The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 290

One moment, she was thinking about Joseph’s kiss; the next, she was thinking about how they would be living together when she got back.

She didn’t know when she finally drifted off, but sleep brought dreams—another erotic one. This time, the man in the dream had a clear face. It was Joseph.

And the dream itself was incredibly vivid and daring. It wasn't set at home, or in a bed, but in the car. They were tangled together in a passionate embrace, with Roderic once again standing guard outside.

The dream was still at its peak when her phone alarm blared, jolting her awake. She fumbled for her phone under the pillow. It was six o’clock.

She glanced over at Holly, who was still sound asleep. Not wanting to disturb her, Vivica kept the lights off and used her phone’s flashlight to navigate to the bathroom for a quick wash.

Before she was even done, a message from Joseph popped up on WhatsApp.

[We’re almost at the hotel. Are you up?]

[Almost ready. I’ll be down in a minute.]

She skipped using the toilet, grabbed her suitcase, and quietly closed the room door behind her. In the elevator, she used the mirrored wall to apply a touch of lipstick, hoping to look a little more refreshed.

She hadn't always been so meticulous, but lately, she found herself caring about how she looked when she met him. She supposed it was true what they said about a woman dressing up for the man she admires.

Just as Vivica stepped through the hotel’s revolving doors, Joseph’s luxury car pulled up.

Roderic got out. “Good morning, Ms. Lynn.”

“Morning. Thank you for this,” she said, handing him her suitcase before getting into the car.

Joseph’s handsome face broke into a slight smile when he saw her. “It got colder in Sydville today. Aren’t you cold dressed like that?”

Joseph didn’t give her a chance to refuse. With a gentle pressure from his arm, she was resting against his chest.

She desperately wanted to sleep, but with her ear pressed against his chest, she could hear the strong, steady beat of his heart. Thump, thump, thump.

And his scent—it wasn’t the stale smell of smoke and alcohol that clung to some men. It was clean and crisp, a sophisticated and grounding fragrance.

Her own heart began to race. Though her eyes were closed, sleep was nowhere in sight.

Meanwhile, Joseph inhaled the scent of her hair, the subtle, feminine fragrance so different from his own, and felt his own desire stir. He glanced down and saw her eyelashes fluttering. He knew what it meant.

“Can’t sleep?” he asked in a low voice.

Vivica’s heart skipped a beat, but she kept her composure. “No,” she murmured, “it’s just that your heartbeat is a little… loud.”