Chapter 1 Her Time With Vincent Was Running Out

In the dimly lit presidential suite, the air was thick with the heat of passion.

The entwined couple on the bed reached their climax together, two satisfied groans escaping their lips as they breathed heavily, caught in the afterglow.

Katherine Gill lay still, her face buried in the plush pillow, her breath still uneven, a faint flush coloring her skin.

Vincent Murphy's hand slipped away from her collarbone, brushing aside her silky hair to reveal the delicate curve of her neck.

He leaned down, his lips pressing soft, warm kisses against her skin, causing a slight tremor to run through her body.

The room, once calm, now buzzed with a rekindled intensity.

Suddenly, the phone by the bedside buzzed, breaking the spell.

Vincent paused, his long arm reaching out to grab his phone.

Katherine's eyes fluttered open, curiosity piqued as she watched him stand, moving toward the bathroom with the phone in hand.

The bathroom door shut, but Katherine's ears caught the faint sound of a soft female voice calling Vincent's name.

Her heart sank like a stone, pulled down by a wave of sinking certainty.

The warmth in her eyes faded as the whispered rumors of Vincent's impending engagement resurfaced, turning her stomach.

For five years, she had been Vincent's secretary, and for three of those, his secret lover.

But now, she could feel the change. He had always answered calls openly before, never hiding them from her.

Never before had he interrupted their intimacy for a call-yet this time, something was different.

It was clear that whoever was on the other end of that line held more than just his attention.

Katherine's mind raced as she processed the overwhelming truth: her time with Vincent was running out.

The sound of water running from the bathroom filled the room.

Katherine's eyes grew dull as she tried to collect her conflicting emotions.

Being his lover was one thing, but she refused to be the reason another woman's marriage fell apart. She would never allow herself to become the kind of person she deeply resented.

When Vincent stepped out of the bathroom, he was wearing a robe, droplets of water still clinging to his damp hair.

Katherine was already seated on the sofa, fully dressed and reviewing Vincent's upcoming schedule on her laptop.

Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and her neckline, slightly open, revealed faint marks from their passionate encounter.

Vincent's eyes lingered on them, his breath catching as the desire he had suppressed briefly resurfaced.

"Mr. Murphy, your dinner with a business partner is scheduled for eight tonight."

Katherine's indifferent tone snapped Vincent out of his thoughts.

Her tone conveyed the impression that their relationship was purely professional, nothing more.

Vincent loathed Katherine's composed and logical manner-the way she so effortlessly drew a line between work and intimacy once they were out of bed.

His brows knitted together, his voice still rough, laced with a strange mix of irritation and coldness. "Get a driver to take me back to Sacford immediately."

Katherine's gaze shot up, caught off guard. "Now?"

"Yes."

The words hung between them, and Katherine fought the urge to ask if his abrupt decision had anything to do with the woman on the other end of the phone.

But she knew her place-she had no right to question him.

To Vincent, she was nothing more than a lover-someone he could easily cast aside with money.

As she absorbed the weight of this, Vincent moved toward her, his presence commanding and sudden.

Katherine quickly lowered her gaze, focusing on the screen of her laptop. "Mr. Murphy, this collaboration is crucial for the company," she said, trying to maintain control.

Without warning, Vincent grabbed her hair, yanking her head back to force her gaze to meet his.

At the same time, he shoved his leg between hers, forcing her knees apart.

His raw, aggressive energy overwhelmed her.

Katherine felt a flush of anger and humiliation-this wasn't the Vincent she knew.

Six months ago, he had been tender, patient, but now...

Now, he was unpredictable, cruel, in ways that left her reeling.

A few droplets of water from his hair dripped onto her neck, tracing down her skin and sending a shiver through her body.

Her legs instinctively pressed together, trembling from the cold sensation.

That small, involuntary reaction only fueled Vincent's desire.

He had originally intended to have her perform oral sex, but now, he couldn't resist pulling her up into his arms, kissing her fiercely.

The sting in her arm from his forceful grip barely registered as her mind was swept away by the depth of his kiss.

They always knew how to make each other burn with desire-he knew her sensitive spots, and she knew his.

He sucked at her neck, biting gently, pushing her to the edge of madness, until she tilted her head, desperate for more.

Just as quickly as he had pulled her in, Vincent suddenly shoved her away.