A Dance with Danger

Chapter Sixteen

**Estelle POV** 

The soft hum of the night was broken by the distant sound of muffled voices. My eyes slowly opened, I glanced at the clock on the bedside reading. Twelve.  I sighed removing the covers from over my body.

Inessa might still be in the kitchen cooking or Elijah might have fallen' I said in my mind as I exited my room. My eyes scan the area as I pass by.

Nothing out of the ordinary? I went to each and every open area and room before i forcefully stopped in front of a room that has always been number one on my list of ' don't get close'.

Tiberius office.

I've never been in there before or did I even seen it. I hesitated for a moment, Tiberius might be having a late meeting as usual.

“ I told you to keep an eye of Hawks!” someone yells from inside the room. Tiberius, must of had a bad day at work.

“ I want it done and I want it done now!” Tiberius’ voice — sharp, demanding. I peeked my head inside the room. Tiberius gave me his back which was good.

“I don’t care what you think, I’m not backing down.” His words were low but firm, carrying a weight of authority that made Estelle stiffen. “You’ll follow my instructions, or there will be consequences. Understood?”

I couldn’t help but lean in a little closer, trying to catch more of the conversation. My heart hammered in my chest. The room smelled faintly of cologne and leather.

Tiberius paced back and forth, his voice still crisp and clear. “Don’t think for a second that you can manipulate me. I have other ways of handling things if you refuse to comply. Call me when you’ve made up your mind.”

There was a sharp click as the phone call ended, leaving a suffocating silence in its wake. I froze, holding my breath, unsure of what to do next either run or asked Tiberius what he was talking about.

But then he will know that I was eavesdropping.Tiberius’ footsteps stopped right on the other side of the door.The quiet before the storm.

Then, just as I  considered retreating back to my room, the door swung open, and I was face to face with Tiberius

His eyes — those dark, piercing eyes — locked onto mine with an intensity that made my stomach flutter, but not in the way it had before. Darker, more guarded.

"Estelle," he said my name with a strangely, like he was surprised to see her standing there. But he didn’t look startled; no, it was more like he had known all along that I  was eavesdropping. “Couldn’t sleep?”

I swallowed, feeling the knot in my throat tighten. “I— I heard… voices,” it was true after all. His eyes scan my body, I followed his eyes to what I was wearing.

My cheeks burned, I was only in my lingerie and shorts. How did I not notice this? “ So I came to see.” I added, trying to distract his attention on my body.

I was being pulled out of the office to his room,

I stand there covering my chest as I absorbed the room, Tiberius soon returns with a T-shirt in his hand. “ Wear this.” he said.

It took me by surprise, “ Tiberius I can go back to my room—” He cuts me off, “ But the shirt on Estelle." He left no room for discussion.I sighed, taking the shirt and putting it on.

The scent of Tiberius cologne lingered, I could never get enough of it. I glanced up once more,His gaze softened for a moment, but only for a second.

Then, it was replaced by the cool, almost calculating expression that she had seen only in brief flashes before.

“I apologise if I disturbed you,” He said, his voice was quiet. “ Stay here for the night.” he suggested,sleep as jump out of the building at his words.

“What!?”

Okay with Tiberius apologizing is a shocker but him suggesting that I stay in his room is a whole bomb. “ I know we agreed to be more productive with each other b—” I cut myself off this time.

As Tiberius lowered the covers on his bed.
With a sigh, I walked toward the bed, each step feeling like an eternity as I struggled to gather my thoughts. I lowered myself onto the edge, sitting stiffly, as if any movement would shatter the delicate tension hanging in the air.

Tiberius crossed the room, his gaze never leaving mine, and finally settled into a chair across from the bed. His posture was relaxed, but there was something in his eyes—a hint of vulnerability that she hadn't seen before.

“You didn’t have to stay here,” I said softly, clutching the hem of his oversized shirt that hung loosely on my frame. The scent of his cologne enveloped me, and my  pulse quicken.

He tilted his head slightly, studying me with that intense, unreadable expression. “I wanted to.” His words were simple, but there was an edge to them that sent a shiver down my spine. “After all, I did disrupt your sleep.”

I lowered my gaze, feeling a flush creep up her neck. I've never seen him like this—gentler, Tiberius usual armor of authority momentarily softened.

“Why… why were you so angry on the call?” I ventured, barely above a whisper.

Tiberius’s gaze darkened for a moment, and he leaned back, crossing his arms. “Business. There are… things I need to take care of. Certain people who can’t be trusted.”

“Is that why you have to be so…” I  hesitated, searching for the right word, “forceful?”

A faint smirk played on his lips. “Force is sometimes the only language people understand, Estelle. Not everyone is as… open-hearted as you.”

My cheeks warmed at his compliment, and I quickly looked away, feigning interest in a book resting on the nightstand.

After a long pause, Tiberius’s voice softened, drawing my attention back to him. “But enough about work. You should rest.”

He rose from the chair, walking towards me with a fluid grace that made her breath hitch. When he was only inches away, he extended his hand, his fingers brushing lightly against my arm.

The touch was subtle, yet it sent a surge of warmth through mr that I  couldn’t ignore. Gently, Tiberius guided me further back on the bed, pulling the covers up around my shoulders.

I stared up at him, my heart racing, and he paused, his gaze holding mine with an intensity that was comforting.“Good night, Estelle,” He murmured, his voice a low, soothing rumble.

Before I could respond, he moved to turn off the lamp. Shadows spilled across the room, leaving only the faint moonlight filtering through the curtains. But just as he turned away, he stopped, his hand lingering at his side.

I held her breath as he seemed to make a decision. Slowly, he turned back, his gaze never leaving me, and in one smooth movement, he slid down beside me on the bed. I stiffened for a moment, not knowing what to expect, but then he reached out, his hand finding the curve of my waist.

Gently, he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close, my body fitting perfectly against the warmth of his chest. His touch was protective yet tender, holding me in a way that made me feel safe.

My heart thudded in my chest, but I could feel herself melting into the embrace.My head resting against Tiberius shoulder.