Chapter 93

**Sarah**

Jakob and I successfully presented our LoveLogic app to the investors, despite Philip staring directly and intently at me while I was explaining how the app works and the current generation's deep interest in it.

Philip's gaze made my insides burn with an inexplicable heat as if he wanted to devour me right there. It felt like his very breath was caressing every fiber of my being. However, I mustered the discipline to ignore him for the time being and focus on the task at hand.

We told the investors that our virtual dating app will have a soft launch in major app stores next week, allowing some users an early try. The full-scale release event is planned for next month. Jakob and I emphasized this timing, which works well since Jane will have completed Bronn's non-player character AI by then.

After the presentation, Emily approached me looking uneasy.

In a hushed tone, she asked, "Sarah, can I please return to my home in Highland Hills tonight?"

Concerned, I replied, "Did something happen?"

"It's just that... my daughter," she said, looking at me directly. I didn't want to discuss her child there.

So, I simply said, "I hope everything is alright."

"She's fine. I'm just homesick."

I smiled at her. "It's fine, Emily. I'll have my guard take you."

"No need. I-"

Bronn approached us, noticing the serious conversation. "Is there a problem?"

I didn't hesitate to ask for his help. "Can you take Emily to the airport?" It was nine o'clock at night, and I didn't want my assistant to be in any danger.

"Sarah, I'm fine. I'll just call a taxi to take me to the airport," Emily insisted. I sensed she was tense about my offer, possibly wanting to avoid Bronn.

Fortunately, Bronn was persistent. "No, I'll take you."

After they left, Philip appeared by my side. His earlier look still had me flustered, and my heart raced when he asked, "Can I invite you to dinner?"

I hadn't yet fully recovered from the intense feelings stirred by Philip's earlier gaze. To steady my emotions, I glanced at my friend Jakob, deeply engaged in conversation with another investor across the room. I had planned to invite Jakob to a celebratory dinner to mark our successful pitch.

"I'll be leaving tonight, Sarah," Philip said, redirecting my attention away from Jakob.

"Oh! Where are you going?" I asked, turning to him.

"I have a race to attend in Europe the day after tomorrow. I-I was hoping we could spend some time together before I leave."

"Can I join?" I surprised myself with my own words.

Philip's smile slowly disappeared, "No! I-I mean, I know you have a lot to do this week, including the preparation for the LoveLogic app launch."

He was right, but I sensed another reason. While it had been a while since I last attended a racing event, that alone didn't feel like a sufficient reason to suddenly decide against participating. I needed to inform Amir about potentially joining the race and coordinate with my support team. However, I was eager to try and attend Philip's race as a spectator.

Linking my arm with Philip's, I silently agreed to his offer and let him lead me wherever he wanted to go.

We stepped into the elevator car, the tension between us thick despite the presence of Philip's guards Trey and Josh.

As we walked down the hallway, Jakob called, but I ignored it and sent a message instead:

***Me:*** *I'm with Philip for dinner. Catch you later!*

Philip's group stopped in front of a door. He turned to Trey and Josh. "The two of you can rest for now. I'll leave Josh with Sarah. Trey, prepare your things; we'll be leaving tonight."

I smiled at the guards as the suite door swung open, revealing a surprisingly romantic scene inside. A small table was positioned in the middle of the room, surrounded by the flickering glow of numerous electronic candles, adorned with a tempting array of food.

"Wow! This is amazing, Philip!" I exclaimed. But when I looked at him, he was staring at me intensely.

Philip slowly reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair away from my neck before leaning in to inhale deeply along the exposed skin. I felt a shudder run through me at the sensation, my pulse quickening.

"Philip"

"I'm sorry I've been missing your scent," he murmured huskily, his lips grazing my shoulder.

"I've been missing your kisses..." I confessed in a heated whisper before I could stop myself.

His eyes darkened with unrestrained desire, and he couldn't resist pressing his lips to mine. I responded eagerly, our mutual hunger evident in our kiss.

He cleared the food off the table so I could sit there. A mix of need, longing, and ache surged through me

His lips fervently met mine, sparking a yearning to delve deeper into the kiss while my hands explored his broad chest.

"You looked absolutely stunning at that presentation, Sarah," Philip murmured against my neck, his tongue tasting my skin. "I always told myself I wanted to claim what's mine" His thumb brushed over my lips. "Are you mine, Sarah? Maybe I'm going mad thinking that It hurts to think you might not be"

Philip scooped up a waiting panna cotta with his fingers and fed it to me, the act surprisingly erotic. A stirring sensation ignited in my stomach as I licked his fingers, locking eyes with him.

His breath hitched, a soft groan escaping his lips as though he savored my response to the sweet treat. When he withdrew his fingers, he kissed me deeply once more.

Lost in the moment, Philip lifted me effortlessly from the table and guided me to a nearby sofa. With tender care, he seated me, his palm slipping beneath the flowing fabric of my dress.

I felt his warm breath against my skin as his hand traced my thighs.

"I wish it were easy to forget, Sarah So you wouldn't have to hurt anymore," he murmured, my black underwear sliding down to my knees as he spoke. "I wish I could take away all your pain I wish I had done better so you wouldn't have been hurt in the first place"

He held up the black underwear in his palm. He sniffed it as if gathering courage before proceeding.

Philip's eyes reflected longing and sadness. What had happened to him?

Before I could utter a word, he shifted my position. In an instant, his lips touched the most sensitive nerves within my core, causing my moans to roam inside his suite. His tongue alone sent a thousand pleasures coursing through my body. With each stroke, waves of ecstasy surged through me, overwhelming my senses.