't be a problem." She shifted on her feet, the red silk rubbing against her skin. "Is that why you brought me in here? To talk about paperwork?"
"Yes," Julian said, his eyes scanning her up and down again. "What were you thinking?"
Elena felt her face flush. She had thought they were heading for something much sweatier and far less professional.
She quickly shook the thought away. "Nothing. Can we have dinner now? I’m actually hungry."
"I’m not really in the mood to eat," Julian said. He moved toward the bed. "I have a video conference and some more work to finish. Go ahead and eat without me. Maybe I'll come down later if I find the time."
As he spoke, he began unbuttoning his shirt. He moved with a casualness that was maddening, tossing his shirt and tie onto the bed until his chest was completely bare.
Elena stood by the door, frozen. She knew she should leave, but she couldn't move.
Julian turned around, seeing her still standing there. "Is there something else you want to discuss, Elena? Or are you just staring?"
Elena bit her lower lip, hard. "I... I missed you."
Julian looked at her, a look of genuine surprise crossing his face. "No, you don't."
"I do," she insisted, taking a small step forward to execute her plan. "I know it has been tense between us recently. But I miss you when you're off at work. You're my husband, after all."
Julian walked closer to her. He stopped just a foot away, his bare chest inches from her face. "Do you think I'm a child, Elena? Do you think I don't know what’s happening here?"
He looked at her hair, then at the sheer negligee, his eyes narrowed. "I can tell you the brand of your vanilla and lilac perfume from across the room. I know exactly how much that outfit cost. I even know the flavor and the specific product of the shampoo you used on your hair tonight."
"What game are you playing?” He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I know a lot of things have gone on between us. But seducing me? It won't work."
Elena stood there, blinking, trying to play the part of the confused wife. "What are you talking about? I just wanted to see you."
"I can see every bit of you under that sheer fabric, Elena," he said, his gaze dropping to her body and then back to her eyes. "You didn't put this on to 'miss' me. You want something."
Elena felt her heart sink. She was failing. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have interrupted you. I'll go."
She turned to walk away, her hand reaching for the doorknob, but Julian’s hand shot out. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"Wait," he said. His voice was softer now, almost hesitant. "Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you really didn't come here with a motive. Maybe you just wanted to be with your husband."
He began to draw closer, his presence filling her vision. “Since you're here because you miss me. Well, show me just how much you missed me."
Elena backed up until her back was flat against the door. There was nowhere left to go. Julian leaned down, his lips trailing a path of fire down the side of her neck.
The sensation was overwhelming and she couldn't keep up with the act.
Whatever courage she had was thrown right out the door when Julian reached down and cupped her, moaning deeply as his fingers trailed between her thighs.
"I'm trying to seduce you!" she cried out. "I need a favor!"