Part 26 ( Juliet )

The check arrives without ceremony, placed discreetly on the edge of the table by the waiter. Before I can so much as glance at it, Ellie's already reaching for it. No hesitation, no second thought, just a smooth motion as she slips her card inside like it's the most natural thing in the world.

I arch a brow, unimpressed. "You do realize I could buy this entire restaurant, right?"

Ellie leans back in her chair, a smirk curling at the edges of her lips. "And you do realize I'm a gentlewoman?"

I exhale through my nose, shaking my head. "You have a ridiculous sense of pride."

She doesn't even pretend to argue. "I just enjoy watching you lose."

I tilt my head slightly, my gaze steady on hers. "You think this is a win?"

Ellie grins, lazy and self-satisfied. "A little."

The waiter returns, handing Ellie her card back with a polite, "Thank you, Ms. Crawford."

I watch as she tucks it away, completely unfazed by the bill. Not a single blink of hesitation. No acknowledgment of the absurdity of paying for a meal when she's sitting across from a literal billionaire.

"You didn't even hesitate," I say, studying her.

Ellie shrugs, standing. "Why would I?"

I don't answer. Because there isn't an answer. Not one that would make sense to anyone who doesn't already understand her.

Ellie Crawford, stubborn to the end.

She pulls on her jacket, rolling her shoulders slightly as she does, her movements fluid. She's just tipsy enough that her steps have an easy looseness to them, but she's still steady, still collected.

Anthony is already stretching his arms over his head, letting out a satisfied groan. "Alright, I'd say that was a solid business dinner." He grins. "Nothing like signing a multi-million-dollar deal over overpriced wine."

Ellie chuckles. "You really know how to kill the moment, Vasquez."

Anthony claps a hand on her shoulder, completely unfazed. "It's what I do best."

I shake my head, adjusting my own jacket as we make our way out of the restaurant. The cool night air greets us as we step outside, cutting through the warmth left behind by the alcohol.

Ellie exhales, glancing up at the sky like she's trying to ground herself.

Then, she moves toward her car, fishing out her keys.

I frown. "You're not driving."

Ellie glances at me, one brow raised. "I'm fine."

I step in front of her, arms crossing. "No, you're drunk."

She scoffs. "I've driven worse."

I level her with a look. "That is not the argument you think it is."

Ellie sighs, looking like she wants to fight me on this, but even she knows I'm right. She runs a hand through her hair, exhaling sharply.

I nod toward the sleek black car idling by the curb. "Come with me."

Ellie blinks. "What?"

"My driver's already waiting." I gesture toward the car. "Unless you'd rather call a cab and have strangers recognize you at two in the morning?"

Ellie glances at the car, then back at me. I can see the internal battle happening in real-time, that same Crawford stubbornness clashing with the undeniable logic of my offer.

Eventually, she sighs, slipping her keys back into her pocket. "Fine."

Anthony, already heading toward his own ride, smirks. "This is cute. You two taking a little midnight drive together?"

I ignore him, walking toward my car.

Ellie mutters something under her breath before following me.

I slide into the back seat, and she joins me, the door clicking shut behind her. The space inside is warm, quiet. My driver nods at me through the rearview mirror, waiting for instructions.

"Take Crawford home," I say smoothly.

Ellie huffs a laugh, sinking into the seat. "You say that like you know where I live."

I glance at her, unfazed. "I do."

She gives me a lingering look. Then, she smirks. "Of course, you do."

I roll my eyes, turning my gaze to the window as the car pulls away from the curb.

The city stretches out around us, golden lights flickering past. The sound of the tires against the road is steady, the alcohol still buzzing faintly in my system.

Ellie shifts beside me, stretching her legs out slightly. "So, do you always drive people home after dinner, or am I special?"

I keep my expression neutral, but the corner of my lips quirks slightly. "Oh, you're special, Crawford."

Ellie chuckles, low and amused. "That almost sounded like a compliment."

I tilt my head, considering. "Did it?"

She smirks. "Don't worry, I won't let it get to my head."

I let the silence stretch for a moment, the energy in the car dipping into something heavier.

She's watching me again.

Not like before.

This time, it's quieter. Less of a game, more of something unsaid lingering between us.

I hold her gaze. Searching.

Ellie huffs a small laugh. "That's it? No lecture?"

I tilt my head slightly. "Would it change anything if I gave you one?"

She smirks. "Probably not."

"Exactly."

Ellie chuckles under her breath, shaking her head.

The car rolls smoothly through the city, and I let my eyes flicker back to the skyline outside.

Neither of us speaks for a while.

But, somehow, nothing about the silence feels empty.

The car glides through the city, the golden glow of streetlights casting fleeting shadows across Ellie's face. She's slouched back against the seat, legs stretched out, one arm resting lazily along the edge. There's an ease to her posture, but the way she keeps glancing at me, that sharp glint in her eyes, tells me she's anything but relaxed.

She's waiting for something.

I just don't know if she wants me to give it to her or make her chase it.

"You're awfully quiet," she muses, her voice dipping into something almost amused. "What's going on in that little head of yours?"

I tilt my head, feigning contemplation. "Just thinking."

"About?"

I let my gaze drag over her, slow, assessing. "Whether or not you'll survive the night with that ego still intact."

Ellie smirks, shifting slightly so she's facing me more fully. "Oh? You planning on bruising it?"

"Wouldn't be difficult."

She exhales a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "You talk a big game, Baldwin."

I arch a brow. "You of all people should know I don't talk unless I can back it up."

Her smirk deepens, her tongue sweeping over the inside of her cheek like she's holding back something sharper. "Right. Because you always have to be the one in control."

I hum, amused. "And you don't?"

Ellie leans in slightly, the air between us tightening just a fraction. "Oh, I do," she admits, voice dropping just enough to send a ripple of awareness down my spine. "But I also know when to give in."

I raise a brow, refusing to look away. "That so?"

She nods. "It's all about knowing when to pick your battles."

"And this?" I gesture between us, between the thick, undeniable tension coiling tighter with every second. "Is this a battle?"

Ellie watches me, then, in a voice laced with something just shy of a dare, she murmurs, "That depends."

"On?"

Her smirk is lazy, knowing. "On whether or not you want to lose."

I shift, smoothing down the hem of my blazer. "You always assume you have the upper hand."

Ellie grins. "You always assume I don't."

I shake my head, exhaling through my nose. "You know this won't end well."

"For who?" she challenges, one brow arching.

I don't answer.

Because I don't know.

Ellie watches me for a moment longer, then stretches her arms out, exhaling as she tilts her head back against the seat. "You're thinking too hard."

I scoff. "I'm thinking just enough."

She smirks. "If that were true, you wouldn't be looking at me like that."

I tilt my head. "Like what?"

Ellie clicks her tongue. "Like you're trying to decide if pushing me away is still an option."

I take a slow breath, letting the weight of her words settle. "And what's your conclusion?"

She grins, easy, confident. "It's not."

I hate how much she's right.

The car slows as we near her house, the city's glow flickering across her face one last time before the moment breaks.

Ellie reaches for the door handle.

"We'll finish this later, Crawford." I muse.

Ellie's fingers hover over the door handle, but she doesn't pull it just yet. Instead, she shifts slightly, turning toward me.

She tilts her head. "Unless you want to come in?"

Her voice is low, casual, but there's a weight to it. A deliberate challenge woven into the words.

I watch her for a beat, my fingers drumming lightly against my thigh. She's not just asking me to step inside her apartment. She's daring me. Testing how far I'll let this tension stretch before one of us snaps.

The smart choice would be to decline. To let her go inside, close the door behind her, and leave whatever this is simmering in the space between us.

But I don't feel like making the smart choice tonight.

I hold her gaze for a moment longer before I lean forward slightly, my voice smooth as I murmur, "Give me a minute."

Ellie's brows lift slightly, but I catch the flicker of something victorious in her eyes as I turn to the driver. "Wait for me."

The man nods, completely unfazed. I smooth a hand down the front of my blazer, then reach for the handle, pushing the door open with practiced ease.

Ellie steps out first, stretching her arms above her head as she exhales into the crisp night air. She glances over her shoulder as I follow, the smirk already forming on her lips. "Didn't think you'd actually say yes."

I hum and smooth the front of my blazer as I step onto the pavement beside her.

Ellie huffs a quiet laugh, shaking her head as she pulls out her keys and leads the way toward the driveway.

Her house—no, her estate—rises before us, modern and sprawling, all glass and sharp architecture. It's impressive, but I'd expect nothing less from her. Ellie Crawford doesn't do things halfway.

She unlocks the front door and pushes it open, stepping inside before glancing back at me. "Last chance to change your mind."

I arch a brow, stepping over the threshold without hesitation. "Not my style."

Ellie watches me for a beat, shutting the door behind us.

The entryway is dimly lit, the soft glow of recessed lighting highlighting the open-concept design. The air smells faintly of cedar-wood. It's quiet, the kind of stillness that comes with being the only person in a house too big for one.

Ellie tosses her keys onto the entryway table, rolling her shoulders. "You want a glass of water?"

I slip off my blazer, draping it over my arm as I glance around. "That depends. You offering me water or something worth drinking, or is this another one of your attempts at winning some invisible competition?"

Ellie snorts, already making her way toward the bar. "You wound me, Baldwin."

I hum, watching the way she moves, loose and unhurried, like she has all the time in the world. "I doubt that."

She glances at me over her shoulder, grabbing a water bottle from the shelf. "You really don't think you've ever left a mark on me?"

Ellie pours two glasses.

She hands me one before leaning back against the counter, her fingers wrapped around her own glass.

I take a sip, watching her over the rim. "Is that what this is? A conversation about old wounds?"

Ellie tilts her head, smirking slightly. "Do we need to talk about them?"

I set my glass down on the counter beside me. "No. But you keep bringing them up."

She exhales through her nose, rolling her glass between her palms. "Maybe I just like reminding you that you weren't as untouchable as you think you were."

I push off the counter, stepping closer, just enough to test the space between us. "You say that like you walked away unscathed."

Ellie doesn't move back. She holds my gaze, her smirk flickering, but not fading completely. "Who said I did?"

I study her, searching for something in her expression that she isn't willing to say out loud.

Ellie watches me just as closely, like she's waiting for me to be the first to crack.

I won't.

Not tonight.

Instead, I take another slow sip of my drink, letting the silence settle.

Ellie shifts, exhaling sharply. "You're thinking too much again."

I smirk. "And you think too little."

She hums, tipping her glass toward me in silent acknowledgment. "Maybe that's why we worked."

I arch a brow. "Worked?"

Ellie grins, lazy and infuriating. "Past tense, Baldwin. Don't tell me you're still holding onto something."

I don't let my expression falter. "Are you?"

Ellie holds my stare for a moment longer before downing the rest of her drink, setting the empty glass on the counter with a quiet clink. "If I was, you'd already know."

The challenge is there. Open. Unapologetic.

I swallow the rest of my own drink before setting my glass down beside hers.

The air between us is thick, charged with something neither of us wants to name. It's familiar, a dance we've done before.

Ellie smirks, tapping her fingers against the counter. "Guess you'll have to figure that out for yourself."

I shake my head, exhaling through my nose. "You never make things easy."

Ellie steps closer, just enough for the air to shift again. "Would you want me to?"

I hold my ground, refusing to step back. "Not even a little."

Ellie chuckles, low and knowing. "That's what I thought."

We stand there, neither of us moving, the space between us barely enough to be called distance.

I should step back.

I don't.

Ellie tilts her head, studying me. "You staying?"

I don't answer right away.

Not because I don't know.

But because I'm trying to decide if I want to say it out loud.

So i reach for my phone and text my chauffeur to leave.

Ellie waits, patient, but there's something else in her eyes, something that tells me she already knows my answer.

I shove my phone in my pocket and I exhale slowly.

Ellie shifts closer, her eyes darkening as she reaches out, her fingers over my hip. "Stay the night with me, Juliet. I promise it won't be a mistake."

I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest as I watch her, taking in every inch of her face. The tension between us is palpable, electric. It's a living, breathing thing, coiling tighter and tighter with each passing second.

Her touch sends a jolt of electricity through me, and I find myself leaning into her, craving more. "I don't do mistakes, Ellie," I murmur, my voice low and breathy.

Ellie smirks, her hand sliding higher, her fingertips brushing against the bare skin of my thigh. "Good. Because I don't plan on letting you regret this."

My breath hitches as her fingers dance along my skin, my body already responding to her touch. I can feel the heat pooling in my core, the desire building with every passing second.

Ellie leans in closer, her lips brushing against my ear as she whispers, "I want you, Juliet."

I shudder, a soft moan escaping my lips as her words wash over me. "Then take me." I breathe, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ellie's eyes darken with lust, and she wastes no time in capturing my lips with hers, kissing me with a hunger that takes my breath away. Her hands roam over my body, exploring every curve, every inch of bare skin.

I moan into the kiss, my hands fisting in her hair as I pull her closer, needing to feel every part of her against me. The kiss is messy, desperate, a clash of teeth and tongues as we devour each other.

Ellie's hands slide under my skirt, grabbing my ass and squeezing roughly as she grinds against me. I can feel her hardness pressing against my stomach, and it sends a wave of desire coursing through me.

"Bedroom," I pant against her lips, my voice strained with need.

Ellie nods, breaking the kiss as she takes my hand and leads me toward her room. The door slams shut behind us, and Ellie is on me again, her hands tearing at my clothes with a frenzied urgency.

I help her, tugging at her shirt, popping the buttons as I expose her chest. Ellie's breath is ragged as she reaches behind her back, unclasping her bra and tossing it aside.

I take a moment to admire her, taking in the swell of her breasts, the hardened peaks of her nipples. She's stunning, a vision of raw, unbridled desire.

"Fuck." Ellie groans, her hands cupping my breasts through my dress. "You're so fucking sexy."

I moan, arching into her touch as she kneads my flesh, pinching and rolling my nipples between her fingers. Electricity shoots through me, settling between my thighs as my panties grow damp.

Ellie's hands slide lower, pushing up my skirt as she seeks out the heat of my core. She groans as she finds me soaked, the thin fabric of my panties clinging to my skin.

I whimper, my hips bucking against her hand as I search for more friction. "Please, Ellie," I beg, not caring how desperate I sound. "I need you."

Ellie smirks, hooking her fingers in my panties and tearing them off in one swift motion. I gasp at the sudden exposure, my bare pussy now fully on display for her.

Ellie exhales, her eyes dark with lust as she takes in the sight of me. "You have no idea what you do to me."

She sinks to her knees, and before I can react, she's burying her face between my thighs, her tongue delving into my slick folds.

I cry out, my hands fisting in her hair as I hold her against me. She laps at my clit, sucking and flicking the sensitive bud until I'm writhing beneath her touch.

"Oh god," I moan, my head falling back as waves of pleasure wash over me. "Yes, just like that. Don't stop."

Ellie doesn't let up, her tongue plunging deep inside me as she fucks me with her mouth. The wet sounds of her sucking and slurping fill the room, mingling with my moans and whimpers.

I'm so close already, my body wound tight with anticipation. I can feel my orgasm building, the coil in my belly winding tighter and tighter with every flick of Ellie's tongue.

"Fuck, I'm gonna come," I pant, my thighs trembling as I grind against Ellie's face. "Don't stop. Please don't stop."

Ellie doubles her efforts, her tongue plunging deeper as she sucks hard on my clit. That's all it takes. I shatter, coming hard against Ellie's mouth as I cry out her name.

Ellie laps up every drop of my release, her tongue dragging over my sensitive flesh until I'm trembling and oversensitive.

She stands, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand as she grins at me. "You taste fucking amazing," she murmurs, her voice rough with desire.

I pull her down on top of me, my hands roaming over her back as I crush my lips to hers. I can taste myself on her tongue, and it only fuels my desire for her.

My hands slide down to the waistband of her pants, tugging at them urgently. Ellie helps me, shimmying out of them until she's bare before me.

I take a moment to admire her, taking in the sight of her hard cock bobbing against her stomach. I lick my lips, eager to taste her.

"Come here," I murmur, pushing her back onto the bed and crawling over her.

Ellie's eyes darken as I settle between her legs, my hands gripping her thighs as I lean in close. She groans, her head falling back against the pillow. "Juliet..."

I smirk up at her before taking her cock in my hand, stroking it slowly as I flick my tongue over the tip. Ellie moans, her hips jerking up off the bed as I swirl my tongue around the head, tasting the salty bead of precum that's gathered there.

I take her deep, my lips stretching around her thick girth as I bob up and down on her shaft. Ellie's fingers tangle in my hair, guiding me as I work her over with my mouth.

"Shit," she groans, her hips thrusting up to meet my lips. "You look so good with your mouth on my cock."

I hum around her length, the vibrations making Ellie gasp and curse under her breath. I take her deeper, feeling the head of her cock hit the back of my throat.

I pull back slowly, swirling my tongue along the underside of her shaft before taking her deep again. Ellie's grip on my hair tightens, her hips pumping up into my mouth as she fucks my face.

I relax my throat, taking all of her length down to the hilt. I swallow around her cock, the motion making Ellie moans out above me.

"Fuck," she pants, her chest heaving as she stares down at me with hazy eyes. "You're going to make me come if you keep that up."

I pop off her cock, grinning up at her wickedly. "That's the point."

Ellie shakes her head, tugging me up until I'm straddling her hips. "Not like this," she murmurs, reaching down to grab her cock and line it up with my entrance.

I moan as she rubs the head of her cock over my clit, teasing me with the promise of what's to come. "Please," I whimper, grinding down against her. "I need you inside me."

Ellie smirks, her eyes dark with lust. "You want my cock?"

I nod frantically, my hips rocking against hers desperately. "Yes. Please."

Ellie guides herself to my entrance, rubbing the head of her cock against my wet folds before pushing forward. I gasp as she enters me, slowly sheathing herself inside my tight heat.

"Fuck," she groans, her eyes squeezing shut as she bottoms out inside me. "You feel so good."

I moan, my head falling back as I adjust to the stretch of her cock filling me up. It's a delicious ache, one that sends sparks of pleasure radiating through my body.

Ellie starts to move, slowly at first before picking up the pace. She grips my hips tightly, guiding me to meet her thrusts as she pounds into me.

I cry out with each snap of her hips, my nails digging into her chest as I ride her hard and fast. The sound of skin slapping against skin fills the room, with our moans and groans.

Ellie leans up, capturing one of my nipples in her mouth and sucking hard. I cry out, arching into her touch as bolts of electricity shoot straight to my core.

"Oh god," I moan, grinding down harder on her cock. "Don't stop. Fuck me harder."

Ellie growls against my breast, biting down gently before soothing the sting with her tongue. She flips us over suddenly, pinning me down beneath her as she drives into me with renewed vigor.

I wrap my legs around her waist, urging her deeper as I cling to her shoulders. The new angle allows her to hit a spot inside me that has me seeing stars.

"Fuck," I gasp, my head thrashing against the pillow. "Right there. Don't stop."

Ellie leans down, kissing me hard and deep as she continues to pound into me. Our tongues dance together, each thrust of his hips sending shockwaves through my body.

I can feel my orgasm building again, the coil in my belly winding tighter and tighter with every snap of his hips.

"I'm gonna come," I pant against her lips. "Come with me."

Ellie nods frantically, her own climax approaching rapidly. She reaches between us, rubbing my clit in tight circles as she fucks me with abandon.

That's all it takes. I come hard, crying out her name as my walls clamp down around her cock. Ellie follows seconds later, her cock pulling out of me as she spills all over me with her seed.

We collapse together, both of us gasping for air as we come down from our highs. Ellie rolls off me, pulling me into her arms and holding me close.

"Wow," I breathe, nestling into her chest.

"Fucking incredible. " Ellie says, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

I nod, smiling up at her before turning to settle against her chest again. Her heartbeat is slow and steady beneath my ear, and I let it lull me into a state of relaxation.

"Stay the night," Ellie murmurs, her fingers playing lazily through my hair. "I want to wake up with you in the morning."

I nod again, too tired to argue even if I wanted to. The thought of waking up next to her tomorrow sounds like heaven.

I drift off to sleep like that, safe and content in the arms of the Ellie Crawford.