Chapter 11: Shaken, Not Stirred.
1061 Words
Selene woke to the sensation of warmth—Gideon’s body still pressed against hers, his arm lazily draped over her waist. For a moment, she forgot where she was. The soft sheets, the scent of him still lingering in the air, the faint ache between her thighs—everything felt surreal.
Then, reality crashed in.
She had let herself slip. Let herself be consumed.
Selene sucked in a slow breath, careful not to wake him as she shifted beneath his arm. The city outside was already alive, the golden light filtering through the sheer curtains casting a soft glow over the room.
Gideon stirred beside her, a quiet hum escaping his lips, but he didn’t wake. His face was unguarded in sleep—sharp features relaxed, his usual intensity replaced by something almost peaceful. It was disarming. Dangerous.
She couldn’t let herself get caught in the illusion.
Silently, she slid out from under his arm, ignoring the dull protest in her muscles as she stood. She found her dress pooled near the window, slipping it on quickly. A glance in the mirror showed exactly what she didn’t want to see—her lips swollen, faint marks along her collarbone. Evidence of just how thoroughly she had let him take control.
She exhaled sharply and straightened her shoulders. This doesn’t change anything.
By the time Gideon stirred awake, she was already by the door, her expression carefully composed. His eyes, still clouded with sleep, landed on her, and for a brief moment, something unreadable flickered across his face.
"Leaving so soon?" His voice was husky, rough with sleep.
Selene smirked, tilting her head. "Don’t tell me you expected breakfast in bed?"
He chuckled, stretching against the sheets in a way that was far too distracting. "I expected you to at least say goodbye properly."
She rolled her eyes. "Consider this it."
His amusement didn’t fade, but something in his gaze sharpened, assessing her. He knew her too well—knew the way she was already trying to put distance between them.
"You can run if you want, Selene," he murmured, voice laced with quiet confidence. "But we both know you’ll come back."
Her fingers tightened around the doorknob. She forced a scoff, giving him a slow once-over. "Don’t flatter yourself, Gideon."
And then she left.
Selene spent the rest of the morning locked in work. If she drowned herself in meetings, emails, and financial reports, maybe she could forget the way his hands felt on her body.
She arrived at Everly Holdings’ temporary office, forcing herself to focus. Her assistant, Clara, handed her a stack of documents, oblivious to the battle raging in Selene’s mind.
"There’s a meeting with the executive board in an hour," Clara said. "And the investor’s gala is still on for Friday."
Selene nodded, flipping through the reports. "Anything urgent?"
"Just one thing." Clara hesitated. "Dunhaven Holdings’ legal team sent over an update on the merger discussions."
Selene’s pulse skipped.
Of course. Gideon.
She took the folder from Clara, pretending the name didn’t send a jolt through her. She had spent the last few months maneuvering into Gideon’s world for this exact reason—to get close, to secure power.
So why did it feel like she was the one being cornered?
She exhaled and opened the file. Business first. Everything else could wait.
Hours passed in a blur. Meetings, negotiations, discussions. By the time Selene stepped into the private lounge of a high-end hotel for an informal investor’s meeting, she had convinced herself that she was back in control.
Until she saw him.
Gideon was standing near the bar, looking utterly composed in a dark suit, a whiskey glass in hand. When their eyes met, a slow, knowing smirk curved his lips.
Selene kept her expression unreadable as she approached the group, seamlessly joining the conversation as if nothing had changed. But the moment she stepped within reach, Gideon leaned in just slightly, his voice a quiet murmur only for her.
"Running didn’t help, did it?"
She inhaled sharply but didn’t turn to him. Instead, she sipped her champagne, keeping her tone light. "I have no idea what you’re talking about."
His fingers brushed against the small of her back—just enough to send a shiver down her spine. "Liar."
Selene forced a smile, ignoring the heat pooling in her stomach. This was a game. And she refused to lose.
Just then, another voice interrupted them. "I hope I’m not interrupting anything interesting."
Selene turned, her carefully crafted mask in place. Nathaniel Dunhaven. Gideon’s half-brother. Trouble, wrapped in a charming smile and an expensive suit.
Gideon’s expression hardened slightly. "What do you want, Nate?"
Nathaniel’s grin widened as he took a slow sip of his drink, eyes flicking between them with clear amusement. "Just enjoying the party. And the... tension."
Selene arched a brow. "Tension? I don’t know what you’re talking about."
Nathaniel chuckled, tilting his glass toward her in a mock toast. "Of course not. You’re always so composed, Selene. Except when you’re not."
Gideon’s jaw tightened. "Walk away, Nate."
Nathaniel ignored him, stepping closer to Selene. "Tell me, did he lure you into one of his little deals, or are you the one holding the cards?"
Selene smiled, tilting her head just slightly. "Wouldn’t you like to know?"
Nathaniel’s gaze flickered with something unreadable before he let out a low laugh. "Oh, I would. But I have a feeling Gideon here is feeling rather... possessive tonight."
Gideon stepped forward, his body tense. "You’ve had your fun. Now leave."
Nathaniel smirked, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, brother. I’m just here for the show."
Selene watched as Nathaniel sauntered off, her mind already working. He was dangerous—not in the way Gideon was, but in the way a man with nothing to lose could be. He liked to stir chaos just to watch it unfold.
Gideon exhaled sharply, turning his attention back to her. "Stay away from him."
Selene raised a brow. "Jealous?"
His eyes darkened. "Cautious. He’s unpredictable. And he enjoys ruining things just because he can."
She hummed, sipping her drink. "Sounds like someone else I know."
Gideon smirked, leaning in again. "Difference is, I don’t ruin things. I own them."
Selene felt the heat between them intensify, but she refused to let him see just how much he affected her.
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