Page 22 of Stuck with My Billionaire Protector

Mr. Shin, resplendent in his tailored suit, approaches us with eyes twinkling mischievously and a warm smile. His gaze flickers between Jocelyn and me as he suggests, “Mr. Chase, why don’t you ask Ms. Mitchell to dance?”

I glance at Jocelyn. Our eyes meet for a brief moment, and we silently acknowledge the complexity of our situation. With a nod, I turn to Mr. Shin and put on a congenial smile. “Of course, Mr. Shin. It would be my pleasure.”

“Jocelyn, may I have this dance?” I ask, extending my hand toward her.

“Of course, M— um… I mean Dylan. I’d love to dance.” She places her hand in mine, and her touch ignites a spark that sends a jolt of electricity coursing through my veins. We step onto the dance floor, surrounded by twirling couples and the gentle strains of a romantic melody.

The moment my hand finds its place on Jocelyn’s waist, I’m acutely aware of the space between us and the delicate balance we must maintain. We move with practiced grace, our steps in sync with the rhythm of the music. Conversations around us blur into background noise, and it feels as though it’s just the two of us locked in a delicate dance of emotions.

“Quite the charade we’ve got going on,” I whisper, the words escaping before I can filter them.

Jocelyn’s eyes meet mine, and there is a hint of amusement in her gaze. “Indeed. It’s like we’re living in a romantic comedy.”

I chuckle softly, the sound mingling with the melody. “I suppose it is, but sometimes I can’t help wondering if there’s more to this than just a show.”

She bites her lip as a flicker of vulnerability crosses her features. “You and I both, Mr. Chase. However, we made a pact to keep our feelings in check in order to prioritize the business.”

I tighten my grip on her waist. “And we’ll honor that pact. We have a job to do, and we won’t let anything compromise our professionalism. Oh, and since we’re on that topic, you’ve got to remember to call meDylanin front of Mr. Shin.”

“I know… Dylan. It’s just a hard habit to break.”

Mr. Shin watches us from afar with a knowing glint in his eyes. It’s as if he’s keenly aware of the internal battle we are fighting in order to suppress the undeniable chemistry that crackles between us. His suggestion, innocent on the surface, carries an undercurrent of challenge—a test of our commitment to professionalism.

We fall silent as the dance progresses, seemingly content to just be in each other’s arms. I steal glances at Jocelyn, and I am captivated by her presence. Her eyes reflect the same mixture of longing and constraint that swirl within me.

The dance concludes, and I find myself being swept away by the moment and the way I feel when I hold her. It’s almost as though I’ve lost control of my body when I lift her face to mine and kiss her deeply. I do this in front of everyone. I can feel her heart racing as she kisses me back. Finally, we separate, returning to our respective places with a hint of relief and a trace of regret. The applause and chatter of the attendees fill the room, masking the tumultuous emotions that churn within me.

As the remainder of the evening progresses, we navigate through polite conversations and social pleasantries while maintaining the illusion of a contented couple. But beneath the surface, the battle rages on. Our hearts are torn between duty and desire, professionalism and passion.

Chapter 12

Jocelyn

AsDylanandIwalk back to our shared room, a lightness fills the air, carrying with it the echoes of laughter and the release of tension. After an initial stumble, the evening’s events have unfolded with surprising ease. We now find ourselves in the quietness of the night as the weight of our roles begins to dissipate.

With a hint of mirth dancing in our eyes, we exchange playful banter as the barriers between us gradually crumble in the wake of shared experiences. Perhaps it’s the lingering effects of a couple of drinks or the realization that the lines between pretense and genuine connection have blurred, but the space between us feels charged with a magnetic energy.

Once we arrive at our room, we pause for a moment, our laughter subsiding and our gazes lock. The air crackles with anticipation as the unspoken words hang between us like a delicate thread.

“I can’t believe we did it,” I say, a soft smile playing on my lips. “We survived the formalities, the dance, and everything else that was thrown at us.”

Dylan chuckles, his voice infused with a warmth that sends shivers down my spine. “Yes, we made quite the convincing couple, didn’t we? It’s been a wild ride.”

There’s a pause, a pregnant silence that hangs in the air as if both of us are waiting for something unspoken to take form. I’m acutely aware of the earlier kiss that passed between us, the undeniable spark that ignited between our lips.

“Do you remember the kiss?” I ask. My voice is barely above a whisper as my heart thuds in my chest.

A glimmer of mischief dances in Dylan’s eyes. “How could I forget? It was a moment of surrender amidst the chaos. A taste of something forbidden.”

My breath catches in my throat as my mind and heart wage a silent battle. The temptation to give in to the desires that simmer beneath the surface grows stronger, and the magnetism between us is undeniable.

Without conscious thought, our bodies inch closer, the space between us shrinking as if drawn by an invisible force. Our lips brush together in a tender, lingering kiss. The weight of our connection is palpable in the silence that follows.

The world around me grows distant, and I feel like I’m floating on air. My heart is pounding so hard that it’s threatening to burst through the skin of my chest. It feels as though I’ve found something I never knew was missing. He tastes incredible beneath the lingering traces of his lip balm, warm and spicy with a hint of mint.

For a long time, we just stand there, drinking each other in—measuring, weighing, and assessing—as our breathing grows more ragged and our hearts thunder in our chests. We’re inches from one another, but we don’t touch. We are holding ourselves at arm’s length like two strangers who have just met for the first time.

Dylan suddenly turns around, unlocks the door to the hotel room, takes my hand, and leads me inside.

---