Chapter 87

The night deepened as Emily Smith stepped out of the hospital after visiting her sister. William Johnson's car was still parked in the same spot, its window half-lowered, revealing his slender fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel.

By the time they returned to Jinzhou Bay No.1, it was already late. William headed straight to the balcony, phone pressed to his ear, his expression grave. Emily tactfully left him alone and retreated to her room for a hot shower.

The warm water washed away her exhaustion. Wrapped in a towel, she stepped out to find the living room lights still on. William sat on the couch, a document clenched in his hand, his brow furrowed.

She tiptoed to bed. Sleep claimed her almost instantly the moment her head touched the pillow.

Half-asleep, she felt the mattress dip behind her. A cool chest pressed against her back, the crisp scent of cedar enveloping her. Emily's lashes fluttered as she drowsily turned over.

In the warm glow of the bedside lamp, William gazed down at her. He brushed a kiss against her forehead, his voice laced with amusement. "Want me?"

"No." She burrowed deeper under the covers.

"Then sleep." He reached to turn off the light, pulling her into his arms.

Emily slept soundly through the night. In her haze, she felt something warm and wet tracing her collarbone, sending shivers down her spine. Instinctively, she tried to push it away, but her wrist was pinned to the pillow.

"William—" Her protest was cut off by his lips.

By dawn, Emily lay tangled in the sheets, breathless. William hovered above her, damp strands of hair falling over his forehead, desire still darkening his eyes.

"Shower together?" His voice was rough.

"We'll be late." She shook her head, her voice trembling slightly.

William chuckled, nipping her lower lip. "So dedicated. Maybe I should promote you early."

"Will that come with a raise?" The words slipped out before she could stop them.

He arched a brow. "How much do you want?"

Emily bit her lip, realizing her slip. "This is already good enough."

"Easy to please?" His gaze darkened. "Or is the salary beneath you?"

"Of course I care," she hurried to explain. "With hard work, maybe I could become a manager in a few years—"

Her words were cut off by his laughter. William ruffled her hair, his tone teasing. "Mm. Work hard."

The last three words were deliberately emphasized, making Emily's ears burn. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, only for him to pin her back into the mattress. The morning sunlight shattered into golden fragments between their entwined bodies.