BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE

Chapter 63: A Dance of Hearts

Chapter 63: A Dance of Hearts

When I step back into Luke's penthouse, emotions swirl around me like a storm. Each item I unpack is a piece of our fractured fairy tale, a testament to the love that's been put through the wringer. The penthouse, once a cocoon of shared dreams, now feels like a battleground at a crossroads.

It wasn't an impulsive decision to return. Two weeks of sleepless nights and countless glasses of wine later, I finally agreed to come back. At the office, Luke was relentless in his pursuit to mend fences. He'd find any excuse to have me in his office, under the guise of work. But our conversations were stilted, charged with a tension that could cut glass. I saw his attempts, his efforts to reach out, but my anger was a fortress, unyielding and cold.

I could sense his longing, the weight of unspoken words heavy in the air. But I was still nursing a heart he had carelessly broken. I wasn't ready to let him see the scars he left behind.

Setting boundaries was my way of navigating this minefield we found ourselves in. "First rule: separate bedrooms," I declared, my voice a mixture of sadness and determination. "We need our own spaces, Luke."

He nodded, the brief flicker of pain in his eyes quickly hidden behind a mask of acceptance. "Whatever makes you comfortable, Emily," he said. His gaze lingered a moment too long, telling a tale of unspoken desire.

"And no crossing the line physically. We're not... involved," I added, my voice betraying a hint of vulnerability. I drew an imaginary line in the air, emphasizing the distance between us. "This arrangement is already a ticking time bomb."

Luke's eyebrow arched, a playful smirk playing on his lips. "So, I have to keep my irresistible charm to myself? That's going to be tough, Em."

I rolled my eyes, ignoring the flutter in my stomach. "Yes, and put on a shirt, would you? You parading around shirtless is definitely crossing a line."

His eyes held a complex mix of emotions as he joked about sneaking into my room for midnight rendezvous. There was a glint of hope in his voice, but I was quick to shut it down.

"No, Luke. This is serious. We need to keep things strictly platonic," I insisted, feeling a tug at my heart despite my firm tone.

He nodded, sadness lingering in his eyes. "I understand, Emily. I just... I miss you."

The moment he reached out, fingertips gently coaxing my chin upward, the air between us crackled with electricity. "Can you really control yourself around me, Emily?" His voice was a soft caress, a reminder of past intimacies.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to maintain my composure. "I can control myself just fine," I countered, my voice steady though my heart was anything but. "Remember, it's you who shattered everything. I won't let these six months change the fact that I despise what you've forced me into."

He studied me, his gaze intense yet tender. "We'll see, Emily. I believe you still have feelings for me," he whispered, his words heavy with unspoken meaning.

"I'm over you, Luke," I lied, feeling my heart betray me with its rebellious flutter.

I changed the subject swiftly. "We're not together. We're free to see others," I said, watching for his reaction.

A flicker of hurt crossed his face, raw and unguarded. "I don't want anyone else, Emily. I want you," he admitted, his voice cracking with vulnerability.