Chapter 497
Chapter 497:
“Sterling Knight and Isolde Carson? That’s the power couple of the year, right there p>
Inside the blessedly quiet elevator, Isolde finally found her voice.
“Sterling, you can put me down now p>
The doors slid shut, encasing them in a small, private world. He did not loosen his grip. He simply looked down at her, his playful demeanor gone, his gaze turning impossibly intent.
“And if I don’t want to?” he asked, his voice a low, unhurried murmur.
J𝗼𝘪𝗇 𝘵𝘩𝗈𝗎𝗌an𝗱ѕ 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝘢ո𝘀 𝗈ո
The VIP hallway on the hotel’s top floor was silent, warm wall lamps casting soft pools of light that shut out the noise of the gala below. Sterling guided Isolde gently onto the cashmere carpet outside her suite, his movements tender and careful, as though afraid to startle her.
Isolde pulled his suit jacket — still warm from his body — closer around her shoulders, adjusted her damp skirt, and felt her heart race for reasons she couldn’t quite explain. She looked up at him, exhausted and genuinely grateful.
“Thank you, Sterling. Tonight was… a lot p>
Sterling leaned against the wall, his gaze steady and calm, stripped of all its usual playfulness.
“I don’t think it was a lot,” he said. “I think it was necessary p>
Isolde couldn’t hold his gaze. She fumbled for her room card with slightly unsteady fingers, desperate to put a door between herself and the intensity of his stare.
“I need to rest. The final is tomorrow p>
Just as she raised the card to the sensor, he gently closed his hand around her wrist. The warmth of his touch seeped through the fabric of her dress — sincere and unhurried.
“Isolde. I need to say something p>
The hallway was still and empty, the soft light floating quietly around them. The atmosphere shifted, turning solemn.
Sterling let go of his easy manner entirely.
“What I did for you at the gala was more than just stepping in p>
Isolde looked down at her feet, pressing down the flutter of panic rising in her chest. “I know. You wanted to unsettle Grayson on my behalf p>
Sterling exhaled softly. He reached out and tilted her chin up gently, until her eyes met his — open and unwavering.
“No. Grayson isn’t worth my time. I did it for you. Only for you p>
Isolde went still, the bluntness of it catching her completely off guard.
“I am drawn to your talent,” Sterling continued, his voice warm and direct, “and moved by your strength. Isolde, I want to pursue you — not as a sponsor, but as a man p>
The unfiltered confession left her reeling.
She had only just escaped a broken marriage. Her focus was the competition and Effie, and nothing beyond that. She was not ready for anything new, and her voice came out small and uncertain.
“Sterling, right now I only want to win the competition. I have Effie, and my life is complicated p>
Sterling smiled, something gentle and knowing settling in his eyes.