Chapter 16 Emily
I wake up, disoriented, my cheek pressed against something warm and solid. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust, and when they do, I realize I’m nestled against Andrew’s chest, his strong arms wrapped around me.
His chest rises and falls as he breathes steadily, the faint scent of his cologne mixed with something purely him—masculine, familiar, intoxicating.
Oh God. My heart pounds as the events of last night come rushing back, and I want to scream. What the hell was I thinking?
I replay everything in my mind, the way I crept down the hall, tiptoeing to Andrew’s room after hearing him cry out in his sleep.
I remember standing by his bed, his face twisted in anguish, the sound of his ragged breathing. I’d shaken him gently, whispering his name, trying to wake him from whatever nightmare had its grip on him.
And then he’d pulled me into his bed, his arms tight around me, like he was drowning and I was the only thing keeping him afloat. I should have stopped it, should have stepped back, but instead, we kissed.
And once his lips were on mine, every rational thought evaporated.
I was so aroused, so desperate for him, that nothing—absolutely nothing—could have made me leave. The way he held me, the heat of his mouth, the urgency in his touch. I didn’t think, I just felt.
But now, in the cold light of morning, my heart is thudding for a different reason. The reality of what we did crashes over me, and I can’t breathe.
He was obviously reacting to his nightmare, needing something, someone, to hold onto. But what was my excuse? Why did I let it happen?
Oh my God . Shame surges through me, burning hot. I can’t bear the thought of facing him when he wakes up. What will he think of me? That I took advantage of a vulnerable moment ?
Slowly, carefully, I pry myself out of his hold, moving inch by inch, trying not to wake him. His arm tightens around me for a moment, and I freeze, my breath catching.
But then he shifts, and I manage to slip free, tiptoeing out of his room like a thief in the night.
Back in my own room, I practically dive into the shower, letting the hot water cascade over me, hoping it will wash away the embarrassment, the confusion.
I scrub at my skin, trying to erase last night. I dress quickly, my heart still racing, and grab my bag. I need to get out of here, need to put as much distance as possible between me and Andrew.
By the time I arrive at the office, my mind is still a chaotic mess. I pull out my phone and, without thinking, dial Lisa’s number. She picks up on the third ring, her voice groggy.
“You better have a good reason for calling me so early,” she says with a yawn.
“I did something stupid,” I blurt out, my voice loud and laced with panic.
“Uh-oh, spill,” Lisa says, suddenly sounding more awake.
I take a deep breath and recount the whole thing to her—how I’d gone to check on Andrew, how he’d pulled me into bed, how we’d kissed and… everything that followed.
By the time I finish, my hands are shaking. I brace myself, expecting her to scold me, to tell me how reckless and irresponsible I’d been.
But instead, she bursts out laughing. “Way to go, girl! It was about time you removed those cobwebs.”
“Lisa, I’m serious!” I say, exasperated. “This is a business marriage. We’re not supposed to be having sex.”
“I don’t see why not,” she says, completely nonchalant. “He’s your husband, isn’t he? Sex comes with the territory.”
I shouldn’t have expected any different from the woman who treats one-night stands as casually as changing her underwear. “Lisa, this is different. This isn’t a real marriage. We have rules, boundaries—”
“Stop overthinking it,” she interrupts, a teasing edge in her voice. “Andrew is hot as hell, and if I were in your shoes, I’d be enjoying that hot body every night. You’ve got a golden ticket, Em. Enjoy the ride.”
She’s not getting it. “It’s not just the physical aspect I’m worried about,” I admit, my voice quieter now. “What if I fall for him?”
Lisa goes silent for a moment, and when she speaks again, her tone is serious. “You won’t. You can’t. That’s the fastest route to getting hurt, and you know it. Keep your emotions out of this, Em.”
“Easier said than done,” I mutter, knowing she’s right but also knowing how hard it will be to follow that advice.
There’s a pause, then she says cheerfully, “Don’t forget yoga today! You could use the zen after your wild night.” She laughs, and before I can respond, she hangs up.
Maybe Lisa is right. Maybe I’m overthinking this. But there’s a sinking feeling in my gut that tells me last night wasn’t just a one-off moment of weakness.
My mind drifts back to Andrew, his arms around me, the way he held me like I was the only thing keeping him steady. The way his hands worked my body as if he was familiar with every nook.
I’ve never been that turned on. Never wanted someone as badly as I wanted Andrew. An ache forms between my legs from the memories. It was the hottest sex I’ve ever had.
I push away the memories but my body obviously has a mind of its own because it won’t let me forget. I’m so shameless and so wet right now. My breasts are heavy and I ache in my core.
Then, with a jolt of panic, I remember—I haven’t called my mother. Guilt floods me as I realize I’ve been so caught up in my own drama that I haven’t checked on my dad.
I find my mother’s number, my heart in my throat, and it feels like an eternity before she picks up .
“Emily,” she answers, her voice softer than usual, but there’s no immediate panic in her tone, and that gives me a sliver of hope.
“Morning Mom,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “How did Dad sleep last night?”
“He’s stable,” she says, and I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “The doctor was here earlier this morning. He explained that a coma brings down a person’s immunity, so he’s bound to catch a few infections. But they’re keeping a close eye on him, and the fever seems to be under control for now.”
Relief washes over me, but it’s quickly replaced by the familiar weight of worry. “That’s good to hear. That fever is worrying.”
“I know, sweetheart,” she says gently. “But the doctor thinks it’s manageable. We’re doing everything we can to keep him comfortable.”
I close my eyes, letting her words sink in. “Thank you, Mom. For everything. Please let me know if there’s any change, okay?”
“I will,” she promises, and then there’s a pause, like she’s considering saying something more. “Is everything okay with you?”
“I’m fine,” I lie, forcing a smile even though she can’t see it. “Just a lot on my plate right now.”
“I know,” she says softly, and I can hear the concern in her voice. “But don’t forget to take care of yourself, too.”
“I won’t,” I say, even though it feels like I’ve been doing anything but that. “I’ll check in later, okay?”
“Okay. Take care, Emily.”
I hang up, my heart still heavy but a little more settled knowing my father is stable. For now, at least. I lean back in my chair, staring up at the ceiling, and try to gather my thoughts.
There’s a knock on my office door, and I jump, my heart skipping a beat.
For a moment, I panic, thinking it might be Andrew, but then Catherine pokes her head in. “Hey, just a reminder that you have a meeting with the marketing team in thirty minutes. ”
“Thanks, Catherine,” I say, forcing a smile. “I’ll be ready.”
She nods and closes the door, and I take a moment to compose myself. I don’t have time to dwell on last night or the mess I’ve gotten myself into.
I have a business to run, a father to worry about, and a marriage that needs to stay strictly professional, no matter how complicated it’s gotten.
I power through the meeting with the marketing team, nodding and making notes, but my mind keeps drifting. I’m operating on autopilot, responding to their ideas, offering feedback, but barely processing a word they’re saying.
I just need to get through this day without falling apart.
As soon as the meeting wraps up, I return to my office, grateful for the brief moment of solitude. I’ve barely settled back at my desk, scanning through the revised marketing plan, when the intercom buzzes.
“Emily?” Catherine’s voice is calm, as usual. “Mr. Bennett is here to see you.”
I freeze, my heart lurching. Of course, Andrew would show up now, when my nerves are already frayed. “Please show him in,” I manage to say.
The door opens, and Andrew walks in, his expression unreadable. He’s dressed sharply, as always, but there’s a tension around his mouth that wasn’t there before.
As he strides across the room, I can’t help but notice the little details I probably shouldn’t—like how his dark brown hair curls slightly at the nape of his neck, or the way his shirt stretches over his broad shoulders.
Or how it felt to rake my fingers over his muscular chest.
God, get it together, Emily.
“Andrew,” I say, standing up and trying to act natural. “Have a seat. ”
He sits down across from me, his eyes briefly meeting mine before flicking away. “I wanted to discuss the Riviera Lakeside renovations,” he says, diving straight into business, his tone clipped.
I swallow, trying to push away the nervous energy twisting in my stomach. “Sure. What are your thoughts?”
“We need to revamp it completely,” he says, leaning back slightly. “The Lakeside is a prime location, but the facilities are outdated. If we’re going to attract high-end clients, we need to go big—modernize the rooms, upgrade the amenities, overhaul the design.”
I tense. Lakeside was my father’s first hotel. The one closest to my heart, just as it was close to his. I’m not ready to have it touched. Not yet.
“I understand where you’re coming from, but I think our priority should be the Army Base Riviera. It has the largest capacity, and updating it would give us the quickest boost in revenue,” I say trying to keep my tone neutral.
Andrew’s eyes narrow slightly, and the muscles in his jaw tighten. “I disagree. The Lakeside has more potential to draw in a higher-end clientele. We need to make a statement with our first renovation, and Lakeside is the place to do it.”
I can feel my own temper flaring up, but I try to keep my tone calm. “But the Army Base Riviera is bleeding money. If we don’t address it first, we’re going to keep losing revenue. We need to stabilize it before we take on a full revamp of the Lakeside.”
We go back and forth for a few minutes, our voices getting louder, each of us refusing to back down. I know he has a point, but so do I, and I can’t let him bulldoze me just because he’s used to taking charge.
Finally, Andrew lets out a sigh, his shoulders dropping slightly. “Fine. We’ll start with the Army Base Riviera. But I want the plans for Lakeside drawn up simultaneously. Once we start seeing a return, we move straight to that project.”
“Deal,” I say, a little surprised that he’s conceding so easily.
But before I can breathe a sigh of relief, Andrew leans forward, his eyes locking onto mine. “There’s one more thing we need to discuss. ”
I know immediately what he’s talking about, and my heart skips a beat.
“We should talk about last night,” he says.
“It was mistake,” I say quickly. “It shouldn’t have happened, and it won’t happen again.”
“Emily,” Andrew starts to say.
I glance down at my watch, desperately trying to end the confusion. “I have a meeting with the finance team in ten minutes,” I say, my voice a little too bright. It’s a hint, and we both know it.
Andrew stands up, smoothing down his jacket. “Of course,” he says, his voice flat. “We’ll talk later.”
I watch him walk out, the door clicking shut behind him, and my shoulders slump with relief. Talking about it will humiliate me further. Best to forget about it.