Under His Billionaire Roof novel Chapter 23

Leighton made it three days without telling him.

Three days of sneaking into his room at night. Of letting him kiss her and touch her and make her forget she was leaving. Of pretending this could last.

Monday, she accepted the job offer. Signed the paperwork. Sent it back.

Tuesday, she started looking at apartments in the new city. Small studios she could actually afford on her new salary.

Wednesday, Noah found the offer letter.

She'd left it on her desk. Stupid. Careless. She'd been in the shower when he came looking for her.

When she came back to her room, wrapped in a towel, he was sitting on her bed. The letter in his hands.

"Noah. What are you doing in here?"

He held up the paper. "Catalyst Creative. Senior Brand Designer. Congratulations."

Her stomach dropped. "I can explain."

"When were you going to tell me?"

"I just... I needed time to process it first."

"You accepted three days ago." He pointed at the signature line. "You've had time."

"I know."

"So why didn't you say anything?" He stood up. The letter crumpled in his fist. "We've spent every night together for the past week. You couldn't find a moment to mention you're leaving?"

"It didn't come up."

"It didn't come up." He laughed. Bitter. Sharp. "We've been sleeping together. Talking. You told me about your day, your interview. But somehow you forgot to mention you got the job?"

"I didn't forget."

"Then what? You were just going to disappear? Leave without saying anything?"

"Of course not."

"Then when? When were you planning to tell me?"

"I don't know. Soon."

"Soon." He threw the letter on the bed. "That's not an answer."

"What do you want me to say?"

"I want you to explain why I had to find out by accident. Why you couldn't trust me enough to tell me yourself."

"It's not about trust."

"Then what is it about?"

She tightened the towel around herself. "It's about keeping things separate. You and the job. They're not connected."

"Aren't they?"

"No."

"So this has nothing to do with us?"

"There is no us, Noah. That was the deal. Just physical. Just temporary."

His jaw clenched. "Right. Just physical."

"That's what we agreed."

"And when were you planning to end it? The night before you left? Give me a goodbye kiss and disappear?"

"I haven't thought that far ahead."

"Clearly."

"Why are you so angry?"

"Because you lied to me."

"I didn't lie. I just didn't tell you yet."

"That's the same thing."

"It's not."

"It is when we've been sleeping together every night. When I've been..." He stopped. Ran a hand through his hair. "Forget it."

"When you've been what?"

"Nothing. It doesn't matter."

"Noah..."

"How far away is this job?"

"Two hours."

"Two hours." He nodded slowly. "So not impossible. Just inconvenient."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm asking if you want to make this work. Long distance. Whatever."

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