FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS (Ophelia Corrigan) novel Chapter 71

CHAPTER 71

MON

We stood under the awning of her building, her body still pressed against mine from when I’d grabbed her. Rain hammering down, and she was shivering slightly, my jacket draped over her shoulders. I didn’t let go of her waist.

“Okay,” I murmured, voice low enough that only she could hear. “I think I’m carrying you up so you don’y risk tripping again.”

A soft laugh escaped her. “You can’t carry me up the stairs.”

“Want to bet?”

Before she could argue, I bent and hooked an arm behind her knees. In one smooth motion-easy, almost casual-I lifted her off the ground. Her breath caught. Her hands flew to my shoulders for balance, fingers gripping the wet fabric of my shirt.

“Simon!” She was startled, eyes wide, cheeks already flushed. “Are you crazy? You’re going to hurt yourself.”

I just started walking-through the lobby, toward the elevator, steady as if she weighed nothing. She probably didn’t. “I work out,” I said, keeping my tone dry, a hint of irony at the corner of my mouth. “And you’re not exactly heavy.”

The doorman tried to hide a smile as we passed. I gave him a quick nod, unbothered, and he looked away

fast.

In the elevator, Jamie still gripped my shoulders-stiff, but not fighting me. The pink in her cheeks lingered. She was wearing my jacket, still damp, and her hair was plastered to her face.

“I can walk, you know,” she muttered, finally finding her voice.

“I’m sure you can,” I agreed, not loosening my hold. “I just want to carry you.”

The elevator doors opened. I carried her down the hall without slowing. When we reached her door, I set her down carefully, making sure she was steady before stepping back.

She fumbled in her bag with wet fingers, slipping once before finding her keys. Unlocked the door and went inside. I followed, closing the door behind me with a soft click.

She was walking toward the living room in my jacket, still wet, still shivering slightly. Her feet, now bare, made soft sounds on the wood floor. I hung back for a moment, just watching her. She was rummaging through a drawer in the dining room, her wet hair falling over her shoulders, in that rushed way like she was trying to get rid of me. I smiled, looking away.

She finally found a pen. Clicked it open and set it on the table. “Right. The document. Where is―”

I walked toward her, my steps slow and unhurried. She felt me coming, and when I reached her, I took the pen from her hand-gently, deliberately. She looked up, confused, wary. “What are you doing?”

“I helped you in the rain. Gave you my jacket. Carried you up here. Made sure you got your document.” I set the pen aside and met her eyes. “I think I deserve something for that.”

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Sep 29 JIM

FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS. MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

She swallowed. “I didn’t ask for any of that. You offered.”

ou’re very ungrateful, you know that?” I teased.

“I believe people shouldn’t help just to collect later.”

I made a face-like a stray dog who’d just been told he wasn’t getting the treat. “You’re cruel. All I wanted was a simple thank-you kiss. No strings. Nothing more.”

She watched me, not fully convinced. “That’s dangerous territory.”

“Jamie.” I stepped closer, slow enough that she could pull away if she wanted. She didn’t. Her lips parted slightly as she watched me, and I reached for her waist, holding her gently. I leaned in. She turned her head at the last second, and my mouth found her neck instead.

I pressed a kiss there, long and lingering. Her body shuddered. A real tremor-not from cold. Her voice dropped to a whisper, almost fragile. “…You already know my weak spot.”

I smiled against her skin. “I know. I’ve always known.”

Gently, I cupped her face and tilted it back toward me. This time, she didn’t turn away. Her eyes closed as I moved in slowly, deliberately, letting the moment stretch. My lips met hers with calm, but the electricity between us was instant. The kiss started slow, and within seconds, there was nothing careful about it.

I lifted her and set her on the table without breaking the kiss. My hands found the hem of her wet blouse and pulled it up, unhurried, letting the fabric fall to the floor.

We found her bedroom soon after. The rain was still beating against the glass, a steady rhythm outside. I took my time with her, peeling off every piece of clothing, making sure she knew there was no rush. She opened for me, her knees falling apart without a word. I entered her slowly. Deep, even strokes. No urgency-just the feel of her, warm and tight, our breathing syncing until we forgot everything else. Her nails dug into my back. She said my name, soft and raw, and I answered with hers too-low, rough. She came with a muffled cry, and I followed a moment later, pressing deep, letting it take me.

Afterward, I pulled her against my chest. The rain was still falling. We lay there tangled, her head on my shoulder, her breathing slow and steady.

The peace lasted about thirty seconds. Then my phone buzzed somewhere on the floor.

I sighed, reached over to grab it, and saw the name on the screen. Answered, voice low. “Yeah. What’s up?”

The nanny’s voice came through, polite but firm. “I need to leave now, Mr. Hart. My shift ended.”

I ran a hand over my face. “Right. On my way.”

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