Avery's POVMarcella’s wedding—a beachside wedding—was more than I ever envisioned. Unlike Marcella, Marcus has a huge network of friends who were in attendance. If it were before I discovered Ethan's ‘other side', I would be surprised at the network of Marcus's friends and the level of wealth he has, but given the fact that he was not just Ethan's secretary and right-hand man but a second in command in the da Coastia, he was no simple person. So unlike the small, intimate beach wedding my dear friend had in mind, her husband's friends made it look like a mini carnival. However, it was a beautiful and memorable wedding ceremony.To my surprise, Ethan walked Marcella down the aisle. Nobody saw it coming, but it felt beautiful and natural watching him walk her down and hand her over to Marcus with even a warning to treat her right! For one thing I could give to Ethan, he had many surprising sides to him.And yes, Marcus’s jaw-dropping reaction to Marcella's look in her wedding gown was
Our lips brush lightly against each other in a simple kiss, but like fire on dry grass, it soon grows hotter and more urgent. Ethan hoists me up against the wall, and I wrap my legs around his strong waist. The feel of his erection only intensifies the feeling of pleasure. I moan into his mouth when his erection presses against my center.He rests his forehead against mine. “Open your eyes, kitten.”I manage to smile when I hear him call me kitten and slowly open my eyes. In the dim light of the bedroom, his blue eyes shine with so much desire in them that it makes me shudder with pleasure. “Are we back?” I ask,my voice low and breathless with desire.His eyes turn serious. “Fuck!”The feeling disappears, and a sense of dread starts to settle in the pit of my stomach. “W..What is it?” I am unable to hide my fear from my voice. Surely he didn't regret kissing me too,right?A small frown appears on Ethan's face. “We were never away, or whatever that's supposed to mean.” A grin appears o
Avery's POVMy excitement after sending my response to Callier Accessories is hard to contain. It feels like a dream, but one look at the invitation sent to me by the company for a cruise ship party is all I needed to be fully aware that my dream is coming true. The only issue on hand is how to keep it away from Ethan until my designs enter the market. I want to surprise him and also be able to hold my head high beside him. No matter how I tried not to notice, I could feel the judgmental stares whenever we were outside. Maybe, like Belle, they just thought of me as a bedwarmer and someone with no talent of her own who was lucky enough to give birth to the Kings Group heirs.I am more than that, and I am going to prove that I am worthy of a man like Ethan.That's why, in the safety of my bedroom this afternoon, I am transforming from Avery to Jane. Jane is the name I used when sending out my sample designs. I decided to hide my identity as Ethan's wife because that's as good as all the
Avery's POV Today is the day for the cruise party, and I get to sign my contract today. Convincing the boys to spend the night at Nana's was harder than I first imagined, and it was only after I told them their aunt Estella would be there that they managed to be excited about the idea. I couldn't have been more grateful that Nana insisted on Estella staying with her throughout the pregnancy.After sending the boys to school, I take Lawrenta out with me for shopping so I don't rouse too much suspicion from Ethan's men. Without being told, I know he still watches my movements. I fake enthusiasm and buy only three evening dresses before handing them to Lawrenta to take home for me, but she is reluctant. “It is okay, Lawrenta. I am waiting for Anita here. When we are done, I will come home with her.” I smile convincingly when I see her reluctance to accept the shopping bags.“But why don't I wa—”“No. You can't wait together with me.” I interrupt, my voice rising. She appears stunned by
Ethan's POVI watched as the sun dipped below the horizon from where I stood on the luxury ship deck. The cold evening sea breeze made me rub my palms together to try to get some heat, as I had strangely rejected a jacket.“How about a cigarette?” Jeffery offers, producing a pack of cigarettes from his trouser pocket, but I immediately look away. “No thanks.”A chuckle rings from him. “Don't tell me it's because you have not smoked since then.”I hate to admit it, but it's the truth. Ever since Avery seized my pack of cigarettes and said something about me damaging my health and leaving her as a widow, smoking didn't seem as appealing to me the way it was before."Damn, so it's the truth! I can't believe a day like this would come!” He whoops and puts an arm around my shoulders, giving me a friendly squeeze. “You have changed a lot!”“Whose changed a lot?" Anthonio's voice sounds from behind us, and I can't help but puff out my cheeks when Jeffrey starts to tell Anthonio that I refuse
Ethan's POV“I think I should be asking you that question, Avery. Why the fuck are you dressed like this and serving drinks to men who can't stand toe to toe with me? You left our kids alone just to do this! What the fuck for?” I boomed, fighting the urge to punch the wall.I didn't know I was even this mad at her right now, but recounting everything, even though I already knew, made my chest squeeze with pain. I don't remember being this angry—not when I lost a business deal in my early days, and not even when Dimitri pulled that stunt because I knew I could protect her.I scoff as I glance at the bottle I just snatched from her. A fucking pepper spray was all she had to protect herself! She was literally a lamb in the midst of hungry, wild wolves.Tears started to fall from her eyes. “The kids are at Nana's.” She stops when she notices the angry look I give her. “I am sorry, honey." She whimpers,“This is not just about sorry, Avery. Why are you here?”Please tell me the truth, baby
Avery's POV My eyes slowly open, and a small groan leaves me when the bright reflection of the sunlight hits my face. I throw a pillow over my face to block the bright morning sunlight. Ah,such peace.I felt particularly lazy this morning and plan on getting more sleep till I feel energized enough to leave the bed. The sound of a ringing phone fills the quietness of the suite, and I am forced to sit up when I realize it's my own phone. I had left the phone in Angela's small suite, where we changed last night, and didn't expect it to be here already. It could only be here because of Ethan!I pick up the phone from the nightstand, and a smile forms on my lips when I see Anita's name on the screen.“Good morn—”“Girl! I have been calling you since last night.” She screams, and I move the phone away from my ear. “You got me worried that I couldn't even sleep a wink. You know, I almost drove down to the harbor this morning, but I remembered you wanted this a secret, and Jeffery doesn't ev
Avery's POV "Girl, I can't believe you went through all that!” Anita exclaims, her eyes wide in surprise.It is a weekend, exactly a week after I signed the contract, and we were both sitting in the pavilion, enjoying some fresh snacks and fruit juice. Marcella was almost due for delivery and stayed at home. I recounted the whole experience on the luxury ship to Anita, from finding out Vivian was the owner of Calliers Accessories to meeting Ethan and signing with D&R Mining Company.I smile at her reaction. “I couldn't believe it too, but here we are.”“No wonder I heard a rumor of your husband cheating on you with a seductive blonde. It must be Vivian behind it then, and that explains Jeffery's weird behavior this week; he seemed to be on edge around me.” Anita frowns and points an accusatory finger at me. “You better get your husband to come clean to my man. Poor guy is probably feeling guilty that he saw your husband cheat on you!”“Cheat on me? That's ridiculous,I was with Ethan