In Bed with the Ice Queen (The Ice Queen #4)

5. Helena

5

HELENA

H elena Wolfe sat at her large desk in her office high above the bustling streets of the city. The sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows as she flipped through a stack of reports, her brow furrowed in concentration. The soft hum of her computer filled the quiet space, mixing with the distant sounds of the city below.

But today, Helena could feel her thoughts drifting away from the numbers and graphs before her. She would frequently glance at the clock, noting how the hours slipped by. She longed for a break from the busy work, but it seemed that every time she put down one report, another would come in.

Just then, the door to her office creaked open, and Mark walked in. Helena noticed he had a slight frown on his face, his brow furrowed in worry. He was usually calm and collected, so this expression caught her attention immediately.

“Helena,” Mark started, his voice a little shaky. “Can we talk?”

Helena leaned back in her chair, a sense of unease creeping in. “Sure, Mark. What’s on your mind?”

He stepped closer, the air between them thick with tension. “It's about the Thompson Industries deal.” He paused, fiddling with a pen that sat on her desk. “They’ve mentioned something kind of last minute.”

Her curiosity was piqued. “Last minute? What’s going on?”

Mark glanced down at the floor, hesitating. “They want you to attend a business trip in Hawaii this weekend.”

Helena’s jaw dropped. “What? Hawaii? This weekend? Do they think I’m made of free time?” She rubbed her temples, feeling a headache brew. “This is so sudden. We’re already so close to dotting the Xs and crossing the Ts with the merger!”

Mark nodded. “I know, but they want to ensure you’re going to represent the company culture they’re losing.. They’re also inviting their best employees as a going-away party, and they think it’s important for you to be there.”

Helena let out a frustrated sigh. “And what, pray tell, does Hawaii have to do with any of this? It sounds like a vacation, not a business meeting.”

“Yeah,” Mark agreed, “but there’s more. I overheard that a competitor is going, too, and you know how their CEO Charles Thompson is.” He looked back at Helena, trying to gauge her reaction. “He’s traditional and a bit outdated. He likes to shmooze folks and to be shmoozed back, especially when it comes to big deals like this.”

“I can’t believe this,” Helena muttered under her breath. She tapped her fingers against her desk, considering her options. “Why do they want a lavish trip now when we’re so close to the finish line? It feels unnecessary.”

“He probably wants to impress everyone, show that he can still play the game,” Mark explained, crossing his arms. “But you being there could really seal the deal.”

Helena took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm brewing inside her. She liked to be organized and efficient, and this last- minute trip threw a wrench in her carefully laid plans. “So, what do you think? Should I go?”

“Honestly, I think it’s a good idea to show your face,” Mark replied, his voice firm. “You might even like it. It’s a chance to show your leadership skills and adaptability. Plus, some fresh ocean air wouldn’t hurt, right?”

Helena imagined the gentle waves lapping against the shore. Maybe a little bit of sun wouldn’t be the worst thing. The thought of the ocean sounded refreshing, even if it was wrapped in layers of business obligations.

“Alright,” Helena said finally, determination growing inside her. “I’ll go. But I’ll make sure they know I’m not just there for the beach. This is business, after all.”

Mark smiled, relief washing over his face. “Great! I’ll handle the travel arrangements and make sure everything is smooth.”

As he walked toward the door, Helena called out, “Mark, wait.” He turned back, looking at her expectantly. “Let’s make sure we have a solid action plan before I go. I’m not just stepping into this situation unprepared.”

“Absolutely,” Mark replied. “We’ll brainstorm some strategies to handle the meetings and strengthen our connection with their team.”

Helena returned to her desk, feeling a spark of energy woven through her earlier frustration as she jotted down notes. Maybe this trip could bring something good after all. It could be the opportunity to solidify their partnership and set a strong foundation for the future.

As the door clicked shut after Mark left, Helena leaned back in her chair, sighing heavily. She fiddled with a pen, twirling it between her fingers. The idea of meeting her new employees wasn’t terrifying… Well, maybe a little. She had always been more comfortable closing deals in glass towers than mingling in a room full of strangers, much less on a beach.

Yet somewhere buried beneath her annoyance, there was a small spark of interest. Helena took a sip of her coffee, savoring the rich flavor. She could feel the tension in her shoulders slowly easing. Perhaps this trip could turn into something meaningful. She could be a leader who connects with her team, not just a name on a door plaque.

Shifting in her leather chair, she recalled the meeting with Thompson Industries last week. The room had been filled with sharp suits and bright ideas, but it was Sloane Callahan who had captured her attention. Helena couldn’t shake off the memory of Sloane leaning in closer after the meeting, her voice low and teasing. "We could be more than just business partners, Helena."

Helena’s cheeks flushed at the thought. Why would Sloane say that? Did she somehow know Helena was into women? It certainly wasn’t public information. The question looped in Helena’s mind like an unwelcome song stuck on repeat. Her heart fluttered at the memory of strands of Sloane’s golden-brown hair falling gracefully around her face, the way her eyes sparkled with mischief, and the subtle hint of flirtation in her tone.

And the way her gaze had dropped to Helena’s breasts and then she had licked her lip.

Helena had felt a bolt of desire between her legs at that point and it hadn’t entirely gone away since.

She had kept her personal life tightly wrapped and separate from her business life. Not that there had ever been much of a personal life. Sure, a bit of dating, some friends with benefits on occasion, but women often seemed to want more than Helena was prepared to give. She realized early on that she wasn’t cut out for a relationship. She clearly made a terrible girlfriend.

With a huff, Helena tried to focus on her work. But then her curiosity got the better of her. She opened her laptop and typed in Sloane’s name, hoping to find out more. A quick search turned up empty on Facebook. No profile, no clues—nothing. Frustrated, she leaned back in her chair, her head spinning with thoughts about the merger and Sloane’s mysterious invitation.

“Ugh, fine.” She opened Instagram instead. It was a treasure trove of visuals, and soon enough, she discovered Sloane’s profile. She waded through a few images, intrigued by what she saw. There were photos of Sloane doing yoga, her toned body showing off years of hard work and dedication. Her ass in tights was a pleasure to see, indeed. Helena felt a flutter in her stomach as she marveled Sloane’s fit body. She frowned, glancing at the date on the photo, realizing it was two years old. Maybe she’s not as in shape now, Helena hoped to herself.

She navigated to the tagged photos and felt a jolt of surprise. Sloane was at a pride parade dressed in a vibrant outfit, and her face radiated joy.

“Is she that out that she would attend a pride?” Helena pondered, biting her lower lip.

Clearly Sloane Callahan is gay. Helena hadn’t necessarily thought it before, but why would she have hit on Helena if she wasn’t into women. But, going to a pride and allowing yourself to be photographed… in Helena’s mind, that was super gay. Gayer than she had ever imagined.

Helena herself had always made sure to be out of town when gay pride was in town. Sure, she might date women, but it was all behind closed doors.

She quickly rationalized that tons of allies attend those pride events. It wasn’t a big deal that Sloane was there. Maybe she was just attending with a friend.

Helena felt annoyed at her growing obsession with this woman she barely knew.

She exhaled and came back to the present, feeling the pressure of the merger looming over her like a heavy blanket once more. Her father's expectations weighed heavily on her shoulders. He had entrusted her with the company, and now she had to show up, play nice, and seal the deal with Thompson Industries and Sloane.

Despite trying to stay focused on her task,, Helena’s mind drifted again to Sloane.

Just then, the office door creaked open, pulling Helena from her thoughts. Sarah clutched a stack of papers. “Helena, that meeting is starting in ten minutes," she announced, her tone brisk but friendly.

“Right!” Helena replied, pushing aside her thoughts of Sloane. She took a deep breath, straightening her jacket as she gathered her papers. “Thanks, Sarah. You always know when I need a reminder.”

“Of course. And remember,” Sarah added with a playful smirk, “try not to think about Hawaii too much until you get there. Focus on the task at hand.”

Helena chuckled lightly, shaking her head. “Easier said than done.”

As Helena walked out of her office, she felt a mix of excitement and nerves swirling inside her. Would Sloane Callahan be in Hawaii? Would she smile coyly again, or would it all come crashing down when business turned back to business?