Boardroom And Bedroom

ing into an even deeper pit of loneliness and despair. They had achieved their mission - I felt like a w

nnection with me, nor defended me from his family's constant belittling. More often than not, I would

nteractions did little more than reaffirm the pi

e - only to freeze in the entranceway. Jack stood angrily pacing as he barked o

ctions are inexcusable. We're in the midst of acquiring multiple key assets - y

jaw as his already severe expression somehow hardened even further into one of displeasure at my intrusion. W

e you that," he growled menacingly into the phone before

gravated state of his. Though I'd witnessed flashes of Jack's legendary temper previously, this si

the uncomfortable tension, Jack suddenly bro

or were you simply trying to disrupt

ted bit towards me. I briefly regained my be

refully. "I only meant to check if everything wa

knowledgment in the depth of his slate-blue eyes at my formal show of res

ay then and not linger where

ything different? He had made it abundantly clear from our union's very beginn

ing from his domain, the finality of the interaction a tangible slap in the face. As always,

ntation. More specifically, the volatility he'd exuded, simmering just below that stoic, unflappable exterior of his. It hinte

from him. An insatiable need to succeed and conquer... or perhaps unhealed scars from some trauma

ite myself. A desire to peel back the harsh, implacable layers encasing Jack Westbroo

our bond work or garner even the barest scrap of affection, Jack sealed off every inroad towards intimacy. Kept me pinned at an impassable

feel like a total outsider in his heart and home. If Jack made so much as

oonlight streaming through the bedroom windows. He lay beside me, expression smoothed into de

of his jawline, the aristocratic slope of his nose, those defined lips set in their perpetual flat line while he slumbered. Up close, I could notice hints

and strict codes of reserve, I wondered? What insecurities or ghosts fr

countered during his violent outburst hours ago. Yet I could sense remnants of that brooding side o

an side suffocated and buried alive beneath crushing layers of Westbrook expectations and corporate responsibility.

stent this time. A need to unearth the complexities of this man who remained stubbornly closed off, guarded from the most b

iable spark of resolve kindling inside. No, this hollow, loveless union could not b

through the impervious layers Jack Westbrook encased himself behind. To finally reach wha

of Jack Westbrook beyond his gilded cage and icy glares - no mat

ld of hidden secrets and humanity lay locked away, desperate