LOGINElaine I stared at the man in front of me, as he casually went back to spooning his mouth full of crème brûlée and I couldn’t even close my mouth. “Are you kidding me?” “You of all people should know that I do not kid,” he sounded so flippant that my head could help swarming at how arrogant this man was. “Who gives out a restaurant in the center of New York as a push present?” My mouth was still ajar. “Me.” The one worded answer had my brain finally unlocking and I screeched in excitement jumping on himHe chuckled at my excitement and it dawned on me that I was outside in public so I adjusted myself and tried to contain my excitement“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much.” I repeated over and over kissing him all over the face. “It’s not a big deal, Peristeraki” he murmured, his face red from embarrassment. “Thank you, I love you.” I added without restraint. The words had already left my lips before it dawned on me what it was that I just said. I watched the man who went
ELAine. “Anytime today please” Niks voice boomed from downstairs and I rolled my eyes ignoring him then motioned to the stylist that was helping me. She rubbed a shimmery oil on my exposed chest and shoulder and I curled the hair I left out to frame my face. The image that greeted me was one that had me humming in satisfaction. This was our first major date night since the twins were bornIt was my chance to be outside and be anything other than a mother. Nik was right, I haven’t been able to return to school and I underestimated what post Partum with two children was going to be like. I waited as she helped me slip on the strappy sandal heel I chose for the day and beamed again in satisfaction at the entire result. The door was pushed open and my husband stepped in all dressed up in a tux with our daughter on his hip, and the surprise of my look was ruined but the look on his face was good enough. “Oh, Mrs Stavros, you look ravishing.” He added a wink that made me bloom under
Nik. I watched as she fed my son, and I started to wonder how that tasted. “What?” She asked, squinting her eyes and I shrugged not looking away. “It tastes just like what I ate for the day most times. Sometimes sweet, or even salty.” I chuckled in amazement, “how do you know what I was thinking.” She only rolled her eyes, “ hello, I know you a little better each day.”The way the words rolled off her tongue just made me adjust in my chair, watching her breastfeed didn’t turn me on, but this turned me almost immediately. I didn’t expect what she did next. But she got up and put Daniel down in the cot beside our bedI watched from my position on the bed as she called the housekeeper who came and took the baby to play with them and when they were finally gone she smirked at me. Fuck this can’t be what I think it is. It’s been 6 months post partum now, and for most people maybe it was too long but for us, I wanted to only try again with sex when I was sure that she was ready. I
Love at first sight. Love at first touchLove at first smell. I stared at the little bundles that were in my arms and I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t believe this was possible but the moment I saw them both, I already knew my life forever changedTwins. We surely didn’t know when we decided not to do a gender reveal and wait till the end that we were going to have two children. I stared at the tiny babies and my eyes were almost closing out of tiredness but I only struggled to keep it open because of the hand that was gripping mine tightly and the soothing words been spoken. “You’ve done so well, Peristeraki!” “My little dove, look what we made” he cooed, his eyes so tender as he stroked the little girl's cheek. “We did so good, didn’t we?” My eyes watered and he kissed my forehead in response. “No more fights,” he looked at me, and I could see the plea in his eyes“This is our clean slate.” That was the last thing I remember nodding to before drifting off into sleep, as after
Nik“Eva.” The name rolled off my tongue with so much disgust and I hope she could tell how much it was that I hated her, that I still hate her. It’s a present continuous forever tense. She smiled, her bloody red lips parting to reveal pearly white teeth that could have been fangs for all I care. Because she might look the same as years ago, barely aging on the surface but she was a blood sucking demon underneath. I took great care to school my expression into a mask so that she couldn’t tell how much she affected me. “It’s been ages.” She drawled. “You have less than a minute to say what it is you want to say. Once the Valet gets here and my car is outside, best believe I’m done with this conversation.” She sighed and dropped the mask and for a split second, I could see the woman I loved underneath the Botox and layers of makeup. The woman I gave my heart to for the first time. “Nik, I’m sorry.” Her eyes watered and I’m not sure if it was to trap me again. “Me too.” I whispe
“Yes I can, but what does that have to do with making me something?” “Perhaps the fact that I’m not your maid, or subordinate who you can order and they will jump up and say yes sir at any freaking time of the day.” I fired and his entire expression changed. He wasn’t expecting that reply, and it was immediately clear how pissed he was. “Careful Elaine.” He warned sternly while stalking forward to come to a stop just where I was. He stood there for a while, waiting for me to say anything else, but his daunting presence and the dark look in his eyes actually scared me much more than I cared to admit. He was taunting me, waiting for me to say one more word. I know he wouldn’t hurt me because of the baby, but I’m sure he could do other crazy things to me if he wanted to. I sighed heavily and turned back to face what I was doing, ignoring him as much as I could before he stalked out of the nursery. He didn’t come back home that night. Maybe, just maybe I’ve finally pushed him into
CHAPTER 40. We sat at the dinner table with Alex and his wife and some of their dearest and nearest as they described. It was an intimate dinner to celebrate Alex’s birthday and even though Nik had previously travelled out, he had to come back to attend it. Everyone around me on this table was d
NIK. She didn't even care to hear my side of the story or understand what happened. She just went straight to blaming me and that had hurt. In her eyes, I guess I will always be the evil man and honestly that's fine. Somehow I keep forgetting that this is a contract. I'm not here to understand
ELAINE. “Stay longer” Nik's deep, groggy voice muttered against my temples and I let myself relax in his arms. Last night was a long bout of lovemaking and thinking about the things we did, the things he made me do, made me feel like getting dunked in holy water. The soreness between my legs was
ELAINE. The call he just had must have pissed him the hell off, because he had gone out of bed to answer it and when he returned he was so angry. Well good for me. At least that will be a reminder for my brain that he is off limits. He got back into bed and yanked me towards him and I yelled in







