Chapter 69
Chapter 69:
A moment later, the bathroom door opened. Steam billowed out, carrying the scent of sandalwood and expensive soap.
Gaston walked into the living room with a towel wrapped low around his hips, clinging precariously to his hipbones. Water droplets clung to the dark hair on his chest, trailing down the defined ridges of his abdomen and disappearing into the white terrycloth.
Jocelyn’s breath hitched. Her eyes traced the line of muscle, the raw physical power of him exposed in the soft lighting.
Stop it, she scolded herself, forcing her gaze to the coffee table. He plays for the other team. He’s not for you.
“You’re still up,” Gaston said, running a hand through his damp hair. His voice was rough and relaxed.
“I have something for you.” Jocelyn slid the silver envelope across the marble surface.
Gaston raised an eyebrow. He walked over — the towel shifting slightly with his stride — and picked up the envelope. He settled into the adjacent armchair, leaning forward to break the seal.
𝘋𝗂𝘀со𝗏𝗲𝘳 𝘯𝖾𝗐 s𝘁𝗼𝘳𝗶еѕ 𝗈n
He pulled out the contents. Two tickets, printed on heavy metallic paper.
Royal Caribbean. Owner’s Suite. Seven Nights. The Bahamas.
Gaston stared at them. His dark eyes widened, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them. He looked up at her, a water droplet tracing a slow path down his cheek.
“Two tickets?” he asked. His voice dropped an octave, vibrating in the quiet room.
Jocelyn clasped her hands together to stop them from shaking. “Yes. For you and… your partner p>
She tried to say it casually, like a supportive friend. A modern, understanding wife. She had texted “us” to play the part for anyone who might see the message, but here, in private, she wanted to show him she was an ally in his real life — not just his fake one.
Gaston froze. He looked at the tickets again. Two tickets. An Owner’s Suite. Privacy.
He didn’t hear the hesitation in her voice. He didn’t register the specific implication of “partner” as a third party. He heard an invitation. She had booked a cruise. For two.
A slow, genuine smile broke across his face, softening the sharp angles of his jaw.
“You want to go away with me?” he asked.
Jocelyn nodded enthusiastically, relieved he wasn’t offended. “You deserve a break, Gaston. You’ve been working so hard — for me, for the family image. And I know you need… privacy p>
She meant privacy to be with his lover, away from the prying eyes of the press and his father.
He thought she meant privacy for them. To finally cross the line they had been dancing around.
“I accept,” Gaston said. His gaze locked onto hers, intense and heated.
“You do p>
“Absolutely. I’ll handle the London merger and then clear my schedule completely. Leo can manage the board.” He stood up, energy radiating from him. “When do we leave p>
“Next Friday,” Jocelyn said. She almost added, I hope he likes it, but caught herself and swallowed the words. It was better to keep it vague.