Chapter 143 Getting Closer

Chapter 143 Getting Closer
The kiss deepened, turning fierce and desperate. What began as comfort and reassurance quickly ignited into raw hunger. Their mouths moved together with frantic need, their breaths mingling in hot, ragged gasps. 
Eloise moaned into his mouth as Massimo’s large hands roamed her body possessively, pulling her closer until she was straddling his lap completely.
She felt him swelling beneath her, his massive cock hardening rapidly against her bare core. The thick length pressed insistently between her thighs, hot and demanding. 
Her hand fumbled blindly for his zipper, trembling with urgency. Massimo groaned deeply, his own hand slipping beneath her robe to grip her bare ass, kneading the soft flesh as his fingers brushed teasingly over her soaked pussy.
“Fuck, Cara,” he rasped against her lips, his voice rough with lust.
He helped her shove his trousers down his powerful thighs, the fabric barely making it past his knees before he tore his shirt open in one violent motion. Buttons popped and flew across the room. 
Eloise pushed the ruined shirt off his broad shoulders, revealing the hard expanse of his chest. 
The moment they were both naked, Massimo flipped her gently onto her back, settling between her spread thighs with devastating intent.
He sank into her wet heat in one smooth, powerful thrust.
They both groaned loudly at the sensation. Eloise’s back arched off the bed as he stretched her, filling her completely. The delicious burn of his thickness made her toes curl. 
Massimo paused for a heartbeat, buried to the hilt, savoring the tight, fluttering grip of her pussy around him.
Then he began to move.
His hips thrust deep and rhythmic, each powerful stroke driving gasps and moans from her throat. 
Eloise threw her arms around his neck, holding on as he pounded into her. “Uhhh… uhhhh…” Her eyes rolled back, pleasure crashing through her in waves.
Massimo hooked one of her legs around his hip, changing the angle, driving even deeper. 
Eloise’s moans grew louder, sharper, her nails digging into his back as he fucked her with relentless passion. Every thrust hit that perfect spot inside her, sending sparks of ecstasy shooting through her veins.
The pleasure built higher and higher, coiling tight in her belly. Eloise cried out as her orgasm slammed into her, her pussy clenching violently around his thick cock, pulsing and fluttering as waves of intense pleasure tore through her body.
 Massimo followed moments later with a deep, guttural groan, his powerful body convulsing as he buried himself to the hilt and spilled inside her.
They crashed backward together, tangled and breathless. Massimo gathered her immediately into his arms, holding her close as their bodies trembled with aftershocks. 
He kissed her gently—her brows, her flushed cheeks, her shoulders—soft, reverent presses of his lips that spoke volumes more than words ever could.
For a long while, they simply lay together, skin to skin, their hearts slowing. Eloise traced lazy patterns on his chest, her mind replaying everything he had confessed. 
Christ… he had endured so much. The poverty, the abuse, the cruel words from his own mother that still haunted him. Yet here he was, trusting her with those broken pieces of himself. 
She was glad—deeply, profoundly glad—that he was finally letting his walls crumble around her. There was still a long way to go, she knew that. But this was a start. A real, precious start.
Soon, she heard his breathing deepen, becoming slow and relaxed as sleep finally claimed him. 
His powerful body grew heavy against hers, one arm still wrapped protectively around her waist even in slumber. Eloise smiled softly, pressing a gentle kiss to his chest, right over his heart.
She closed her eyes, safe in the arms of the man she loved.
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It was Monday, and Eloise stepped into her first official lecture at New York University with a nervous flutter in her stomach. 
The auditorium for Principles of Management was already filling up with students chatting, laughing, and rustling papers. She found a seat near the middle and settled in, smoothing down her blouse.
Professor Bateman, a distinguished man in his sixties with silver hair and wire-rimmed glasses, stood at the front, exuding quiet authority. He began the lecture smoothly, his voice carrying easily through the room.
Ryan sat a row ahead, adjusting his glasses as he scribbled notes diligently. A few seats over, Brian and Daisy were whispering to each other, occasionally breaking into soft giggles that made Eloise smile despite her nerves.
Halfway through the lecture, Professor Bateman posed a difficult question.
“A company is failing. Fifty employees will lose their jobs. Do you cut costs by firing twenty people immediately, or risk the entire company collapsing?”
A boy in the front row raised his hand and gave an overly simplistic answer focused purely on numbers.
Eloise hesitated only a second before raising her hand. Professor Bateman pointed to her.
She stood slowly, her heart pounding. “I don’t think those should be the only two options.”
The room went quiet.
“People aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet,” she continued, her voice gaining strength. “Fifty people losing their jobs is devastating, but firing twenty should also be a last resort. I’d want to know why the company is failing in the first place. 
Can salaries be reduced temporarily across the board? Can executives take pay cuts? Can we cut expenses elsewhere? Can employees be reassigned to different roles?”
She paused, swallowing. “If I’ve tried everything and there really is no other way… then I’d let the twenty go. But I’d make sure they had support—severance, references, help finding new positions. Leadership isn’t just about saving the company. It’s about protecting people too.”
A thoughtful silence filled the auditorium.
Professor Bateman studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Interesting. What’s your name?”
“Eloise.”
“Well, Eloise, you’ve just stumbled upon one of the hardest lessons in management. Leadership often means choosing between bad and worse. Well done.”
Eloise sat back down, her cheeks warm. Ryan turned slightly and gave her a side smile. “Smarty pants.”
Eloise giggled lightly, the sound bubbling out of her. Brian leaned over with a grin. “Would you look at that, already teacher’s pet on day one.”
Daisy swatted his arm. “Leave her alone.”
After class, as students began packing up, Ryan turned fully toward her. “There’s a freshman party next week. Kind of a big welcome thing. Would you like to come?”
“Would her fiancé even release her?” Brian teased, wiggling his eyebrows.
Eloise felt a sharp pang of guilt at the word “fiancé.” She still hadn’t corrected them about being fully married. It felt safer somehow—simpler—to let them assume she was just engaged.
“Don’t be a dick,” Daisy scolded Brian, rolling her eyes.
Ryan ignored his friend and looked at Eloise expectantly, his expression warm and hopeful. “Will you come?”