The CEO's Unspoken Love Novel

Chapter 16 *Please, she scoffed, taking a long sip before passing it back. "I'm not some blushing schoolgirl who gets nervous sharing a glass with a man." I drew next, pulling a diamond from the deck. "Dealer's choice," I said, my eyes finding Eleanor's across the circle. "I designate Eleanor for the next turn." She didn't flinch as she reached for the deck, her movements deliberate and unhurried. The card she turned over was a spade-a dare- and Daniel's eyebrows shot up as he read it.

"Share a passionate kiss with the tallest man in the room." A hush fell over the group as everyone's eyes darted between Eleanor and me. At six-foot-three, I was undoubtedly the tallest person present. I studied her, curious about what she would do. Would she kiss me, maintaining her earlier bravado? Or would she surrender, admitting defeat? An irrational part of me wanted to know which option she would choose, and why. The silence stretched until Thomas cleared his throat. "Maybe we should skip this one," he suggested awkwardly. "Yes, yes," Olivia jumped in. "This dare is ridiculous anyway.

What if a married couple was playing and the tallest man wasn't the husband? Talk about awkward. Let's move on." I felt something unexpected stir within me-a reluctance to see her struggle through five shots of bourbon for a game that suddenly seemed childish. "Two should be sufficient," I said, surprising myself with the intervention. "It's just a game, after all." Several eyebrows raised at my unexpected leniency, but I ignored the questioning glances. Eleanor's eyes met mine briefly-a flicker of surprise crossing her features before she masked it with practiced composure.

"Two glasses it is," she said quietly, pouring herself the shots. As she began drinking, I reached for the bottle and poured myself a shot without comment. Our eyes met briefly over the rims of our glasses as I downed mine in a single swallow. I couldn't explain the impulse-perhaps some misplaced sense of solidarity or a flicker of respect for her dignity. Eleanor finished both of her shots in quick succession, wincing slightly as the second one went down. A drop of liquor escaped the corner of her mouth, trailing down her chin before she caught it with her fingertip.

The simple gesture unsettled me in ways I hadn't anticipated. "Excuse me," she said, rising smoothly from her seat. "I need to use the restroom." 1/2 Do you want me to come with you?" Olivia asked immediately, concern evident in her voice. Eleanor shook her head. "I'm fine," she insisted, already moving toward the door. "I'll be right back." I watched her leave, noting the slight unsteadiness in her step. Her composure pricked my pride in a way I couldn't articulate.

Two years ago, she would have faltered under such pressure, yet now she walked away with her head held high, as though none of this affected her. "Your turn, Derek," Thomas prompted, but I was already standing. "Excuse me," I said, ignoring the knowing looks exchanged by my friends. I wasn't sure why I felt compelled to follow her. Logically, she was a grown woman who could certainly find her way to the restroom without my assistance. I told myself I was simply checking on her-she was still technically my wife, after all.

But as I pushed through the door into the dimly lit hallway, the truth grated on me: seeing her walk away stirred something in me I couldn't explain. A strange, irrational concern mixed with curiosity and something else I refused to name. It made no sense. I'd spent two years putting an ocean between us, convincing myself our marriage was nothing but an obligation. Yet here I was, following her like some lovesick teenager, all because she'd refused a dare to kiss me.

The contradiction rattled my carefully constructed indifference, but I couldn't seem to stop my feet from moving down the hallway after her. Comments 48 Write Comments SHARE 2/2 Ruby Walker Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby's writing style is bold and irresistible-perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.