Chapter 3

Hardin POV

I left the office feeling hurt. Betrayed! Aren't the couples supposed to discuss everything before making a decision? I mean that's what couples do right? Especially a married couple like mine and Jared's. But no. He had to go ahead and tell Louis to invite whoever that girl is to the interview as our assistant. I was angry. Very angry. He knew damn well how I got around women. Any female creeped me out. But he didn't even consider it.

I walked out towards my car but was stopped by Louis's voice.

"Mr. Calu?" he called running towards me before handing me his tablet.

I took it with a raised brow and flicked it on. And what I saw nearly knocked my breath out of me. Very black eyes stared back at me. The high cheekbones and lush lips decorated the very serious face. She looked so beautiful to be true. A little too unreal.

"I'm not sure if Mr Scott has told you but I really suggest we should give Ms McChrystal a chance. I think she's what we need. Referring to the current crisis. She's the right change we need." I didn't reply.

I knew better than to question his instincts. Somehow Louis just saw things when they were really bad and when they were really good. I don't know how he did it but he just did it. I scrolled down and read a few lines of her CV.

What surprised me was that she had no experience in executive management. No experience in working in higher fields at all. But her words carried a very professional demeanor that scared the shit out of me. She looked like she knew she was made for this thing. 

My anger somehow vanished when I stared at her picture. Something about her pulled me in. As much as being around women creeped me out, I swear this one was a little different. 

I gave Louis a small nod before handing him his tablet.

"Tell Jared I'll be home a bit late." with that, I took long strides toward my car and Louis was right there to open the door for me.

The man was just so punctual with his work. One of the many reasons why I loved him. He was competent, honest, and very true to his work. 

I put the key into the ignition and quickly drove out of the lot. I left the building and just kept on driving. Where to? I myself wouldn't tell. But I drove absent-mindedly with my thoughts drifting back to the intriguing lady who was soon to be our assistant. 

At this point, I was no longer angry at Jared, but at myself for not giving him a chance to explain why he did what he did. I knew for a fact that Jared loved me with his life and that he'd rather die than hurt me. However, I would've appreciated it if he told me before deciding to interview Faith.

Something in me knew that she was different. How different? I had no ideabut yes, she was different. 

Twenty-five minutes later, I stopped near the closed factory and parked right in front of the gate. I thought back at how Jared knelt in front of me telling me that he did something really bad. The panic in his eyes so raw and intense. He did what was best for the company. And I really loved him for that.

My hands rubbed my face and I rolled my tense neck. The past few weeks have been a real hell. I was too busy to even cuddle with my man. We haven't had time to ourselves because we were busy fighting the damage our previous assistant caused. That son of a bitch was lucky to have Jared because I swear I was about to murder him when we found out that he breached our confidential files. 

My thoughts were cut off by the vibration of my phone. I reached for it from my pocket and found 11 missed calls and 9 messages from Jared.

I chuckled. I knew for a fact that he was frustrated with the fact that I just stormed out of the office and now his calls went unanswered. I made a mental note to buy him his favorite cookies at this other pastry shop. I swear he was so obsessed with the chocolate and caramel cookies from that shop. His grin, whenever I told him we were getting those cookies, was priceless.

By the time I drove off from my cooling-off space, it was already dark. And I knew Jay was already home. I drove towards the pastry shop and was recognized by the lady behind the counter. She was just too sweet for my liking. With graying hairs and a little bit of wrinkle on her skin. She didn't give me any creeps but I couldn't just help cringing from her ear-to-ear smiles. 

I just couldn't stand the thought of having a female at least 2 feet away from me. My mother and her sister really fucked me up. Beyond the point of repair.

The sweet lady gave me a wrapped box of cookies and told me to pass her greetings to Jared. I just smiled and went out. Upon reaching my car, my thoughts drifted to the girl that was going to be part of us. I don't know if I would feel the chills that I get around women but well, I guess we'd cross that bridge when we get there.

The evening traffic caused me to drive for full 40 minutes before I pulled in front of our gigantic iron gate.

Jay and I owned an annoyingly huge mansion. I'm talking 18 bedrooms and other unnecessary rooms with a private theater and indoor pools. The house even has a ballroom in it. Underground ballroom. Jared loved it to bits. And that, I couldn't take away from him even if it was just the two of us.

I waved to our security guard and drove towards the house, parked the car just beside the steps, and got out. 

It took Jared less than 10 seconds to know I was home and with that, he came running down the stairs like he was running away from something. I had to still myself to the ground because if I didn't, we were both going to fall. He threw himself into my arms and engulfed me in a bone-crushing hug.

"Jesus, baby. You should never do that again. Do you know how worried I was when you didn't pick up your phone? Don't ever do that. Please" he ranted while he rocked me from side to side. I patted his back since it was a one-hand hug from me.

"Relax my love. I'm home now." I replied kissing his neck. "Guess what I have for you?"

He pulled back and clapped his hands excitedly. 

"What did you buy?" he said trying to look behind my back but I wouldn't let him. I turned when he tried to look. And after a long struggle of trying to peel my hand from my back, he gave up and then began whining with the cutest pout. I laughed and pulled his head to my lips while we walked towards the lounge room.

I forced him to sit on the couch and then placed the box on his lap. His face lit up.

"Cookies!" he screeched before sitting in Indian style and unwrapping the box hurriedly. He took one brown cookie and sunk his teeth into the spongy thing then moaned.

"hmmmmmmm, baby. They are so goooooooood! Why did you buy cookies? I thought you were angry at me? You want kisses?" he asked while chewing a mouthful of cookies. I ruffled his hair and kissed his nose before sitting on the table in front of him.

"No, baby. I am not angry. I'm not angry at all." I told him while kneading his knee with my hand.

"Really? You are not angry about the Faith thing? I thought you were when you left the office." he said chewing slowly. Guilt stabbed me in my chest.

"I'm sorry I made you worry. I know you won't ever hurt me. And well, the Faith girl looks kind of interesting so I guess we should really give her a try. Besides, we are at our lowest right now." I said taking the box from his lap and pulling him towards me. He knelt in front of my parted knees and I hugged him. He hugged me back.

"I'm sorry too! I didn't talk to you about it. I shouldn't have..." I cut his words by placing a soft wet kiss on his lips.

"It's okay. Now shut up and give me kisses." he grinned before smashing his lips onto mine in a bruising kiss. He tasted like chocolate and Jared. A mind-fogging taste!

A groan left my throat and I felt my cock hardening in my pants. I palmed his cock and felt him harden even more. He gave me a deep growl and forced my coat off my shoulders. I let him yank my tie off my neck and unbutton my shirt. The kiss grew more fierce. 

We moaned and fought for dominance together. And soon, we were both stark naked on the couch, with his back on my chest and my dick buried deep inside him. I fisted his cock while he clawed onto my neck. I made love to him slowly and in no time, we were moaning about our release. Right when I felt his muscles tightening, I shot off from the couch and knelt in front of him. Then placed his hot throbbing cock in my mouth. 

I pushed it deep into my throat. His hands found my hair and he gripped it for dear life. I relaxed my throat and bobbed a few times before he spilled his hot release at the back of my throat. I swallowed every drop of his cream and licked him clean. Then kissed him softly on his lips. He murmured a soft 'I love you' before sleep washes over him. 

I kissed the back of his head and smiled. That's how we slept that night.