Chapter 163 Between the Bed and the Boardroom
Chapter 163 Between the Bed and the Boardroom
There was a time Elena recoiled from any touch given by a man. Every brush of skin felt wrong, every closeness made her stiffen. Only Drake had ever been an exception. Even then, their closeness never crossed a gentle meeting of lips. Her heart always stopped her before desire could move further.
Dolphus was different.
With him, limits fell without warning. Their mouths met with hunger. Breath tangled with breath. Heat spread through her veins in ways she had never pictured, not even in secret thoughts she kept buried. The joining of man and woman once felt like a dark road filled with hurt and fear. That belief had lived in her chest for years like a curse.
Dolphus shattered it.
He awakened something fierce inside her. His touch carried strength that refused to be gentle, yet never caused pain. He taught her that closeness, when shared with the right mate, could be dizzying, powerful, and sweet all at once.
The night before, Dolphus had spoken honestly. Jealousy had colored his voice when he spoke of Drake. Elena had loved Drake deeply. She had given him loyalty, time, and dreams of a future. Then fate had torn them apart without mercy. Perhaps the Moon Goddess had chosen to push her onto another path.
Elena bent over the sink and rinsed her mouth. Cool water grounded her. She wiped her lips with a tissue, eyes lifting to her reflection. She admired the man Dolphus was. Calm in public. Yet with her, restraint broke. She loved watching him lose command for her sake.
The thick lines along his temples stood out when emotion surged. Veins rose along his neck, his arms, the backs of his hands as he fought instinct. The wolf inside him answered her presence without shame.
Her palms pressed against the sink as she studied herself. Color stained her cheeks. Her lips looked swollen from his kisses. She breathed out slowly. Perhaps she truly was beyond saving. She accepted that truth without regret.
When she stepped out, Dolphus sat at the dining table, tablet in hand, scanning the morning news while he ate. After washing her face, she felt steady again. The weariness from sleep had faded.
She took a seat beside him and reached for her coffee. Dolphus spoke before she could drink.
“Eat first. Coffee on an empty stomach hurts.”
She hummed softly and picked up the toast he had prepared. Butter spread neatly across the surface. After breakfast and coffee, energy returned fully. By the door, as she slipped on her shoes, every trace of weakness vanished.
Dolphus held out a small box. “Take this.”
Heat rushed to her ears as their eyes met. Words failed her. Dolphus's hand slid to the back of her head, firm and possessive. He leaned in and claimed her mouth. The kiss came deep and hard, his lips sealing over hers.
A sound escaped her before she could stop it.
Her arms rose between them. She was careful not to crease his shirt. Her hand rested against his chest, feeling the steady beat beneath. The force of his kiss drove her back until the cabinet pressed against her spine. Her body softened, melting into his hold as if he were drawing life straight from her.
Just before breath abandoned her, he released her. His eyes lingered on her mouth, dark and focused.
“You didn't apply your lip gloss.”
She inhaled shakily. “It was sore this morning. I skipped it. Now it hurts more.”
He brushed a soft kiss on the corner of her lips. “Sorry. I lost control.”
Her fingers curled lightly in his shirt. She lowered her voice. “I like it. You do not need to restrain yourself.”
His kisses always spoke of devotion. They told her she was chosen, and treasured. She welcomed that truth.
His hold tightened at her waist. His gaze deepened. His breathing grew ragged. The wolf in him stirred, urging him to pull her back to bed. Elena sensed the shift. She dropped her eyes and pressed gently against his chest.
“We need to go. Work is waiting.”
Dolphus exhaled, then nodded. He smoothed her hair, adjusted his suit, and opened the door.
Outside, Melvin greeted them with bright energy. “Good morning, Mr. Dolphus and Miss Elena.” He then took the files from her hands.
They rode together to the company. In the underground parking area, executives waited. Greetings followed. Nods were exchanged. Respect moved through the air without words.
When they stepped out, Richard and Florence stood ready. They walked beside Dolphus and Elena, briefing them on the morning schedule.
As Elena approached her office door, she heard Dolphus telling Richard to call the finance director.
Inside, she removed her blazer. Florence took it at once and hung it neatly.
“Miss Morrin sent a revised cooperation proposal to the company,” Florence said. “It offers more benefits than the version you showed Mr. Samson. Director. Dante sent another plan this morning, seeking balance. He hopes you will review it.”
The document landed on Elena’s desk.
“I will not read it,” Elena said. “It is his duty. He can discuss it directly with Mr. Samson. Tell Director Dante that I will not step into this matter again just to avoid more problems.”
She motioned again. “Bring the files I took home last night. Call the managers from the project and sales teams.
At Raphael Farrington's birthday banquet, Raven had mentioned plans for a major business district in the capital. Elena had researched the Santiago family. Their influence reached deep into government circles. They often moved with inside knowledge, aligning with future planning before others caught on.
Soon, Blake Lister from projects and Della from sales arrived. Elena reviewed the material, issued clear directions, and dismissed them.
Moments later, the Finance Director stepped out of Dolphus's office. His assistant whispered that Elena needed to see him. Farrell glanced back at Dolphus's door. A thought crossed his mind. Was Dolphus aware of this meeting?
Elena had only just joined the Farrington family. It's obvious that building her company within the space of five years wasn't just ordinary luck. Raphael Farrington had placed Dolphus and Elena side by side for a reason. Perhaps this was a test. A silent battle to decide the future Alpha of the company.
Choosing the right side mattered.
Farrell stroked his chin, handed his files to his assistant, and released a long breath. He straightened, knocked, and entered Elena's office.
“Miss Elena, you asked to see me,” he said with a polite smile.
“Yes,” Elena replied, eyes still on the file. “Please sit.”
Farrell took the seat across from her. He assumed she intended to question him about Dolphus's earlier discussion, then attempt to draw him into her circle.
Elena placed the file about Plot Number Two on the desk and slid it toward Farrell.
“Read this,” she said.
Farrell accepted the papers, his brow tightening as he read. When he finished, he raised his head. Elena was still reading another file.
“Does the chairman intend to secure this land,” he asked.
“The Santiagos plan to raise the largest business territory in Los Angeles,” Elena replied. “Everyone knows this. We need this land, so prepare an agreement at the lowest price possible.”
Farrell nodded, though doubt crossed his eyes. “Understood. Still, even if the project is public knowledge, the exact structure remains hidden. This land will rise in value, but if it sits outside the heart of the territory, then it's risky. Also, the land was sold five years ago. With the Santiagos now circling this area, the current holder may refuse to release it.”
Elena stayed silent. Raven had already shown her the full map. She could not reveal that truth.
She could have taken the land in her own name through Raven. That path would bind her with a favor, something she avoided. Plot two had been bought by Raven through a hidden company, alongside other plots like plot five and four.
When Raven's sister discovered the truth behind Plot Four, she forced Raven to surrender the largest piece to the family. As for Plot five, Raven raised the price to an extreme level before allowing it to return to their family.
By revealing Plot Two to Elena, Raven had offered more than a benefit. She aimed to torment her second sister. The plan to build the largest business center had once been hers. She had hunted these lands early, only to watch another wolf claim the prize.