DATING THE CEO

Chapter 17

Lance gently pulled away from Desiree, his fingers lingering on her skin as if unwilling to break the spell they had created. Desiree's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, every inch of her body still trembling from the intensity of their closeness. Her heart pounded in her chest, the sound almost deafening in her own ears. She tried to catch her breath, but the air felt thick and heavy, as if the weight of the moment was pressing down on her.

Lance's gaze softened as he studied her, taking in the flush that colored her cheeks and the way her lips parted ever so slightly as she tried to steady herself. He couldn’t help but be mesmerized by her. There was something about her, something innocent and vulnerable, yet strong in its own right. A contradiction that intrigued him.

"Let's go to bed, Desiree," he murmured, his voice a soothing whisper that seemed to settle the tension in the air.

Desiree nodded, though her mind was far from calm. Her body followed his lead, but her thoughts were scattered. What had just happened? She hadn’t expected this, hadn’t expected the desire that surged through her when she least expected it. Was it just the heat of the moment, or was there something more? She had been content with her life before, even if it was complicated. But now, with Lance here, everything felt different.

As Lance led her toward the stairs, she tried to push the thoughts from her mind, but they clung to her, making her feel like she was trapped in a web of confusion. The closer they got to her room, the more uncertain she became. She had always been careful about her feelings, always cautious of letting anyone too close. But with Lance, something about him made her lower her guard, even if just a little.

When they reached the door to her room, Desiree hesitated. She could feel the familiar ache in her chest, the one that came from trying to protect herself from feeling too much. But now, standing in front of her door with Lance at her side, that ache seemed distant, overshadowed by the warmth of his presence.

Desiree turned to him, her voice quiet, almost hesitant. "Lance... what are we doing?"

Lance stopped, his back to her as he gave her the space to speak, sensing the turmoil in her words. He slowly turned to face her, his expression unreadable. There was a flicker of something in his eyes, something deeper than just desire. Desiree couldn’t place it, but it made her heart race even more.

"We’re doing what we need to, Desiree. I’m here, and I’ll take care of you. That’s all that matters," he said, his voice steady but filled with a calm sincerity that made her chest tighten.

Desiree swallowed hard, her throat dry. She had heard those words before—people who said they would take care of her, protect her—but they had never felt quite like this. Lance wasn’t just offering protection. He was offering something more—something she wasn’t sure she could accept.

Her mind wandered back to Harley. The man she had been with for so long. The man who had once made her feel alive. But now, standing in front of Lance, she felt an odd sense of guilt mixed with relief. How could she feel this way? How could she be torn between two men, each of them offering her something different, yet both leaving her with more questions than answers?

Lance reached out and gently took her hand, his touch warm and comforting. It was a simple gesture, yet it sent a jolt of electricity through her. Desiree looked up into his eyes, her breath hitching at the intensity she saw in them.

"I don’t want to push you, Desiree. But I also don’t want to leave you alone in this," Lance said softly, his voice filled with quiet determination.

Desiree could feel her walls beginning to crack. The walls she had spent years building around herself to protect her heart. She had been through too much to let anyone in, but Lance—Lance was different. He didn’t force his way into her life. He simply was. And that was enough to make her feel like she could trust him, even if only for a moment.

She looked at him, her lips parting as if to say something, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she nodded slowly, silently agreeing to follow him inside.

They entered her room, and Desiree immediately felt the coolness of the air against her skin, a stark contrast to the warmth she had felt only moments before. She moved toward the bed, her hands trembling as she reached for the covers, trying to find some comfort in the familiar surroundings. But it felt different now, like the room had transformed into something new, something unfamiliar.

Lance watched her for a moment before sitting on the edge of the bed. His eyes never left her, studying her as if trying to read her every thought. "You don’t have to say anything, Desiree. Just rest," he said gently, his voice reassuring.

Desiree sat down slowly beside him, her mind still racing. The desire that had surged through her only moments ago was still there, simmering beneath the surface. But now, it felt more like a quiet ache—a longing that she wasn’t sure how to satisfy.

Lance’s hand brushed against hers, sending another spark of electricity through her. He didn’t say anything, but the silence between them was comfortable. It wasn’t awkward or heavy. It was just... peaceful.

Desiree closed her eyes, trying to push away the swirling thoughts in her mind. But sleep didn’t come easily. She tossed and turned, her body restless, her thoughts racing faster than she could keep up with. Lance seemed to sense her discomfort and gently placed his hand on her shoulder, offering silent comfort.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice low and soft.

Desiree opened her eyes, meeting his gaze. For a moment, neither of them spoke. It was as if the weight of the world was in that one glance. Desiree felt exposed, vulnerable, and yet, she couldn’t look away. She didn’t want to look away.

"I’m just... trying to figure things out," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Lance nodded, his thumb gently stroking her arm in a soothing rhythm. "You don’t have to figure everything out right now, Desiree. We have time."

Desiree turned her head slightly, her eyes closing as she allowed herself to lean into his touch. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she could breathe. There was no pressure, no expectations—just the quiet comfort of someone who cared.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Lance smiled softly, his hand never leaving her shoulder. "I’m here, Desiree. And I always will be."

The silence stretched between them, comfortable and warm, as the night wore on. Desiree felt herself finally drifting off to sleep, her body exhausted from the emotional turmoil of the day. But even in her slumber, she knew that things were changing. And that, no matter how much she tried to deny it, Lance had become a part of her world in a way she wasn’t ready to understand just yet.