Ellison And Joycelyn A Love Beyond The Rules

Joycelyn stared at her vibrating phone, her nerves jangling as Selene's name flashed across the screen. She shot up like a startled rabbit, her usual composure shattering.

"This is a disaster. They must be suspicious." Her typically clear head spun as she faced this unprecedented situation, her delicate features pinched with worry.

Ellison extended his hand for her phone.

"What are you doing?" Her face crumpled with alarm as she instinctively pulled back.

"Let me handle it," he said, his deep voice brooking no argument.

Though she resisted, his commanding presence made her fingers loosen their grip.

"Just... don't say anything weird," she pleaded, watching with bated breath as he answered.

"This is Ellison Grant. I found this phone last night and will have my assistant return it shortly." His gaze swept over her anxious face. "As for the owner..."

Joycelyn's breath caught in her throat as she watched him, terrified that one wrong word would destroy her career. His deliberate pause had her muscles coiling with tension.

Her eyes desperately telegraphed: 'Say something—anything!'

Noting her distress, he deliberately prolonged the moment, privately amused by her reaction. His lips curved slightly as he continued smoothly, "I'm unaware of her whereabouts."

Relief flooded through her. She'd narrowly escaped catastrophe.

"I'll have the phone delivered to your colleague." After hanging up, he set it beside his own.

"Okay, so when should I go downstairs?" She raised worried eyes to his. "Won't people notice?"

Her cheeks burned with mortification. Already shy about romantic matters, sleeping with her boss made her want to crawl into a hole and disappear.

He studied her expression carefully, maintaining his composure while she fidgeted. "Everyone's in the restaurant now. Wait here and leave later," he said calmly.

"Okay." She perched on the bed's edge, twisting her fingers together.

Without hesitation, he began dressing right in front of her. His model-worthy physique and chiseled features moved with practiced elegance.

Each glimpse of him sent her heart racing. 'Selene wasn't wrong,' she thought. 'These cool, composed types really are something else behind closed doors.'

"I'll take responsibility for this," he stated while fastening his buttons.

Her head snapped up in surprise before she shook it vigorously. "No, no, absolutely not! We're both adults -this was mutual. You don't need to take it to heart."

She was just an ordinary office worker fresh out of college, while he was a powerful and wealthy man- way out of her league. She repeated variations of "no need," her expression screaming resistance.

His brow furrowed slightly. Her reaction made him wonder if he seemed like some villain forcing himself on an innocent girl. "But I'm serious," he emphasized.

"So am I! Let's just never mention this again. My only request is that no one else finds out." She dropped her gaze to her feet, wilting under his intense stare.

After studying her silently, he relented. "Fine. I'll head down first."

"Mm-hmm." Her relief at his departure was palpable.

He cast her a final glance before leaving with both phones.

Alone at last, she flopped onto the bed with a groan, pummeling the comforter in frustration. "You've lost your mind, Joycelyn! Of all the men in the world, you had to sleep with Ellison?"

After wallowing sufficiently, she reasoned enough time had passed for her colleagues to be downstairs.

She washed her face, donned a mask, and carefully checked the hallway.

Finding there was no one outside, she slipped out quietly, opting for the emergency stairs over the elevator.

Linda Lorne stood by the stairwell, frowning as she watched Joycelyn emerge from Ellison's suite.

After descending several flights, Joycelyn reached her room and quickly packed. She loaded her luggage onto the bus before heading to the dining hall.

As a Fortune 500 powerhouse, Grant Group employed countless talented individuals. Though brilliant women filled its ranks, Joycelyn stood out. Her presence was like morning mist-ethereal, pure, refreshing carrying an enigmatic grace that set her apart.

Sharp-eyed Selene spotted her immediately. "Joycelyn, over here!" she called, waving enthusiastically. As Joycelyn returned the wave, she felt an intense gaze upon her. Turning slightly, she met Ellison's eyes. His sculpted profile and penetrating gaze-the same eyes that had devoured her the night before-sent her pulse racing.

'Why is he still at the entrance?' she wondered. 'Wasn't he supposed to be downstairs already?' "Sweetie, are you still drunk?" Selene asked, rushing over to link arms. "You're walking funny."

"Oh, I twisted my ankle in these heels yesterday," Joycelyn mumbled, heat rising to her cheeks. After last night's abandon and this morning's encore, her legs felt like jelly.

"Hmm..." Selene's knowing smirk widened. "One night away and you're all shy like a blushing flower." She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Don't tell me you got tipsy and jumped our Mr. Grant? That walk screams 'too many positions, too much fun.""

She had a sly grin plastered on her face, as if to say, "You can't fool me, I've got my eye on you." Joycelyn nearly collapsed at her friend's astute observation. "Keep your voice down!" she hissed, her face flaming. "People can hear you!"

Seeing Joycelyn's unusual embarrassment only encouraged Selene further. "Am I wrong? You got drunk, ran into our gorgeous boss, and thought 'I'm 26 and still haven't experienced a man.' Next thing you know..."

She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. "That would explain why he answered your phone this morning!" Joycelyn's already scarlet face darkened further. Each of Selene's guesses hit frighteningly close to home. "That's ridiculous," she protested weakly. "What romance novel are you living in?" Noting Joycelyn's guilty yet defensive expression, Selene's grin widened. She spotted Ellison approaching, surrounded by executives.

"If you won't tell me, I'll just ask Mr. Grant himself." Selene raised her hand in greeting. "Hi, Mr. Grant!" Joycelyn's heart stopped as she stared at the approaching Adonis, panic threatening to overwhelm her. She worried that if Selene brought it up, he would use the chance to expose their fling and make her "take responsibility."

Her stomach dropped as she realized her carefully constructed denial was about to come crashing down.