Billionaire's Hidden Desire**

Chapter 11: Homeward Bound

Ivy woke up to the soft hum of engines and the muted clatter of breakfast service in the first-class cabin. She blinked against the early morning light streaming through the small airplane window, her mind momentarily fuzzy as she recalled the past whirlwind days in Paris. They had sealed the deal, celebrated, and now she and Lucien were on a flight back to New York.

Lucien was seated beside her, engrossed in his laptop, reviewing documents with his usual intensity. Even mid-flight, with the world rushing by at 30,000 feet, he was a picture of focus and precision. Ivy couldn’t help but admire his dedication—one of the many things she had grown to respect and cherish about him.

“Already back to work?” Ivy asked with a sleepy smile, stretching slightly in her seat.

Lucien looked up, his expression softening when he saw her. “Just making sure we’re ready for the investor meeting tomorrow. You know me—can’t sit still for too long.”

Ivy nodded, stifling a yawn. “You’re relentless, Blackwood.”

Lucien chuckled, closing his laptop and leaning back. “So are you, Harper. It’s why we’re such a great team.”

Ivy reached for the coffee the flight attendant had just placed on her tray, sipping it slowly as she gazed out the window. They were somewhere over the Atlantic, the sun casting a golden path across the endless expanse of ocean below. It was serene—a sharp contrast to the frenetic energy of their Paris trip.

As she watched the clouds drift by, Ivy’s thoughts turned to the days ahead. They had secured the partnership, but there was still much to do. New York was waiting with its own set of challenges, and Ivy knew that once they touched down, the real work would begin.

She glanced at Lucien, who had closed his eyes, leaning back in his seat with a rare look of relaxation on his face. Ivy felt a warmth spread through her chest. There was something comforting about heading home, even with the inevitable chaos awaiting them. Home meant familiar streets, their sleek office overlooking Central Park, and a routine that grounded them both. And now, it also meant exploring the new dynamic between her and Lucien—a prospect that thrilled and terrified her in equal measure.

They landed at JFK to the familiar rush of people and the cacophony of airport announcements. Lucien offered to drive them back, and Ivy agreed, grateful for the opportunity to extend their time together before the demands of their schedules pulled them apart.

The car ride through the city was filled with the sounds of honking taxis, the distant rumble of subway trains, and the comforting backdrop of New York City’s hustle and bustle. Ivy watched the skyline unfold before them, the towering skyscrapers standing as silent witnesses to their return.

“Feels good to be back,” Lucien remarked, his eyes fixed on the road but his tone reflective. “Paris was great, but there’s nothing like New York.”

“Agreed,” Ivy said, leaning back in her seat, feeling the city’s familiar rhythm settle over her like a well-worn coat. “It’s good to be home.”

They arrived at Ivy’s apartment first, a sleek high-rise with expansive views of the city. Lucien parked at the curb, turning to face her, his expression unreadable for a moment. Ivy felt a sudden pang of uncertainty—how did they move forward now that they were back in their regular lives?

Lucien seemed to sense her hesitation. He reached over, taking her hand in his, his thumb tracing gentle circles on her palm. “We’ll figure it out, Ivy,” he said softly, echoing her words from the night before. “One step at a time.”

Ivy nodded, her nerves easing at the reassurance in his touch. “One step at a time,” she repeated, offering a small smile. “Thank you for everything, Lucien. Really.”

Lucien squeezed her hand, then released it, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer. “Anytime, Ivy. I’ll see you at the office tomorrow?”

“Bright and early,” she confirmed, slipping out of the car and waving as Lucien drove off, blending into the steady stream of traffic.

Ivy made her way up to her apartment, the familiar surroundings bringing a sense of calm. She set her luggage down and moved to the window, taking in the sprawling cityscape. It was good to be back, but she knew that the challenges weren’t over. If anything, they were just beginning.

The next morning, Ivy arrived at the office, the brisk air energizing her as she stepped into the sleek lobby of their headquarters. She was greeted by the usual buzz of activity—assistants scurrying with files, phones ringing, and the hum of conversations in hushed tones. It was a comforting kind of chaos, the kind that meant business as usual.

Lucien was already in the conference room when she arrived, deep in conversation with their legal team. He flashed her a quick smile as she walked in, and Ivy felt a flutter of warmth. They had agreed to keep things professional, but there was an unspoken understanding between them now—a quiet connection that threaded through every interaction.

The morning flew by in a series of meetings and strategy sessions. Ivy and Lucien presented their finalized plans to the board, the confidence in their partnership shining through every point. The investors were pleased, nodding along as Ivy detailed their next steps, while Lucien fielded questions with his characteristic ease.

After the presentation, they retreated to Lucien’s office, where Ivy collapsed into one of the leather chairs with a sigh of relief. Lucien poured them both a glass of water, handing one to Ivy as he took a seat beside her.

“That went well,” Lucien said, taking a sip of his water. “Better than I expected.”

Ivy nodded, her gaze drifting to the skyline outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. “We’re in a good place. Now it’s just about execution.”

Lucien set his glass down, his expression thoughtful. “And us?” he asked, his voice quiet but steady. “Where do we go from here?”

Ivy met his gaze, her heart beating a little faster. She had been wondering the same thing, caught between the intensity of their professional lives and the undeniable pull of their personal connection. But looking at Lucien now, she felt a sense of certainty.

“I think we keep doing what we’re doing,” Ivy said, her voice calm. “We take it one day at a time, one step at a time. And we don’t let anything—or anyone—dictate how we move forward.”

Lucien nodded, a slow smile spreading across his face. “I like the sound of that,” he said, his eyes never leaving hers. “One step at a time.”

They sat there in comfortable silence, the noise of the city a faint backdrop to their thoughts. It wasn’t a perfect plan, but it was theirs. And for Ivy, that was more than enough. They had built something strong—both in business and in each other—and now, they were ready to navigate whatever came next, one step at a time.