Page 28 of In Bed with the Ice Queen

Sloane shifted her weight from one foot to the other, glancing at the boat’s railing. “It’s just...a lot of moving parts,” she replied finally, her voice measured. “But I’m confident we’ll reach an agreement.”

Helena felt her curiosity piqued. “What do you think we need to focus on for this merger to succeed?” Sloane looked up, her eyes locking with Helena's. “Communication is key,” she stated, her tone steady. “If we want this merger to be successful, we must ensure both sides feel heard and valued.”

“Exactly,” Charles chimed in, clearly impressed. “That’s exactly the mindset we need.”

Helena nodded, but she noticed Sloane's face soften just for a moment, a tiny crack in her stoic demeanor. “You have a good point, Sloane. I hope we can work closely together to make this transition smooth.”

“Absolutely,” Sloane said simply, lowering her gaze.

The conversation continued, but Helena couldn’t help stealing glances at Sloane. She couldn’t figure this woman out. Who was she really? Determined not to let her unease show, Helena laughed at jokes she barely heard as the group lightened the mood around them.

“Alright, everyone!” Charles said, drawing everyone’s attention back to him. “Let’s head inside, enjoy some fondue, and wrap this up with a toast to our future.”

Helena felt a swirl of excitement and apprehension. As they all began to move inside, she took a last look at the ocean and then at Sloane. For once, she saw a glimmer of understanding in Sloane’s eyes as they made brief contact.

12

SLOANE

Sloane sat at a long wooden table below deck, feeling the sway of the boat as it bobbed on the waves. The air smelled of melted cheese mixed with spices. The glow from the candles flickering around the table added a cozy charm to the room, and a big pot of fondue was melted in the center.

Around her, higher-ups from Thompson Industries mingled with the team from Wolfe Enterprises. Sloane’s eyes darted from one person to another, absorbing the atmosphere. She twirled a strand of hair, something she did when she was nervous. Her iPad rested in front of her, open and ready for notes, marking her as the diligent corporate lawyer she was trained to be.

“Okay, team,” Charles said, leaning back in his chair, “let’s talk timelines. Helena, any updates from your end?” His voice was steady, controlling as he directed the conversation.

Helena sat nearly at the head of the table. Her hair was pulled back tightly, and a sharp, businesslike demeanor surrounded her today more than ever. It was an interesting contrast from the intimacy they had shared. This was a woman of power. But behind her cool exterior, Sloane sensed something deeper. A loneliness that seemed to be masked.

Sloane couldn’t shake off the memories of the previous nights, where the two of them—Helena and herself—had ended up sharing a bed and an intense passion, that was incomparable to anything Sloane could remember sharing with anyone else. The warmth of their closeness had felt comforting, but now it felt tangled and confusing. She tried to remember the last time she was in a situation of hiding a romance. High school, maybe? Sloane knew Helena’s fear of coming out and desperation to remain professional was always going to stifle them and it bothered her.

“Right, so we’re aiming for closing the deal in six weeks,” Helena replied, her tone clipped yet professional as she expertly dipped a piece of bread into the cheese. “With the current financials, I believe we can make that happen.”

The group nodded, but Sloane noticed the way some of the Thompson Industries executives exchanged glances, uncertainty flashing in their eyes. Sloane felt her heart tighten at the sight. Could anyone really trust Helena Wolfe? They’d discussed this merger so much, but had they really taken the time to understand who they were working with?

“Helena,” Sloane ventured softly, her voice breaking through the tension that hung in the air. “Do you ever feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders?” She searched Helena’s eyes for a glimpse of vulnerability.

For a second, the room held its breath. Charles raised an eyebrow, obviously surprised by Sloane’s directness. Some of the team from Thompson Industries glanced at each other, curiosity creeping into their expressions. Did they really think that Helena was just a hard-nosed businesswoman?

But before Helena could respond, Charles cleared his throat and smiled. “Now, now, Sloane. Helena is doing an excellent job running Wolfe Enterprises. This isn’t the time for doubts whenwe’re so close to finalizing everything.” He took a quick sip of his drink, dismissing the moment with a wave of his hand.

Sloane felt a flicker of disappointment. It was as if Charles had put up a wall between her and Helena, blocking the chance for real conversation. She glanced back at Helena, who was now staring into the fondue pot as if the swirling cheese held the answers to life’s questions.

“It’s not about doubts, Charles,” Sloane countered carefully, her heart racing. “I just believe that opening up can help us navigate challenges better. Particularly in a merger like this.”

Helena looked up, a hint of surprise crossing her face. “And open up to who, exactly?”

Her voice was cold, but Sloane detected a flicker of something. Perhaps it was defiance or fear.

“Us,” Sloane urged, her heart pounding with emotion. “What we’re doing here, it’s going to impact so many lives. I know you’re under a lot of pressure. Everyone sees it. Maybe sharing some concerns could bring us closer together.”

The table was silent, and everyone’s curiosity was piqued. Sloane noticed a few raised eyebrows, and she held her breath, hoping Helena would respond. She could only hear the ship’s gentle swaying.

Then, to Sloane’s relief, Helena sighed and leaned back into her chair. “You’re right, Sloane. It’s just…” She paused, her gaze drifting to where the waves lapped against the boat. “I sometimes feel like I can’t afford to be vulnerable. Not with my father’s expectations looming over me.”

A shift occurred in the room. Sloane could feel it. The load of expectations were laid out and bare finally. Even Charles seemed taken aback, understanding now what Sloane had been trying to express about Helena.

“I can understand that,” Sloane said gently. “We all have someone watching us, someone whose opinion we value. You don’t have to carry that alone, though.”

The other members of Wolfe Enterprises exchanged quieter looks, glimmers of empathy shining in their eyes now. For the first time, it felt like they were really listening.

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