Chapter 104
Chapter 104:
“Five more minutes,” Dallas grumbled. His voice was deep and rough with sleep, vibrating against her back. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and inhaled slowly, his nose brushing against her skin. “You smell like roses,” he murmured.
Eliza’s heart was racing so fast she was certain he could feel it against his arm.
“Dallas. Wake up. It’s morning,” she whispered.
“Morning, Wife,” he said. His voice was a low rumble against her spine, and the word landed not as a joke but as a simple statement of fact — the way one might say the sky is blue.
The word sent a shiver down her spine.
He finally opened his eyes. There was no grogginess. One second asleep, the next fully alert — blue eyes snapping open, clear and sharp.
He took in their position. He didn’t let go immediately.
Fiո𝘥 n𝘰𝘷е𝗹 𝖯DFѕ 𝘰ո ѕ.com
“Did I drag you in here?” A hint of amusement colored his voice.
“You held my hand hostage and I fell asleep,” she said, not wanting to admit she had eventually sought the warmth beneath the covers.
He smirked. “A clear case of unlawful imprisonment. I’ll have my lawyers contact yours p>
He released her. The loss of warmth was immediate and jarring.
Eliza scrambled out of bed. Her dress from the day before was badly rumpled.
“I need to go. Victoria,” she reminded herself, checking her phone. 6:30 AM.
“Shower first. There are clothes in your closet,” Dallas said, sitting up and rubbing his face.
Eliza went to her room — the sage green sanctuary. She opened the closet. It was fully stocked: dresses, blouses, jeans. Everything in her size. Everything her style.
She chose a simple, elegant blue dress. It fit perfectly.
When she came out, Dallas was waiting in the hall, dressed in a sharp charcoal suit, every inch the CEO of Koch Industries again. The vulnerable man from the night before was gone, armored back up.
But the dynamic had shifted. They had slept together — literally. And they both knew it.
They walked to the car in silence.
“Thank you,” she said quietly as they reached the driveway. “For the room. It’s beautiful p>
“It was empty. It needed a purpose,” he deflected, not looking at her.
He opened the passenger door of the Maybach.
“Tonight,” he said, leaning against the door frame, “I’m picking you up for the Sterling party. Seven o’clock p>
“I’ll be ready,” she agreed. She looked at him. “I’m done hiding p>
Dallas nodded, a flash of quiet satisfaction moving through his eyes. He closed the door.
The Maybach glided smoothly down the highway, its interior silent and sealed from the world outside.
Eliza’s phone rang, shattering the quiet. The screen flashed: Anson.
She sighed and pressed answer, putting it on speaker. Dallas glanced over from the driver’s seat.
“Where the hell are you? Victoria is asking for you,” Anson barked. His voice was tight, agitated.
“I’m at the gate, Anson. Stop shouting,” Eliza said calmly. Her voice was steady — bored, even.
“You weren’t in your room. The bed wasn’t slept in.” A beat. “Did you go to him?” Dallas gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles whitening.