Novels by Elizabeth Hicks

ARI'S POV:"When I heard Mr. Thorne had gotten married, I prayed it would be to a good woman." Elvis's grandmother, Margaret, set a cup of coffee in front of me with a warm smile. "Looks like the heavens answered."I wrapped my hands around the cup, letting the warmth seep into my palms. "Thank you.""Please, drink up while I get started on lunch." She turned toward the counter and began pulling things out of the cabinets. "And forgive me for being late this morning. I should have been here before you arrived."I almost told her I didn't need the coffee, but she looked so kind and eager that I kept my mouth shut. Instead, I brought the cup to my lips and blew the steam away."I don't think I'll be a very good wife," I said, fluttering my lashes at the dark liquid.If Nathan had shown up that night at the restaurant, if he had said yes and put a ring on my finger, I would have spent every waking moment trying to figure out how to be the perfect wife for him. I would have read articles,

ARI'S POV:"Daddy?"I turned around and saw a little boy standing in the doorway. He had a mop of curly brown hair, dark skin, and the most beautiful brown eyes I had ever seen. He was so cute, I wanted to scoop him up and hold him close.Wait a second.I spun toward Martin. "I thought you said Elias didn't have a son?"Martin looked like he was about to burst out laughing any second. His lips were pressed together tightly, and his shoulders were shaking.If this was about me worrying over motherly duties, I take it back. All of it."What are you two going on about?" Elias snapped. "I don't have a son."The boy's face crumpled. His bottom lip pushed out, and tears filled his eyes, big and shiny, dripping down his cheeks before he even made a sound."Daddy," he whispered, his voice cracking. "Why do you hate me?"I turned and glared at Elias. Then I reached over and smacked him on the back of his head. Not hard, but enough to make a point."How can you be so heartless?" I hissed at hi

ARI'S POV:"That went well, I guess?" I said, pursing my lips as the door slammed shut behind Henry. For an old man, he had some strength in him.Martin dragged out the word. "Really?"His face was neutral, no expression, and I couldn't tell what he was thinking. I didn't want him to think I was a liar, so I told the truth."What I said was true. All of it. Except the tears." I shrugged. "Those were fake. I didn't mean for things to get out of hand. I just wanted to show him that nothing stays the same forever.""But you also resented him for insulting you."I shook my head. "No." Martin gave me a questioning look so I kept going. "I resented him for not understanding what people like me go through. The sacrifice. The pain. The struggle just to get through each day. He looked down on me like I chose to be poor. Like it was some kind of failing. I just wanted to pull the veil from his eyes. I don't know if it helped."Martin was quiet for a second. Then he murmured, "Even though your s

ARI’S POV:He walked out without looking back, his shoulder stiff. I turned to Martin giving him a questioning look butMartin gave me a tight smile, asking if I would be okay on my own. I waved my hand at him. "Just go. See if he's alright."Martin nodded once and spun around, following Elias out of the room. Their footsteps faded down the hall and then I was alone with Henry."It seems the prodigal son has returned," Henry said, bending down to measure my waist.I blinked at him. Prodigal son. That was a weird thing to say. My mind started spinning. Did Elias have a son? Was there a kid somewhere that nobody told me about? I wasn't ready to take care of a child. I could barely take care of myself.And why was my brain even going there? It wasn't like I was actually his wife. This was a contract—a deal. Forty-five days and I was out. I didn't need to know about his family or his secrets or his possible children. That wasn't part of the agreement.I was still thinking about it, still

ARI’S POV:"She's my wife."I stared up at the man who had his hand on my waist, too surprised to speak. I didn't know what to do or how to act around him. He kept leaving me tongue-tied, like I never knew what to expect next.He glanced down at me and I felt heat rise to my cheeks.This was a play. I was supposed to act my part.So I did. I smiled up at him, sweet and soft, and placed my hand on his chest right over his shirt. "Honey, what are you doing down here? Isn't your call meeting over?"His eyebrows went up and I saw the ghost of a smirk on his lips. He was impressed.Maybe I should take up acting class after all this is over."Congratulations, Mr. Thorne." Henry bowed low, then turned to me. "And I apologize, Mrs. Ari, for my disrespect."My eyes went wide. Wow. This was how people treated the wealthy. Like they were royalty or something. I suddenly felt bad, as if I were mocking him just by standing there.I shot my husband a look and whispered under my breath. "What should

ARI'S POV:It took everything in me to rip myself away from that bed. I lay down for just a second, to feel the softness, and my eyes got heavy immediately. The pillows were like clouds, soft and fluffy marshmallows, and my body was screaming at me to just stay there, to drift off and forget about everything. But I forced myself up, dragging my feet to the bathroom.The bathroom was another thing entirely. Everything in this mansion screamed heaven on earth. Forget my pride. If Martin brought up that contract extension again, I would have grabbed it with both hands, feet included.There was a big black tub in the corner, the kind you see in magazines. It could fit five of me easily and still have space left. And yes, I know I'm that skinny. The walls were a soft gray color, calm and clean-looking. A sliding glass door opened to a shower space with big shower heads that rain water down on you. Little bottles lined a shelf inside, fancy shampoo and body wash that probably cost more than