Avery's POVI stared at the city from the view of the living room. It has become almost a routine for me in my almost three days of staying in this place. Staring at the busy movement of cars and people from up here takes my attention away from my constant thinking.The front door opens, and even without turning,I am very aware of his unignorable presence, which is announced by his footsteps and cologne.“Sweetheart,your lunch is still on the dining table.” He said in an obvious attempt to start a conversation, but I ignored him and continued looking out the window.I hear him sigh, and I resist the urge to turn around to see his expression. I have been ignoring and avoiding him for the past two days, and today isn't going to be different.“Do you not like the chef?or do you prefer some doughnuts from your favorite eatery?”Ethan asks,his voice unable to hide his frustration as he steps closer, making it harder for me to pretend to be unaware of him.I finally scumble and face him. Our
We all see Nana off to the door, where her maid takes over and accompanies her to the elevator.The ladies settle on the couch while I surf through the various TV channels for something entertaining. I settle on a new reality show before joining the others on the couch in the hopes that it will distract our attention.“So Gavin, huh?”Well, certainly not Anita's attention. I almost scold her, but one look at Estella's blushing face is enough to pique my curiosity, and I find myself reducing the volume of the TV so I can hear what she has to say.“Uh,yes. And Brandy likes him too,so yes.” Estella answers with a wide smile, like a teenager talking about their high school crush. Gosh,she is surely in love!It's obvious she is shy about talking about it when her son is twenty-four years old, but that doesn't stop us from teasing her.Marcella grins with a naughty look in her eyes. “So was it that time in the spring?”“Or maybe the after party when you both were missing.” I tease with a wi
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