Chapter 159
Cecilia’s pov
I all but fled back to my office, my heels catching on the carpet as I collapsed into my chair.
My brain short-circuited, stuck on a loop of Beta Sawyer’s voice: “Liam loaded the Alpha’s breakfast with every kind of… male enhancement imaginable p>
So Liam knew. Of course he knew.
I leaned back in my chair with the posture of someone who’d already accepted their funeral arrangements.
Death by mortification was imminent.
I’d been playing dead for about fifteen minutes when a knock sounded at my door.
Pulling myself together, I straightened my blouse and cleared my throat. “Come in p>
I figured it was Beta Sawyer.
Or maybe one of the assistants with a new stack of reports.
But it wasn’t.
It was Sebastian.
My body went from relaxed to petrified in a single heartbeat, my thoughts scrambling like eggs on a hot pan.
He closed the door behind him with casual confidence.
“What’s wrong with your face?” he asked, looking far too relaxed and pleased with himself.
Inside, I was playing a symphony of anxiety.
Sebastian walked up to my desk and placed a sleek white thermos right in front of me, like he was dropping some kind of emotional grenade.
I blinked at it. What now?
Before I could say a word, his hand landed on my waist – firm, warm, possessive. “Sit,” he said, voice low and utterly unbothered.
The second his fingers brushed against me, my entire body betrayed me.
My knees went soft, and my brain lit up like a broken slideshow: his hands last night, his mouth, the way he’d –
Nope. Not going there.
I sat down, trying to pretend I still had some shred of dignity. Spoiler: I didn’t.
My breathing was shallow, chest tight. I folded my hands in my lap like a Catholic schoolgirl hoping the nun wouldn’t call on her.
Sebastian looked at me – all obedient and intimidated – and I could’ve sworn I heard him sigh softly.
“Liam made you soup,” he said smoothly. “Said you might need to… replenish your strength p>
My mind went blank for a second. whaaat? Then it hit me.
Instantly, my mind went straight to those health articles I used to scroll through: “What to eat after sex,” “Post-coital nutrition p>
Oh my Moon Goddess. Liam knew everything!
That smug, infuriating man had probably read the same damn articles, and actually took notes.
Another knock sounded at the door.
I’d just taken a spoonful of soup and nearly choked in surprise.
Sebastian bent down to pat my back.
The office door burst open without warning.
Beta Sawyer froze in the doorway like a deer caught in high beams, clutching his tablet to his chest like it was a riot shield.
His eyes bounced between me and Sebastian, quickly taking in the scene: me in my chair looking flushed and guilty, Sebastian looming far too close, a steaming thermos open on my desk.
Sebastian turned his head slowly, shooting him a look so cold it could’ve flash-frozen lava.
“I – uh – I just remembered I left some documents,” Beta Sawyer stammered, already stepping backward like he was facing a wild animal. “Carry on, please. Pretend I was never here p>
He was gone before I could blink – vanishing from the doorway like he’d teleported.
A second later, a hand reappeared around the edge of the door and, ever so gently, pulled it shut.
Silence fell like a dropped curtain.
I sat there in stunned silence.
I’d officially given up. Resistance was futile.
Turning to look up at Sebastian with newfound determination, I tried for a professional tone. “Alpha, during office hours, unauthorized visits are prohibited p>
Sebastian’s icy demeanor melted into spring sunshine as he looked down at me.
His eyes crinkled with amusement. “Of course, Secretary Moore. Enjoy your soup. I’ll be on my way p>
And with that, he left.
I stared at the door as it closed behind him.
After a long moment, I pressed my palm to my forehead in pure exasperation.
I ate the soup, more out of a need to do something than hunger, but had to admit—Liam was a fantastic cook.
Once I’d composed myself and mentally reattached my soul to my body, I headed down the hall to Beta Sawyer’s office to go over a few pending reports.
We spent the first few minutes pretending everything was normal. Like our company hadn’t just caused a minor HR emergency with a side of sexual tension.
Beta Sawyer was the picture of professionalism. Almost. His gaze flicked toward me every so often like he wanted to say something but didn’t know where to start.
Just as I gathered my things to leave, he finally spoke up – carefully.”The Alpha… he didn’t scare you, did he p>
I paused, then gave a small, weary smile. “It’s… manageable p>
“He clearly has… feelings for you. You’re not going to resign, are you?” Concern laced his voice.
“No,” I smiled, waving off his worry. After a few seconds of silence, I added, “Actually… I can be pretty scary too p>
With that cryptic statement and a reassuring smile, I left him looking thoroughly confused.
Aside from the chaos of that morning, the rest of the day moved along like business as usual.
Sebastian had a lunch meeting on the calendar, but hadn’t said who was going with him.
I casually suggested Beta Sawyer take his place, claiming I had some “urgent internal reports” to review.
The moment the clock hit noon, I grabbed a quick bite and made a straight line for the pharmacy.
We hadn’t used protection last night.
And judging by the timing, I was smack in the middle of my fertile window.Cue panic.
No matter how good it had felt – or how completely out of control I’d been in the moment – I wasn’t about to play roulette with my uterus.
If there were consequences, I’d be the one handling them. Alone.
After grabbing emergency contraception and discreetly tucking it into my purse, I headed back to the office.
The floor was quiet – everyone had already left for lunch.
I ducked into the breakroom for a glass of water.
Just as I was about to head back to my desk, my phone buzzed.
Yvonne.
“Hello p>
“Darling, how was your experience?” Her voice dripped with suggestive mischief.
Between women, it only takes one bold friend to bring out the daring in the other.
I licked my lips nervously. “It was… pretty good p>
“I told you! Wasn’t it absolutely mind-blowing? Like discovering a whole new universe p>
“Yeah, it definitely has… impressive capabilities,” I admitted.
“Of course! Unlike men who tire out so quickly, it has no flaws p>
“It does have one flaw,” I countered.
“What flaw p>
“I’m worried it might be addictive p>
On the other end, Yvonne sat up straighter in her chair, eyes gleaming. “Wow, it must have really hit the spot last night if you’re talking about addiction! Was it that good p>
For me to use a word like “addictive” was rare in my usually restrained vocabulary.
I wasn’t always this bold with my words. But with Yvonne being so enthusiastically honest, I couldn’t bring myself to lie.
Yvonne laughed again. “Well, I’m glad you enjoyed it. For us women, pleasing ourselves is what matters most p>
Having finished our private women’s talk, she moved on to another topic. “By the way, next Friday I’m taking you and Harper to this fascinating ball. I specifically requested three invitations. All of Denver’s socialites will be there p>
I wasn’t particularly interested in cocktail parties or balls, but these events were perfect for networking, which Harper would appreciate. Making connections was never a bad idea.
“Sounds great,” I agreed cheerfully.
After hanging up, I added next Friday’s event to my planner.
Suddenly, warm breath fanned across the top of my head, and two arms appeared on either side of me, hands splayed on the table.
“Cecilia,” Sebastian murmured just beside my ear, his voice low and laced with amusement, “five-star reviews should be given to the person who earned them… not broadcast to the general public p>
My heart just about launched out of my chest.