When They Beg I Rise (Lemira) novel Chapter 971

At that moment, Lemira felt the air thicken with suffocating awkwardness.

She hadn't expected the elevator to still be on this floor. She must have forgotten to press the button, otherwise it should have been down in the basement parking garage by now.

Glancing sideways at her coworkers, she could easily read the varying expressions on their faces.

The next second, Orion seamlessly slipped his hand into hers. He looked up at the group waiting outside. "My apologies. My girlfriend was just playing a joke on me."

Lemira tried to yank her hand back, but the bastard's grip was unrelenting.

As her coworkers filed into the tight space, she could only force a stiff, polite smile.

The ride down was painfully silent, though it was impossible to guess what was running through everyone's minds.

The doors finally dinged open at the basement level.

Her colleagues quickly shuffled out, heading off together toward their dinner reservations.

Lemira aggressively wrenched her hand free and stormed out, but the man followed right on her heels.

Marching over to her Standard SUV, she whipped around to glare at him. She was at the end of her rope, and her eyes sent a very clear message.

Orion simply braced one hand casually against her car door. "It's on my way. I'll ride with you."

"But I don't want to take you."

Seeing the genuine flash of anger in her eyes, his voice dropped low. "I know my stepmother came to see you. Can we talk?"

Lemira fell silent for a moment. Noticing her coworkers casting curious glances their way, she finally relented and climbed into the driver's seat.

Orion took the hint, settling into the passenger side. He glanced around the interior. "This Standard SUV feels a bit rugged for you."

Lemira kept her face entirely blank. "I like it."

Leaning back, he looked over at her. "If Amanda said anything out of line, don't take it to heart. You need to do what's best for you. Don't change your plans for anyone else."

"You really know how to make yourself sound noble, don't you?"

She regretted the sharp words the moment they left her mouth.

Orion kept his gaze steady on her profile. "What exactly did you two talk about?"

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