Page 20 of Forever His Favorite
Then came the final chime.
The doors slid open with a soft rush of air.
She stepped into an expansive corridor. Two paths stretched before her.
To the left: a flood of noise—ringing phones, voices overlapping, employees bustling through rows of open workstations, heels and shoes drumming a steady rhythm across the floor.
To the right: silence. A long corridor, wide and polished, lined with subtle lighting that led to a single, imposing door at the far end.
She hesitated only a moment before choosing the quieter path.
Each step echoed against marble, the sound ricocheting in the quiet like a heartbeat made audible. The hush pressed in around her, amplifying the sharp click of her heels.
When she reached the door, her hand hovered above the handle for a fleeting second, trembling with hesitation. Then she knocked once, firm, and pushed the door open before she could lose her nerve.
The office swallowed her whole.
The office was vast, sunlight spilling in through floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the glittering city skyline. Every detail exuded power—sleek furniture, dark wood, steel accents—but it wasn’t the room that made her pulse race.
It was the man standing near the desk.
A tall, broad-shouldered figure stood near the desk, his back to her, a tablet in hand, head bent in focus. The tailored suit framed the cut of his body too well, fabric stretched over muscle, posture radiating command. A shiver slid down her spine before she could stop it. Her throat went dry, her pulse skipping in disarray. She dared only a glance, terrified that even looking too long might unravel her composure completely.
Steeling herself, she stepped forward, her voice even, though clipped with nerves. “Hello. I was asked to meet you for the Trinity Project. Did Mr. Nox inform you about my arrival?”
The words had barely left her lips when he moved.
With deliberate calm, he set the tablet on the desk, a soft thud echoing in the silence. Then he turned.
Her breath caught like a snare tightening.
“Sebastian?”
His gaze locked on hers—dark, consuming.
In three powerful strides, he was in front of her, circling the desk with the ease of a man who owned everything he walked upon.
Before she could retreat, his hand curved around the back of her neck, tugging her firmly into his orbit. Heat seared through her skin from the strength of his grip, every nerve in her body jolting awake.
“Welcome, baby.” His voice was a low drawl, rough, possessive—the kind of tone that could strip the air from her lungs in a single breath.
Emily’s lips parted, her words tumbling out in a rush of shock. “I didn’t even realize Jacob had sent me to your company. I didn’t know until I got here.” Her surprise hardened into frustration, her mouth tugging into a small pout as she looked up at him. “But why am I working here? If people see me, they’ll think I only got this project because of you. That it wasn’t my own achievement, even though I worked for it myself.”
Sebastian tilted his head, eyes narrowing as he leaned in closer, his thumb grazing the delicate curve of her jaw. The touch was gentle, but his gaze was anything but.
“Mrs. Graves,” he murmured, his voice a low, dangerous caress, “you announced to the world just days ago that you are a famous designer. Even your own husband didn’t know about it.” His eyes held hers. “So tell me, why would anyone believe you slipped in through the back door? You’ve already proven youdon’t need me for something like this.” His thumb lingered, his tone softening but no less commanding. “Though I’d be more than happy to bend the world in your favor.”
Emily’s cheeks flushed, warmth spreading as embarrassment tangled with affection. Her voice softened, almost shy. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I just… I wanted to keep it a secret. I don’t like the spotlight. But it backfired when Amelia started stealing my designs.”
“I am not upset,” Sebastian muttered warmly. “I’m proud my wife is so talented.”
The words landed on her chest like a warm hand. Just a few simple words from him, yet they suddenly made her feel as if she had accomplished everything in the world.
Her throat tightened with unspoken emotion, but a smile broke across her face anyway. She threw her arms around him, hugging him with all the strength she had, her head pressing firmly against his broad chest.
His steady heartbeat pounded beneath her cheek. His hands rose from her waist to cradle her head and shoulders. Drawing her closer, he dipped to press a soft kiss to the top of her hair.
After a beat, she tilted her head upward, resting her chin against his chest, her eyes shining. “I can’t believe you’re this affectionate with me now. All those years, whenever I was near you, all I saw was that deathly stare of yours. You seemed so cold, untouchable. But since we married, you’re… different.”
