Page 15 of Secret Baby for a Damaged Billionaire

“Hey,” she says softly, her thumb gently brushing over my knuckles. “Don’t listen to Chloe. She doesn’t control me either. You don’t have to worry, okay? I’m not going anywhere.” I nod, the fear of abandonment clawing at my insides. “I promise,” she reassures me, her eyes never leaving mine.

Chapter Seven (Emily)

I sit in Lucas’s office, recalling our recent interaction here when I helped him come down from his panic attack, but this time it’s me with a phone pressed against my ear, trying to convince a potential client that our partnership would be beneficial. I feel Lucas’s eyes on me, tense and expectant. He wants this negotiation to go well—we both do.

“Absolutely, Mr. Chamime,” I say, injecting as much charm and confidence into my voice as possible. “Our combined efforts would create a synergy that’s unparalleled in the MMA industry. With our expertise in training top fighters and your marketing resources, the growth and visibility would be exponential.”

I glance at Lucas, who’s perched on the edge of his desk, arms crossed over his broad chest. His jaw is clenched, a subtle sign of his anxiety. It’s strange to see him like this, considering his usual unshakeable confidence. But this deal means a lot for his business growth into Dubai.

“Of course, Mr. Chamime,” I continue, scribbling notes on the pad in front of me. “We appreciate your concerns and will ensure all necessary precautions are taken to uphold the integrity of your brand. Our main goal is to raise visibility by winning, in all arenas.”

Lucas’s gaze never leaves me, but I can tell he’s impressed by the way he raises an eyebrow and nods subtly. I smile inwardly, knowing that my ability to navigate complex negotiations with finesse contrasts well with his no-nonsense military-trained mindset.

“Thank you, Mr. Charmime,” I say, cringing at my slight mispronunciation of his name, wrapping up the call. “We’ll have our proposal to you by tomorrow morning. Have a great day.”

I hang up the phone and let out a long breath, turning to face Lucas. The tension in the room seems to dissipate slightly now that the call is over. I feel a little proud of how it went, and I’m eager for his reaction.

“So, uh,” he begins, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. “You handled that like a pro.”

I beam at his praise, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. It’s nice to know that he appreciates my skills and trusts me to handle such an important call.

“Thanks, Lucas,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady despite the sudden flutter in my stomach. “That means a lot coming from you.”

He leans back against the desk, surveying me with admiration in his eyes. For a moment, the air between us feels charged, but I shake off the feeling, reminding myself of our promise to keep things professional.

“Let’s get to work on that proposal,” I suggest, picking up my pen again.

Lucas nods but then clears his throat with a slight smirk on his lips. “So, I had no idea we were branching out into the toilet paper industry with Mr. Charmin.”

My cheeks immediately flush as I recall the embarrassing name slip-up, but I can’t help but laugh. “Asshole.” I stand and throw my pen at him.

He catches it playfully, only making him more attractive.

“Alright, alright,” I concede, holding up my hands in mock surrender. “Everyone makes mistakes. And you can’t deny it’s not a bad product.”

“True,” he chuckles. “But you have to admit, it was pretty funny.”

“Only because you’re teasing me about it now,” I shoot back. Lucas raises an eyebrow, clearly enjoying himself. So, I continue. “And how does it feel to leave your military days behind and become a… super-soft toilet paper spokesperson? Your fighters can wear the logo on their rash guards.” I laugh at my own joke.

He holds back at first, turning red, but then his laughter booms through the office, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face at the sight of him doubled over, clutching his stomach. The sound is contagious, and soon we’re both laughing so hard that tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

“Alright, you got me there,” Lucas concedes, wiping away his tears. “But you have to admit, it would be quite the change of pace.”

“Definitely,” I agree, taking a deep breath to calm myself.

He suddenly becomes serious. “You’re amazing at what you do, and I’m glad we’re working together.” His eyes hold mine, gaze growing more intense.

The air between us crackles with electricity as he moves to lock the office door, the sound of fighters grappling on the mats in the background. I can feel my heart pounding, anticipation coursing through me as he turns back to face me.

“Emily,” he murmurs. “It might be time to break Chloe’s rules.”

He closes the distance between us in a heartbeat, and hovers in my personal space.

“I don’t know,” I tease. “She’s such a stickler for rules.”

“I used to be too,” he whispers, moving even closer. “But somehow, I’m ready to throw them out the window.”

I drop my papers onto the couch behind me and hold his gaze, waiting for his move.

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