Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1014

The sound of water echoed from the bathroom. James was quick and efficient, taking care of things in no time. Soon, the water stopped.

He knew Emmy got embarrassed easily, so when he walked out, he was already fully dressed. In his hands, he carried a complete set of her clothes, everything she’d need. He brought them over to the bed.

“Need a hand?” He bent down, leaning close to where Emmy had her face buried in the pillow, teasing her a little.

Emmy didn’t dare look up, worried she’d see something she really shouldn’t. “No! Just go wait outside!”

James let out a quiet laugh and didn’t push her. He set the clothes down by the bed, then reached over and ruffled her messy hair. “Alright, I’ll be outside if you need me.”

He turned and walked out, shutting the door behind him.

Only then did Emmy slowly sit up, moving like every bone in her body ached. Her lower back and legs felt completely foreign. She gritted her teeth, grabbed the clothes, and started getting dressed, one piece at a time. By the time she finally made it to the bathroom mirror, she froze.

The woman staring back at her had flushed cheeks, eyes still shining with that unmistakable post-romantic glow. She looked… very well taken care of. But her long, pale neck was covered with vivid red marks. They were everywhere, some lighter, some darker, reaching down to her collarbone and lower. There was no way these would fade in a day or two.

Emmy groaned, covering her face with her hands. She had so much to do today. How was she supposed to face anyone with a neck covered in hickeys? Was James part animal or what?

While she was still moping in front of the mirror, James knocked on the door, as if he could read her mind. Emmy opened up, and he handed her a small, fancy jar. He nodded toward her neck. “This should help.”

Emmy blinked, taking it without thinking. She opened it up. It was concealer, the really good kind, meant for covering bruises. She stared at him, surprised. “How do you even know about this?”

James looked at her, his eyes a little darker. “You used to use it all the time.”

She wasn’t just pretending. Her muscles still ached, but it was way better than when she woke up.

James lifted an eyebrow, a glint of mischief in his gaze. He leaned down, his lips brushing close to her ear, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’re recovering faster than I thought. Looks like your stamina’s improved.”

“So next time, I don’t have to hold back.”

Emmy’s head snapped up and she stared at him. “What did you just say? Last night, you…”

James laughed quietly at her stunned, adorable face, his thumb rubbing gentle circles on her waist. “If I hadn’t held back, I’d have been worried about breaking you.”

In his eyes, she was still someone fragile, someone he had to treat with care. No matter how much he wanted her, no matter how badly he wanted to lose himself, he always made sure to keep a little control, just in case he really did hurt her.