Billionaire's Hidden Desire**

Chapter 8: Back to Business

The first rays of sunlight streamed through the curtains of Lucien’s suite, casting soft, golden light across the room. Ivy stirred, her eyes fluttering open to the sight of Lucien beside her, his features softened by sleep. For a moment, she allowed herself the luxury of simply watching him, savoring the peaceful expression on his face. The night before had been nothing short of bliss, a slow burn that had ignited into something neither of them could deny any longer.

But as the morning light crept in, reality began to assert itself. Ivy slipped out of bed carefully, trying not to disturb Lucien. She padded softly to the window, looking out at the awakening city below. Paris was bustling with life, and it reminded her that while the night had been theirs, the day belonged to their work. There were deals to close, meetings to attend, and deadlines to meet.

Ivy dressed quietly, her thoughts already shifting back to the business at hand. The exhilaration of the night before was tempered by the knowledge that they had to navigate their professional responsibilities without letting personal feelings interfere. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day ahead. It wasn’t just about maintaining their composure in front of clients; it was about protecting what they were building together, both professionally and personally.

Lucien woke as Ivy was fastening her earrings, his gaze following her movements with a lazy, appreciative smile. “Morning,” he murmured, his voice still husky with sleep.

Ivy turned, smiling softly at him. “Morning. We’ve got a big day ahead.”

Lucien sat up, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Back to business, then?” he said, though there was a playful glint in his eyes as he watched her.

“Back to business,” Ivy confirmed, though her tone was light, and the corner of her mouth twitched with a hint of a smile. She moved closer, placing a soft kiss on his forehead. “But last night… was perfect.”

Lucien caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. “Perfect,” he echoed, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. “But you’re right. We’ve got work to do.”

Within the hour, they were back in the polished confines of their office, the hustle and bustle of the Parisian business world moving at its usual frenetic pace. Ivy immersed herself in her tasks, coordinating with their team and setting up the final negotiations for the partnership that had brought them here. She felt the familiar rhythm of her work settle around her, providing a welcome structure amidst the emotional whirlwind of the past day.

Lucien joined her at the conference table, dressed in his sharpest suit, the image of the composed and confident businessman. They exchanged a brief look—a silent acknowledgment of the line they were carefully balancing between their personal and professional lives. Ivy found comfort in the steadiness of his presence, his unwavering support anchoring her as they plunged into a marathon of meetings.

Their first call was with the investment team from New York, a group known for their aggressive negotiating tactics. Ivy took the lead, outlining their terms with her characteristic poise and precision. Lucien chimed in seamlessly, reinforcing her points and deftly handling the curveballs thrown their way. They were in sync, their partnership a well-oiled machine that impressed even the most skeptical of clients.

When the call ended, Lucien leaned back in his chair, his gaze lingering on Ivy with a mixture of pride and something softer. “You were brilliant,” he said, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “As always.”

Ivy smiled, a small flush of satisfaction warming her cheeks. “We make a good team,” she replied, her tone professional but her eyes conveying more.

The rest of the day was a whirlwind of meetings, phone calls, and last-minute adjustments. Ivy and Lucien moved through each task with a practiced efficiency, their dynamic as strong as ever despite the charged undercurrent of their recent connection. Every now and then, Ivy would catch Lucien watching her with that same unreadable expression, a blend of focus and something more that made her pulse quicken.

As the afternoon sun dipped lower, they found themselves in yet another negotiation, this time with a notoriously tough French distributor who was crucial to their expansion plans. The conversation was tense, each side unwilling to budge, but Ivy remained calm and composed, countering every objection with facts and figures. Lucien backed her up, his calm authority lending weight to her arguments.

After what felt like hours, the distributor finally nodded, conceding to their terms. Ivy allowed herself a small, triumphant smile, the tension easing from her shoulders as they wrapped up the deal. Lucien caught her eye, his expression one of shared victory.

“You did it,” he said quietly as they exited the conference room, his hand brushing against hers for the briefest of moments.

“We did it,” Ivy corrected, her voice filled with a quiet pride. She glanced up at him, the connection between them still humming with a potent energy. They were back in their element, where they thrived as partners, pushing boundaries and breaking through obstacles together.

Lucien’s phone buzzed, pulling him back to the present. He glanced at the screen, his brows knitting together briefly. “Looks like there’s been a change in the investor’s proposal,” he said, showing Ivy the email. “They want to renegotiate some of the terms.”

Ivy scanned the email quickly, her mind already calculating their next move. “We’ll have to meet them head-on,” she said, her tone determined. “We’ve worked too hard to let this slip through our fingers now.”

Lucien nodded, his expression mirroring her resolve. “Agreed. Let’s take care of this.”

They returned to the conference room, side by side, ready to tackle the next challenge. The balance of power and passion between them was delicate, but as long as they stayed focused, Ivy knew they could handle whatever came their way. Together, they were unstoppable, a force to be reckoned with in both business and, she hoped, in whatever was blossoming between them.

As they dove back into the fray, Ivy felt a surge of confidence. They were just getting started, and the possibilities were endless. She cast a quick glance at Lucien, catching the hint of a smile on his lips as he met her gaze. Whatever lay ahead, Ivy was ready to face it, knowing they would find their way, together.