Chapter 43
Aurora took the piece of bread from Lucas and took a small bite.
The warm, toasty flavor mixed with a subtle sweetness, instantly washing away the fatigue of working overtime.
Lucas watched her intently, his gaze soft and gentle, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.
The last rays of sunlight filtered through the glass windows, casting a golden glow over his sharp features, making him look even more striking.
The faint scent of his cologne, mingling with the rich aroma of coffee, created a calming and intoxicating presence.
With broad shoulders and a strong, upright posture, every inch of him exuded the quiet confidence of a mature man. “You got this from downstairs?”
Aurora swallowed her bite and looked up at him, hint of surprise in her voice.
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Lucas nodded, a trace of warmth flickering in his deep–set eyes.
“I was going to come straight up, but I saw a few of your coworkers still around. I figured you wouldn’t want the attention, so I went to grab some coffee and pastries first–thought you might be hungry.”
As he spoke, he pulled out another cup of coffee from the paper bag, popped the lid, and pushed it toward her.
“Drink it while it’s hot.”
“Thanks.”
Aurora murmured her gratitude before turning back to her work.
Pulling up Vanguard’s past projects, she carefully examined their design philosophy, target clientele, and operational models. She cross–referenced the information with existing data, refining her proposal with each adjustment.
Time slipped away unnoticed.
Finally, she entered the last piece of data
saved the final version of her proposal.
Letting out a long breath, she closed her laptop and turned, ready to wake Lucas.
But when she looked over, she realized he had fallen asleep in his chair.
His head was tilted back slightly, exposing the defined curve of his jawline.
Aurora stood there for a moment, simply watching him. A gentle warmth spread through her chest.
She quietly stepped closer, her eyes tracing over his features.
His thick eyelashes cast faint shadows under his eyes. His straight nose, relaxed lips, and the effortless charm he carried, even
in sleep, made it hard to look away.
Before she realized it, her fingers had already lifted, moving toward his face as if drawn by an invisible force.
Just as her fingertips were about to graze his skin, Lucas‘ eyes suddenly snapped open.
Lucas caught Aurora Walton’s hand in his warm palm, enveloping her cool fingertips in a gentle but firm grip. A tingling sensation coursed through her at the unexpected touch.
His eyes, still laced with drowsiness from his brief nap, were deep and captivating.
“Did I wake you?” Aurora asked softly, her heartbeat quickening.
Lucas shook his head, but he didn’t release her hand.
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Chapter 43
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“No, I just woke up.”
His voice was low and rich, carrying a hint of huskiness from sleep making it even more magnetic.
Sitting up straight, he gazed at her with quiet warmth. “Finished with the proposal?”
Aurora nodded. “Yeah, just now.”
A faint smile tugged at Lucas‘ lips, the kind that felt effortlessly reassuring.
“Good work.”
He stood up and stretched, his broad shoulders and tall frame appearing even more striking under the soft office lighting.
The subtle scent of his cologne, mixed with the lingering aroma of coffee, drifted around Aurora, wrapping her in an inexplicable sense of calm.
“Let’s go.”
Without hesitation, Lucas took her hand naturally, leading her out of the office.
The hallway was silent, the only sound being the crisp click of Aurora’s heels against the floor.
Trailing slightly behind him, she watched the way his long strides carried him forward, his posture effortlessly composed.
An unexpected sense of security settled in her chest.
Just as they exited the office, a shadowy figure lurking nearby discreetly pressed the camera button on their phone. The image of the two walking hand in hand was frozen on the screen.
Meanwhile, Lucas‘ black Maybach cruised smoothly through the night, the soft scent of leather lingering in the air. Glancing at Aurora, he tilted his head slightly, the glow of passing streetlights accentuating the sharp lines of his face. “Do you want to go home, or should we go somewhere else?” His tone was casual, but there was an unmistakable hint of anticipation in his voice.
