“About what?” I totally wasn’t listening, because he’s still touching me. He still has his warm hand on my elbow. Nate doesn’t do that, you know. He doesn’t touch me. Ever. I’m the one who tries it and fails miserably every time.But he’s doing it right now.And it’s hard to focus when I’m floating in the clouds.“About how you’re not a burden.”My heart jolts and I can’t control the tremor that shoots through my limbs. It’s a knee-jerk reaction that gives away my emotions and I hate it. Especially in front of him. The man who’s the reason behind it every damn time.“I am.” I lower my head, staring at my white sneakers, and that automatically makes me look at his prim leather shoes. And the difference between his and mine is so striking that it helps to anchor me in the moment, even if temporarily. “I know you’re marrying me because you want to protect Dad’s assets and that’s okay, but it still makes me a burden. Because I’m not old enough to take care of things myself and I didn’t ev
GwynethThe getting married part didn’t make me want to throw my guts up.I mean, it should’ve been simple, but it really wasn’t.Probably because I was half-dazed and half-fuming at Aspen’s presence. Yes, I knew she was going to be there. She’s close to Nate’s age and works with him, after all.Gag.But yeah, seeing her there might’ve brought out the temper I usually try to bury inside. It’s toxic, you know. Like, super toxic, and I don’t want to be that person in front of Nate on our wedding day.Aspen didn’t do anything either. Her mere existence is enough to push me to my limit.Anyway, it’s over. We’re married. We put on rings in front of the judge, but we removed them as soon as the ceremony ended because Nate made it clear that this whole marriage is a secret and no one but the four of us, and Susan, will know about it. He has those rings now, in his pocket, and he’ll probably throw them away the minute he’s out of view.We’ll have our certificate soon and then everything will f
Right, Dad?“Where are we going?” I ask Nate once I’m a bit out of my daze. Only a bit, though, because I think those pills I crunched on like candy are starting to take effect.“I’ll drive you home.”“Why?”“Because you’re a few minutes away from collapsing.”So he did know about my exhaustion. Yikes. Am I that obvious to everyone else?“I can take a cab. You said you were going back to the firm.”“Since you were late, I rescheduled my morning meetings, so I don’t have anything until the afternoon.” He unlocks his car and steps to the driver’s side.I roll my eyes. “Sorry for messing up your morning meetings, husband.”He pauses with his hand on his door’s handle. “What did you just call me?”“Husband. You know, when people get married, they become husband and wife.”“Lose it.”“Lose what?”“That word. Lose it.”“No.” I cross my arms over my chest. “What I call you is up to me. Besides, we need to keep things authentic if we want Susan to believe it. She’s cunning, you know. It’s not
NathanielWhen my father said that I have a train brain, it had absolutely nothing to do with how much I actually love trains.My train brain doesn’t reverse. Ever. Once it’s moving forward, it just keeps going. There are no regrets. No going back and definitely no retracting what I fucking said or did.So now, I have a train life, one that’s only focused on getting shit done and moving on to the next thing, then the one after that, and so on. That’s how my train brain works.Forward.Outward.Nothing is kept inward. Otherwise, it’ll rot and cause my downfall.Now is no different. The present and the past are only a step for the future. A stop, a station. They’re not what I should be focused on and I certainly shouldn’t be thinking about her fucking words. The words that she shouldn’t have said in that sultry voice that I want to hear say fucked-up things.I don’t want safe and boring.That’s what started it all. That’s what brought us to this moment where she’s staring at me as if I’
GwynethTwo weeks later, I’m forced back to reality.I’m forced to let go of the hope I held on to so tightly when Dad had his accident. Because the truth is, he’s not waking up and probably won’t. The doctor said that the more time he spends in a coma, the slimmer his chances are of coming out of it.And even though I’ve been visiting him every day, I can feel the gloomy cloud that hovers over his hospital bed. I can tell that my dad is probably not there anymore, no matter how much I talk to him and read to him and everything in between.And that’s just been too painful to think about, so I distracted myself with school before the summer break. And cleaning. I do that a lot when I’m anxious or stressed. I scrub floors and counters and dishes and the bathroom.In my head, I’m scrubbing my mind clean. Does it work? For a while, maybe, but not in the long term. Because the problems far outweigh the solutions. I thought myself strong enough to take it all—let it soak in and then vanish—
I keep a low profile as I head to where the three of them are sitting. They usually have these coffee breaks around this time, and Nate has his administrative meetings in the morning, which is why I came in now.Everything is calculated to give my plan further chance to succeed. I’m taking things into my own hands and it’s all going to be fine.“Hi!” I say too cheerfully, making three pairs of eyes slide to me. Sebastian smiles and so does Daniel. He has a charming presence that’s similar to Sebastian’s when he was in college—Nate’s nephew is a bit more serious now.Daniel is pretty in a model type of way with his piercing turquoise eyes, light hair, and fit physique. It’s one of the reasons why magazines love putting him on their covers. That and his shrewd ways in the law circuit. “Gwen! Did you bring us some of your cupcakes?”“Yeah.” I grin, waving my bribes box. “I stayed up all night making them.”“You’re a doll.” Daniel takes the box, opens it, but pauses before eating. “Sorry
NathanielMy workplace is sacred.After all, it’s where my ambition thrives. Where my plans are made and my strategies are conducted.This is where I come to focus and forget about the girl I leave behind and go back late so that I don’t see her. Only, she’s not a girl, is she?I want to call her that to stop my dick from having ideas, but she was never that—a girl. At least, not for some time.She’s a woman now. A grown-up fucking woman with legs that go for miles and a tiny waist that can almost fit in only one of my palms.And she’s currently in the place where I’m supposed to be focused, not sidetracked.Gwyneth is right here, at W&S, and while it’s not her first time, she doesn’t usually dress like she’s at a business meeting.And definitely not with these three fuckers—my nephew included. Kingsley made it his mission to keep her away from them and their whoring ways. So I’m just taking care of it on his behalf. Like I promised him.It’s definitely not because of how I want to ja
Whoever said that is a fucking moron.Besides, either she’s with me or with someone else. And there’s no way in fuck I was going to let her be with Knox, Daniel, or even Sebastian.I’ve been hit by the same haze that took over me when Aspen told me that my “wife” brought cupcakes and was talking with the three fuckers. Logical thoughts were the last thing on my mind when I barged in there. I knew she didn’t like it when I refused the internship, but I didn’t think she’d show up and negotiate her way into one.Behind my back.I’m well aware of her half-jogging behind me as I march to my office, but I don’t look at her. I’m charged up enough as it is without being distracted by the sight of her.If I had enough decency, I would slow down and let her catch up, but that term doesn’t fucking exist in my dictionary.As soon as we’re inside, I shut the door, lean against it, and face her.Gwyneth stands in the middle of the office, catching her breath. But then she glares at me with her arms
He’s a coward.Anger rises in me again, and I reach my drink and take it to my lips.I’m enjoying it when I see Charles walk up to me. He’s told me he’d be working with his team until late on a small gathering they’re throwing the next day for people of the trade. I wave at him, and he comes to my table with a determined expression, and long strides like he knows what he’s looking for. Who he’s looking for.My gut clenches. Something isn’t right.Was Dan an ass to him too, on the way back? Did Dan say anything bad about Whitney?Or did a bastard like me do something bad to Whitney?Like fuck her, again and again? I feel color draining from my face, and when Charles gets on the table with a disappointed look on his face, I already know it.“You jerk! I trusted you all those years. My daughter, really?” Charles says, flushed.My throat is dry and tight.Somehow he found out, and denying it will only make him angrier.Guilt crawls its way into my chest, and it’s hard to breathe. How can I
Maddox“And this is where guests and locals come for drinks and music,” I say, gesturing as we emerge into the club. I see quite a few more patrons than the past few weeks, which shows me that Whitney’s efforts have worked. We’ve had more visitors and increased sales. Always a plus.I’d be a lot happier if it weren’t for the company.My body is still stiff, as I had to go through an entire dinner with Dan Walters who happens to be almost as annoying as he is misogynistic. I guess it’s been a while since I last sat through a meal with the guy. We’re not friends, and I’ve met him in social events and basically small talked.I want to give him the benefit of the doubt and say maybe the reason why he’s been talking about women nonstop and not under the best light is because of his divorce. Maybe he’s broken, and feels more powerful if he’s bragging about all the pussy he’s getting.But the cynical part of me knows better.This guy is a certified douchebag, and I hope Astrid can get a good
WhitneyI strideinto the hotel lobby.Right now, Dan Walters the politician should be having dinner with Maddox. Maybe dinner is already over and they’re touring the hotel. Astrid is there in the club, ready to snap a couple of pictures as planned, and then send it to a gossip columnist friend of ours.If this was another client, I wouldn’t be here. My presence isn’t required since Astrid is here, as per her text.But I am shamelessly using every excuse in the book to be around Maddox, to see him more often, to spend more time with him.Ever since our ax throwing date, I can’t stop thinking about how far we’ve come. From him avoiding me for years to hinting about having children together one day. Who would have thought?A ball of joy rolls inside me, like a bowling ball running down the lane. Striking out.I add a little bit more pep to my step, and my goal is to pass by the restaurant and see them without introducing myself. But before I make it there, I almost bump into them, with b
Maddox“Your turn,”she says, handing me the ax.I hold the weight of the tool, and clasp it. This is the first time visiting an ax throwing joint, and if at first the idea seemed silly at best, now I’m actually enjoying myself. Then again, why wouldn’t I? For the past few days, we’ve been together non-stop, or as much as our schedules allow.Still, it doesn’t feel like it’s enough.I shoot the damn thing at the target, hitting it right at buzz’s eye. She squeals, cheering me on, then takes a sip of her beer.She’s invited me here because she needed to come for an appearance and check out the place, take some pictures, then post about it later. So even though this should technically be work, it’s still relaxing. At least, to me.Besides, I get to see how she fills those skintight jeans and plaid shirt she’s wearing. I’ve seen how a couple of men looked at her, and wanted to punch each one.Though I know she’s mine.Mine forever.A warm glow flows through me, spreading into my veins. Wh
“Maybe,” Maddox says, then clears his throat. “I hate to cut this short, but I have some phone calls I need to make soon.”“Oh, sure, no problem,” Dad says, then stands. We’ll leave you to it.”I hold the arms of the chair and am about to surge to my feet, when his gaze connects with mine and pins me to the spot.“I still have a question for you, Whitney,” Maddox says. “About the posting you’ll do later.”“Sure,” I say, and plop down on the chair again.Dad leaves and closes the door behind him.Quietly, Maddox stands and walks up to the door, and locks it. “You’re upset,” he says, picking a chair next to mine and sitting.I cross my legs, then uncross them and cross them again. “What? No,” I say in a hissy voice that betrays my words. I’m upset, and also embarrassed for being upset about him not acknowledging he’s seeing someone to my father. And maybe a tad jealous. What if Dad really tries to find him a date? My heart lurches. The idea of him with another woman gives me instant aci
“There you are,” my dad says, walking up to us, bursting that bubble.I withdraw as if I’ve been burned.“Hey, Dad,” I say in an extra chipper voice. “What’s up?”“Can we all meet at the conference room for a quick meeting? I have some news to share.”I have some too, I say inwardly.I slept with your best friend and can’t wait to do it again.A twinge of guilt twists at my heart, like the sharp end of a new blade. My dad doesn’t deserve to be hurt in all this, but would his hurt last? Besides the immediate surprise, would he really put up a long lasting fight against our relationship? I doubt it.Dad isn’t the typical father.He tends to be more open minded than most. Growing up, I always kept a channel of communication open with him. I confided in him about tiffs with friends, dates gone wrong, and when things started to happen for me as a digital influencer, he was my biggest cheerleader. He encouraged me and my dreams.The thoughts keep me busy as the three of us walk through the h
Whitney“How’s everything?”I ask the table of six influencers who were carefully curated for this lunch. Two of them, Rick and Ashley, are successful foodies and post about restaurants and the food scene in Texas. Then there’s Antoine and Ava, Claire and Kendall. Hashtag all-stars.“Oh, great. I’ve never been to this place,” Ava says, tossing her long brown hair to the side.“I have to say… I’m not a big fan of hotel restaurants in general,” Rick says, with his posh British accent. “But this one has surprised me so far.”“Excellent,” I say. “If you need anything, just let me know.,” I say, then turn around and walk away from their table.A thread of excitement works its way up my spine. I’m usually invested in my clients, as I love what I do. I love being able to highlight people’s talents or products and help them increase their visibility and profit. This time, though, I’m even more invested.Because of Maddox.I sigh.Two days ago, we had the most amazing date, and sex afterwards.
MaddoxI embraceher tightly against me, then pull the sheet over us. Our bodies are entangled, and she’s resting her head on my shoulder, her hand hovering on my chest and making little invisible patterns around my nipples.Her phone buzzes at the distance, but she doesn’t move an inch.“Do you need to get that?”“No. It’s Astrid probably reminding me of a place I need stop by later,” she says, and kisses my shoulder. A small gesture that only enhances this amplified intimate post-sex bliss. “Or asking where I’ve been.”I kiss the top of her head, and tendrils of relief course through me. I don’t want to let her go. Is it strange that now I get what she meant by saying she wanted to make the most of our time together? It’s not enough. Feels like whatever time I have with her, it’ll never be enough. Unless—She hums, the sweet sound yanking me from my thoughts. “I don’t think I can move anytime soon, anyway.”Pride swells in my chest, my male ego nicely massaged. I don’t want to move e
He gets the hint and plants kisses down my body, on my stomach, he nips my hips, then drags his mouth shamelessly between my thighs, and the second he breathes over my sex, I moan, already knowing what’s to come—me. Pretty soon.With a masterful swish of his tongue, he tastes me, exploring every inch of me with an eagerness that causes me to shudder in response. This time, he’s even more eager than he was at the restaurant. It’s like the more he tastes, the hungrier he gets.“Yes,” I hiss.He continues his teasing exploration, relentless, until tendrils of pleasure swirl through me, and I let go. Pleasure rockets through me, and I call out his name in a long winded moan, my limbs sweaty, my heartbeat frantic. Damn.I’m still dazed when he rises from between my legs, his body covering mine, the warm intensity in his eyes quickly re-energizing whatever sexual fuel I thought I was emptied of a second ago.“God. You’re stunning,” he says, and there’s a vulnerability in his voice that’s al