Chapter 108
Julian's POV:
I called Maya into the office.
"Maya," I began, "are you absolutely certain you want to keep entangling yourself with Adam Sterling? A man in his position has enemies watching every move. What happened today with Claire—that's just the beginning."
Her spine straightened. Her brown eyes met mine with steady determination.
"Julian, I have a daughter with him," she said quietly. "That means this connection will likely follow me for the rest of my life."
I felt something twist in my chest—jealousy, yes, but also deeper pain.
"If there's nothing else," Maya continued, her tone gentle but final, "I should get back to work."
I nodded slowly. "Of course."
When six o'clock arrived, I found her still at her desk.
"You're still here," I said.
Maya glanced up. "Just finishing up a few last details."
I moved closer. "It's getting late. You should head home soon."
"I'll check the offices, make sure all the lights are off before I leave."
The words came out before I could stop them. "I'm not in any hurry. I'll wait here with you."
"Mr. Garrison, having you standing there makes it impossible for me to concentrate."
Before I could respond, my phone began to ring. Sophia's name glowed on the screen. I let it go to voicemail. It immediately started ringing again.
After the third round, I yanked the phone to my ear. "What?"
Sophia's voice carried across the line. "Julian, why did it take you so long to answer?"
"I'm busy."
"But you're not busy now, are you? We could have dinner together. That new Japanese place I mentioned."
"I have other plans tonight."
The silence crackled with tension. Then her voice returned sharper. "Plans with that secretary of yours? With Maya, that little home-wrecker?"
"Sophia!" The word came out like a blade.
But Sophia was beyond caring. Her words tumbled out in tears and frustration. "Why won't you just stop chasing after her? She doesn't want you—anyone can see that. Why are you humiliating yourself?"
I stared at the phone. The truth of her words landed like physical blows. The muscle in my jaw ticked with suppressed anger.
Finally, I ended the call. Heavy silence followed.
Maya broke it first. "Julian, I know Sophia can be demanding, but her feelings for you are genuine. Marriage to her would bring nothing but advantages. The Morgan family could help solidify your position within Garrison Industries."
"Maya," I said, my voice rough, "are you really so eager to see me married off to someone else?"
"Of course I am," she said. I heard the truth in every word. "Julian, you helped me when I was at my lowest point. I want to see you succeed, both professionally and personally. I want you to have everything you deserve—a thriving career, a stable family, a wife who can stand beside you as an equal partner. Sophia can give you all of those things."
My laugh was bitter. I took another drag. "And if success and stability aren't what I actually want?"
"But you do want them," Maya replied with quiet certainty. "If you didn't, you wouldn't have endured everything you have to get where you are now."
I studied her for a long moment.
Then I strode toward the elevator, my phone already in my hand.
Within seconds, Sophia's voice was back on the line. "Julian?"
"About that Japanese restaurant," I said, my tone carefully neutral. "Are those reservations still available?"
"You said you had other plans tonight."
"I cancelled them," I replied.
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Maya's POV:
The apartment felt eerily quiet when I finally made it home.
I pulled ingredients from the refrigerator.
I was just sliding pasta into boiling water when the knock came.
"Maya, I know you're in there," Adam's voice carried through the door. "I can smell whatever you're cooking from out here."
I opened the door to find him with a bouquet of roses. Droplets still clung to the deep red petals. Each bloom was perfect.
He pressed the flowers into my hands before stepping past me into the apartment. He kicked off his shoes with easy familiarity. Already heading for the sink to wash his hands.
Looking at the roses, a vivid memory surfaced. Valentine's Day, five years ago in Cleveland. Adam had surprised me with an enormous bouquet—easily twice tonight's size. I remembered being horrified by what he must have spent. Actually trying to march the flowers back to the florist for a refund.
We had ended up in the bedroom before I'd even seen the candlelit dinner I'd prepared. Emerging three hours later disheveled and laughing.
"Your face is turning red," Adam observed with knowing amusement. "Are you feeling alright?"
I went to the kitchen. "It's warm in here."
"Is it?" His skepticism was unmistakable.
I cursed myself for the transparent way my body betrayed my thoughts.
After dinner, Adam began to clean up the table.
"Go take your shower," he replied. "I've got this handled."
I emerged twenty minutes later. The kitchen was spotless. Adam was nowhere to be seen. Then I felt strong arms circle my waist from behind.
"God, you smell incredible," Adam murmured against my ear. His breath warm and unsteady.
My body went rigid with shock. I twisted in his arms. Pushing against his chest with enough force to make him stumble.
"Don't," I said firmly. Though my voice came out breathier than intended. "Just... don't."
I escaped to my room and closed the door with more force than necessary. Leaning against it as my heart hammered.
I stayed in my room for an hour. When thirst finally drove me out, I crept toward the kitchen quietly. The living room was dark.
I made it halfway across the kitchen. Having just filled a glass with water. When a large hand caught my wrist and spun me around.
In the darkness, I could smell Adam's familiar scent—coffee and soap and something indefinably masculine.
"Maya," he said. I heard the warning in his voice. The barely controlled hunger. "Didn't anyone ever tell you it's dangerous to wander around in the dark?"
Before I could respond, his mouth was on mine. Desperate and demanding. His hands framed my face as he kissed me with five years' worth of suppressed longing.
I felt myself melting despite every mental command to resist. My glass clattered to the counter as Adam lifted me. In the next heartbeat I found myself pressed against the couch. Adam's weight settling over me.
The darkness amplified every sensation. The heat of his skin through his shirt. The ragged sound of my breathing.
"Maya," Adam breathed against my throat. "Please."
The sharp ring of my phone cut through the haze like cold water. I blinked up at Adam. Trying to process how his shirt had become unbuttoned.
"Your phone," I managed.
"Ignore it," Adam replied. "We can let it go to voicemail."
"Like hell we can," I said. Pushing against his shoulders. "Let me up, Adam. Now."
I scrambled off the couch and fled to my bedroom. Closing the door with a decisive click. Outside, I could hear Adam's voice. Sharp with irritation.
"This better be important," he said.