The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 35

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hapter 23: In the Lion’s Den-1

Maya stirred to the sound of birdsong-soft, distant, too peaceful to be real.

Her head pounded. Her mouth was dry. Her limbs felt like they were wrapped in lead.

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She tried to sit up, but her body resisted. Every movement was sluggish, like she was swimming through molasses. Her vision blurred, then slowly adjusted to the dim light filtering through unfamiliar curtains.

Wooden walls. A high ceiling with exposed beams. A fireplace.

She wasn’t in her bed. Not even close.

The realization hit her like a jolt of electricity. Her breath caught in her throat.

She was on a couch. A blanket draped over her. Her shoes gone. Her coat folded neatly on a nearby chair.

Panic clawed at her chest.

Where am I?

Then –

Footsteps.

Maya froze.

The soft creak of floorboards grew louder until a figure appeared in the doorway.

Beckett.

He carried a steaming mug in his hand, his smile too wide, too calm. Like none of this was wrong.

“There she is,” he said warmly, as if greeting her in a dream. “I was starting to think you’d sleep all day.”

Maya’s heart thundered in her chest. She forced her lips to part. “Where… are we?”

Beckett crossed the room and placed the mug on the coffee table in front of her. “Just outside the city. My lake house. Quiet, peaceful-no interruptions. Just you and me.”

She flinched before she could stop herself.

Beckett’s expression softened, almost tender. “You were exhausted. You passed out in the car. I figured you needed rest.” He crouched beside her, his eyes scanning her face too carefully. “I made tea. Chamomile. Thought it might help you feel better.”

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apte 21 in the Lions Den J

Maya’s gaze darted toward the front door-but it was too far, and Beckett was too close.

“Why did you bring me here?” she asked, her voice a hoarse whisper.

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Beckett tilted his head. “Because we needed this. Time. Space. Away from all the noise.” He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re always running, Maya. Always working, always hiding behind something. But not anymore.”

She flinched again, shrinking slightly into the couch.

“I don’t understand,” Maya said carefully, voice trembling. “You said fifteen minutes. Coffee. As friends. You said this was goodbye-that you were leaving.”