LOGINI tried my best to return her smile while thinking about what kind of trouble I had gotten myself into. It was already too late for me to tell Marcus that I didn’t want the painting, and it didn’t feel like the right timing for that either. I figured I would tell him later that there was no way I could accept such an expensive gift. I was well aware that he was trying his best to win me over, but that only meant it would be misleading and disadvantageous for me to accept his expensive gift.![]()
We enjoyed each other’s company in silence, but it didn’t take long for my own mind to break the peace. I couldn’t stop thinking and replaying the events that happened earlier in the evening with Marcus and all the words that he had said to me. "What’s the matter? You’re all tense," Rowan asked observingly. "I’m sorry. I’m trying my best to forget, but it just keeps on coming back to me," I confessed in a shaky voice as I tried to keep the dark memories at bay. I closed my eyes, but Marcus’s words swirled around in my head along with his smug confidence. Something was bothering me, and I was entirely sure that it had less to do with how he physically handled me and more to do with his words-what he said and what he implied. "Listen, when I was with Marcus earlier, he said something weird," I began saying before taking a pause. My words clearly captured Rowan’s attention and also his curiosity. "What did he say?" Rowan asked
"Rowan, what is going on? Where is Marcus? He was supposed to be with Annabelle tonight," George demanded for answers from his son immediately.His voice was calm yet commanding, and that made me aware that we better have some answers for them. Rowan tightened his arm around my back as if to reassure me that he’s got this. That was when I realized that he was about to tell our parents about the truth of what had just happened earlier in the evening."Marcus," Rowan began explaining."It was nothing! As I said, nothing happened," I blurted out loudly, cutting Rowan off before he could tell our parents anything. Both my mother and George turned to look at me with a mix of confusion and disbelief on their faces."Listen, it was just a misunderstanding," I said quickly, before forcing a shaky smile. "Marcus and I just didn’t really hit it off. So, we decided to just go our separate ways. There’s nothing for you to worry about, really," I continued exp
"It’s all right now. You’re safe. As long as you’re with me, you’ll always be safe," Rowan whispered reassuring words to me over and over again.I had no idea how long I was wrapped up in this arms like a helpless child, but slowly I did start to feel better. His reassuring words made me feel safe and the dark memories began to recede. Slowly, Rowan let me go and held my shoulders so that he could get a good look at my face."You’re safe now," he repeated slowly.I nodded my head and acknowledgment of his words, and to tell him that I did believe him. However, along with the relief that I felt came tears. It felt like the dam suddenly burst and tears wouldn’t stop falling from my eyes. I crumpled forward, pressing my face into his chest again as sobs wrecked to my body. Rowan comforted me instantly, wrapping his arms around me like a shield that would protect me from anything and anyone. The warmth of his body was overwhelming and it felt like his strength
"You’ve completely lost your mind," Marcus sputtered, as he shoved at Rowan’s chest. The impact of the push did nothing to Rowan because he didn’t even stumble. Instead, Rowan shelf Marcus back with so much force that it sent him crashing to the ground again.I stood by as I watched the scene as if it wasn’t real, as I was at a complete loss about what to do or how I could possibly intervene. Marcus scrambled up to his feet before throwing a wild punch that Rowan easily dodged. In one smooth movement, he drove his fits into Marcus’s stomach. Marcus let out a cry of pain as he doubled over before he began gasping for air. Rowan raised his face to hit Marcus again; that was when I knew that I had to do something before the situation could get more out of hand. I just didn’t want Rowan to get hurt."Rowan, stop!" I cried out loudly as I stepped forward to tug on Rowan’s arm."Stand back, and if it’s too much for you then just close your eyes," Rowan instructe
One thing was quite clear, he was even more irritated with me than before and I was certain that my words must have rubbed him the wrong way."You really have no idea what is going on, do you?" he asked, and I could feel that he wasn’t referring to the current situation between us."What...are you saying?" I asked, sounding too clueless than I would like to."I wonder if your mother is a fool as well, or are you the only clueless one," Marcus whispered as his eyes seemed to search my face."I have no idea what on earth you’re talking about," I muttered darkly, but I couldn’t help but feel curious about what he was talking about.I wondered for a split of a second if it was true that my mother and the others were keeping a secret from me. A knot formed in the pit of my stomach even though I tried to remind myself that my mother would never do anything of the sort."I guess you truly are in the dark about it all. Then I guess you really have no idea about the kind of business I was refe
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously as I wondered what Marcus could possibly want from me because I honestly did not have much to offer."I was hoping to discuss this with you when our relationship has progressed further, but I guess we might as well talk about it. You see, I’ve been interested in George’s and Rowan’s business for a while, and I thought that it would be great if you could put in a word for me," Marcus said before showing me a hopeful smile."Business? If that is the case, why don’t you just talk directly with Rowan?" I asked, without hiding my confusion."It’s not like I haven’t tried, but Rowan didn’t seem to like the idea of collaborating with me. Then George reached out to me about setting up a date with you..." Marcus explained before trailing off with a look that sought my understanding."So you thought it was a convenient opportunity to help you pursue your business goals?" I asked the first thing that came to mind. I guess that would explain why he was overly nice
"They’re about to get married and when that happens we’re supposed to play house. We’re supposed to become a family. You’re supposed to be my stepbrother and I’m supposed to be your stepsister," I tried my best to explain, although I thought that it was supposed to be blatantly obvious. The incredu
"All the lewd moans that you let out and all the times you begged me to do you harder..." he whispered before he slowly slipped his thumb between my lips. My eyes widened as I felt his thumb against the tip of my tongue. Rowan’s lips curved into a smile as if he was very satisfied with what he was
I was very aware that we were not alone, and I killed off any thoughts and imagination that I had about what may happen had it been just the two of us. "I don’t think we need to get something so extravagant," I replied honestly. Rowan showed me a regrettable grin before turning his attention to th
I couldn’t get used to the way my chest clenched tightly every time I saw his breathtakingly beautiful smile. "That’s right, we do have a few things to discuss about the wedding," my mother said as if she was suddenly reminded of something. "Then what about we do it now?" George suggested excitedl







