DATING THE CEO

Chapter 18

The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains, casting gentle beams of light across the room. Desiree stirred, slowly waking from a deep sleep that had been more peaceful than any she had experienced in months. She stretched beneath the covers, feeling the cool sheets against her skin, but something was different today. Something had shifted.

Lance was no longer by her side. She had grown accustomed to his presence, even if just for a short while. The warmth of his hand on her shoulder, his reassuring words—those things had brought a kind of comfort she hadn’t realized she needed until now. And yet, in the stillness of the room, it felt like a piece of her was missing.

She sat up slowly, her gaze drifting to the empty space beside her. The bed was perfectly made, as if he had never been there at all. Desiree’s fingers brushed against the edge of the blanket, and for a moment, she wondered if the night before had been a dream. But the softness in her chest, the lingering warmth of his touch on her skin, reminded her that it had been real.

Desiree slipped out of bed, her bare feet grazing the cool floor as she made her way to the bathroom. Her reflection in the mirror was a reminder of how much she had changed in the past few weeks. The woman staring back at her was familiar, yet she was different—a little more uncertain, a little more aware of the complexities of her emotions.

As she splashed water on her face, the events of the previous night began to replay in her mind. Lance had been there, so present, so caring. His every gesture had been gentle, like he knew the right way to handle her fragile heart. But why? What was it about her that made him act the way he did? Was it pity, or something more?

Desiree took a deep breath, leaning against the sink. She couldn’t deny that there was something between them. She had felt it last night, when his lips were so close to hers, and his touch made her pulse race. But she had also felt the weight of her own uncertainty, the fear of letting someone in. She wasn’t ready to give her heart away again, especially not to someone like Lance.

After washing her face, Desiree dressed in a simple outfit, trying to distract herself from the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind. She left her room and made her way downstairs, hoping that a cup of coffee would clear her head. But as she walked into the living room, her breath caught in her throat.

Lance was there, sitting on the couch, his back to her as he stared out the window. His broad shoulders were relaxed, but there was a tension in the way he held himself—like he was waiting for something. Maybe for her to acknowledge him. Desiree hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to approach him. She had so many questions, but she didn’t know if she was ready for the answers.

Lance turned around, his eyes meeting hers. There was a flicker of something in them—something deeper than the casual warmth he usually showed. He seemed almost... uncertain, as if he was wondering whether to speak or wait for her to say something.

“Good morning,” he said softly, his voice carrying the same calmness it always did, but there was an edge to it that made Desiree’s heart skip a beat.

“Morning,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She crossed the room slowly, her gaze still fixed on him. "You’re... here early."

Lance gave a small, almost amused smile. “I couldn't sleep much. I thought I’d get some work done while the house was quiet.”

Desiree nodded, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her shirt. The silence between them was heavy, charged with unspoken words. She knew what she wanted to ask, but somehow, the words didn’t come out. What was he doing here? What did he want from her?

“I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable last night,” Lance said, breaking the silence before she could. His voice was gentle, but there was a rawness in it that made Desiree’s heart tighten. “I just... I want you to know that I’m not here to rush anything. I’m not here to make things harder for you.”

Desiree’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t expected him to say that. She had expected the usual casual flirtation, maybe even a joke about how she had looked when she woke up, but not this. Not this sincerity. It made her chest ache, the truth of his words settling deep within her.

“I never thought you were,” she said, her voice shaky but genuine. She stepped closer to him, her hands now clasped tightly in front of her. “But I... I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with this. With you.”

Lance’s gaze softened, and he stood up from the couch, closing the distance between them. “You don’t have to do anything right now, Desiree. Just let it happen. One step at a time.”

She looked up at him, her heart pounding in her chest. The way he was looking at her—like he really understood her fears, her uncertainties—made her feel like she could finally exhale. She hadn’t realized how much she needed someone to understand until that very moment.

But there was still something holding her back. The memory of Harley. The confusion of wanting someone else, someone who was no longer in her life. How could she let herself get involved with Lance when her heart was still tangled with the past?

“I don’t know if I can just... let it happen,” Desiree said, her voice trembling. “I’ve been hurt before, Lance. I don’t want to open myself up again and risk losing everything.”

Lance’s expression softened even more, and he reached out, gently cupping her face with his hands. “I’m not asking you to forget your past, Desiree. I’m just here for the present. For you.”

Desiree closed her eyes, leaning into his touch, feeling the warmth of his hands against her skin. For a moment, she allowed herself to just feel. To stop thinking, stop analyzing everything. For once, she let herself be present in the moment.

When she opened her eyes again, she saw that Lance was still looking at her, his expression calm, but his eyes filled with something more—something deeper than she had ever expected.

“I don’t want to rush you,” he said quietly. “But I also don’t want to wait forever.”

Desiree’s heart pounded in her chest. The weight of his words lingered in the air between them, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure what to say. Could she allow herself to take that step with him? Could she trust him with her heart when she was so afraid of being hurt again?

As her thoughts raced, Desiree felt her breath catch in her throat. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to believe that this—whatever this was—was real. But the fear still lingered, gnawing at her insides. She had to make a choice.