ВойтиShirley POVIt was the day of the second-round review.Josh and I had agreed to meet on the thirtieth floor, where the Marketing Department held all its sessions.I had barely waited a few minutes when he appeared.The light-gray tailored suit fit his tall, slender frame a little too well.And the gold-rimmed glasses softened the already gentle lines of his face.I’d seen him in hoodies and sneakers more times than I could count, so the deliberate formality for today’s meeting caught me off guard.He must have rushed out the door. His tie knot sat slightly crooked.“Have you been waiting long?” he asked.“No, I just got here. Hold on—” I tipped my chin up at him. “Your tie isn’t right. Come here.”I pulled the knot loose and redid it, tightening it with a sharp tug.“How did you even walk out like this? It’s ugly. And crooked. Didn’t check a mirror?” I teased.He chuckled. “I told you, I was in a hurry.”The elevator chimed open just then, and a chill rolled straight down my spine.Co
Shirley POVBack when Connor and I were together, I loved chocolate.We had entire rituals built around it.He would feed me a piece from his mouth, or bite into it first and then lean in to kiss me.Sometimes we’d smear chocolate on each other’s bodies, slow and teasing, our tongues chasing the sweetness off skin.The flick of his tongue on my nipple used to pull shameless sounds from my throat.And I’d get my revenge by spreading chocolate over his abs… even over his hard, impatient dick, taking my time despite the way his breath grew ragged.But that was before.Before we fell apart.After the breakup, I never bought chocolate again.I even started hating the taste of it.It felt like… a scar on my heart I couldn’t touch.But Connor would never know that.He only remembered the girl who used to melt for him, and he kept trying to freeze her in time.And sending chocolate to my workplace?Did he want Josh to know I’d once been his to claim?The thought alone filled me with a deep, u
Shirley POV:When I woke on the sofa the next morning, Connor was already gone.A soft knock sounded at the door."Miss Cage, your clothes are ready."The maids came in, led by the butler, Jack.They pushed in several racks—clothes, shoes, handbags, accessories… everything I could possibly need—and plenty I never would."If there's anything else you require, please don't hesitate to let me know."The butler smiled, that perfectly trained professional smile.I stood there, stunned for a moment before finding my voice."Where's Connor?""Mr. Rogers left early for work," Jack replied with a slight bow. "He has a very full schedule today."Then, he added, "Mr. Rogers suffers from chronic insomnia. Today is one of his rare good mornings."I froze. So… he hadn't been lying.I picked out the plainest outfit I could find oh the rack, grabbed a quick breakfast, and headed for the garage.Among those luxury cars, my eighteen-year-old secondhand one looked a little out of place. I'd assumed Co
Shirley POV:How ironic.I'd become the kind of woman I used to despise—Connor's contractual bedmate.The contract was humiliating, but not without purpose. At least I could help Josh.At least I could survive without scraping for rent. And moreover, I could find a way to make Vanessa pay for what she did.Connor turned my shoulder, then buried his face in my hair, inhaling. "Stay here," he murmured. "Otherwise, I'll lose sleep again.""But I will," I cut in, sharper than I meant to.He froze, studying me for a long moment. Then his thumb brushed my jaw, a low, amused smile tugging at his lips. "All right," he said. "I have enough patience."He led me downstairs to a guest room. "You can stay here for now," he said, lingering in the doorway. "But the master bedroom is always open to you."Before leaving, he pulled me into a tight embrace, reluctant to let go. "I hope you'll come back to me soon," he whispered against my hair.His bare chest was warm, his voice rumbling through me
Shirley POV,The heat of passion still lingered in my body when I pushed Connor away.He didn't want to let go.His breath was ragged, his chest rising and falling against mine as he pulled me back into his arms.He pressed soft, lingering kisses along my shoulder.We used to stay like that—me curled up against him, pretending the world outside didn't exist.But tonight, I didn't stay a single second longer."I've fulfilled my part of the contract," I said flatly. "Next time before we make love, you better have that contract ready for me."For a few seconds, something unreadable flickered in Connor's eyes—surprise, maybe even disbelief.Then his lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "Of course... no problem." He looked a little upset. "But... Shirley, you've changed.""Haven't you changed too? You're not even the same man you used to be—your whole life, your identity... everything's different."He hesitated, as if searching for a way to rewind the moment. "Shirley, what just happe
Connor POV:Our lips fused, breaths tangled like smoke.Heat built between us until it scorched."Baby," my voice cracked, unsteady, "these three years... did you miss me?"She squeezed her eyes shut, surrendering to the kiss. I caught the glint of tears soaking her long lashes.Love and regret twisted inside me.I kissed her deeper, murmuring against her mouth, "Baby, I'm sorry.""Let me make it up to you. Okay?"She nodded, eyes fluttering open to meet mine. A single tear traced down her cheek.God, that tear—it burned straight through my chest.I kissed it away, pulling her flush against me.Her heartbeat thundering against my ribs.This was my girl.The one who'd slipped through my fingers and somehow found her way back.My lost treasure, reclaimed.I'd never let her hurt again. Never let her go.My mouth trailed lower, brushing the swell of her breast, then dipping to the soft plane of her stomach.She was much thinner than beforeAnd the skin on her lower belly wasn't as smooth a







