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

12. Sloane

12

SLOANE

S loane sat at a long wooden table below deck, feeling the sway of the boat as it bobbed on the waves. The air smelled of melted cheese mixed with spices. The glow from the candles flickering around the table added a cozy charm to the room, and a big pot of fondue was melted in the center.

Around her, higher-ups from Thompson Industries mingled with the team from Wolfe Enterprises. Sloane’s eyes darted from one person to another, absorbing the atmosphere. She twirled a strand of hair, something she did when she was nervous. Her iPad rested in front of her, open and ready for notes, marking her as the diligent corporate lawyer she was trained to be.

“Okay, team,” Charles said, leaning back in his chair, “let’s talk timelines. Helena, any updates from your end?” His voice was steady, controlling as he directed the conversation.

Helena sat nearly at the head of the table. Her hair was pulled back tightly, and a sharp, businesslike demeanor surrounded her today more than ever. It was an interesting contrast from the intimacy they had shared. This was a woman of power. But behind her cool exterior, Sloane sensed something deeper. A loneliness that seemed to be masked.

Sloane couldn’t shake off the memories of the previous nights, where the two of them—Helena and herself—had ended up sharing a bed and an intense passion, that was incomparable to anything Sloane could remember sharing with anyone else. The warmth of their closeness had felt comforting, but now it felt tangled and confusing. She tried to remember the last time she was in a situation of hiding a romance. High school, maybe? Sloane knew Helena’s fear of coming out and desperation to remain professional was always going to stifle them and it bothered her.

“Right, so we’re aiming for closing the deal in six weeks,” Helena replied, her tone clipped yet professional as she expertly dipped a piece of bread into the cheese. “With the current financials, I believe we can make that happen.”

The group nodded, but Sloane noticed the way some of the Thompson Industries executives exchanged glances, uncertainty flashing in their eyes. Sloane felt her heart tighten at the sight. Could anyone really trust Helena Wolfe? They’d discussed this merger so much, but had they really taken the time to understand who they were working with?

“Helena,” Sloane ventured softly, her voice breaking through the tension that hung in the air. “Do you ever feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders?” She searched Helena’s eyes for a glimpse of vulnerability.

For a second, the room held its breath. Charles raised an eyebrow, obviously surprised by Sloane’s directness. Some of the team from Thompson Industries glanced at each other, curiosity creeping into their expressions. Did they really think that Helena was just a hard-nosed businesswoman?

But before Helena could respond, Charles cleared his throat and smiled. “Now, now, Sloane. Helena is doing an excellent job running Wolfe Enterprises. This isn’t the time for doubts when we’re so close to finalizing everything.” He took a quick sip of his drink, dismissing the moment with a wave of his hand.

Sloane felt a flicker of disappointment. It was as if Charles had put up a wall between her and Helena, blocking the chance for real conversation. She glanced back at Helena, who was now staring into the fondue pot as if the swirling cheese held the answers to life’s questions.

“It’s not about doubts, Charles,” Sloane countered carefully, her heart racing. “I just believe that opening up can help us navigate challenges better. Particularly in a merger like this.”

Helena looked up, a hint of surprise crossing her face. “And open up to who, exactly?”

Her voice was cold, but Sloane detected a flicker of something. Perhaps it was defiance or fear.

“Us,” Sloane urged, her heart pounding with emotion. “What we’re doing here, it’s going to impact so many lives. I know you’re under a lot of pressure. Everyone sees it. Maybe sharing some concerns could bring us closer together.”

The table was silent, and everyone’s curiosity was piqued. Sloane noticed a few raised eyebrows, and she held her breath, hoping Helena would respond. She could only hear the ship’s gentle swaying.

Then, to Sloane’s relief, Helena sighed and leaned back into her chair. “You’re right, Sloane. It’s just…” She paused, her gaze drifting to where the waves lapped against the boat. “I sometimes feel like I can’t afford to be vulnerable. Not with my father’s expectations looming over me.”

A shift occurred in the room. Sloane could feel it. The load of expectations were laid out and bare finally. Even Charles seemed taken aback, understanding now what Sloane had been trying to express about Helena.

“I can understand that,” Sloane said gently. “We all have someone watching us, someone whose opinion we value. You don’t have to carry that alone, though.”

The other members of Wolfe Enterprises exchanged quieter looks, glimmers of empathy shining in their eyes now. For the first time, it felt like they were really listening.

Helena’s face softened, albeit only slightly. “Thank you. I don’t know if I can change overnight, but…” she trailed off, and Sloane caught a hint of something else in her expression.

A wave of relief washed over Sloane. Maybe all of them could become a team after all. Not just two companies merging, but a group of people willing to understand one another.

The fondue pot bubbled in the center of the table, breaking the tension of the moment.

“Let’s eat!” Charles cheered, grabbing a piece of broccoli and thrusting it into the fondue.

The lightness of his words, along with the bubbling cheese, eased the atmosphere just a bit. Conversation resumed with laughter and chatter, but Sloane made a note on her iPad. She wanted to draft something that would guide them toward better communication as they moved deeper into the merger process.

The sun dipped low on the horizon as the luxury yacht glided back to the dock. Sloane stood by the rail, her hair dancing in the soft evening breeze. The day had been long, filled with meetings and negotiations, and dinner with the team had been a mix of tension and excitement. Now, as they finished their last round of drinks, the atmosphere felt lighter.

“Cheers to the merger!” shouted one of the executives from Thompson Industries, raising his Champagne glass high. The others quickly followed suit, their glasses clinking.

Sloane raised her glass. “To new beginnings!” she echoed, trying to maintain her enthusiasm despite the worry gnawing at her insides. She glanced at Helena. She was the kind of woman who could control the room with a single glance, but tonight, her hidden expression sent a chill through Sloane.

Once they docked, the group began to go their separate ways, and Sloane’s heart quickened. She had a sinking feeling that Helena was upset with her. During the final negotiation meeting, Sloane couldn't help but call out Helena's defensiveness, pointing out how it might affect the merging process. It had been a gamble, and now, Sloane felt the reaction and resolution of such an expressive meeting would be beneficial for the two companies, just maybe not for her.

“Uh-oh,” Sloane muttered to herself, her stomach twisting as she followed Helena off the yacht. “Here comes trouble.”

The walk back to the hotel was short, and the air was thick. Once inside the building, Sloane fumbled with her keycard before letting herself in.

“Helena!” Sloane called, stepping inside. The room was dim, overwhelming her with the scent of whatever scents the hotel maids must have sprayed. Helena stood by the window, staring out into the night. Her silhouette was stoic, but Sloane could see the tension in her shoulders.

“Why did you bring that up earlier?” Helena’s voice sliced through the silence, sharp and unforgiving. She turned around, betrayal clouding her eyes.

Sloane hesitated, glancing down at her hands. “I thought it was important to address it.”

“Important?” Helena interjected, her tone icy. “It was reckless and totally distracting from the task at hand. You backed me in a corner.”

Sloane felt her heart sink. “I didn’t mean to. I just thought?—”

“Thought what?” Helena snapped, taking a step closer, and her eyes narrowed.

“That you should be honest with who you are to the team. It makes you seem more real. I also thought we had a connection, but the way you ran off this morning, well, I guess I was wrong.”

The room felt smaller, and the air was heavy with vulnerability. Sloane could see the hurt and anger swirling in Helena’s expression.

“We’re what? Having fun?” Helena said, her anger simmering just below the surface. “I’m not afraid to be open, but I need to protect myself from the wrong people.”

Sloane's heart raced, but she couldn’t let Helena see the turmoil within her. "I thought we had something a little more real than just business," she said softly, taking a small step back, as if trying to create distance between them.

Helena crossed her arms, her jaw tightening. “You need to let this go. This is just a distraction from everything we need to accomplish. Clear your head, Sloane. This merger is complicated enough without…without whatever this is.” She waved her hand between them, dismissing the idea of their connection.

Sloane swallowed hard. “I understand,” she said softly, gathering her things. The pain in her chest felt unbearable. She had no right to fight, not on a business trip where their reputations were more developed than whatever this was. “I’ll leave you alone then.”

“Good,” Helena replied, her voice a mere whisper. “It’s for the best.”

With that final, stinging remark, Sloane hastily collected her things from the room, and Helena turned away, her back to Sloane, leaving a cavernous silence between them. Sloane felt every ounce of connection slip away like sand through her fingers.

“Fine,” Sloane said, biting back her emotions. “If that’s how it is, I’ll just… I’ll just find another hotel.” Her voice was steady, but inside, she felt broken.

As she stepped out, Helena didn’t stop her. Sloane paused for a moment before walking away. The hallway felt long and unwelcoming, and it felt like she was leaving a part of herself behind, one she had hoped to share with Helena. Her heart was heavy as she walked down the hallway. The hotel felt vast and echoing around her, and she felt so small. She looked at the door one last time, then turned away, her mind racing. She needed a place to escape, to think.

When she reached the lobby of the neighboring hotel, Sloane slumped into a chair, burying her head in her hands. She couldn’t help but cry softly, the weight of disappointment bearing down on her.

Tears streaked down her face and sadness twisted in her heart, and she made the hardest decision yet. If Helena didn’t want to connect, then Sloane would disengage to protect her own heart too.

Whatever they had, whatever it could have been, it was a lie. If Helena wanted to keep things strictly business, then that’s how it would be. Sloane had to steel herself.

As she took a deep breath and sat up straight, wiping her tears away, she knew it was time to retreat emotionally. She had to guard her heart, even if it meant closing a door she wished could have opened wider.

After finding a desk attendant and with some crazy luck managing to get a cancellation- the only room available, she found her way to her new room. Settling into her new accommodation, she stood in the middle of her hotel room, hands on her hips. She took a deep breath, inhaling the salty air, hoping it would calm her racing thoughts. Her hair fell softly over her shoulders as she turned to survey her surroundings.

“Why does it have to be so complicated?” she murmured. A small tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away.

Just then, her phone buzzed on the bedside table. She picked it up, heart racing, hoping it was a message from Helena. But it was just a reminder about the meeting the next morning.

Sloane huffed, tossing the phone back down. She gazed out at the waves crashing relentlessly against the shore; they seemed carefree while she felt like she was sinking.

Just as she was about to get up and grab a glass of water, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from Helena.

“Can we talk? I’m at the café near the hotel.”

Sloane’s heart skipped. The mix of hope and anxiety made her feel dizzy. Taking a deep breath, she typed back, “I’ll be there in five minutes.”

After slipping into a light shirt, shorts and sandals, Sloane gave herself one last look in the mirror. “You can do this,” she whispered, trying to boost her confidence. She grabbed her purse and made her way to the door, the cool ocean breeze brushing against her cheeks.

When she entered the small café, her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Helena sitting at a corner table, her head bowed. Sloane’s heart sank again. Helena seemed so small, yet she was always so strong. She braced herself, feeling like it would likely be a conversation full of boundaries and regrets.