Chapter 10 I Did Not Just Walk In On Him
I pushed open the office door without thinking.
Which was mistake number one.
Mistake number two was stepping inside.
Because Dominic Blackwood was standing in the middle of the room.
Without a shirt.
For a full two seconds my brain stopped working.
Completely.
He turned toward the door.
His expression immediately hardened.
"What are you doing?"
I froze.
My brain was still buffering.
There were... muscles.
A lot of muscles.
Which I absolutely should not be noticing.
"Oh my god!"
I spun around instantly and covered my eyes.
"I did not see anything!"
There was a long pause behind me.
Then Dominic's voice came out flat.
"You walked into my office."
"I thought it was the library!"
"This is clearly not the library."
"I realize that now!"
I heard the sound of fabric moving.
Which somehow made the situation worse.
My face felt extremely hot.
Okay Amelia.
Just walk out.
Leave.
Disappear.
Very simple plan.
I turned toward the door again.
And immediately bumped into someone standing there.
Ryan.
Of course it was Ryan.
He looked between me and Dominic.
Then his grin slowly grew.
"Oh this is interesting."
I pointed at him dramatically.
"You did not see anything either!"
Ryan walked into the room like this was the most entertaining moment of his day.
Sebastian appeared behind him in the hallway.
He leaned casually against the doorframe, clearly curious about the chaos.
Ryan looked at Dominic.
Then at me.
Then back at Dominic.
"Did she just walk in on you?"
"No," Dominic said coldly.
Ryan blinked.
"She absolutely did."
"I did not!" I said quickly.
Ryan raised an eyebrow.
"So you didn't just scream?"
"That was a surprised reaction!"
Ryan looked very amused.
Sebastian stayed quiet but his eyes moved between all of us.
Dominic buttoned his shirt with slow controlled movements.
His expression looked extremely unimpressed.
Ryan crossed his arms.
"You know, most people knock."
"I thought it was the library!" I repeated.
Ryan nodded.
"Of course."
Dominic finished buttoning the shirt and looked directly at me.
"You should knock before entering rooms."
"I will knock forever from now on."
Ryan snorted.
Sebastian finally spoke.
"That seems wise."
I pointed at the door.
"Okay great conversation everyone I am leaving now."
I started backing toward the hallway.
Ryan moved aside dramatically.
"Careful Amelia."
"Why?"
"You might accidentally walk into another shirtless billionaire."
I stared at him.
"That is not funny."
Ryan grinned.
"It is a little funny."
I escaped into the hallway before anyone could make the situation worse.
My face still felt warm.
Behind me I heard Ryan laughing.
Sebastian's quieter voice followed.
And Dominic saying something that sounded very much like a warning.
I leaned against the wall for a second.
"Oh my god."
Then I noticed something.
Noah was standing a few feet away.
Watching me.
Of course he was.
I straightened quickly.
"Okay."
I pointed at him.
"That never happened."
Noah blinked slowly.
Then he walked over and grabbed my hand.
Like it was the most normal thing in the world.
My brain immediately forgot about the embarrassing office incident.
"You are holding my hand."
He did not let go.
I smiled.
"Alright."
I squeezed his hand gently.
"Let's go build something."
Noah nodded.
And together we walked back toward the living room.
Meanwhile somewhere behind us Ryan Whitmore was probably still laughing about the situation.
Which was honestly very rude.
But also completely expected.