After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 172

"I'm going to give you the kind of wedding people dream about, and after that, you'll be completely mine." His words were steady and deep, leaving no room for doubt.

Catherine blinked. For a moment, she felt like the center of his world, cherished in a way she’d never known before.

She hugged him tight, pressing her face against his chest and closing her eyes. "Okay."

That night, she slept better than she had in ages. She didn't notice the sound of water running in the bathroom late at night. Lawrence was in there, trying his own way to calm the fire burning inside him.

***

The next morning, she woke up nestled in Lawrence’s arms. She snuggled closer to him, her face brushing against his chest. Lawrence opened his eyes too.

"You're awake?" he murmured, looking down at her.

Catherine hid her face, cheeks warm with embarrassment. Nothing had happened the night before, but she couldn’t help thinking about how strong Lawrence was, and how… well, just how overwhelming he could be.

Before she could talk herself out of it, Catherine leaned up and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. "I’m going back to my room to get ready."

That little move sent Lawrence’s heart racing. He took a breath, pulled himself together, and got out of bed.

Susan didn’t show up that morning, so Lawrence took Catherine to breakfast at a cozy café nearby before driving her to Nexus Dynamics.

Walking into the lobby, Catherine glanced at the directory beside the elevators. Her eyes lingered on the floor for the executive offices. She couldn’t help but wonder, who was the boss behind all this? Why did he seem to value her so much? Was she really worth that kind of recognition?

She trusted her abilities, but she knew that if someone was willing to pay her well, she had to deliver.

Magee turned to Catherine. "The company is making Project Apex a top priority. You’re in charge. Build your R&D team however you want. You’ll report directly to me. Owen will support you fully and join your team."

Catherine felt a surge of confidence. She nodded, her eyes bright. "Thank you for trusting me. I’ll do everything I can to lead the team and make real progress."

"That’s what I want to hear." Magee smiled. They talked through equipment needs and recruiting for the team. When Catherine suggested bringing in her Resonance AI Team, Magee agreed right away.

The company would give her a whole floor just for her project, filled with the best equipment available. At the end of the meeting, Magee added, "The CEO said the project comes first, and whatever you need will be taken care of."

Catherine blinked in surprise. That kind of authority was almost unheard of. It felt like they were giving her her own mini research company.

Whoever the CEO was, he was showing her an incredible amount of trust and support. It was hard not to feel special.