Chapter 51

Stella's POV

The private dining room provided the perfect intimate setting for my lunch with Luke. He stood to greet me.

"What a pleasant surprise," he smiled warmly.

I placed a carefully wrapped gift on the table. "A small token of appreciation for saving my grandmother."

His eyes lit up at the sight of the tie-subtle enough for hospital wear, yet perfectly matching his elegant taste.

I feared he might refuse the gift, so I added, "I designed this tie myself."

His interest piqued, and he immediately accepted the gift. "Thank you, Mr. Lancaster!"

As we left, he noticed the car I was driving.

"Mr. Lancaster, this car is quite beautiful and... familiar."

I admitted, "I took it from Adam's collection." "I begged him to sell me this car, but he refused. Now he just gives it to you. He must love you so much!" he remarked."I begged him to sell me this car, but he refused. Now he just gives it to you. He must love you so much!" he remarked.

Would you like to test the speed, Mr.Morgan?"

I believed no man could refuse such an invitation.

\---

Adam's POV

I wheeled myself into the VIP room, maintaining the facade I had grown weary of over the years. Mark and Luke were already there, wearing those irritatingly smug smiles.

"Why bother with the wheelchair when it's just us?" Luke teased,raising his glass.

"Our friend here is just too lazy to walk," Mark added, clearly enjoying the joke.

I shot them a cold glance. "Is there a reason for this meeting?"

"Do friends need a reason to get together?" Luke's smnile deepened as he signaled the waiter for another round. This guy always loved to stir things up.

I couldn't be bothered with their idle chatter, responding only when necessary. Let them think what they wanted; I had more pressing matters to attend to. After three drinks, Luke dramatically pulled out a gift box. "Take a look at this. What do you think?" He opened the box to reveal a silk tie. Deep green with subtle vine patterns.

"It's fine," I said, barely glancing at it. The sooner this tedious meeting ended, the better.

"Just fine?" Luke's tone held a hint of mischief. "This is a special thank-you gift from your wife, designed just for me."

My fingers tightened around the armrest. Stella had designed a tie for Luke.

"The pattern is unique," Luke continued, seemingly oblivious to the shift in atmosphere. "She even cleverly incorporated my name into it-"

I reached out and took the tie. It was mine now.

"Hey!" Luke protested. "That was a gift from her to me! I just wanted to show you-"

"Has Stella ever given you a gift, Adam?" Mark's question made my jaw clench.

"I'll compensate you," I forced myself to stay calm."Pick a car from my garage." Luke's eyes lit up, but I added,"Or you can try to take the tie back." He looked at me, then at the tie, and finally sighed. "Fine, keep it. Though I would have preferred the tie..." "Then no car." I said. stuffing the tie into my pocket, ignoring their knowing glances. My wife's first gift was not going to another man.

Taylor refilled our drinks, and the conversation shifted to other topics. But my thoughts remained on the tie in my pocket and Stella. It seemed she had time to design gits for others.

\---

Stella's POV

I finally sent off the last email to the GT Group's planning department at 11:30 PM. After staring at spreadsheets all day.my eyes were sore. All I wanted now was a hot bath and sleep.

The master bedroom still felt a bit strange-my things mixed with Adam's, my skincare products next to his aftershave. But the bed was so comfortable that I didn't have the energy to think about it.

I must have fallen asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow because the next thing I knew, the blanket was being pulled away, and a cold draft hit me, followed by someone pinching my nose.

"Stop it..." I mumbled, trying to burrow deeper into the covers. A strong hand grabbed my wrist, and something lightly tapped my cheek. "Stella, are you hibernating?" "Mr. Lancaster," I gritted my teeth and opened my eyes."You are the most annoying man in the world."

I tried to pull my hand away, but accidentally brushed against his cock... Oh. My. God.

"Sorry!" I immediately retreated under the covers, feeling my face burn.

"Mrs. Lancaster," his voice carried that dangerous tone that always made my heart race. "Where's my gift?"

I peeked out from under the covers, confused. "What gift?"

"You designed a tie for Luke."

Was he... jealous? The mighty CEO of GT,jealous over a tie?

"That was a thank-you gift for saving my grandmother!"I tried to hide under the covers again, but his grip tightened.

"One week."

"What?"

"You have one week to prepare my gift," his thumb traced circles on my wrist, sending shivers up my arm. "Make it special." I stared at him in disbelief. "Are you seriously jealous over Luke's tie?" He didn't answer, pulling me into his arms instead. His body heat seeped through my pajamas, and despite my annoyance, I couldn't help but relax.

"One week, Mrs. Lancaster," he whispered, his breath tickling my ear. "Don't disappoint me."

I could feel him fiddling with something in his pocket-probably Luke's tie. Such a possessive man. But as sleep began to claim me again, I couldn't help but smile. Who would have thought that the high and mighty Adam could be so childish over a small gift?

His arms tightened around me, and I heard him mutter something that sounded like "mine." Maybe I should indeed prepare a special gift, just to see that possessive gleam in his eyes again.