Chapter 13 UNEXPECTED NEWS
The sunlight slipped through the curtains in streaks across the hotel suite.
Ryan was staring at the ceiling for a moment before memory returned fully, last night had been amazing.
The warmth beside him distracted him first. Marie was still asleep, turned slightly away from him beneath the sheets, dark hair spread loosely across the pillow. The dress from last night lay discarded near the couch.
Ryan watched her quietly for a second.
Something felt different with Marie. He wondered if the feelings were new or just something locked away that got unchained.
Marie stirred slightly before opening her eyes slowly.
For a brief second, confusion crossed her face. Seeing him, she flushed. She felt a panging sensation down there, reminding her of what had happened.
Ryan leaned back slightly against the headboard. “Good morning, beautiful.”
Marie immediately pulled the sheet up slightly higher.
“That was a mistake.”
“Was it?”
Marie groaned softly and rubbed her face. “Why are you awake already?”
“I didn’t sleep much.”
She looked over at him again.
Ryan looked composed for someone who was drunk. She wondered if it was a ploy to fuck her.
His hair was slightly messy now, shoulders bare above the sheets.
Still attractive. Marie looked away before he caught her staring.
Ryan noticed.
“You were looking, want more….”
“We have work to do.”
Ryan laughed quietly under his breath before getting out of bed.
There were several faint scars along his back she just noticed. She knew that had been her doing.
Ryan picked up his trousers calmly.
“This is awkward.”
“It’s not. Adults fuck”
Ryan buttoned his shirt halfway before glancing toward her again.
“Do you regret it?”
Marie hesitated.
He looked at her carefully. Marie sighed softly. “I just didn’t expect this.”
“Neither did I…..but shit happens”
Silence settled briefly.
Then Ryan walked toward the minibar counter and poured water into two glasses. Ryan handed her one glass. She accepted the water gulping it down.
Ryan leaned lightly against the counter afterward.
“You’re not going to work today.”
Marie frowned immediately. “Excuse me?”
“I’m relieving you of your duties for today. You need rest.”
“I’m fine.”
Ryan looked unconvinced.
She looked down into her glass. “And what about you?”
“I’m going home first, work later”
Marie finally slipped out of bed afterward, gathering her clothes carefully.
Ryan looked at her, eyes filled with passion.
Marie noticed him staring through the mirror.
“You’re looking .”
Ryan sighed. “We literally fucked”
She dragged her clothes covering herself with the duvet, then went into the bathroom. Ryan couldn't contain the laughter.
After dressing up, Ryan offered to take her home.
Marie declined so he ordered a cab for her.
At the hotel entrance, Ryan adjusted his watch while Marie fixed her hair.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay getting home?.....I can drive you” he said.
Marie looked offended. “Don’t bother.”
“That wasn’t the question.”
She looked at him briefly.
Ryan held her gaze steadily.
Marie looked away. “I’ll be fine.”
Then after a pause:
“Marie.”
She looked back up.
“Last night…”
He stopped.
“We’ll figure it out later.”
He opened the car door of the waiting cab for her. “Drive safe”, he instructed the driver.
Marie smiled as she got inside.
Ryan watched the cab disappear into traffic afterward.
Jace answered the phone call abruptly.
Across his office desk, reports stacked up while the city skyline stretched behind him through the massive windows.
Jace poured himself another drink before speaking again.
“So you’re certain?”
The voice on the phone answered calmly through the speaker.
“Mr Montague is leaning toward Ryan’s side heavily.”
Jace’s expression darkened.
“How?”
“Apparently the dinner went well.”
Jace laughed once under his breath.
It was cold and humourless.
“Interesting.”
“You should move quickly.”
“I know.”
The call ended.
Jace tossed the phone onto the desk.
Ryan securing a contract that size would strengthen the construction division immediately.
And worse, it would make his father notice.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
“Come in.”
The door opened carefully.
A young woman stepped inside carrying folders against her chest.
Probably mid-twenties.
“Sir,” she said softly. “These came from the legal department.”
Jace looked at her briefly.
It was a new face.
“Intern?”
“Yes.”
He leaned back slightly in his chair. “Name?”
“Sophie.”
Jace watched her for another second longer. He looked at her as if she was prey.
He stood slowly.
She immediately stiffened slightly.
Jace took the folders from her casually before placing them on the desk behind him.
Then he looked back at her again.
“You seem nervous.”
“I’m not.”
She forced a small smile.
Jace moved closer slowly.
Sophie swallowed lightly.
“Do you know who I am?”
“Yes sir.”
“And what have you heard?”
Her hesitation amused him already.
“Nothing bad”
“That’s a lie.”
Jace reached up lightly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
She froze immediately.
“Relax.”
“I should probably get back downstairs.”
“Stay”, he ordered.
Sophie looked up at him uncertainly.
Jace smiled faintly.
“You’re pretty.”
“Thank you.”
She looked trapped already.
Jace enjoyed that look a lot.
“Do you want to enjoy your stay here with additional benefits?”
Her expression changed. There it was.
Fear.
Jace tilted her chin upward gently.
“You can help me out though….will you?”
Before she could answer, he kissed her hungrily.
Sophie hesitated only a second before responding.
Jace smirked slightly against her mouth.
“Why don't you show me what your mouth can do?”he said, pulling back his lips from hers.
She understood immediately, packing her hair into a bun, she knelt. Unzipping his trousers, she brought out his member and took it in her mouth.
Jace let out a moan, “Good bitch…..go faster”
She quickened her pace, almost gagging but continued anyway.
A knock interrupted them suddenly, then someone barged inside.
It was Lisa
Seeing the scene in front of her, she froze.
Sophie immediately stepped away from Jace.
Lisa’s eyes moved between them slowly.
“Well,” she muttered bitterly. “That explains a lot.”
Jace looked entirely unbothered. “What do you want?”
Lisa stared at him in disbelief. “Seriously?”
“You interrupted my meeting.”
“How could you do this to us?”she said, almost moved to tears.
“You cheated on your ex. I didn't complain”
“Well, you weren't picking my calls and I came to tell you that….”, she hesitated. “I’m pregnant.”
There was silence followed by Jace's laughter
“That’s unfortunate.”
Lisa blinked slowly. “Unfortunate?”
“You’ll handle it.”
Her face hardened immediately. “Are you serious right now?”
Jace walked back toward his desk calmly. “Completely.”
“It’s yours.”
“Is it?”
Lisa looked like he slapped her.
“You think I’m lying? You asshole.”
“Careful.”
“You promised me.”
“That was your first mistake.”
Her eyes glistened briefly with anger more than sadness. “You’re disgusting.”
Lisa looked toward Sophie briefly.
Then laughed bitterly.
“Oh,” she muttered. “You replaced me huh.”
Jace smirked slightly. “You were never in the picture to start with ”
That one landed.
Lisa grabbed her purse sharply.
“You’ll regret this.”
She stared at him one final second before storming out.
The door slammed behind her.
Sophie looked deeply uncomfortable now.
Jace leaned back in his chair again calmly.
“Where were we?”
