LOGINSARAHMy phone rings immediately when the message goes through. I smile at Ronan’s contact name displayed on my screen. Grumpy. I swipe the icon to the right, and once it clicks with the green buzzer on the screen, I put it on loudspeaker. “So, you do know something about Langford group of companies.” He laughs at his end of the line. The sound of it, rich and silky, makes my cheeks hot. The heat spreads to my chest very quickly, down to my stomach, until I’m seated on my chair with my right leg crossed over my left, craving some kind of friction—any kind—between my legs. “They’re a family company. Sort of affiliated, but not really. We’ve worked closely with them for years. We only thought it was right.” “I see,” my tongue trails over my teeth. I try my best to hide my smile. “You know you didn’t have to.”“I know. We wanted to. Since we’re going to be a family soon, it’s only fair we keep the family business together.”“You make it sound like a cult.”“That’s sexy. Cults are
SARAH “You must be out of your fucking mind.”I seethe. I can feel my heart pounding, but I refuse to let him see me shake, or stutter. He won’t win this battle, whether by wits or will. Julian straightens his tie, that smug expression still plastered on his face. “You might want to be careful with your words, Sarah. You will need to be on my good side very soon. As I said, I spoke to Aaron about acquiring his shares. He was very receptive to the idea.”I still can’t believe the words that are coming out of his fucking mouth. “You went to see my ex-husband. In prison. To buy shares in my company.”Friends definitely do not do things like that. “Our company,” he corrects. “And yes. Aaron still owns a significant portion of Wellspring. Just because he’s behind bars for now doesn’t mean those shares disappear, Sarah. You should know that.”I stare at him, trying to reconcile this man standing in front of me with the man that seemed to have my back at the hospital. The man who smile
SARAH When I wake up the next morning, my whole body feels like I’ve been hit by a truck.It feels like my body is intent on reminding me I’m pregnant, punishing me for it. The bedroom is flooded with sunlight, and the light attacks my eyes once my kids part open. However, it’s voices coming from downstairs that bother me the most. “What the hell?” I mutter, sitting up.Ronan appears in the doorway right on time. His dark blonde hair is scattered all over his face, glued to the skin of his forehead with sweat. His black vest is also pressed against his skin, soaked. Did he just run a marathon? “Morning, kitten.” He smiles at me.“How are you feeling?”I stretch my hands and scratch my eyes with it, hoping it’ll make them adjust to the light. “Confused. Why does it sound like there’s a football team in our house?”He chuckles.“We called a doctor and some nurses. They’re going to run some tests.”Instinctively, my eyes find the antique wall clock beside the door. Long arm on num
SARAHThe steps leading to the room are littered with red rose petals and clothes—lots of clothes, all of which belong to me.For now. One by one, I rid myself of every item until I’m standing before them, basking in the warmth of their loving and hungry stares. “Come on,” I fold my arms at the landing of the staircase, rose petals glued to the sole of my feet. My brows furrow, while my anticipation grows by the second. We waited at dinner for the house to be cleared of all staff. Now that I have them to myself, I have no desire to waste one more second of our time. “Where do you think you’re going fully clothed?”Ronan’s eyes twinkle with a smile as his lips spread out into a wide grin that makes my heart do several back flips at a fucking time. “You’re gonna have to learn patience, kitten.”“Yeah,” I kiss my teeth and shake my head. “I kinda ran out of those a few hours ago. You’re going to have to be quick on your feet now if you want a piece of me.”“Oh. Fuck me.” Jaxon blurt
Sarah Ronan must sense it because his hand tightens on my waist, and when I look up at him, there’s heat in his blue eyes that makes my knees weak.“You know,” he leans into me. “I know what you’re thinking,” he murmurs, soft lips brushing against my ear.“Oh yeah? And what am I thinking?” I arch my brow and fold my arms across my chest. My eyes catch Jaxon’s smirk. He’s so fucking hot. I press my thighs together. His hand slides lower…down my naked back, just barely above my waist, and his voice drops into a sultry, deadly sound. “You’re thinking about how badly you want us right now.”Rocks the size of tennis balls appear in my throat. I forcefully push them down with one forceful—and painful—gulp. “Can you blame me?” Ronan and Malachi shake their heads as they laugh. Slowly, Malachi’s thumb brushes over my cheekbone. “I can tell you exactly what we’re going to do to you, kitten. But the house is filled with workers,”Oh. So that’s why I felt like I was being watched. “Le
SARAH Can someone please tell me why Jaxon has been weird as hell all freaking afternoon? Between his awkward silence and weird obsession with his phone, it’s really hard to pick which is getting on my nerves more. And every single time I’ve called him out on it, he’s looked at me with innocent eyes round with remorse—only to do the same fucking thing again. During my mani-pedi, he excused himself twice to make calls. And now, as I step out of the car at the vineyard, he’s practically vibrating with nerves. I’ve asked, believe me, over and over again if he’s okay, and I’m about to do it again. For the fifteenth time in five hours. PSA: I’m not exaggerating. “You okay?” I ask, watching him fumble with his keys.He fiddles with the top button of his grey shirt. One would think it’s ninety degrees out here with how much he’s sweating. I watch him blink twice before turning to me, the brightest fake smile glued on his face like a mask. “Perfect. Great. Why wouldn’t I be?”Uhmm, I







