Chapter 22
WORTH
Mya’s eyes widen even further, horror written all over her face and she shifts in my grip. I tighten my palm against her lips, lowering my head.
“Quiet,” I murmur, low enough that only she can hear.
Her lashes flutter, breath hot against my hand. My cock stirs again despite the situation—because of the situation. Having her caged against me, both of us forced into silence while her colleagues speculate outside the door…
The women move toward the sinks. “I’m just gonna fix my lipstick before I start looking like a melted wax figure.”
Jovana, the junior architect on our team, snorts. “Honestly, same. My mascara is probably halfway down my cheeks by now.”
A pause, then she lowers her voice conspiratorially. “Still… Mya disappearing at the same time as Worth? Suspicious.”
“Oh, stop,” Seraya whispers back, laughing. “She probably stepped out for air. God knows I would if I were working that closely with him every day.”
“True,” Jovana replies, water running briefly. “Okay, I’m good. Let’s find the others.”
Their footsteps fade toward the exit and the door swings shut behind them.
Only then do I ease my hand away, dragging my thumb slowly from Mya’s bottom lip. Her breath shudders out.
“See what you do to me, Mya?” I whisper, taking her hand and putting it on my hardening crotch. “Even the thought of someone finding us isn’t enough to make me stop wanting you.”
That molten, sultry look that had me ready to lose control suddenly hardens into something distant, and a wall slams down between us.
“We said just this once, Worth.” Mya’s voice is steady despite her body still trembling against mine. “Please… Keep your word.”
For a second, my jaw locks so tight I’m sure I’ll crack a tooth. I’m angry. Not at her, but at myself. Because she’s right. I promised one time.
Still, it doesn’t stop the sting. Doesn’t stop the need clawing at me to pull her back in, to remind her that what we just shared was anything but forgettable.
Instead, I nod once, shoving every ounce of fury and desire back down.
Mya slips out of the stall, straightening her dress with shaking hands, leaving me in the wreckage of my own restraint.
When I make it back to the main area of the club, my employees are clustered by the bar, drinks in hand. It’s time for me to go. I stride over, ready to say my goodbyes.
Ethan spots me first. He slaps a hand on my shoulder, and irritation flares hot in my chest.
I really want to fire this little fucker.
“What’s up, Mr. Mills. You missed all the fun,” he slurs, words barely coherent.
Mr. Mills. My jaw ticks. He’s going to get an earful tomorrow when he’s sober.
“I was at the back talking to Mr. Tan,” I say casually. “I’m calling it a night. I better not see any of you hungover tomorrow.”
They all groan, laugh, and promise they’ll be fine. I nod. My gaze skims over them and lands on Mya. She’s trying very hard not to meet my eyes.
Just as I turn to leave, movement behind the bar snags my attention. A flash of short, glossy black hair. Familiar features that freeze me in place.
No, it can’t be.
But when the person lifts their head and our eyes meet, I know it’s her. Her gaze widens for the briefest second before she masks it with that million-dollar smile. The one she always used like a weapon.
She leans into the man beside her, murmurs something, then slips away. And then she’s rounding the bar, coming straight for me.
No. Fuck no.
But it’s too late for me to walk out without making a scene.
“Worth, darling. Long time no see!”
“Vanessa,” I bite out. She steps into my space, arms open, and hugs me. I stand stiff, not returning it.
Her smile doesn’t falter, even though my eyes are shooting daggers.
“How have you been? How’s Brianna?” she asks, as if she didn’t threaten to take me to court only a few weeks ago.
“Leave, Vanessa.”
She tilts her head, feigning a pout. “Come on, Worth. It’s been years. We need to catch up. Properly.”
My teeth grind so hard my temples ache. She’s talking to me like nothing happened.
Rage churns hot in my veins until my eyes catch Mya’s. Concern is etched all over her face. She tilts her head, silently asking if I’m okay.
Just like that, the fury eases. The storm inside me dulls, replaced with the memory of her lips, her laugh, the way she tastes. Like an anchor.
“I didn’t know you were in Singapore,” I say flatly, glancing at the man she was with. “What brings you here?”
“Oh, just an Asian tour with my business partner.” She smiles sweetly.
Business partner, my ass.
Her eyes look past me, lingering deliberately on Mya who’s moved closer, then drifting to my colleagues, and the women around me, her smile morphing into a sneer.
“Funny seeing you all the way out here, in another country, surrounded by beautiful women.” Her eyes return to mine. “Staying true to your blue collar playboy ways, I see.”
The implication hangs between us—poisonous, and intentional. And I know, with absolute clarity, that she said it hoping it would trigger me.
“Left our daughter at home while you’re out here trying out the country’s delicacies?”
I’m ready to explode when Mya steps forward, cutting through the tension. My employees are too occupied to even notice the conversation over the music and chaos.
“Brianna is doing great and is with her nanny right now. We’re on a business trip,” she says crisply, extending her hand. “I’m Mya. Worth’s girlfriend.”
The world tilts. I see the shock on Vanessa’s face—which mirrors how I feel. But I keep my face unreadable.
Girlfriend? When minutes ago she was worried about colleagues speculating? I look at her, brow furrowed. But Mya just nods, mouthing trust me.
And I do.
“Well, tell my daughter I’ll be seeing her soon,” Vanessa says to me, ignoring Mya’s hand.
“No, you won’t,” I snap.
“Worth, I’m her mo—”
“Enough, Vanessa.” My voice is steel. “I already told you that if you want to talk about Brianna, you can contact my lawyer.”
Vanessa huffs, venom flashing in her eyes. “Fine.”
She stalks off, leaving me staring after her, Mya’s hand in mine.
I release it and step back. “I have to go.” Before she can answer, I’m already walking away.
“Worth—” Her voice catches, but I don’t stop.
The air outside slams into me like a wall, hot and humid, though still easier to breathe than the suffocating tension back inside. I wave at our driver, and he immediately pulls the car around. My pulse is hammering when I sink into the leather seat.
“Hotel,” I order.
The car eases forward, and I glance back at the glowing club doors.
Mya bursts through them, curls bouncing as she scans the street. She looks small under the neon lights, shoulders tight. For a second, I almost tell the driver to stop and let me out.
But I can’t. I want to be with her, but I also need to be alone.
The last person I expected to see tonight was Vanessa.
The fact that she’s in Singapore feels like some cruel joke. I knew she was in Asia—my PI had last reported her in Tokyo months ago—but what are the odds she’d be here, of all places, the same time as me?
After years of nothing but absence, she dares to ask about our daughter like she didn’t abandon her?
I glance out the tinted window again. Mya is still standing there, eyes locked on the car as it drives farther away. A second later, Seraya comes out and joins her, leading her to the other town car.
I rest my head back, a bitter laugh rumbling low in my throat.
When I finally reach the hotel, I don’t linger in the lobby. I head straight to my suite.
The second the door clicks shut behind me, I lean back against it, dragging a hand down my face. I need a goddamn minute to breathe.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I’m about to throw it onto the bed when I see the message.
Mya:
I’ll do it.
My heart rate races.
Do what?
Mya:
Your arrangement. I’m in.
Are you serious?
You don’t have to, Mya. It was stupid and entitled of me to ask.
Mya:
I want to help.
I don’t know what to say.
Her reply is instant.
Mya:
You can start by saying thank you.
Words aren’t enough to express how much this means to me, but I do as she says.
Something in my chest starts to loosen as I let out a rough exhale.
Mya:
Are you okay?
I hesitate. My instinct is to brush her off, keep the armor intact.
I’m fine.
Mya:
It’s okay not to be okay, Worth.
My jaw clenches. She’s right, but I’ve spent my entire adult life pretending I was made of steel—for Brianna, for myself, for this company. Weakness has never been an option.
I just can’t believe she’s going to barge back into Brianna’s life just like that. I don’t want her near my daughter, she’s already hurt her enough.
I stare at the words after I send them. I shouldn’t be admitting this shit to her.
Mya:
I don’t know how it feels to be a single parent, but from what I’ve seen, you’re doing great, Worth. And I’m sure anyone can see that.
I let out a low breath, sinking onto the bed. Her response is like a balm I didn’t ask for but need anyway.
Thanks for the kind words, Ms. Jones. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were complimenting me.
Mya:
Complimenting your parenting, not you. Don’t get it twisted, Mr. Miller.
A smirk tugs at my mouth despite myself.
I like it when you call me that…
Mya:
I know…
That makes me pause.
How?
Mya:
Your face does this thing where it looks like you’re holding yourself back, and your breathing stutters.
Christ. She’s been watching me that closely?
Seems like you’ve been observing me quite a lot.
Mya:
Maybe. It does help that I have to see your annoying face every day.
You’re free to quit, Ms. Jones.
Mya:
And leave Griffin and Ethan? I could never
That smirking wink makes jealousy coil in my chest.
Mya.
Mya:
Worth.
Where are you?
There’s a pause this time. Long enough that I feel my pulse spike.
Mya:
In Ethan’s room.
The world tilts.
What the fuck, Mya?
What are you doing there?
That’s it. He’s getting fired after this trip.
My grip on the phone is white-knuckled.
Mya:
I’M JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I growl low in my throat, scrubbing a hand over my face.
Not fucking funny.
I’m still firing him for putting me through distress.
Mya:
A playboy AND a drama queen? Wow.
My cock twitches at the bratty tone I can practically hear in her texts.
I ought to punish you for the way you talk to me.
Mya:
I’d like to see you try.
I’ll take that as a challenge.