Marrying My Ex 16

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< Marrying My Exs Powerful Billionaire Uncle = +120 Points at most
Anissa stepped out of the en-suite bathroom, the steam clingingto her
skin She was wearing a simple, silk slip dress, the dark emerald fabric
cool against her body. Water dripped from the ends of her dark hair onto
her bare shoulders.

Harding was standing by the floor-to-ceilingwindows, his back to her. He
was on the phone his voice a low, commanding rumble as he finalized
the details of a multi-billion-dollar acquisition inthe Asian market. The
city lights glittered below himlike a fallen constellation.

She moved quietly toward the bed, trying not to disturb him but the faint
rustle of silk made himturn. He ended the call without a goodbye.

His gaze fell on her, and for a fraction of a second, it lingered on the
curve of her collarbone, the droplets of water tracing paths down her
skin His throat moved as he swallowed, a small, almost imperceptible
motion. Then his eyes flicked away, his professional mask snappingback
into place.

He gestured toward a plush armchair, A neatly folded set of gray
cashmere loungewear was sitting on it. "You should put those on,” he
said, his voice a little rougherthan usual. “You'll catch a cold.”

She sensed a flicker of something in his tone-a tension, a restraint-but
she dismissed it as his natural austerity. He was a man who prized
control

She slipped on the soft pants and long-sleeved top. They were warm and
impossibly comfortable. She walked to the bed and slid under the cool,
highthread-count sheets, acutely aware of the vast, empty space beside
her.

The room was a landscape of unspokenrules and invisibleboundaries
Harding switched off the main lights, leaving only a single, warm lamp
glowing on his nightstand. He lay down on his side of the bed, the
mattress barely dippingunder his weight He was perfectly still, his body
held ina rigidline, a clear foot of empty space separating them.
Anissaturned onto her side, facing away from him The silence was thick
charged.

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S5 3% +120 Points at most
“Thank you," she whisperedinto the darkness.

She felt him shift slightly. “For what?" his voice was a low murmur,
seeming lo come from right beside her ear.

She turned her head, her cheek pressinginto the soft pillow. She could
just make out the sharp silhouette of his profile against the city glow.
“For the phonecall today. For... givingme the space to handle thingsmy
own way. With my family."

He was silent for a long moment. Then, she felt the duvet shift. He
reached across the divide and gently pulled the blanket up, tucking it
securely around her shoulder. His fingers brushed the nape of her neck,
a touch so light it was like an electric current,

“It's part of the agreement,” he said, his voice softer now. "Your safety.
Your peace of mind There's no pressure here, Anissa. Take all the time
you need.”

Her heart did a strange, stuttering beat. To be treated with such quiet
consideration, such profoundrespect... it was a foreign language. Connor
had only ever demanded. Her family had only ever taken. This gentle
givingwas unnerving and yet, deeply calming.

She closed her eyes, inhaling the faint, clean scent of cedarwood that
clungto him to the sheets, to the very air in the room. It was the scent of
safety.

For the first time in years, she didn't have a single nightmare.

She woke to the soft morninglight, feeling warm and deeply rested. She
stretched languidly, her hand brushingagainst somethingsolid and warm.
Her eyes flew open.

Sometime during the night she had crossed the invisible line. She was
curled on her side, her back pressed against Harding's chest. His arm was
draped loosely. around her waist, his large hand resting on her hip. His
breathingwas slow and even, deep in sleep,

Heat flooded her cheeks. She was mortified. She tried to inch away, to
slip out of his hold without waking him.

It was too late,

His breathingpattern changed. He slowly opened his eyes. For a moment,
as he looked down at her nestled against him his expression was
unguarded soft with a warmth she had never seen before. Then, just as
quickly, the mask of cool control slammed back down.

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§ (Chapter 16 3% +120 Points at most
He immediately released her and sat up, runninga hand through his
already perfect hair.
“My apologies,” he said, his voice thick and raspy with sleep. "I'm not used
to... sharinga bed."
“No, it was me," she said quickly, sitting up and pulling the duvet to her
chin "| must have... | move around a lot *
They looked at each other, a silent, awkward moment hangingin the air.
It wasn't just awkward. It was charged with a new, sweet intimacy.
A polite knock at the bedroom door broke the spell
"Sir?" It was Eleanor. "Your seven o'clock meeting is confirmed. And
Madam, your stylist will be here at nine”
Harding swung his legs out of bed and walked toward the massive
closet. When he emerged a few minutes later, he was once again the
untouchable emperor of Wall Street, dressed ina flawless bespokesuit
He walked to her side of the bed. She was still sitting there, her mind
replaying the feeling of wakingupin hisarms.
He stopped, looking down at her. A small, almost imperceptible smile
touched hislips.
“There are some people arrivingthis morning” he said. "People | trust with
my life. They're your team now. Your shield "
"Who are they?" she asked, her curiosity piqued
He simply reached out and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her
forehead. The casual, affectionate gesture sent another jolt throughher.
“You'll see,” he said, and then he turned and left, the soft click of the door
closing behind him echoingin the silent room. She was left alone in the
massive bed, the warmth of his touch still tinglingon her skin.
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