We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 81

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After Ridley left his office to handle the emergency, I remained frozen for several moments, my arms still tingling where he’d gripped them. I couldn’t sort through the jumble of emotions–anger at his intensity, confusion about his questions, and something else I refused to name.

Work became my refuge. I buried myself in a project revisions, each completed task helping restore my equilibrium. The hours flew by in a blur of blueprints and material specifications.

With Oliver back with his family, I

finally had the luxury of working late without worrying about rushing home. Before I knew it, the clock had struck 9:30 PM, and my growling stomach finally forced me to pack up my things.

When I opened my office door, I was greeted by darkness. The entire floor was deserted, with only the faint emergency exit signs providing any illumination. During my years at Wright Creatives, I’d grown accustomed to working into the early morning hours–a mandatory expectation from my adoptive family. Those nights had taught me not to fear the dark.

I navigated the shadowy hallway with practiced ease, reaching the elevator bank where motion sensors finally triggered the lights. As I pressed the down button, I heard footsteps echoing from the darkened corridor behind me.

While I wasn’t afraid of the dark, I wasn’t fearless either. The building should be empty at this hour–who else would be here? I clutched my portfolio bag tighter and repeatedly jabbed at the elevator button, watching the floor indicator crawl: seven… eight… nine…

Why was the elevator so slow? The footsteps grew closer.

“Just now leaving?” A deep, controlled voice emerged from the shadows.

I jerked my head up to see Ridley stepping into the pool of dim light. His tall frame materialized gradually, the amber glow softening his usually stern features and casting a long shadow behind him.

“What are you doing here?” I exhaled, relieved it wasn’t an intruder.

“Waiting for you.”

“Waiting for me?” I blinked in surprise. “Whatever for?”

“To drive you home.”

Ridley strode into the elevator that had finally arrived, as if his presence here at this hour was the most natural thing in the world.

I reluctantly joined him, feeling uncomfortable. “Mr. Sterling, I’m perfectly capable of getting home on my own…”

The implication wasn’t subtle. A male CEO offering to drive a female employee home late at night? The scenario practically wrote itself.

“I have some work matters to discuss with you,” he replied, his posture rigid and formal as we descended.

If I didn’t know better, I might have believed him. But I hadn’t forgotten how I’d caught him watching me several times. Or that night he’d almost kissed me. Or this morning, when he’d momentarily lost control in his office.

I kept a mental tally of these incidents, and I certainly wasn’t going to invite trouble into my home.

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::49 pm P

Chapter 81

“If it’s about work, we could discuss it back in the office,‘ I suggested diplomatically.

“That works too. Regardless of how late it gets, Fil still drive you home afterward.”

1 bit my lip in frustration. His intentions were becoming increasingly transparent.

“Mr. Sterling,” I said firmly, perhaps we should be direct. What exactly are you trying to do here?”

He raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

‘I value my position at Nest Design. You’re the CEO of Sterling Design Group, and I’m just a project manager. Office rumors spread quickly when male executives show special attention to female employees. I’d hate to find myself forced to resign over misunderstandings.”

His dark eyes studied me for a moment. “You seem awfully concerned about me seeing your home. Is there something there you don’t want me to discover?

Ridley’s POV

Her defiance both irritated and intrigued me. Most women would jump at the chance to have me drive them home, yet here she was, practically accusing me

of harassment,

I watched her eyes widen in disbelief at my question. Good. I’d caught her off guard.

To my surprise, her expression shifted into a bright smile. “In that case, thank you for the ride, Mr. Sterling, I live in the Wicker Park apartments.”

Her sudden capitulation was unexpected. So whatever–or whoever–she was hiding wasn’t currently at her home. The thought inexplicably improved my

mood.

I walked ahead to my car and settled into the driver’s seat. When I noticed her reaching for the back door, I couldn’t help but feel slighted.

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