Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1269

Emmy looked at him, feeling like a huge weight had finally been lifted from her heart.

She had always trusted James. There wasn’t a single doubt.

She slipped her arms around his neck and pressed her cheek against his chest. “Are you tired today?”

“Get some sleep. Tomorrow’s the real deal. It’s Janus Sphere Technologies’ big day,” James said, his voice low.

“Let’s hope everything goes well,” Emmy whispered.

James didn’t close his eyes. The hand that had been gently rubbing her back slid down to her waist, the warmth of his palm burning right through the silky fabric.

“I was tired,” he said quietly. “But holding you? All that tiredness just disappears.”

Before Emmy could answer, he rolled her under him.

He didn’t kiss her lips, maybe mindful of the alcohol on his breath, and pressed a careful kiss behind her ear. Then a trail of kisses down her neck and along her delicate collarbone, warm and soft, his breath rougher and quicker.

“Mmm…” A soft sound slipped from Emmy before she could catch herself. His fresh stubble scratched against her sensitive skin, sending a tremor through her whole body.

The urgency, the slightly rough affection, made her melt into him. James’s hands moved with purpose, every touch of his rough fingers sending sparks across her skin. Every kiss made him seem more lost in her, more desperate.

Emmy couldn’t take it. She clung to him, her fingers tangled in his short hair. “You…” She could barely catch her breath, her voice turned sweet and barely there. “Shouldn’t… shouldn’t we get a…?”

The end of her question was so quiet, it nearly vanished.

That was it. James froze. All movement stopped.

For a long while, nothing happened. Then suddenly he rolled over, letting go and lying beside her, breathing hard, trying to keep control. His voice was hoarse. “No. Tomorrow’s the opening ceremony. It’s livestreamed everywhere.”

“If I get started, I’m not stopping. And then you won’t be able to walk, let alone stand on stage.”

Emmy stared at him, speechless.

James reached back, hooking an arm around her to pull her into his chest again. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m going to collect what you owe me after this is all over. With interest.”

Emmy protested, gently punching his chest. “Since when do I owe you anything?”

“You started it! I was ready to go, and you’re the one who bailed!”

James laughed—a real laugh, soft but teasing. He turned to look at her pouting in the dim light, his eyes sparkling. “Who lost the bet, remember? The loser does whatever the winner wants, right?”

He checked his watch, frowned a little, and walked to the closet door. He knocked softly. “Babe? Still not ready?”

When he pushed open the door, he stopped in his tracks.

Emmy stood in front of the mirror, gorgeous gowns scattered around her feet, holding two more up to her body with a frustrated look.

“What’s wrong?” James walked over and hugged her from behind. “There’s so many new dresses. None are good enough?”

Emmy glared at him in the mirror like she could strangle him right then and there. She tossed the dresses aside and pointed at the champagne-colored slip she was wearing, her whole voice brimming with annoyance. “Look for yourself.”

James followed her finger—and there they were. Red marks all down her neck and across her collarbones, even more noticeable on her chest under the lights.

He swallowed, rubbing his nose, suddenly sheepish.

He remembered drinking last night, remembered trying not to wear her out. But apparently he hadn’t paid much attention to the marks he’d left with his mouth.

Kissing, biting, he’d been caught up in how good she tasted, not thinking about what would happen after.

Now he could only stare, guilty as ever…